Something new · Rider to rider
Ariat vs Mountain Horse Boots: What Riders Say After They Switch
The boot that stays warm, zips over your breeches and keeps going, in riders' own words.
Riders who wore Ariat tall and paddock boots tell us why they moved to Mountain Horse: more warmth on cold, wet days, a calf that zips over breeches, and boots that last. Mountain Horse's winter tall boots come in regular and wide calf. Here is what they say, with what Ariat does well in fairness below.
The short version
If you wore Ariat boots: the Mountain Horse pairs riders move to
Mountain Horse's Rimfrost III and Active Winter Rider are the winter tall boots to try after Ariat's insulated Heritage Contour II, and the Sovereign is the field boot riders compare with the Heritage Contour II Field Zip.
If they wore
Heritage Contour II Waterproof Insulated
Riders switch to
Rimfrost III Winter Tall BootA waterproof winter tall boot with a Thermolite lining and a regular or wide calf. A rider who wears hers in the cold and wet calls it very warm.
Shop nowIf they wore
A tall boot that felt tight over breeches
Riders switch to
Active Winter Rider Wide CalfThe same insulated, waterproof build as the regular boot, cut with a wider calf. One rider says it beat the regular-calf Ariat she tried over thicker breeches.
Shop nowIf they wore
Heritage Contour II Field Zip
Riders switch to
Sovereign Field BootA leather field boot with a full-length back zipper, a leather lining and a Spanish cut top. A rider rides in hers every day.
Shop nowIf they wore
Ravello
Riders switch to
Serenade Dressage BootMountain Horse's dressage boot, with the full-length zipper placed forward for uninterrupted leg contact.
Shop nowIf they wore
Heritage Zip paddock
Riders switch to
Veganza Zip PaddockA vegan-friendly synthetic zip paddock with a slim outsole made for riding and a removable extra insole.
Shop nowIf they wore
Kids' Heritage Contour field boot
Riders switch to
Venice Field Boot (Kids')A full-grain leather junior field boot that comes with two removable insoles for room to grow.
Shop nowRider voices
What riders say after they swap Ariat for Mountain Horse
Riders tell us Mountain Horse keeps them warm, fits their calves and lasts, and they say it better than we can.
Warmer when it is cold and wet
The boots they point to
Rimfrost IIIActive Winter Rider
Rimfrost III and Active Winter Rider are the boots riders name for the cold.
See the winter bootsA calf that zips over breeches
The boots they point to
Active Winter Rider Wide CalfRimfrost III Wide Calf
Wide Calf versions of both winter boots, plus a regular calf where Ariat's ran wide.
See the wide calf bootsBoots that keep going
The boots they point to
Years of daily riding, in riders' words.
See the field bootsWarmer when it is cold and wet
One rider says her old Ariat winter boots never came close to the warmth of her Mountain Horse pair.
Mountain Horse winter boots
I can vouch for the Ice Rider. I have had mine for three years and they still look good. They are very warm; I just wear them with a wool sock and I have never had cold toes. I stop riding under 21 degrees. In fact I just took mine off after wearing them for three hours to ride and to do the barn. They are extremely comfortable and relatively inexpensive. My previous winter boots were Ariats and they never even came close to the warmth and comfort of the Mountain Horse ones. They do run big.
Active Winter Rider tall boots
I absolutely freaking love my MH Active Winter Rider tall boots.
A calf that zips over breeches
Riders say a Mountain Horse in a regular calf fit where an Ariat needed a wide one, and that a Bromont in a regular calf felt tight.
Active Winter Rider boots
The regular calf Bromont seems tight. Id never get thicker breeches zipped in there. MH Active Rider wins :)
Mountain Horse tall boots
I have small feet like yours and had to wear a wide calf in Ariats. With the Mountain Horses, I can wear a regular.
Boots that keep going
Riders report Mountain Horse tall boots lasting five and seven years of regular riding, and one expects three or more years from hers after replacing Ariats every year.
Mountain Horse boots
I expect my Mountain Horse boots to last 3+ years. I replaced my Ariat boots every year before giving up on them.
Mountain Horse high riders
I have tried them on in the shop but I have always ended up buying the mountain horse high riders the ariats always feel and look flimsy in comparison, I am into my 5th year with the mountain horse boots only had each zip done once in that time and they look perfect and are so comfy.
Mountain Horse boots
I LOVE LOVE Mountain Horse. I am on my 2nd pair in about 5 years. But I abuse them, don't clean them, wear them nearly every day and also do general barn chores in them. They are so comfy and really do stand up to my abuse.
Mountain Horse tall boots
I have had a pair for 7 years and they are still going strong - wanted to start wearing them more for every day riding so got a second pair for showing.
