Monday, December 31, 2007

out with the old, in with the new....boots that is.

So, I have heard it told that you should evaluate your life and make changes for the new year ahead. I am not big on New Year's resolutions but, I must admit I am changing quite a bit here lately. One of the biggest things I have changed are my boots, the ones I wear every day and ride in. Don't laugh people this is serious stuff for me. You see my boots are an extension of me, they reflect some of the things I see in myself and want of myself. I have had my old trusty boots for some five years now. In fact, one of the happiest moments I had after having my first son was to discover that indeed my boots still fit!! Not that I am saying having my son wasn't the happiest thing in my life it was until number two came along! But I regress.... old trusty's are a worn out pair of leather soled Justin ropers. I have had them resoled twice and the shoemaker must have thought I was out of my mind last time around.
I have a hard time fitting a boot to my feet, it's not that they are unusually large just difficult. I have a high instep and a wide foot at the bunion bone. Wide boots are too wide after I break them in and "B" size boots need stretching to get them to fit. I get sick to my stomach just thinking about going shopping for boots. To top it off I am well, sort of particular about what I want in a boot. First and foremost I must have leather soles, no exceptions here. I just like the way I can move my feet around in the stirrup with leather soles. I have tried composite soles , rubber soles and the newly touted grip on demand soles but nothing beats leather. Secondly the boot cannot be to high on the calf or too low.
Too high and I get pinched , too low and I get rubbed. Nothing to fancy for my either no lime green or pink fat baby's for me thanks. My husband doesn't understand my problem getting boots , heck he can walk in try on a few pair and be done in minutes. My shopping experience however goes like this:
I finally make the decision to buy a new pair of boots. I decided the all amercian Quarter Horse congress would be a great place to go and shop.
So off we go to Columbus, only a three hour trip from here and spend the weekend shopping for horse things and the boots. I go from vendor to vendor telling the helpful sales people what I want and after trying on I swear not less than seventy pair of boots come away empty handed.
Frustrated, I whine to my hubby how unfair it is that I cannot find just a freakin pair of boots to ride in. We decided to try again the following day and a nice sales girl suggested we go to the main store just up the road and try on some Anderson Bean boots. Apparently, she has the same issue when buying boots except that her foot is a ten NOT a size eight.
So, we load up the boys and head to Rod's Western Palace four miles up the road. Unbelievably, I find a pair that I like and they have my size.
The girl puts the right one on the stretcher and it fits like a glove just moments later. I went for the old vintage style squared toe and the heel is slung under which takes a little getting used to, the calf
leather is a little of a stretch for me at teal but I liked them so much I bought them anyway. I have been wearing them for about a month and I still absolutely love them. My hubby thinks I should buy another pair and alternate wearing them so they last and we wouldn't have to shop for them for awhile. Now what fun would that be???

2 comments:

Kathy C said...

I'm going to check out Anderson Beans. If I can find some locally that is. I have the same problem, high instep and width due to bunions. I sympathize with your search, but wow, the thought of a style of boot being out there that might actually fit me foot is exciting!

Happy New Years

Victoria Cummings said...

I know exactly what you mean. I have these Ariat lace up ropers that are pathetically old. They have stopped making that style, and I can't find anything that I like as well. Fortunately, I have a pair of old Ariat pull-on ropers which are comfortable and presentable to wear in public. Alone, at home, with only the horses to see them, I still use the ones with the holes in them.