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The 5 best riding boots (2026)

9 June 2026 1 min read
Discover our ranking of the 5 best riding boots based on our tests.

Ranking

#1 🏆 Best choice
Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Tall Height Calf 5 UK Black

LeMieux

Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Tall Height Calf 5 UK Black

  • Proper full-grain leather and solid YKK zip make them feel like real adult boots
  • X-Grip rubber sole gives good traction in stirrups and on wet yard surfaces
  • Comfortable footbed and breathable lining work well for longer riding and yard sessions
The LeMieux Junior Field Riding Boot is a solid choice for young riders who are in the saddle often and treat riding as more than an occasional hobby. They feel like scaled-down adult boots, with proper leather, a good YKK zip, a grippy sole, and a fit that actually supports the leg instead of flopping around. Comfort is decent after a short break-in, and they’re practical both in the arena and around the yard. They’re smart enough for shows but tough enough for daily use, which is a nice balance.They’re not perfect. The tall height and initial stiffness can bother shorter or very sensitive kids at first, and they’re definitely not the cheapest option. If your child only rides once in a while, you’re better off with a cheaper synthetic boot. But if you’ve got a pony-mad kid riding several times a week, these boots make sense: they hold up, they feel secure in the stirrup, and they’re comfortable enough for riding plus yard chores.In short: serious young riders will get good use out of these and probably appreciate the more grown-up feel. Casual riders or fast-growing kids with occasional lessons might be better off saving the money and going for something simpler and cheaper.
9 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🏆 Exceptional See full review →
See offer Amazon
#2
Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Regular Height Calf 2 UK Brown

LeMieux

Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Regular Height Calf 2 UK Brown

  • Real leather construction with breathable lining that stays comfortable for full riding days
  • Grippy X-Grip rubber sole and proper heel give stable, secure footing in the stirrup and on the yard
  • Durable YKK back zip, elastic calf gusset and scaled height make them easy to wear and likely to outlast one child’s use
Overall, the LeMieux Junior Field Riding Boots in brown are solid, real riding boots for kids who actually spend time in the saddle. They’re proper leather, with a grippy rubber sole, a reliable YKK zip, and a fit that feels more like scaled-down adult boots than costume gear. In day-to-day use, the main benefits are better stability in the stirrup, more comfort for longer pony days, and a boot that holds its shape instead of going floppy after a month.They’re not perfect. There’s a short break-in period where the leather feels stiff, the zip needs a firm pull at first, and the price is on the high side for growing feet. They’re moisture resistant, not full-on waterproof, so you’ll probably still want cheap yard boots for heavy mucking out. But if your child rides weekly or more and you care about proper support, grip and durability, these make sense. If your kid only rides occasionally or is likely to drop the hobby next term, I’d go cheaper.In short: good choice for committed young riders who need a serious boot that can cope with lessons and pony days. Maybe overkill for casual pony rides at the weekend. If you’re okay with the price and can see them being used regularly – or passed down to another child – they’re a practical, no-nonsense option.
9 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🏆 Exceptional See full review →
See offer Amazon
#3
Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Regular Height Calf 4 UK Black

LeMieux

Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Regular Height Calf 4 UK Black

  • Genuine leather and solid YKK zip give a sturdy, adult-boot feel
  • Comfortable cushioned footbed and breathable lining after short break-in
  • X-Grip sole and heel design give secure footing in stirrups and around the yard
After a solid month of use, I’d sum up the LeMieux Junior Field Riding Boots as proper riding boots for kids who actually ride, not just dabble. The leather, the YKK zip, and the X-Grip sole all feel like adult-level gear scaled down, and that shows in the saddle: better stability, decent comfort, and no feeling of wearing flimsy dress-up boots. There is a short break-in period, but once they’ve softened a bit, they’re comfortable enough for full lessons and general yard work.They’re not perfect. The price is on the high side for children’s boots, and if your kid grows like a weed or only rides now and then, it might feel like overkill. They’re also only moisture resistant, not fully waterproof, so they don’t replace wellies for deep mud or heavy rain. But if your child rides regularly, does pony club, or is starting to be a bit more serious about position and security in the saddle, these make sense. They look smart enough for shows and seem built well enough to be passed down once they’re outgrown.In short: good choice for committed young riders where you care about fit, support, and durability. If you just need something cheap for the odd pony trek, you can save your money and go for a basic synthetic pair instead.
9 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🏆 Exceptional See full review →
See offer Amazon
#4 💰 Best price

