There are a number of things one must consider when it comes to choosing good riding gear.

First of all, the boot must be sturdy with a small heel. The sturdiness will help protect your feet if they get stepped on, and the heel should prevent your foot from slipping through the stirrup, should you be unfortunate enough to fall off your horse. This is why sandals, canvas sneakers, and flip-flops have no place in equestrian activities - the protection they provide for your feet is simply inadequate. You’ll have to be eagle-eyed too, as some high street brands will market high heeled footwear as riding footwear. Check the size of the heel and if you suspect it is too big, leave them on the shelf.

When it comes to this type of footwear, there are different varieties available, and which style you choose depends on the discipline in which you would like to compete. It’s well worth researching the dress code required for each discipline before you apply for it.

The two main types are the full length and ankle heights, which are also known as jodhpur boots.

Long (or Field) Riding Boots

There are two traditional types of long designs:

• Dress boots are generally worn in horse shows, show jumping and formal fox hunting. They are elegant and plain without lacing at the ankle and are generally stiffer. They are traditionally black in color, and a recent fashion trend is for them to sit higher on the outside of the knee than on the inside.
• Field boots feature lacing at the front which aids in flexibility and movement. This means that the rider is more comfortable and able to bend the leg at the ankle. Because of this, they are worn in all types of riding. The majority of the models are black; however, brown is also acceptable.
  You may also find hunt or top styles in the long boot section, as these are similar to the dress style, with the addition of a cuff at the top.

Short (or Jodhpur) Riding Boots

The other popular type is the short paddock or Jodhpur style. These allow closer contact between the rider's legs and the side of the horse. Some riders prefer the long style for the added protection on the leg as they may experience chaffing whilst wearing Jodhpurs. One way around this is for riders to wear gaiters, which also give the appearance of long designs.

This type of footwear offers to protect your legs and ankles, which you may find useful if you fall off your horse! The lower leg protection also prevents irritation, as the legs can rub up against the horse’s saddle.

Some footwear comes with a steel toe cap for added protection. Whilst this would keep your toes safe from an unplanned stomp from a horse's hoof, they can add considerable extra weight to the foot.

These styles can be made from a variety of materials. The two most popular are leather and rubber. Both leather and rubber types can be pulled over the leg and onto the foot.

Leather has always been the most prestigious material for a riding boot. It is sturdy, hardwearing and waterproof if treated right; all the qualities required for outdoor activities.

Leather will become supple over time, providing the right amount of 'give' in areas that require added flexibility, in accordance with your riding style. It may take some time to break in your leather boots, but be cautious of the tips you may read online on how to speed up this process. Some of them are not so reliable and may lead to permanently damaging your footwear.

You might, therefore, have to put up with the rub until the leather eases up and softens. If the blisters get too severe, try applying band-aids on the affected areas. You may experience a lot of pain in the process of breaking your footwear in, but in the long run, it’ll be worth the agony when you have a fully customized pair of equestrian shoes.

Rubber riding boots are generally considered an inexpensive alternative to the leather options.

Wearing rubber can come with its advantages. During bad weather, you may not want to damage your prized leather footwear, so rubber styles are perfect for these occasions. If they get muddy, they can be easily be wiped clean and provide excellent protection against all of the elements. They’re also great to wear when cleaning the stables. Many riders will make a quick change to rubber footwear to avoid damaging their more expensive leather types.

If you’re just getting into equestrian sports, then rubber riding boots might be your best option. They share many of the same qualities as leather designs, but without the huge price tag. It will give you something to look toward if you decide that equestrian life is for you.

The type of materials we discussed in our previous section directly leads us to the topic of weather resistance. You may not always be riding in the most ideal weather conditions, and perhaps you like doing it in all four seasons.

This means that you need footwear that withstands intense sunshine and heat, as well as light or heavy rain, and perhaps even snow and freezing temperatures! You need your legs and feet to be dry and warm and not too sweaty throughout all of these, and thus you need adequate footwear for each season.

Leather as a material is breathable and will keep your feet reasonably dry and cool. Its downside is that it is not water-resistant unless specially treated with a waterproofing agent.

Weatherproofing your footwear will prolong its life, protecting it against the elements such as rain and snow. There are many different types of weatherproofing products; it’s important to research what's out there because some products may affect the appearance of the shoe. If this is important to you, use a spray, as it will provide an invisible barrier between your footwear and the elements.

On the other hand, rubber is a great option for all seasons, barring the most intense heat and sunshine. Rubber is not breathable, and can easily crack if exposed to high temperatures for prolonged periods of time, so make sure you're not taking your rubber footwear out at the height of the summer.

Finally, when the days get cold and you still want to experience the thrill of riding, opt for well-padded designs - those which have faux fur linings, extra insulating interiors, and which are built to endure low temperatures. That way you won't freeze your toes off as you work up a sweat!

A lot goes into determining the comfort of the design. Things like materials and overall fit will play an important role in comfort, especially when it comes to horseback riding. Let's take a look at these factors in a little more detail.

Materials:

When we look at materials in the context of comfort, we look more at the interior and soles of a boot. While the upper does play a part, the interior and soles have a larger role in this, as those are what will be constantly touching your feet. Some boots will use leather for the interior as well as the upper, and others may use a fabric lining. Fabric linings make the design slightly more lightweight, while a leather interior helps preserve a healthy foot climate inside.

Leather or not, soles are one of the most important parts of a design. The insole is making direct contact with your foot, the midsole provides support and shock absorption, and the outsole is making direct contact with the ground. A good insole will keep your feet cool and well-cushioned; Ortholite, for example, is a very common insole material. Most midsoles will be made with EVA foam, which provides good shock absorption and longevity. Outsoles are typically made of rubber, which can be made to be waterproof, non-marking, or even slip-resistant.

Overall Fit:

Most of us know our shoe size, and for most adults, it isn't something that will change drastically over time. However, size only tells you so much about design, and won't be an exact determination of fit.

What will be an exact determination of fit is putting the shoes on and ensuring that they're comfortable. It's best to have about a half-inch of room between your big toe and the front of the shoe, as this will allow your feet wiggle room while you walk and move. Wiggle your toes around a bit to ensure that there is enough room.

Two different products can be the same size but fit very differently because of their shapes. Let your comfort be your guide, and read customer reviews before purchasing so you can get an idea of the real-world experiences that others have had.

Some leather footwear will fit very well but feel a little tight at first, though not unbearably so. Leather takes longer to break in than textiles, and some leather designs take longer than others. Be patient with this process.

Leather is one of the most durable materials there is, and in ancient times was even used as battle armor. You can get a lot of durability and longevity out of high-quality leathers. They offer natural protection that textiles such as canvas don’t have, and a solid leather boot will resist cracking and wear with the right amount of care.

Not all leathers are created equal. Some boots will be made out of multiple cuts of leather, which can impact durability and cause it to not have a uniform look. This can be seen in discoloration, or even one boot being a completely different color than the other. When it comes to durable leather, you want something that is thick and uniform in color. This ensures that the footwear is made out of the same cut.

Leather lends itself well to riding and if well maintained, leather boots can last for years. They may take some time to break in and this can be a painful process; although, once the leather softens, you’ll find it has bend and flex in all the right places. This will customize the footwear to your particular riding style.

Of course, the upper isn’t the only part of a design.

Durability also depends on the soles. A leather of exceptional quality doesn’t mean much when paired with a sole that is lacking in quality. The outsole is usually the first part to show signs of wear and tear, so it’s important to take good care of your footwear so it lasts for as long as possible.