Most equestrians have a good selection of boots for every occasion and a good pair of country boots should be the perfect balance between functional and fashionable, while yard boots or wellies will be suited to harder work and your riding boots are a better option for when you’re in the saddle.
In general, they should be hardy enough to endure a morning of yard chores or a long dog walk, but stylish enough that you can hop in the car and head to the pub for lunch or to your local point-to-point. Some are more practical than pretty, while others fall on the other side of the fence – it’s important to decide what you need from your boots before you buy them. As equestrians, we’re used to spending the day on our feet, and the best country boots will make that time comfortable and provide your feet with plenty of support.
Best country boots: H&H’s quick guide
Best overall country boots: Mark Todd Country Boots MKII
Best country boots for riding: Ariat Wythburn
Most popular classic country boots: Dubarry Galway
Best country boots for wide calves: Brogini Winchester
Best short country boots: Chatham Paddock II
Best value ‘lifestyle’ country boots: Shires Moretta Alessandra
Can you ride in country boots?
Although many country boots are designed with equestrians in mind, not all are safe for riding in. Some pairs of country boots are designed to be worn in the saddle and will be suitable for a quick hack, but often this is not their primary purpose. If you’re looking for a new pair of riding boots for wearing primarily in the school, you would be better to invest in a pair of the best long leather boots or best winter riding boots. These will give you a much closer contact and feel with your horse’s side and will be safer in the stirrup.
Are country boots worth the money?
Country boots can be a really significant investment (but definitely a worthy one), so you need to be sure on your purchasing decision. The best country boots are comfortable, waterproof (or at least water resistant), have a robust sole with a good grip and be stylish in appearance. If they are designed so they can safely be worn in the saddle, then that’s an added bonus.
They need to remain comfortable when being worn for hours at a time, and should be tough enough to cope with the regular challenges that a busy horse owner will throw at them, such as walking the dogs, traversing cross-country courses, standing at ringside, and we want them to look great when we happen to bump into our friends along the way. If you were thinking of wearing them for heavier yard chores on a regular basis, it would be worth considering whether a pair of specifically designed yard boots or the best wellington boots might suit your needs better.
If you’re thinking about getting a new pair of country boots, but aren’t quite sure which ones are your best option, we’ve rounded up a great selection to help you take a step in the right direction.
Best country boots
Mark Todd Country Boot MKII Country Boots
Fit: Unisex
Colours: Brown
Sizes: EU 37–45, in standard or wide
RRP: £154.99
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
These Mark Todd boots are described as fully waterproof, lightweight and comfortable. They are made from full-grain and nubuck leather and feature a technical, waterproof and breathable lining. We found they gave good support and stood up well to regular wear. They fitted well, were true to size, kept our feet and worth spending the extra money on. These boots are also available in children’s sizes.
Read H&H’s independent Mark Todd country boots MKII review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
Bareback Footwear Quebec Country Boots
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Brown
Sizes: UK 3–12
RRP: £219
H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved
The Quebec waterproof mid-calf boots from Bareback Footwear are made from full-grain waxed leather and edged with piping detail through the whole boot. They are finished with contrast stitch detailing and a brass buckle to the rear, which makes them adjustable and so easier to take on and off. They feature a waterproof and breathable lining, anti-slip sole as well as a gel heel insert and shock-absorbing insole for added comfort and support.
Read H&H’s independent Bareback Footwear Quebec Boots review.
Brogini Warwick Country Boots
Fit: Unisex
Colours: Chocolate brown
Sizes: EU 36–43, in regular or wide calf
RRP: £120
H&H Rating: 8/10
Crafted in a hard-wearing buffalo leather, the Brogini Warwick is described as ideal for wet weather at any time of the year. These boots have a breathable, waterproof membrane and moleskin lining, so are waterproof up to 16cm, while the oiled leather used on the foot is naturally water resistant and will help to deter staining. They have a cream contrast stitch throughout, and a classic brass Brogini tab on the side. The lightweight sole is durable, shock absorbing and widely recycled, plus has an integrated riding steel shank. These are also available in wide feet.
Read H&H’s independent Brogini Warwick country boots review.
