Zippers Or No zippers?

They both have their ups and downs. Boots with zippers are SO much easier to get on and off. However, zippers break, get clogged (breeches...), and slide open. Boots without zippers last an exceptional amount of time longer than zippered boots.

In the end it's up to you... what would you rather have; simplicity (easy on/off), or longevity?

I prefer the zipper for a couple of reason. I have a wide calf already so the zipper is easier to take the boot both on and off.

Also its good incase anything happens to your feet meaning this. I've had 2 different times where I was glad I had zipper boots.

1. I was riding at a show and I must has sprained my ankle but I put my boots on. The posting made my ankle swell bad. It swelled so bad that even with the zipper it was hard to get off.

2. I was in a riding accident at another show. EMS arrived and they needed to take off my boots. To asses if I had any more leg injuries. They thought it was a non zipper boot and they were going to cut the boots off. But someone pointed out that there was a zipper in the back and there able to save the boots 8D

NO ZIPPERS.

I spent the summer teaching at a horsemanship camp, and there were at least 3-4 girls each week who had the zippers on her boot give out. Some people say that they like zippers because it makes it easier to slip in and out of their boots, but they don't last nearly as long as lace ups. Dirt and sand gets stuck in the grooves, and the biggest problem seemed to be that the zip wouldn't close the teeth anymore. This seemed to apply to not just Ariat brand, but to all the riding/paddok boots that had zippers.

I own a pair of lace-ups, and even when trying them on I never had an issue with taking them off. I wear a tall paddock boot, though,(up past my ankle) so I'm not sure how the field boots go as far as getting in and out. If my boot is tight, I just loosen the laces...not that big of a deal.....

It might take a minute to lace up, but it will last you for YEARS versus the zip up boots.

Oh goodness. I absolutely hate no zippers. I owned a pair that were okay when you wore them, but trying to get them off was almost impossible. Haha. I thought maybe it was just the boot so I went to a tack store and tried a pair on without zippers and once again could not get them off. I've seen people at tack stores or even at shoes how try on/where the no zippers and they have trouble getting them off. I haven't met anyone who likes no zippers, but i'm sure it has its benefits.

My field boots have zippers and I have had no problems with them. They are so easy to get on and off, and the zippers have never broken. I have heard that the zippers break though, but I haven't heard of any with the Challenge II, but i'm sure it's happened. Does the boots come with a warranty? Or can you easily or cheaply get them fixed if they break? If so, i'd go with zippers. I personally think they look better than no zippers too.

But of course it's up to you! You can always return them if you don't like them. Just make sure you don't get them all used and dirty and then decide to return them. Haha. Good luck! =]

I used to use boots with no zippers. They held up extremely well and formed to my foot and leg nicely. I was very pleased with them.

Since I've hurt my hand, I now use the boots with zippers. They are definitely easier to get off and on, but I've already had a zipper give out on me.

If you are physically able, go with no zippers. If you are challenged in some way (like stiffness, unable to bend down, injured hand, etc), then zippers are a nice compromise.

Good luck with your new boots.

I think the no zipper looks better (personal opinion). Zippers break, and then it will end up costing you more to replace them. I think I would rather have to spend sometime taking my boots off then trying to find somewhere to get a new zipper.

I feel there's too many risks with zippers (eg they come undone while riding in a class at a show...) so i always get no zippers. Honestly as long as you have a decent boot jack and the size is correct I find they come off no problem. When first breaking them in they can be difficult to get off but after that it's a breeze. Your choice though!

I'm pretty old-school, so I would have to say no zippers. I've seen broken zippers as well as zippers that have come undone during a class, so honestly I'm a bit scared of them. They are Ariat's, so I wouldn't be too worried about this choice. Just go with your first gut reaction. Good luck!

Zippers, definetly. If you are getting these for show, like me, you want to get out of them asap! zippers help, and an easy way to help save the zippers is top not zip them all the way down to the base of the zipper...path? jusy leave a couple inches from the bottom and the zipper will last twice as long as normal!

Zippers without a doubt. I have a pair of Saxon tall boots with zippers, and they fit much better than the pair without zippers. I did try both on, and the zippers fit much better. They're extremely comfortable plus you don't have to hobble around like a rabbit to get one boot off!