LeMieux Junior Field Riding Boot Review: solid kids’ tall boots that actually feel like adult gear

I picked up the LeMieux Junior Field Riding Boots in size 4 UK for my kid, mainly because the cheaper synthetic boots we had were starting to rub and crack. We ride a few times a week, mostly lessons and some hacking, so I wanted something that looked smart enough for shows but could handle normal yard use. I’m not sponsored, I paid for these, and I went in thinking, “these are a bit pricey for kids’ boots, they’d better be decent.”

We’ve had them on for around a month now, riding 3–4 times a week plus some walking around the yard in them. So this isn’t a “tried them on in the living room” review. They’ve seen wet arenas, muddy gateways, and a couple of light rain showers. I’ll focus on how they actually feel and hold up, not the fancy product description.

The first thing to say: these boots feel like scaled-down adult tall boots, not toy versions. The leather, the zip, the sole – it all feels more serious than the usual plastic-like kids’ boots. My kid noticed that straight away, saying they felt “like real rider boots, not dress-up boots.” That was basically the reaction I was hoping for.

They’re not perfect, and there are a couple of things that bug me, especially considering the price and the fact kids grow fast. But overall, after a few weeks of use, I’d say they’re pretty solid for young riders who actually spend time in the saddle and not just doing the odd pony ride at the weekend.

These boots sit in the higher price range for kids’ riding boots, especially compared to basic synthetic ones. So the big question is: do they justify the extra cost? For casual once-a-month pony rides, honestly, probably not. But for a kid who rides weekly, does lessons, maybe a bit of pony club or shows, I’d say the value is pretty reasonable.

What you’re paying for is mainly the leather quality, proper YKK zip, and a sole that actually works with stirrups. Compared to the cheaper boots we had before, there’s a clear step up in stability, comfort, and general feel. My kid’s lower leg is steadier, and they’re not complaining about sore feet after a longer day at the yard. That alone has some value if you’re spending good money on lessons and want kit that helps rather than hinders.

The other factor is lifespan. I can easily see these lasting long enough to be handed down to another child, provided you look after the leather. With cheaper boots, we’ve had zips fail or synthetic material crack before the kid even outgrew them, which ends up being false economy. Here, the construction feels solid enough that the limiting factor is more likely to be growth, not the boot falling apart.

So no, they’re not a bargain, and there is definitely cheaper stuff out there that will “do the job” at a basic level. But if you want reliable, adult-style boots for a serious young rider, these sit in that sweet spot where the price is high but not ridiculous, and you can actually see what you’re paying for in daily use.

The design is pretty straightforward: a knee-high, round-toe riding boot with a block heel and a back zip. What stands out is how closely they copy an adult field boot, just scaled down for smaller legs. You’ve got the streamlined elasticated front lacing that looks like laces but doesn’t actually need tying, which is very handy for kids who can’t be bothered with fiddly long laces before a lesson. It gives the boot some flex over the ankle without extra faff.

The calf has a high-grade elastic gusset running down the side of the zip, which helps the boot hug the leg without cutting in. On my kid’s fairly average calf, the fit was close but not strangling, and there’s a bit of give if they wear thicker socks or jodhpurs. If your child has very chunky calves or very skinny ones, you might need to check the size chart carefully, but for a regular build it seems well thought out. The shaft height is proper knee-high, so it looks tidy in the saddle and doesn’t sit awkwardly mid-calf.

One design detail I like is the integrated spur rests on either side of the heel. Even if your rider doesn’t use spurs yet, it’s a sign these boots are meant for real riding, not just looking pretty. The block heel is the right height to stop the foot sliding through the stirrup, and the linear tread pattern on the sole lines up well with standard stirrup footplates. In practice, my kid’s feet felt secure but not stuck, which is exactly the point.

Visually, they’re plain black with a solid, classic style. If you want glitter or coloured panels, these are not it. But for shows, pony club, or riding schools that prefer a simple look, they tick the box. The design is boring in a good way: it focuses on fit and function rather than fashion, and that suits us fine.

Comfort-wise, there is a short break-in period, but it’s nowhere near as bad as some stiff leather boots. The first two rides, my kid said the boots felt tight around the top of the calf and a bit stiff at the ankle. No blisters, just that “new boots” pressure. By about the fourth ride, they were noticeably more flexible, especially over the front of the ankle where that elasticated lacing is. If your child is sensitive, I’d suggest wearing them around the house for half an hour a couple of times before a long hack.

The footbed is genuinely cushioned. My kid usually complains about thin soles on cheaper boots after walking around the yard for a while, but with these, they didn’t say a word, which is a good sign. I asked directly after a busy Saturday at the stables (lessons, grooming, running around) and got: “My feet are fine, just tired from standing.” No hot spots at the heel or ball of the foot, which is where we’ve had problems before.

The breathable mesh lining seems to help with temperature. We tested these in mild, slightly damp weather, not scorching heat, but even after wearing them for a few hours, socks were only slightly sweaty, not soaked. Also, the inside feels smooth, so they go on easily over normal riding socks without bunching. The zip and gusset make it much easier for kids to get them on and off themselves, which matters when you’re trying to get out the door on time.

Overall, once past the first couple of rides, my kid finds them comfortable enough for full lessons and yard time. They’re not slippers – they’re structured riding boots – but for what they are, comfort is pretty solid. If your child is used to soft rubber boots, they’ll notice the difference, but in a week or so they’ll likely be fine with it.