In riders' words
Why riders say they gave up on their Ariats
Riders tell us some of their Ariat paddock and field boots wore out sooner than they hoped, and that a Mountain Horse boot suited their feet better. These are their words, as posted.
Boots that gave out early
Mountain Horse boots riders try next
Veganza Zip PaddockSovereign Field
Mountain Horse's Veganza Zip Paddock and Sovereign Field are the closest swaps.
See the paddock bootsA footbed that felt better
Mountain Horse boots riders try next
Sovereign FieldVeganza Zip Paddock
Riders point to Mountain Horse's footbed and fit.
See sizingBoots that gave out early
Riders report Ariat short boots falling apart and soles starting to separate after four years of hard riding.
Mountain Horse short boots
I gave up on Ariat short boots as they just fell apart and bought short Mountain Horse (the waterproof model). I love them, and cheaper than Ariat. I'll be buying the country boot this winter to replace my ariat Braemer which strangely have lasted 6 years. Just about still waterproof but the lining is coming apart and they are hard to get on - and harder to get off!
Mountain Horse Sovereign boots
I got through four years with them (riding three, sometimes four days a week, usually on at least two horses each time) and only bought the Sovereigns because the soles on the Ariats were starting to separate from the foot
A footbed that felt better
Riders say Mountain Horse boots are more comfortable on their feet than the Ariats they wore before.
Mountain Horse boots
Mountain Horse. I currently have a pair of Ariats which are no where near as comfortable.
Mountain Horse high boots
I used to ride exclusively in Ariat paddock boots and half chaps, but now that my foot has been spoiled by the comfy and supportive foot bed of my Mountain Horse high boots, Ariats make my feet hurt.
Side by side
Ariat vs Mountain Horse boots: winter, calf width and field boots side by side
Ariat lists its tall boots from X-Slim to X-Wide calf in one B-Medium foot width. Mountain Horse offers regular and wide calf across its winter tall boots, and slim and wide in others. These are the closest pairs.
| Mountain Horse boot | Closest Ariat | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Rimfrost III Winter Tall | Heritage Contour II Waterproof Insulated | Ariat lists 200 g of Thinsulate and DRYShield; Mountain Horse lists 200 g of Thermolite and a waterproof build. Riders call the Mountain Horse bulkier. |
| Active Winter Rider Wide Calf | Heritage Contour II, wide calf | Faux fur lining and a side-fitted zipper, in a wide calf. |
| Sovereign Field | Heritage Contour II Field Zip | A leather-lined field boot with a Spanish cut top. Some customers report the foot runs large. |
| Serenade Dressage | Ravello | A forward-placed zipper for leg contact. |
| Veganza Zip Paddock | Heritage Zip | All-synthetic and vegan-friendly, with a removable extra insole. |
| Arctica Lace Winter Paddock | Winter paddock boots | Ice Hook Technology, a waterproof membrane foot and 3M Thinsulate. |
Ariat details as listed on Ariat's website on October 7, 2026. Mountain Horse details as listed in our catalog.
Winter tall boots
Mountain Horse winter tall boots: Rimfrost III and Active Winter Rider
Mountain Horse's Rimfrost III and Active Winter Rider are the winter tall boots to try when cold, wet riding days call for more than your current boots. The Rimfrost III has a heat-insulating Thermolite lining and the Active Winter Rider a faux fur lining, and both are waterproof up to the start of the zipper.
The Snowy River is waterproof, full-grain leather with a faux fur lining, and the Arctica adds retractable Ice Hook Technology for traction on ice, with 3M Thinsulate insulation.
In fairness
Riders say Mountain Horse's winter boots are bulkier than Ariat's, so try one on with the socks you ride in.Shop Mountain Horse winter tall boots
Shop all ›Wide calf
Mountain Horse wide calf tall boots: Rimfrost III and Active Winter Rider
Mountain Horse's Rimfrost III Wide Calf and Active Winter Rider Wide Calf are the wide-calf tall boots to try when you want more room over breeches. Both keep the insulated, waterproof build of the regular boot.
The Active Winter Rider Shorter Height covers riders who find a standard shaft too tall. The Sovereign and Veganza field boots also come in more than one calf width, so filter by calf before you compare.
In fairness
Ariat's calf range reaches X-Wide, so measure your calf at its widest point and compare it with each boot's own size chart.Mountain Horse wide calf tall boots
Finding tall boots that fit can at times be tricky for me, but these boots fit me wonderfully (as a wider calfed girlie) and have been comfortable from Day 1. The break in time was extremely minimal, and I was a full-blown fan after my first ride in them. From their good looks, great fit, and comfort, I couldn't be happier with these boots. The zipper also has been very easy to zip up and down for me, so no complaints on that front from me either. All in all, these are probably my favorite pair of tall boots I've owned.
