What materials are riding shoes and riding boots made of?
Solid and robust footwear is essential for equestrian sports. Footwear should allow a fine feeling in the stirrup and at the same time be robust enough to be able to do the work in the stable with dry and warm feet. Which material is best suited for which purpose and how much care should be invested in the different types of material?
What materials are riding shoes and riding boots made of?
Shoes are one of the most important items of clothing for human beings. After all, they accompany us through life at every turn and protect our feet from injuries, weather and extreme ground temperatures. Anyone who has ever owned a really expensive pair of leather riding boots will know how much care the material requires.
Regular care does not only pay off with riding boots for competition – stable shoes, winter riding boots and jodhpur boots for everyday use also give us the best support. This should be taken into account by means of suitable care measures. We give you the best tips for the care of your shoes in our guide.
In equestrian sports, one is dependent on durable and robust footwear, because no matter whether it is the high-quality leather riding boots for competition use, or the winter stable boots you wear when cleaning out the stables every day, riders come into contact with dirt again and again. They also depend on the shoe to provide them with safety and protection, after all, you spend your time with an animal that weighs half a ton or even more.
Many riding shoes and boots are traditionally made of smooth leather – the elegant look due to the smooth and shiny material is mainly popular in English riding. Rough leather elements are especially popular for stable boots and also for western boots, as it gives the shoes a more casual touch. Especially when it comes to winter boots, uppers made of functional textiles such as nylon or chloroprene rubber are in demand, but waterproof rubber is also worth its weight in gold.
| Smooth leather | Suede | Sythetic leather | Rubber | Textile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features | – resilient – water & dirt repellent – noble and classic look – high-maintenance | – best comfort – protection against cold – sensitive to UV radiation, stains & scratches | – reasonably priced – easy to clean – classic look – not as durable as real leather | – robust – manure resistant – easy to clean – waterproof – not breathable | – lightweight – breathable – warming – water-permeable – easily absorbs dirt |
| Used for | Leather riding boots, riding ankle boots, half chaps, boot shafts, winter riding boots, stable shoes | Winter riding shoes & boots, stable shoes & boots, chaps, Western boots, Western chaps | Riding boots, jodhpur boots, stable shoes, stable boots, half chaps | Stable boots, rubber boots, waterproof base for winter riding boots | Thermal riding boots, winter boots, light summer riding boots |
| Maintenance level |  |  |  | | |