Paddock Boots

[J. M. Stovall]

I don't think this has been discussed before, but in my constant search for vintage style footwear I came across Paddock boots. Intended for horse related activities but very vintage looking for a good price. Could these be used as a boot you could wear around all day? Or are they designed too specifically for equestrian events to be comfortable? Does anyone know?

 

[J. M. Stovall]

I'm bumping this thread back into prime-time viewing, just in case.

 

[Baggers]

I'll bite.
Depending on how substantial the sole is they should be okay for everyday wear as long as they don't have a western heel. I've had a pair like the brown ones (without the speedlace hooks) for over twenty years that I've used as costume shoes. Every once in a while I'd wear them as a daily item and not suffer for it, but I still thought the sole was bit thin for real comfort. Maybe all I needed was an insole, though.

As for the side gore elastic jhodphur boots, there are several makers out there with very comfortable "street" versions for sale. Blundstone and H.S. Trask (I think) readily come to mind.

Cheers!

 

[jake_fink]

Baggers wrote:
I'll bite.

Does that mean you're buying a pair?

I've been watching this thread too, waiting for a response. I see these shoes a lot at the track and I've wondered about them myself. Now I know what they're called I feel one step closer to unlocking the mystery.... I only need to know how comfortable they are for walking etc.

Maybe I should ask some of the grooms(wo)men I see at the track about their paddock boots.

Voice From Grandstand: Oy, you there, with the paddock boots; your feet feel nice!?!

 

[J. M. Stovall]

The sites that sell those boots say they are comfortable enough for working in the barn, but who knows. [huh]

 

[Baggers]

Does that mean you're buying a pair?

No, just meant I was going to try and answer the question.

As I wrote in my post, I've owned a pair for 20-something years for use as a period costume piece in some of the shows I've been in. Costume designers can be notoriously cheap, and since I can be a bit anal about what I wear on stage or in front of the camera, I decided to buy a pair as a business investment.

The ones I have do have thin soles -- in order to have a better "feel" of the stirrup irons I suppose -- and weren't very comfortable after long periods standing on hard surfaces, but I'm hoping the more modern versions have solved that problem.

Cheers!

 

[Zach R.]

I didn't want to start another thread, but what about over-the-calf riding boots? They might be hard to pull off, but what are the good makers these days?

 

[DanielJones]

They look similar to Ariat boots which are very comfortable for all day wear.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Story]

Voice From Grandstand: Oy, you there, with the paddock boots; your feet feel nice!?!

They're gellin' like felons.