Long Riding Boots in Brown

Two good answers, and they work differently.

The Montana is made in a separate wide calf fitting — you choose it in the size dropdown. That is the cleanest solution if you know your calf measurement is above standard, because the whole boot is cut wider rather than stretched.

The Kentucky Long takes a different route: the laces run the full length of the leg, so you set the width yourself anywhere from standard through to wide. It also opens right up, which helps if you have a high arch and struggle to get long boots on at all.

The Graceland gives about 2cm through its side stretch panel — useful, but it is a competition cut and not the boot for a genuinely full calf.

It depends what you do in them. The Vermont Storm is the only boot here with a W-Tex® waterproof lining, and the zip is gusseted halfway up so water cannot track in along it.

The other three have breathable or moisture-wicking linings. Therma-tex and Dermo Dry move sweat away from the foot; they do nothing to keep standing water out. In practice a leather long boot will shrug off rain and wet grass perfectly well — what it will not do is stand in a puddle or a flooded gateway.

If your winter involves wet yards and mud, take the Vermont. If you ride in an arena and hack in normal weather, the Montana or Graceland will be more comfortable and better looking for longer.

Three measurements, and the calf is the one people get wrong.

• Calf. Measure the widest part of your calf over the sock and breeches you actually ride in. Do not size up in length to gain calf room — that leaves you with a boot that slips at the heel.
• Height. A new long boot should feel slightly too tall behind the knee. The leather drops around 1–2cm as it settles, and a boot that fits perfectly on day one will end up short.
• Foot. Snug, with no heel lift when you walk. Soft calfskin like the Montana and Graceland will mould to the foot within a few rides.

Brown shows wear more than black, so the routine matters. Brush off dry mud rather than washing it off wet, wipe with a damp cloth, and let them dry naturally away from any heat source — a radiator or a hot car will crack the leather across the ankle flex point within a season.

Feed the leather every few weeks with a conditioner or our Luxury Dubbin. On the waxed leather of the Vermont Storm, dubbin also helps the surface shed water; on the softer calfskin of the Graceland a cream polish keeps the colour even.

Store them upright with boot trees or a rolled towel in the leg. Long boots left flat crease across the ankle and the crease does not come out.

Only the Vermont Storm, which has a W-Tex® waterproof lining. The Montana, Graceland and Kentucky Long are not waterproof. The Kentucky's own description is explicit about it: it should not be used as a wellington boot.

The Montana is the comfort boot: crushed nubuck, a full-length elasticated zip, a sheepskin insole and a choice of standard or wide calf. It is the one to buy if you are on the yard all day as well as riding.

The Graceland is the smart boot: soft calfskin, a Vibram® sole with a wood composite finish, a leather lining and a closer competition cut. It looks considerably better in the ring and is less forgiving on calf width.

Yes. The Montana comes in Black and Blue as well, the Graceland in Black, the Vermont Storm in Black, and the Kentucky Long in Black. See all of them in Long Riding Boots.

The Montana and Vermont Storm, yes — both have grippy moulded outsoles and steel shanks built for standing and walking as well as riding. The Vermont is the better of the two for a wet yard.

The Graceland has a smarter, slimmer sole and the Kentucky Long's laces will pick up mud. Both will do the job, but you will wear them out faster than a dedicated yard boot.