Ariat Womens Barnyard Side Zip Boot Dark Brown 8.5 Review

These boots are thoughtfully designed by someone who has spent a lot of time working in a barn. They are, in fact, my dream barn boots! They are easy on/off, provide excellent protection against stomping horse feet (less, maybe, than construction work boots but good enough unless your are spending your entire day working with fractious stallions and/or youngsters), reasonably light weight, with excellent oiled leather and sole construction for fast breaking in and some measure of water/mud resistance.The collar on the top of the boot is very stiff to start with but you can soften it a bit by flexing with your hands. The boots are comfortable with the zipper pulled pulled to just below the collar. After a week, I found I could even walk comfortably for short distances with the zippers undone. This is nirvana since the barn is only a little more than 100 feet from my kitchen door. I'm constantly back and forth all day and HATE to fuss with barn shoes. For doing chores like cleaning stalls, turning horses out or feeding, it's no biggie to lean down and pull the zippers up.BUT... Quality control sucks. This is why you're seeing so many different opinion about the fit.The first pair of these boots arrived and fit absolutely perfectly. I'm a 9 1/2 medium but require a wide toe box due to an old metatarsal injury. The fit was close without being tight. The insole in the foot bed was good but not perfect for my particular needs. There was just enough room to add another thin insert for a perfect correction. However, there was thread knot (from a badly finished seam) on the collar of the boot next to the top of the zipper. The knot pressed so deeply into the skin above my ankle, it left a bruise after the first wearing.Fortunately, Amazon's return/exchange program is painless so I opted to try another pair. This pair did not have the knot. Yippee!! However, the fit was just a little bit roomier. Not a wrong size. Just a roomier fit. The footbed also fit differently. Fortunately for me, this time it was perfect!! so no additional inserts required. My foot didn't move around at all in the roomier boot and there was additional space for heavy socks in the winter.A note on socks. I'm not a foot sweat-er, but my feet did sweat wearing these boots with thin nylon socks. However, I was OK in thin cotton socks and should be fine in heavier wicking winter socks when the time comes. Interestingly, the inside of the boot is well enough finished (if you don't get a pair with a thread knot) that they are comfortable (and sweat free) enough for bare feet.I've only had the boots for a few weeks but am already wondering how I survived without them. As beloved as they are, I still would have given the boots 4 1/2 stars, if possible, due to the uneven quality assurance.

This boot was a nice surprise in that it fit just right out of the box. I chose the correct size and added my own arch supports. This is about my 5 th pair of Ariats for riding. They seem to have discontinued the Terrain H20 zip up (:( ) but this side zip works just fine. They are also comfortable for walking around the farm and if I have to get off on the trail, I feel they will be comfortable enough to walk anywhere.I would choose these again and again.

I have decided to go with these boots instead of traditional paddock boots this time because paddock boots don't last in my job as a trainer more than 6-8 months. It's mostly the damage from wet/dry conditions to the leather when hosing off horses, no matter if they are conditioned, daily cleaned, or not cared for at all. I've tried every single way of treating my paddock boots over the years, it makes no difference in longevity.I am hoping that these boots will be a bit more sturdy, due to the thicker leather, and I enjoy the super easy in/out in between wearing my riding boots. In addition they still look stylish enough to wear them away from the barn and they have a heel, should I decide to ride a horse in them after all.The first three days I had to get used to the shorter style bumping me in the back of the foot, but it just took a bit of breaking in and they are super comfortable now. Love the wide toe box and the Ariat foot bed.So far it has been a month and they are holding up great, I will update this review after some more wear to see if they will outlive my previous choices.

So I think that the size was mislabeled. I ordered a nine, and it fit like a 10+. I decided to return and try another nine. That one was still big, but not as big as the first 9. So I ordered a 8/12. Still too big. So I ordered a 8. Now it fits well. I can't believe that the boots run that big, I'm a solid nine. So now that I have the right size and they are very comfortable as I knew they would. The foot bed is awesome. Haven't worn them outside yet, but suspect they will work fine out on our property and around. I'm just perplexed by the size gap. I've read the reviews, no sign of the issue.

And stylish

I was so excited to get some new work boots. When they arrived, I tried them on and they fit like a glove! The most perfect fit of any boot I have every bought! The problem was that as long as I was sitting down, they were perfect. But, as soon as I stood up to walk, it was excruciating! I couldn't believe it. They rubbed every tender spot on my feet that I had. There would be no possible way I could even break them in. I returned them. AND... the sucky part...they do not let you return them to Kohl's. I had to go to UPS. Much more difficult because I couldn't print the label out and they do not scan QR codes at UPS. It took forever at UPS because I had to log into my email and amazon accounts to verify passwords, which I did not have, so I had to call Amazon. It took forever. Amazon told me that I did not buy these boots from Amazon, so different rules apply. Yet, I did buy them ON Amazon. Be prepared when you purchase these! I didn't have any fun!

Very comfortable but ankle is snug, with the being leather I'm hoping they'll loosen up.Runs a little short...typically wear 7.5 or 8 but had tur return for 8.5.

I Am now wearing my third pair of these muck boots and love each and every pair. Every pair of Ariat boots I own fit great and wear well. My first two pair of Ariats low cut looking boots are now over 20 years old. They only need a bit of polish and are good to go.Can’t lose wearing Arists!