Country Boots Buyer's Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Country Boots

Are you looking for a pair of boots that will keep your feet comfortable and dry while also looking smart enough for any occasion? Do you need boots that will take you from the saddle to the shops in comfort and in style?

Whether you are a horse rider, horse owner, or simply someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, country boots are the great-looking country to town cross that you need in your wardrobe. There is a large assortment of boots on the market for both men and women. But, having so much variety can also make it difficult to decide which country boots are best for you. There’s also some practical advice on how to look after your country's boots to make sure they last a long time and look their best.

This guide covers three top brands of country boots and explains the types of activities each option is best suited to.

How To Choose Country Boots

Choosing the perfect country boot can be confusing because it is a style of footwear designed just as much for non-riders as for equestrians. With so many options in styles and materials, how do you know you’re investing in the right ones?

Top manufacturers of country boots have taken the UK weather conditions into account when developing new styles. Brands such as Dubarry, Ariat, and Dublin incorporate the very latest technologies and innovations into their boot designs to ensure you stay warm and dry in all your favourite outdoor activities. Their range of country boots continues to live up to the high standards expected by being:

durable
comfortable
waterproof
breathable

Some, but not all, styles of country boots are suitable for light horse riding. So, if riding is an activity you want to do when wearing your country boots, look for a stirrup-friendly design that will feel just as stable in the saddle as they do on the ground. A non-bulky design construction lends itself well to schooling or hacking out.

Let’s have a look at some of the popular options of country boots on offer and the activities they are best for, so you can make an informed choice.

Ariat Wythburn H20 Boots

The Wythburn combines everyday function and fashion-forward country styling for a boot that’s as smart as it is beautiful. Handcrafted leather is fully waterproof. The lace-up front is easily adjustable for a perfectly secure fit with any sock or pant

Full of technology to enhance their comfort:

4LR™ technology for support and cushioning
Waterproof Pro™ construction
Waterproof, full-grain leather
Versatile front lace style
Non-marking, barnyard acid-resisting Duratread™ outsole provides maximum wear resistance and flexibility
Stirrup friendly outsole

Ariat Keswick H20

The Keswick is our anytime, anywhere boot every English rider should have at their front door. It’s waterproof, super durable, and slips on in seconds – perfect for walking the dog, getting the mail, and strolling the barn. Not only versatile, but full of innovative technology:

•4LR™ technology for support and cushioning
•Waterproof Pro™ construction
•Waterproof, full-grain leather and nubuck
•Elastic twin gore
•Stirrup friendly outsole

Shop all Ariat Boots

Dublin Waterproof River Boots

These country boots have a traditional look that works well in for both men and women who need a durable, stylish boot for their country lifestyle. Even though they are country boots, they are safe for riding if you decide to get on your horse without changing your boots.

Fitted with an HBR waterproof and breathable membrane, the Dublin River Boots are completely waterproof up to the first leather band – just above the ankle - and can face any weather thrown at them without losing condition. Comfortable as well, your feet won’t feel dead after a hard day of work, and neither will your boots. So, you can carry on looking fabulous.

These boots are available in regular and wide fits and are perfect for a variety of outdoor activities. Their range of features makes them a popular choice and a best seller in the country boots marketplace:

padded heel cushion provides high shock absorbency
steel arch foundation maximises stability
enhanced cushion layer increases comfort
tough rubber outer sole gives lightweight flexibility and maximum durability.

If you need country boots that are long wearing, serviceable, completely waterproof and trendsetting, Dublin River Boots are be a good choice.

Shop all Dublin Boots

The Dubarry Galway

This stylish and comfortable boot is Dubarry’s signature boot for both men and women. It stands up to all weather conditions ensuring your feet stay warm and dry while you look smart at the yard with your horse or shopping in town.

A perennial favourite in both the equestrian and country worlds, even celebrities have been seen wearing Dubarry Galway boots. Pippa Middleton has worn them when participating in country sports. Singer, Bruce Springsteen, was spotted in them on stage at Glastonbury. And Kate Middleton was spotted wearing these at a few Country Events.

Although tough enough to withstand muddy fields and mucky yards, you won’t look out of place in a pair of Dubarry Galway boots around town. The Galway country boot is designed with a GORE-TEX membrane giving it waterproof properties. Dry Fast – Dry Soft™ technology ensures the leather is breathable. These features result in a comfortable boot that doesn’t leave your feet feeling soggy after a day out in the fields.

These boots are available in regular, slim-fit and extra-fit options.

Shop all Dubarry Boots

Caring For Country Boots

All leather needs care even if it has been specially treated to be waterproof. Your country boots are not the same as wellingtons.

Treating your boots to a little TLC will ensure their longevity – especially if you wear your country boots to do yard work or take walks on wet ground. Manure, waste liquids and salt are all corrosive to leather.

By investing a little time and using the right treatments, your country boots will stay supple and waterproof – no matter where you wear yours.

Follows these simple seven steps to care for your leather country boots:

Rinse dirt, mud, manure, salt, etc. with clean cold water. Scrub gently with a cloth or soft brush if necessary to get rid of stubborn muck.
Apply specialized leather soap or cleaner with a cloth or soft brush. Work into a lather. Scrub to remove more embedded dirt.

Note: Do not use saddle soap which can soften the leather to the degree that it may stretch, lose its shape and even collapse at the ankles.

Rinse excess soap/cleaner from the boots with clean water.
Dry at room temperature for 24 hours. Using artificial heat will dry the leather too quickly possibly causing it to crack.
Spray a specialized leather protector over the entire boot. Apply several layers allowing each layer to be absorbed before applying the next. Complete this step outside.
Allow the boots to dry naturally for several hours (according to the leather protector instructions).
Apply specialized leather cream to smooth leather areas only (not on suede or nubuck materials) following the manufacturer's instructions. Rub in gently with a soft cloth or brush. Pay particular attention to the areas on the top of the foot that flex as you walk.

Fitting Your Country Boots

Good quality country boots are available to fit regular, slim, and wide calf sizes. To find the right calf size for the perfect fit for you, measure your calf at the largest point.

Compare that measurement to the manufacturer’s measurement chart. Click on the below images to take you to their size charts!