Shires

Moretta Gianna Childrens Riding Boots - Black 13 UK Child Brown

  • Close leg fit with leather inner calf gives good contact and support in the saddle
  • Look smart enough for lessons and small shows without being overly pricey
  • Sturdy YKK zip, supportive sole with steel shank, and decent overall build for kids
For a kid who rides regularly and wants proper long boots, the Shires Moretta Gianna are a solid, sensible choice. They look smart enough for lessons and small shows, feel more supportive than basic rubber boots, and the leather inner calf actually does its job in the saddle. After a few weeks of use, there’s no major wear, the zip is behaving, and my kid is happy to wear them, which says a lot. They’re not super soft out of the box, but once broken in, comfort is good for normal riding and light yard work.They’re not perfect. They run a bit warm, especially in milder weather, the first few rides can feel stiff behind the knee, and I wouldn’t use them as heavy-duty mucking-out boots. If your child mostly plays in the yard and only rides occasionally, you might be better off with cheaper yard boots and saving the money. But if your kid is in weekly lessons, pony club, or local shows, these hit a nice middle ground: they look the part, they’re built reasonably well, and they don’t cost as much as top-end leather boots they’ll outgrow in a year.So, who are they for? Kids who ride fairly often, want the “real rider” look, and need something smarter and more supportive than rubber wellies. Who should skip them? Parents on a tight budget with a once-a-month rider, or kids who live in deep mud more than in the saddle. For the target user, I’d be happy to buy them again in the next size up.
9 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🏆 Exceptional See full review →
See offer Amazon
#5
Junior Interchangeable Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Tall Height Calf 1.5 UK Black

LeMieux

Junior Interchangeable Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Tall Height Calf 1.5 UK Black

  • Comfortable and supportive for regular riding, with a soft footbed and flexible ankle
  • Good grip and security in the stirrup thanks to the X-Grip rubber sole and defined heel
  • Snug calf fit and smart look, with interchangeable plain/sparkle panels for shows and everyday use
After a month of use, I’d sum up the LeMieux Junior Interchangeable Riding Boots as solid, rider-focused kids’ boots that do the basics well and look smart, without being perfect. The leather, sole and general build feel a clear step up from the cheap rubber or plastic options, and my kid genuinely finds them more comfortable in the saddle. The grip in the stirrup is good, the calf fit is snug, and the zip and stitching have held up fine so far.They’re not without downsides. The leather marks fairly quickly, they’re not fully waterproof, and the tall cut can be a bit much for very short legs at first. Plus, the price is on the higher side for something kids will eventually outgrow. You’re paying for real materials and a brand name, and you still need to take care of them if you want them to stay show‑worthy.I’d recommend these for kids who ride regularly, do lessons and maybe some small shows, and have parents willing to clean and look after leather boots. They make sense if you want something that feels like a scaled‑down proper riding boot rather than a toy. If your child is just dabbling in riding, is very rough on gear, or mainly needs something for muddy yard work, I’d look at cheaper or more rugged options instead. Used mainly for riding and kept out of the worst abuse, they’re a pretty solid choice.
8 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon

Comparison table : Riding boots

Overall score Value for money Design Comfort Materials Durability Performance Presentation
Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Tall Height Calf 5 UK Black
#1 LeMieux
Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Lon...
See offer Amazon
9/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Regular Height Calf 2 UK Brown
#2 LeMieux
Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Lon...
See offer Amazon
9/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Regular Height Calf 4 UK Black
#3 LeMieux
Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Lon...
See offer Amazon
9/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
#4 Shires
Moretta Gianna Childrens Riding Boots -...
See offer Amazon
9/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Junior Interchangeable Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Tall Height Calf 1.5 UK Black
#5 LeMieux
Junior Interchangeable Riding Boot - Chi...
See offer Amazon
8/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

According to our tests, the best riding boots is the Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Tall Height Calf 5 UK Black with a score of 9/10.

The cheapest riding boots in our comparison is the Moretta Gianna Childrens Riding Boots - Black 13 UK Child Brown.

To choose a riding boots, we recommend comparing performance, build quality, value for money and user reviews. Our comparison table above helps you make the right choice.

We have tested 5 Riding boots to establish this ranking.
#1 Junior Field Riding Boot - Childrens Long Leather Horse Riding Boot - Tall Height Calf 5 UK Black
LeMieux
Children's Tall Leather Riding Boot - UK 5 (Black)
9/10 Best choice
See offer Amazon