What to look for when buying winter riding boots
Riding out in the cold weather – either outdoors or in a chilly outdoor arena – needs careful forethought if you are to stay warm, comfortable, and safe. So, when you are choosing your winter riding footwear, it’s key for you to find the features that will really make a difference in terms of performance and comfort.
Winter Riding Boots
Winter riding boots often have to double as winter work boots as well as being safe and comfortable to ride in. The gold standard in winter riding boots is Mountain Horse, so let’s take a look at what features their winter boots have to measure others by…
What we’re looking for : Warmth, Flexibility, Insulation, Stability, Waterproof, Shock Absorbing, Non-Slip Grip
To be effective and comfortable tall boots need to have a flexible but stable foot, be waterproof, wick away moisture from the skin, and ideally will help keep the foot and leg warm.
Mountain Horse Rimfrost Boots – Around $139
- Extensia foot part – tested to stay flexible after 1m flexes at 14C.
- Heat-insulating Thermolite lining to keep the foot and leg warm
- Waterproof construction keeps feet dry up to start of zipper
- Sturdy and durable YKK zipper
- Built-in steel shank in the foot for increased stability
Mountain Horse Vermont Tall Boots – Around $170
This has all the features of the Rimfrost with the addition of these upgrades:
- Thinsulate® faux fur lining
- Waterproof membrane
- Shock-absorbing dual-density outsole
- Full-length zipper allows for ease of on/off
Mountain Horse Snowy River Winter Tall Boots – Around $350
This top of the line winter boot has these additional features:
- Made from waterproof, oily, full-grain leather
- Faux fur lining
- Resilient YKK® full-length back zipper allows for ease of entry
- Hidden elastic panel provides a flexible custom fit
- Ergonomically-designed removable ShockX™ Advanced Insole System
- Durable and rugged sole offers superior grip
