How Should Long Riding Boots Fit?

Long riding boots should feel close and supportive without being painful. The right fit gives you a neat silhouette, secure contact in the saddle and enough freedom to move comfortably.

How should riding boots fit around the calf?

The calf should feel snug when the boots are new. Leather and elastic panels can soften and give slightly with wear, but you should not need to force a zip against excessive pressure.

If you are between calf fittings, compare your measurements with the individual boot size guide rather than relying on foot size alone.

How tall should long riding boots be?

A new long boot should usually finish close to the back of the knee. When you bend your knee into a riding position, it may feel high at first, but it should not cause sharp discomfort or prevent you from bending normally.

Leather boots can settle as creasing develops around the ankle, so a pair that feels slightly tall when brand new may sit lower after breaking in.

What should the ankle feel like?

Ankle fit varies by style. Competition boots tend to feel neater and more structured, while everyday riding boots may offer more room and flexibility. Neither should rub excessively or collapse so much that the boot loses support.

Measure before you order

For the best result, measure both legs while wearing the socks and riding legwear you normally use.

• Measure around the widest part of each calf.
• Measure leg height from the floor up the outside of the leg.
• Compare both legs against the size guide for the exact boot you are considering.

Our How to Measure guide explains the process in more detail.

What if standard sizes do not line up?

Sometimes the right foot size, calf width and leg height simply do not appear together in one standard size. That is exactly where Made to Measure can help.

Let us narrow it down

If you are unsure where to start, try Find Your Fit. It will guide you through the main questions and recommend Tuffa styles based on how and where you plan to wear them.