Black rubber or black leather? Could be a difficult choice. Well, this review doesn`t do black rubber, just black leather. Just don`t get too excited, it`s not going to be a kinky review, just highly predictable for me, riding boots! I have already written a review on a rubber pair of riding boots of a different make. This review is of leather boots and is completely different from my previous one, which was ages ago anyway. This review is about Sportvie High Rider boots by Mountain Horse.
Mountain Horse. * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mountain Horse is a well known name to most horse riders. They sell a variety of equestrain clothing, that is for the riders, not the horses. They even have their own little catalogue, though the clothing is available in most equestrian outlets. It is available via the internet also. They sell diferent types of boots, jackets, tops and johdpurs and breeches. Mountain Horse are a well known and respected brand. They sell quality items but are one of the more expensive equestrian brands.
My Introduction to the Boots. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I had never really taken much notice of Mountain Horse as a brand. The clothes did look nice, but a bit expensive. I had no need to buy any boots so had not really looked at them. A few years ago, at the yard where I keep my horses, there was a sudden craze for Mountain Horse boots. Several people had them. They were leather, smartish, but my opinion of them was not favourable. I thought they were expensive and whilst they were quite smart, they had a great big sole on them, likening them to welly boots. Everybody raved on about them. I had smart leather boots for shows (they were in fact separate boots and gaiters) and they were much smarter than the Mountain Horse ones. I wore jodphur boots around the yard and chaps for riding. I had already worn rubber riding boots but did not repalce them when worn out. I did not see a place for these Mountain Horse boots. I kept hearing reports of how comfortable they were. A few years later, a year ago almost, I had some Christmas money to spend and against my initial better judgment, I decided to buy some.
The Sportive High Rider boots cost £137. They are made with black leather, the leg is higher on the outside than the inside which is smart and stylilsh and there is a metal mountain horse badge on the side. They do look smart, but I think the sole is a bit thick, as I already said, a bit like a welly boot. The boots have a full length zip to make them easier to put on. They also have a full length elastic insert down the length of the zip, again to make them easier to put on and for comfort of the wearer. They are described a elegant with a patented zip and ride. There is an outside arch cradle heel support, the insole has a built in gel pad, there is padding round the ankle and is fitted with a patented stirrup control system. Basically, the stirrup control system is to be used with the Mountain Horse stirrups (another thing that they make). They fit together so that it is more difficult to lose the stirrup. That is a fair description of them, but do they live up to it in realitly.
My Experience. * * * * * * * * * * *
Mountain Horse Sportive Rider boots are smart but in my opinion, not smart enough for shows, due to the soles. As I already mentioned, I think the soles look a bit like wellington boots. Obviously they are not like welly boots as wellies are not suitable for riding in. The soles of riding boots need to be of a type that are less likely to get stuck in the stirrup. They also need to have a small heel as not to go throught he stirrup. The soles appear bulky, but have obviously undergone rigorous tests to ensure that they are suitable for riding. Once past the initial appearance, which is my opinion, I tried the boots. They were really comfortable. I was really pleased with them. They were expensive, but worth it for the comfort. They were so much more comfortable than other boots that I had worn. I would not wear them to shows as I had my other ones, but they were perfect for hacking out just everyday hacking and long distance rides. They were easy to get on and off and soooo comfortable.
Do I recommend? * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I find the Mountain Horse Sportive Riders really comfortable, but I would not have bought them if I didn`t have Christmas money to spend. I think they are rather expensive. Whilst they are smart, I would not chose to wear them to shows and do not consider it necessary to spend £137 on a pair of boots. I have been really pleased with them though, but, if on a budget, they are probably a bit too much. The Mountain Horse Stirrup control system probably contirbuted to the high price of these boots. I have not tried them so I do not know if they are a gimmick or not. Whilst I had the boots, I did not have the corresponding stirrups (at least they can be used with any stirrup). I was not going to pay another £40 for the stirrups to go with them. It is a riding skill to ride without losing stirrrups, you don`t need a special pair of boots and stirrups to help prevent you losing your stirrups. They were in fact designed to release in the event of a fall so were not dangerous. They work on the principle that the soles and stirrup treads are both made from interloking material. These boots may be worth splashing out for to be used frequently. The potential purchaser of riding boots needs to assess how often they would use the boots and the amount of spare money that they have to spend, to ascertain whether it is worth buying them.
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Price
£137
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