Speaking of shoes...Ariat

[nootka]

About six years ago, I went and bought a pair of Ariat Competitor IIs. I wanted them just for horse shows for the ring, but jeez, they are SO COMFORTABLE! I have ended up wearing them off and on for whatever reason and since I took the kiltie off, they look ok, too, I think...but then, I'm not a "shoe" fiend, either.

I looked to buy another pair, though, and they are not available.

It's hard to see online what might be similar, so before I go to some stores to try on shoes and get some new ones (yeah yeah I love the old ones, but ppl say I need to get some new ones and treat myself for a change) what models do you like?

My Competitors have been through MANY horse shows and though they are scuffed on the toes (horses and crawling around on pavement doing hooves before a class...*LOL*), they look almost like new. Only thing I bought them a little bit big 9.5 instead of 9, so I am sure they have a lot more life in them, but I might like something to wear around just for comfort and then maybe another nicer pair for shows again later, someting similar to the Competitor.

Curious about your favorites and why....pictures?

Liz M.

 

[Shari]

I bought the Tan colored Ariat Riding sneakers last month. Forgot what they are called? So far I like them, they are light weight and good for both riding and walking.

My "Heels Down" riding Tennis were 10 years old and worn out. They don't make these any more.

Hence me trying Ariat. Will see how they hold up.

 

[Kathy2m]

Liz, I have the Ariat zip ups I think they are the Heritage, This is the third pair I've bought, I first ones I worked in and wore them out, I have a pair for shows and A pair to ride and work in. I love them. I think anyone that you pick will be fine alot of my hunter friends wear them, all different styles they all are comfortable from what I've been told. I like the zip ups when you need to get to the barn fast they're quick to get on. I've seen them on ebay too. Kathy

 

[Kathy2m]

Liz, I have the Ariat zip ups I think they are the Heritage, This is the third pair I've bought, I first ones I worked in and wore them out, I have a pair for shows and A pair to ride and work in. I love them. I think anyone that you pick will be fine alot of my hunter friends wear them, all different styles they all are comfortable from what I've been told. I like the zip ups when you need to get to the barn fast they're quick to get on. I've seen them on ebay too. Kathy

 

[chandab]

I love my Ariats, I have about 10 pairs (I bought several when I worked for Corral West and got the employee discount). All the Ariats I have are a Western style of some sort. I have three pair of low lace-ups; one pair of Jamies (look like an oxford shoe kind of) and two pair that are a little taller. Several pair of regular western lace-ups, 2 pair of pull-on ropers and just bought a pair of their winter Frostbiter lace-ups. I love them all and find them all pretty comfortable.

 

[Jill]

I am an Ariat girl, that's for sure!!! I have 2 pairs of black zip paddocks, 2 pairs of black lace up paddocks, 1 pair that are like a buckskin color that lace (western as opposed to the others which are english), and a couple pairs of mules. My favorite model are my zip up Cobalts, but at a little more than 1/2 the cost, the Heritages are almost as nice really. I prefer the zip up ones for showing as they are easier to wipe off clean with like a baby wipe than the lace up kind. You can get good deals on them at sstack.com .

 

[wildoak]

My barn shoes are Ariats, like the old Miller Heels Down shoes but these have no laces, just elastic over the top. I love them, have just about worn them out. I show in Justin J-flex ropers - absolutely the most comfortable boots I've ever owned.

Jan

 

[nootka]

I had the Justin boots before I got the Ariats, but I got them too darn big and had to give them to my sister who wears a sz. 12. These boots had said they were a 10 but they were HUGE on me and they fit her fine, so I guess I didn't give them the right chance (shoulda tried them on w/out the socks I had on which were thick!).

I was looking at the Heritage and Cobalts, as I think they are closest to what I have now. I love the easy cleanup, too, though the laces are a pain, they do look really nice with a light wipe (the leather wipes like you buy for your vehicle work awesomely and help repel dust).

Thanks for the input, I am still deciding how to spend my Valentine's money! *LOL*

Liz M.

 

[sfmini]

My most favorite ever was a pair of Tony Lama cowboy boots that I had over 25 years ago. They fit perfectly until I loaned them to a friend and that was the end of that perfect fit. I'll never do that again!

Now for showing I have a pair of black Ariat lacers, very comfortable.

For everything else I have New Balance running shoes. I actually go into a specialty runners store to be fitted. They analyze your gait and then tell you what few shoes are right for the way you walk and are they great. This last time, the NB failed the test though and I got a pair of Saucony shoes. Seems since all my knee troubles, my gait has changed. I started doing this when I had so much trouble with plantar facisitis.

 

[Valerie]

I think I must have atleast 3 or 4 different pairs of Ariats......different types too....and I have to say, I love each & every pair of them....from boots to clogs (or mules)...... love them. I have found the very best selection of them to be at Farmgro in Newberg OR. (usually have great buys on clearance ones too)...... and also on the on-line auctions...heck, it can't hurt to check out the auctions and if you find some that are nearly new as I have, that makes them even nicer to wear...(ok, just my opionion, apparently I am getting cheaper in my older age).........

:

 

[justanothercowgirl]

I am a big fan of Ariat too, have several different ones, I thought my competitors where the most comfortable thing ever until I got a pair of cascades!! Love them!!!

 

[SunQuest]

All I wear are the ariat sport mules. I am a person who is always too warm, so the sport mules look like boots but are open in the heal and help keep me a little more comfortable. Still, they are best best fitting brand of shoe I have ever tried and they are all I have worn now for the past 10 years. Well worth the price. I have been wearing the same pair every day now for the last 1.5 years. When these really start to show the wear, I will retire them to be my new barn shoes and will get another pair. My current barn shoes are well over 3 years old and they jsut keep me going.

 

[Hosscrazy]

I LIVE in my Ariats!! I finally just bought a pair of Justins - only to try to add a little diversity in my footwear -but I really do love my Ariats! Natural suede, marbled brown and black - they're the best!

Liz R.

 

[SunQuest]

UGG!!!! I can't beleive it! But it appears that the classic original ariat sport mules don't exist any longer

: :new_2gunsfiring_v1: !

How could they do this! I really don't like the looks and styles of their "new" mules. I wear the largest size that ariat makes, and those big fat rounded toes make me look like I have feet that belong on King Kong! They look just like all the other clogs on the market now! Why would I spend 100 bucks for the exact same looks and same type of rubber souls that the other makers have?

Then I tried to email them, and I am not sure that they even got my email as nothing came back saying they got it on their customer service form.

Please tell me it isn't so! WAAAAAHHHHH!!!

 

[Jill]

UGG!!!! I can't beleive it! But it appears that the classic original ariat sport mules don't exist any longer

: :new_2gunsfiring_v1: !

How could they do this! I really don't like the looks and styles of their "new" mules. I wear the largest size that ariat makes, and those big fat rounded toes make me look like I have feet that belong on King Kong! They look just like all the other clogs on the market now! Why would I spend 100 bucks for the exact same looks and same type of rubber souls that the other makers have?

Then I tried to email them, and I am not sure that they even got my email as nothing came back saying they got it on their customer service form.

Please tell me it isn't so! WAAAAAHHHHH!!!

Yeah!! I know

They also are my favorites and I saw a couple other styles in Ariat mules that I like "okay" but not like I like the sport mules. Mine are horrible shape and are only worn around my property. They are black underneath all the dirt, paint, etc.