The upper is full grain leather, and you can feel the difference compared to cheaper synthetic boots. It’s not cardboard-stiff, but it does have that initial firmness you expect from new leather. After about four rides, it started to soften and crease where the ankle bends, without cracking or looking cheap. The leather around the collar and heel tongue is slightly softer, which helps avoid rubbing at the back of the leg.

Inside, there’s a breathable mesh lining combined with leather in the key contact areas. My kid tends to get sweaty feet in rubber boots, and they came out of these less damp after a full 45-minute lesson. Not bone dry, but better than usual. The insole is memory-foam style, and while that sounds like marketing, it does feel cushioned when you press it. Underfoot, my kid said it felt “like trainers but stiffer,” which matches what I felt when I tried them on quickly (we’re similar shoe size).

The sole is rubber with the X-Grip pattern, and it feels tough but not rock-hard. It bends a bit at the ball of the foot, which is what you want – some flex, but not a floppy sole. The zip is a YKK metal zip, and that’s important because cheap zips are usually what die first on kids’ tall boots. After a month of use, no snagging, no teeth skipping, and it still runs smoothly.

Overall, the materials feel like they belong on adult boots, just in a smaller package. Nothing feels flimsy or like it will peel after a few rainy rides. The only thing I’d say is you do need to treat the leather properly – a quick clean and condition now and then – or it will probably dry out over time. These are not “wipe with a baby wipe and forget” type boots if you want them to last.

After about a month of use – 3 to 4 rides per week plus yard wear – the boots are holding up well. The leather has softened where you’d expect (around the ankle and across the instep) but hasn’t cracked or peeled. There are normal creases, but nothing that looks like it’s about to split. A quick wipe-down after rides and an occasional bit of leather conditioner has been enough so far.

The YKK zip is still running smoothly with no missing teeth or warping. I’m picky about zips because that’s usually what dies first on kids’ tall boots. My kid can zip them up and down alone without yanking or getting stuck halfway. The elastic gusset along the calf hasn’t stretched out or gone baggy yet, which is a good sign. It still provides a snug but flexible fit. The spur rests are intact, no chunks missing from the heel.

The rubber sole shows light wear on the tread where the stirrup sits, but it’s minimal so far. No separation at the join between the sole and the leather upper, and no peeling of any glued parts. We’ve done a bit of walking on gravel and concrete, and they don’t look chewed up, which is better than some softer soles I’ve seen on cheaper boots.

Obviously, with kids, the bigger issue is usually outgrowing the boots rather than wearing them out. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I’d expect these to last at least one full season of regular use, probably more, as long as they’re cleaned reasonably and not left soaked in a corner. They feel like they could easily be passed down to a younger sibling if they’re looked after. For the price, that kind of lifespan is important, and so far they look up to it.

In actual riding, these boots do the job well. The X-Grip sole with the linear tread gives good traction in the stirrup without feeling stuck. I watched a couple of canter transitions and some light jumping, and my kid’s lower leg looked more stable than in the old floppy boots. They said their feet felt “locked in but not trapped,” which is exactly what you’re aiming for – secure contact without any risk of getting hung up.

The ankle flex is decent once they’re broken in. At first, my kid said it felt like they were fighting the boot a bit to get their heel down, but after a few rides the leather eased and the elastic lacing area started to move more naturally. For flatwork, they give a nice steady lower leg. For jumping, they’re supportive enough without being too stiff. The block heel is the right size to give confidence that the foot won’t slide through the stirrup, especially for newer riders.

Around the yard, the rubber sole grips well on wet concrete and slightly muddy patches. We tested them in light rain and some sloppy areas near the wash bay; no slipping or sliding. They’re listed as moisture resistant, not fully waterproof, and that matches reality. Fine in damp conditions and light rain, but if your kid stands in a deep puddle or hose water splashes over the top, socks are going to get wet. So, good for general stable use, not a substitute for wellies.

Overall performance is strong and reliable. These feel like proper riding boots that help the rider stay secure and comfortable rather than just looking the part. If your child is riding regularly and starting to care about leg position and stability, these boots support that without being overly stiff competition boots.

Out of the box, the LeMieux Junior Field Boots look like classic black show boots: plain, tall, and quite smart. No flashy branding all over the place, just a small LeMieux logo. They come stuffed with paper to hold the leg shape and wrapped in plastic sleeves. Nothing fancy in terms of packaging, but it keeps them protected and that’s enough for me. This isn’t a premium unboxing experience, it’s just straightforward and practical.

The first thing I did was check the basics: zip, stitching, and sole. The YKK back zip feels sturdy and runs from the heel right up behind the knee. There’s a little popper/keeper at the top to stop the zip sliding down, and it actually stays closed, which isn’t always the case on cheaper boots. The stitching along the foot and up the leg is neat and even, no loose threads or glue blobs. The X-Grip rubber sole has a clear tread pattern that doesn’t look overly chunky, so it still fits nicely in the stirrup.

On the inside, you’ve got a breathable mesh lining and a soft footbed that feels a bit like memory foam under your fingers. My kid noticed that as soon as they put their foot in: “oh, these are squishy.” The inner leather around the ankle and heel tongue feels smooth, not plasticky, which matters when you’re wearing them for a full lesson. There are spur rests on the heel, which is a nice touch if your rider is at that stage.

Overall presentation is simple but solid: proper tall leather boots that look ready for riding, not fashion boots. No weird smell, no oily residue, nothing off-putting. Just clean, black, leather boots that look like they mean business. For something that’s going to get covered in dust and mud anyway, that’s pretty much what I want.