DeNiro Dressage Boot
4.3
5
7
7
Non Custom Boot, Custom Fit
Wow!! I LOVE these boots!! Being only 5 feet with an athletic build, I am difficult to fit so I typically order custom boots. I went with the Extra Short, extra wide size 7 DeNiro Dress Boot. They fit like they were made for me! Fast break in time, slim ankle, beautiful high Spanish top! I ride horses from training level to Grand Prix and these boots help keep my leg in perfect position. I would highly recommend these to anyone who wants an elegant boot at an affordable price!
August 8, 2012
WARNING! Problems abound!
Nightmare experience with these boots. I waited 4 months for them, and loved them when they FINALLY arrived. They were very very beautiful - Gorgeous stiff outer calf, super soft foot leather, and fit me like a glove. I was delighted! But then the problems started.
First, the break in was excruciating. The seam where the foot meets the heel crosses directly over my ankle bone, so even though the foot leather was very soft, the SEAM was hard as iron, and was excruciating to break in. Many months of hobbling around.
Then, once the ankle got soft enough where my foot fell naturally against the heel, the heel is absolute IRON. I read a review that mentioned softening the heel with a rubber mallet so I asked my boot guy and he helped me, but it didn't help at all. after 6 months of wear - and I ride 6 to 8 horses a day, so I do mean WEAR the heels are still extremely hard and painful.
Finally, the top of the zipper sticks out when you are in the saddle, and it will damage your saddle!
Also, the snap will unsnap when you are riding and the zipper will unzip.
I took these boots first to my local boot repair place, and finally sent them to Wellington Florida to a REALLY Good boot guy! In my opinion the best in the country! He said they were a "disaster!". His opinion was that the zipper was placed so far forward that no matter what you were going to have problems with the top of the zipper. He also could not believe how much hardware there was at the top of the boot. There is a huge mound of leather there! A big bumpy snap, and then a huge metal tassle sticking out to rub and scratch your saddle.
After months of effort to break in these boots, and sending them to a VERY reputable and experienced shop...... I am giving up. The boots are very painful, and they still unzip while I am riding. Ridiculous. They are the most beautiful boots! But they're a wreck.
The only saving grace is that Smart Pak has been AMAZING and says they will STILL taking them back, after all this. Thank you smartpak! Go with something else. Save yourself.
March 31, 2012
Nice Boots
Very nice boot. Used a bit of boot stretch product above ankle to open it up a little and they became very comfortable in just a few rides.
January 15, 2012
Fabulous boots for the price!
I've had many custom made boots but I didn't want to spend another $1500+ on a pair of boots (the last ones never fit correctly.) These boots are fabulous, nice leather, elegant finish, and for me... a near perfect fit! They are close fitting in the ankle, but a shoe maker showed me how to soften them up with a mallet. Even he thought they were $1000+ boots!
November 10, 2011
Great boots
These boots fit really well. It took me some time wearing them in the house before I tried to ride in them. Now after two months of riding I love them. They are stiff along the back, but the leather has an interesting supple quality to it. What I like most is that they are slim in the ankle. I would never buy another brand after these
July 27, 2011
Really Nicely Made Boot
I ordered these boots according to measuring guidelines. Once I received them and tried them on they were really too small, especially through the ankle. The length was true to size but they do run narrow in the foot and extremely narrow through the ankle. I have a small ankle and foot. The calf height was fine. I would definitely order the larger size if you are between sizes. Otherwise, they are a beautifully made boot. Just overall run a little narrow. I am ordering them a size up.
March 8, 2011