I was really impressed with the look and feel of the Ariat Palisade long riding boots when I opened the box. I’m not a fan of big logos or obvious branding, so I was worried that the white ‘Ariat’ on the top of the boot would put me off but I actually found it smart and discreet. The leather felt lovely and supple, with sturdy fastenings and a clever spur guard design which compared to other boots without any spur support is a really great feature.
The boots arrived loose in the box with boot trees in. The trees are a little tricky to use with no handle and so are a bit of a fiddle to get in and out but a nice addition to ensure the boots stay upright when storing. I’ve had Ariat boots before and struggled with the fit, so I was intrigued to see how this model would be. I followed the Ariat sizing guide online to get the most accurate measurements I could.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
My first thought when I put them on was how comfy the soles were. The “4LR technology for support and cushioning” and “Duratread outsole with rider tested traction zones” were definitely an evident feature of the boots from the moment I took a step. They felt super-supportive on the foot and comfy to walk in. The zips went up smoothly with the boot slide, a nice feature to stop the zipper rubbing your heel as you do them up. The zip keeper at the top is also a bit fiddly to get the zip into but once secured holds it neatly in place and doesn’t move.
However, despite being the perfect fit on the foot and the the perfect height, they felt quite gappy around parts of the leg. This was my only bugbear with the boots – the leg fit from an aesthetic view. I found them too loose around the ankle, a good fit on the calf, but again too loose at the top just below the knee. I prefer a tailored boot that fits snugly around the ankle so this put me off using them for competitions.
I found that for the first few rides they dug into the top of my foot and the back of my ankle where the leather was already folding but still quite stiff. However, they have now softened up beautifully and are a really lovely, comfy fit for jumping, flatwork and hacking as well as yard chores.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
I was worried that as the boots softened they would get increasingly baggy around the ankle, but the loose initial fit hasn’t become any more obvious and they are still a perfect height for me. I would recommend these boots to anyone looking for a smart, comfy and stylish boot that suits both home and competition riding, but I would suggest trying them on before you buy if you can to make sure the leg width is correct for that perfect fit.
The RRP is £290, which I think is definitely a fair price for the quality, look and durability.
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Verdict
Horse & Hound Approved – While my initial concerns about the aesthetic fit of these boots are still evident, for home riding I am really happy with them and would definitely choose them over any other boots for all-day comfort and ease of use. My favourite feature is the spur rest on the leather zip guard – it supports the spur in the perfect place and prevents any pressure on the heel from having to have them too tight.
Sophie Cheeseman is Horse & Hound’s deputy art editor. She has a four-year-old Connemara mare with Glencarrig and Coosheen lines, imported from Ireland, who she bought to produce for dressage. Together they also hunt regularly with The South Downs Bloodhounds alongside doing low level dressage. Sophie also rides for other people, producing young horses and gaining further experience on a variety of rides.
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