Best English Riding Boots

Last Updated on September 1, 2020

I am sure you will agree that having the right English riding boot can make all the difference in your ride.

And with that in mind, this article will help you find the best english riding boots for your needs.

As fellow riders, we  know what you are looking for when buying boots: quality, durability, comfort, and style.

And soon enough, you’ll be pulling on your new riding boots for English horseback riding.

Enjoy!

Check the quick list below for links to customer reviews and prices for my best english riding boots picks, or read on for the full review:

1. Ariat Bromont Pro Tall H20 Insulated Boot
2. Tuffrider Ladies Belmont Dress Boot
3. Hispar Women Ladies Decent Dress Dressage Boots
4. Equistar Ladies’ Field Boot
5. TuffRider Women’s Starter Back Zip Field Boots
6. Hispar Mens Man Stirling Dress Dressage Boots
7. TuffRider Men’s Baroque Field Boots
8. TuffRider Mens Wellesley Tall Boot
9. TuffRider Polo Mens Boot
10. Mountain Horse Mens Rimfrost Rider Tall Boots

Best English Riding Boots

Whether you are a dressage rider or an english pleasure competitor you need a quality pair of boots when entering the arena. I have made my picks based on durability, style, and comfort. Depending on your personal preferences one of the following english boots will fit your style.

English Riding Boots for Women

​Ariat Bromont Pro Tall H20 Insulated Boot

These english riding boots are perfect for the English rider who wants the best of the best.

Available in black and made from full-grain leather and a suede inner leg panel, this elegant boot suits riders dedicated to their craft, no matter the weather. These women’s boots in the field style keep you warm when it’s cold outdoors and dry when it’s raining.

The elegant plaid lining on these boots adds a light touch of style. You’ll love the innovative features of this boot when you feel what it’s like to have completely waterproof boots!   

Ariat makes performance footwear for Western, Work, English, and Outdoor styles. They stand out from the other brands on the market because of a commitment to technology and innovation. Ariat provides a robust sizing chart to its customers to make sure you get the right size.

Pros

• The suede inner leg panel keeps you warm during the coldest months of the year
• A complete waterproof barrier keeps you dry even if you follow a strict riding routine with your horse
• Combines technology and innovative from Ariat with the classic look of an English riding boot
• A very clear sizing guide minimizes your chances of needing to make a return. They also make regular or full fit for varying calf widths

Cons

• Not available in a wide range of colors, some stores carry four options
• The plaid design does have a slight purple color to it which does not appeal to all wearers

Tuffrider Ladies Belmont Dress Boot

The solid black color of these English dress boots makes it a versatile solution for rider’s that need to look good in the ring. The punched toe cap of this boot seems good but obeys the rules of dress for shows. More than any other feature, you’ll notice these boots don’t cause any of the discomforts you get with old-fashioned boots.

Want the next best thing compared to custom boots made especially for your body? The TuffRider Ladies Belmont Dress Boot look good and feel right when they are on your feet.

Pros

• Moderate Spanish top fits traditional requirements for shows of all types
• The elastic gusset on the boot fits and stretches to your leg
• The innovative snap keeper at the knee and ankle helps your pants stay tucked

Cons

• The leather is too soft for some users; the boot is not rigid
• They are not very shiny for riders that prefer this look

Hispar Women Ladies Decent Dress Dressage Boots

These leather english riding boots are high quality and hand crafted. Perfect for those looking for no compromise on quality. I like the no skid tread and zipper for easy putting on and taking off. They have a elegant look and appear to be sturdy and comfortable. These are an excellent overall equestrian boot.

Pros

• Ideal for performance classes
• Handcrafted leather
• Durable construction
• Elegant design

Cons

• Premium price

Equistar Ladies’ Field Boot

These women’s english riding boots are ideal for showing. They feature a narrow profile through the leg of the boots with a cushion lined shaft. They offer exceptional moisture wicking with the Dry Tex feature. These are not leather but look and feel similar to leather providing a great look in the ring without the premium price tag. The unique sole design is built to stand up to years of use so if well cared for these english riding boots will not need to be replaced anytime soon. 

Pros

• Ideal for English performing
• Superior moisture control
• Durable construction
• Comfortable sole

Cons

• Not leather

TuffRider Women’s Starter Back Zip Field Boots

These english riding boots from TuffRider are another ideal option for Englsih riders who want great performance and comfort without the pro level price tag. The synthetic leather construction is quality and looks good in the show ring. They are water resistant and work great showing or schooling. These tall field style english riding boots are very popular and are built to last. They feature an elastic gusset and a back zipper for comfort and ease in putting on and taking off. 

Pros

• Quality synthetic leather
• Comfortable 
• Zipper back
• Excellent value

Cons

• Not leather

English Riding Boots for Men

Hispar Mens Man Stirling Dress Dressage Boots

These mens english riding boots are ideal for those looking for the best of the best. They are constructed of impressively good looking leather. They come in both brown and black leather and both are also leather lined. They are incredibly comfortable and eye catching in the show ring. These are genuine hand crafted leather english riding boots making them great for the serious show rider. I liked the brown pair so much I picked up the black as well. This is an exceptional pair of english boots.

Pros

• Handcrafted leather 
• Very comfortable fit
• Great look
• Ideal for the serious rider

Cons

• Higher cost than other option

TuffRider Men’s Baroque Field Boots

These mens english riding boots are ideal for those seeking a high quality leather english boot without the premium price tag. These boots are constructed of quality leather and provide a good fit. They feature an elastic gusset and a contoured ankle for superior fit and comfort for most riders. The classic Spanish toe with a rounded toe cap is a great look and is perfect for the show arena. While not as high end as the Hispar boots, these are an exceptional pair of leather english riding boots for men who ride competitively. 

