This or That! Ariat versus Tredstep

Without further a-do, here is my first real post! My first ever "This or That" comparing popular and trendy items for both equestrians and their equine partners. First off, Tredstep versus Ariat!

The boot market is a tricky one and with all of the brands, styles, and now custom options, boot shopping is becoming so much more of a challenge. Companies are branching out from the streamlined look of the classic tall boot, which means it can be so much harder to find the perfect and appropriate boot, but we'll save that for a whole other post.

Ariat and Tredstep are the perfect brands to compare, they are easily two of the most popular and are also somewhat accessible price wise. These would probably be considered "mid grade" brands, they're not Tucci or Parlanti but they are still pretty freaking nice. I own both Tredstep Donatello's and Ariat Heritage Contour Zips (both field boots). Both of these pairs are fantastic in their own ways, but who wins overall? Keep reading to find out! 

A vital part of my "This or That" feature is this handy little comparison chart. Items will receive a score rated between 0-5 for each category. 

BRAND	*	*
STYLE
DURABILITY
PRICE
FUNCTIONALITY
QUALITY
COMFORT

                                                                                   

Style: Of course the most important category first! ;) While these boots both look lovely on, the Donatello's have earned the higher rating. It's not that the Ariat's aren't stylish, it's just that the Donatellos have the little extra pizzaz around the laces that makes me squeal. That and the super contoured ankle that is so flattering on any leg (also makes me squeal). Another style factor for me that probably isn't a concern for most is that my Ariats wrinkle on my ultra skinny, extra slim, too slim for my tall boots calf, which is a common problem since I absolutley refuse to buy/can't technically afford custom boots.  

Durability: While both pairs are made of likely similar quality calfskin, contrary to my early predictions, the Ariats seem to be resisting wear better than the Donatello's. There is some light wearing to the inside of the Donatello's which is nothing major but does give the Ariats a little boost in this category. However, I have heard complaints about the Ariat zippers and using this information and the poignant memory of a somewhat traumatic experience involving some winter socks, a broken zipper, and an undisclosed quantity of moustache duct tape (No, neither of these pairs were involved), I am certainly going to play it safe and bring a spare pair of boots when I take these guys somewhere important. 

Price: The Ariats normally run at $289.95 while the Donatello's are just slightly more at $299.99. Gold stars for everyone (Not that I even like to spend $50 on something going on my feet).

Funtionality: This harder to judge with boots since you just zip them up and go (hopefully?). One minor nuisance is the double flap of leather where the top snap is located on the Donatello's (I'll deduct a half point for this). Both are nice to ride in, I don't find that my leg looks or feels particularly different in either pair on the flat or over fences, but I do have a somewhat solid-ish leg and some nice big blocks on my saddle so results might vary. 

Quality: Boot pairs of boots are made of fantastically soft leather. The Donatello leather is so so pretty, it has a bit of that Parlanti look which I adore. Both are well lined and have sturdy soles. 

Comfort: Ariat wins this one hands down. Riding in my Donatello's has made me realize just how comfortable my Ariats are, or maybe my Ariats have made me realize just how uncomfortable my Donatello's are? My Ariats are comfy and squishy and I could absolutley go all day in them without really thinking about the fact that I am wearing tall boots. The Donatello's on the other hand, while I still love them, are honestly a pain to walk in, so much that I will wait until the last moment to put them and take the first chance to pull them off (they are totally fine while riding). They give me blisters! The bloody ones! The footbed of the Donatello's just isn't as shaped or as squishy as the Ariat's. It's quite flat and offers little to no support, (once again, not super important while riding). Around the general foot and ankle area these boots are quite hard and they feel maybe more like dress boots, which is what makes them such a pain to walk in.  If you are a trainer or someone who rides a lot of horses, daily activity in Donatello's probably won't make your feet (or soul) very happy. 

Maintenance Note* Both pairs are cleaned the same way, after *most* rides with just glycerine saddle soap and soft towel, NO CONDITIONER for grips sake!

So finally, who wins?

BRAND	Ariat	Tredstep
STYLE	3/5	4/5
DURABILITY	4/5	3/5
PRICE	5/5	5/5
FUNCTIONALITY	5/5	4.5/5
QUALITY	4/5	4/5
COMFORT	5/5	2/5

Ariat scored a total of 26 points while Tredstep received a close 22.5. Which pair of boots do I actually like more? That was a lot of build up to say I honestly don't know. If I was going to sacrifice a pair to the boot gods I would have to let go of the Tredstep's solely because my Ariats are more comfortable.  Hopefully this post helped guide you to the pair that is suited for you, may the boot shopping begin! Let me know your favourite pair in the comments!