In the UK? View standard fit now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
In the UK? View wide fit now at naylors.com, gooutdoors.co.uk or millets.co.uk
Brogini Winchester Lace-Up Country Boots
Colours: Brown
Sizes: EU 36–42, in two widths
RRP: £110
H&H Rating: 8/10
Designed to be a seamless transition between a riding boot and a country boot, the Winchester is 2cm taller than other Brogini country boots to stop the top catching on your saddle. The lace up sides offer a wide adjustment so you can adjust the boot easily depending on your choice of legwear and socks, and the foot and ankle are lined with a breathable, waterproof membrane and perspiration control lining. The steel shank in the sole provides support and reduces foot movement to improve position and stability
Read H&H’s independent Brogini Winchester country boots review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, naylors.com, gsequestrian.co.uk, gooutdoors.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Ariat Wythburn Tall Waterproof Boots
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Dark brown
Sizes: UK 3–8½
RRP: £220
These country boots from Ariat are made of waterproof leather and feature a soft faux shearling on the inside. They have a stirrup-friendly outer sole, removable cushioning insole, padded collar and a front lace system to offer the perfect fit. The Duratread sole is stirrup friendly. Also available in a shorter version.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, ariat.com or naylors.com
Dublin River Boots III
Fit: Unisex
Colours: Dark brown, chocolate, black, dark brown/green or charcoal/navy
Sizes: UK 3–11, with three calf width options
RRP: £154.99
H&H Rating: 7/10
These boots from Dublin have a waterproof lining to keep your feet and ankles dry and a breathable nylon lining that makes them suitable for all year round. Like other Dublin boots, they include the RCS (rider comfort system) memory footbed that has a memory foam cushion layer, a padded shock-absorbing heel and arch support for the ultimate comfort. They also have a tough rubber sole and elasticated top gusset for a great fit.
We found these boots have a snugger fit in the foot than some of the other country boots we tried. They look really smart, sturdy and softened with just a few wears.
Read H&H’s independent Dublin River boots III review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, naylors.com or gsequestrian.co.uk
Chatham Paddock II
Colours: Dark brown or tan
Sizes: UK 3–8
RRP: £130
Designed to keep you dry and warm all winter long, these mid-calf leather with suede panels have lace detail to the front. They benefit from a breathable microfibre lining, performance cushioning, which is anti-bacterial as well as comfortable and shock absorbing, and they sit on a heavy duty rubber sole.
In the UK? View now at chatham.co.uk
Dubarry Galway Country Boots
Colours: Black, walnut, black/brown, navy brown, brown or ivy
Sizes: EU 35–48 in three widths
RRP: £379
These are undoubtedly Dubarry’s most popular country boots. They are made of a “dry fast, dry soft” leather and are 100% waterproof with a Gore-Tex lining. There’s also a handy finger pull fitted inside the boot.
In the UK? View now at dubarry.com, naylors.com or philipmorrisdirect.co.uk
Shires Moretta Alessandra Country Boots
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Chocolate
Sizes: UK 4–9, with four calf width options
RRP: £159.99
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or naylors.com
Waldhausen Country Boots
Colours: Brown
Sizes: UK 3–8
RRP: £119.99
These long country boots are lined for added warmth and are water repellent with a non-slip sole and reinforced heel.
In the UK? View now at decathlon.co.uk
Rhinegold Harlem Country Boots
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Brown
Sizes: UK 3–8 (ladies’) in two widths or 7–12 (men’s)
RRP: £104.50
Made from waxy grained leather, these country boots from Rhinegold are waterproof and breathable thanks to a Wiltex membrane. They are fully lined and feature a drawstring and reflective piping detailing, and have an energy-returning rubber sole that provides stability and comfort.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
Toggi Quebec Country Boots
Fit: Unisex
Colours: Chocolate
Sizes: EU 37–46
RRP: £189
The Quebec boot from Toggi is a handmade milled leather boot with a waterproof, breathable membrane that ensures you remain dry in all conditions. They have a dual-density cushioned insole and an all-terrain rubber sole.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or ebay.co.uk
Requisite Granger Country Boots
Fit: Ladies’
Colours: Brown
Sizes: UK 4–8
RRP: £99.99
These Requisite boots are made from soft, durable leather and are fully lined with a breathable, waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry. The tough rubber soles are lightweight and flexible, while the cushioned insoles are designed to provide all-day comfort. The boots also feature a subtle calf gusset and drawstring at the top to offer a more individual fit.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or sportsdirect.com
You might also like:
Mark Todd country boots MKII *H&H Approved*
£154.99
21 pairs of boots that are ready to tackle yard life
14 of the best long leather riding boots for every budget
10 pairs of winter riding boots designed to keep your toes warm
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