Pros

• Classic Style
• Quality leather english boots
• Comfortable and durable
• Excellent value

Cons

• I found no cons with these boots

TuffRider Mens Wellesley Tall Boot

Another excellent pair of leather english riding boots ideal for men who show. The leather is high quality and like it’s cousin above, is very comfortable even during long rides. These boots look great in the saddle too and feature a full length back zipper and elastic gussets for comfort and ease in putting them on and taking them off. This is another superior english riding boots option for men. These one’s come in men’s sizes 8-13 with a regular calf width.

Pros

• Quality leather construction
• Full length zipper back
• Comfortable and durable
• Great classic style

Cons

• Limited sizes available at time of review

TuffRider Polo Mens Boot

These polo style mens english riding boots are ideal for those looking for a front zipper style boot. They are constructed of quality leather. They come out of the box feeling a little stiff but I used conditioner and they softened up after a couple rides. The buckle at the top closes these english boots up and as long as broken in they feel great. They feature a durable rubber sole with spur rests. They did not breathe as well as other options above but are still an excellent pair of mens english riding boots.

Pros

• High quality leather
• Full length front zipper
• Durable rubber sole
• Spur rests

Cons

• A little stiff out of the box

Mountain Horse Mens Rimfrost Rider Tall Boots

This unique pair of english riding boots impressed me. Ideal for winter riding and the trails but versatile enough for most situations. They are incredibly well made. You can see and feel the craftsmanship. They feature an upper constructed of Duralon with an insulated Thermolite lining with a comfortable foam coating. They also feature durable YKK zippers and elastic inserts at the calf for added comfort and durability. These englsih style boots will keep your feet toasty even when the temps drop way down. The insole is removable and they are waterproof as well. These boots have a steel shank which ups the stability dramatically. They additionally feature superior shock absorption. Seriously, this is an excellent pair of english style boots for men who winter ride.

Pros

• Ideal for winter riding
• Exceptional quality
• Durable and comfortable
• Exceptional value

Cons

• None

What Are English Horseback Riding Boots?

As any rider knows, boots used for English riding are distinctive for their height.

English horses have long legs, do well with jumping, and can cover long distances rapidly.

Boots made for wearing during English-style riding are tall boots, dressed much in the style of Downtown Abbey.

It is traditional for these riding boots to come in the pull-up or a zip-up form.

English riding boots are also called English tall boots because they go nearly all the way up your calf. Remember, these were worn in the days of riding your horse through fields and streams in the English countryside. There are two types of tall boots:

• Field Boots. Some boots come with laces, and these are referred to as field boots because military officers would wear them while out in the field. Riders wear field boots with laces because they are a bit more flexible around the ankle for correcting your foot to jump.
• Dress Boots. These shoes do not have shoes and are to be worn during riding competitions. Dress boots aren’t as flexible in the ankle and come with a bit of flair for show performance. Look elegant and classic in dress boots. (As a minor note, dress boots with a cuff at the top are called hunt boots).

Materials Used in English Boots

The most traditional of English riding boots are made of leather. Once waterproofed, leather withstands years of wear and is known for molding to the shape of your legs and feet. Leather gives when give is needed, turns when you turn, and twists when you twist.

Rubber riding boots are gaining in popularity within the recreational field. Rubber riding boots are easy to clean, don’t get affected by the elements, and dry rapidly. If you are exercising your horse or mucking the stable, rubber English boots might get the job done. 

Western Boots Versus English Boots

There are two types of horseback riding boots – either Western or English boots. Westerner boots traditionally come with a higher heel, some come with crepe soles, and you can even purchase them at lower heights. Features of the Western boot include:

• Two-inch angled heels to catch the stirrups
• Smooth leather soles for natural falling out of stirrups
• Tapered toe for picking stirrups with ease
• No laces so nothing gets caught in the stirrup
• Calf of the boot goes at least to the mid-calf for no pinching from the saddle

There are several variations on Western boots including a work boot with treads for traction or cowboy boots with a lower heel. The most significant indicator of Western and English boots is the height and overall look. English boots are traditional and tall while Western boots have heels and are not as high up the calf.

Safe Horseback Riding Boots

More than anything, your riding boots are an investment in your safety. Good boots protect your feet from getting stepped on, keeps you in the stirrups, and prevents problems when you are riding. Boots made especially, for this reason, come with a smaller tread, so your foot doesn’t slide out of the stirrup but also doesn’t get stuck when you need to get out.

The Right Riding Boots for Your Needs

Now that you’ve decided to buy English riding boots, you need to sift through all of the online resources to find the best English horseback riding boots. The products on this list are favorite among riders for specific reasons – from versatility to style. We’ve made our picks for the top boots in different categories if you need to jump start your shopping.

For more guides and tips, check out these articles:

• Reviews of the Top Rated Horseback Riding Helmets
• 12 Expert Horse Showing Tips
• Best Picks for Myler Bits
• Protect Your Horse Trailer with the best Covers
• Top Cameras For Horse Trailers
• Reviewed: Find The Most Comfortable Cowboy Boots for Men and Women

Conclusion

Every rider knows that the equipment you wear makes a major difference in your experience. Feel comfortable, stay dry, look stylish, and focus on riding when you wear the right boots for the job. We recommend paying attention to the brand name of the boots, the durability of the product, the color and size, and your personal needs.

Purchase any of the boots on this list, depending on your individual needs. You’ll love the feel of your newly broken-in English horseback riding boots.