Mountain Horse wide calf tall boots
Overall, I’m glad I purchased these. If you need a wider calf like me and have trouble finding options, I would get them. I measure higher than what the high width of this boot is listed at, and I can zip them up with breeches fairly easily and am using some stretching spray to get a little extra breathing room.
Field, hunter and dressage
Mountain Horse field and dressage boots: Sovereign, Serenade and Opus
Mountain Horse's Sovereign Field Boot is the field boot riders compare with Ariat's Heritage Contour II Field Zip. It has a full-length YKK Vislon back zipper with a snap keeper, a leather lining, a Spanish cut top and Prolaze-Flexnotch technology for an easier heels-down position.
The Serenade Dressage Boot places its zipper forward for uninterrupted leg contact, the Opus Hunter Boots are full-grain leather with a tall Spanish top, and the Veganza Field Boots are an all-synthetic, vegan-friendly option.
In fairness
Some customers report the Sovereign's foot runs large, so check the foot before the calf and height.Mountain Horse Sovereign boots
I currently have the Mountain Horse Sovereign Boots for every day use which I absolutely love to ride in
Mountain Horse tall boots
I bought my Mountain Horse tall boots this Spring and love them. Happy to say they are holding up really well – I ride 6 days a week. I am short and have slim calves but I like the foot to be a bit on the wider side cause I can not stand shoes/boots that hurt my feet.
Mountain Horse tall boots
I only wore these for 2 shows, and occasional rides after that and these broke in so fast. Now that I’m riding in them for lessons, they just continue to get softer and more supple and more broken in – they’re really feeling like old friends at this point.
Mountain Horse tall boots
These fit perfectly the first time I tried them on, a big step up from my old pair. They weren't too snug, and quickly broke in once I started wearing them around the house.
Shop Mountain Horse field and dressage boots
Shop all ›Paddock boots
Mountain Horse paddock boots: Veganza Zip and the winter paddocks
Mountain Horse's Veganza Zip Paddock is the paddock boot to try after Ariat's Heritage Zip: a vegan-friendly synthetic boot with a front zipper, elastic at the sides and a slim outsole made for riding.
For winter, the Arctica Lace Winter Paddock has Ice Hook Technology, a waterproof membrane foot and 3M Thinsulate insulation, and the Snowy River and Active Winter Rider zip paddocks are made for cold barn days.
In fairness
The Veganza is all-synthetic by design, so riders who want a leather everyday paddock should compare before they choose.Mountain Horse short boots
I love mountain horse classic rider short boots with half chaps. I have wide chunky feet and they fit perfectly.
Snowy River Winter Lace Paddock
Tough, cosy boots that are fully prepared to take on wet, muddy conditions.
Shop Mountain Horse paddock boots
Shop all ›Fit and sizing
Sizing Mountain Horse boots: calf first, then foot and height
Size a Mountain Horse tall boot by calf width first, then foot, then height: choose the calf that zips over your breeches, then check the foot and the shaft height. Ariat lists one foot width, B-Medium, across its tall boots.
The Veganza boots have a removable extra insole that makes them two half sizes larger when it is taken out, and the Venice Field Boot for juniors comes with two removable insoles for room to grow. Check each boot's own size chart before you order.
In fairness
Two riders say Mountain Horse runs about a half size larger than other brands, so read each boot's size chart rather than assuming your Ariat size.Mountain Horse boots
In my experience MH boots run a bit larger than Ariats, for reference.
Mountain Horse boots
I should clarify that they run true to Mountain Horse sizing. I agree it can be ~ 1/2 size larger than other brands like Ariat.
In fairness
What Ariat boots do well
We'd rather you buy the right boot than the wrong one. Ariat is a well-known riding-boot brand, and there are good reasons riders stay with it.
If you want a slimmer, less bulky winter boot, an Ariat is worth trying on; Mountain Horse's winter boots run bulkier, so bring the socks you ride in.
If your Ariats have lasted for years, you know how they fit. Try a Mountain Horse on beside them before you decide.
Ariat vs Mountain Horse boots: FAQ
Do Mountain Horse boots run big?
Some riders say so. Two riders tell us Mountain Horse runs about a half size larger than other brands, and the Sovereign Field Boot listing notes that some customers report the foot runs large. Check the boot's own size chart.
CloseAre Mountain Horse boots warmer than Ariat boots?
Riders who have worn both tell us Mountain Horse winter boots keep them warmer when it is very cold and wet, though bulkier. That is rider experience, not a lab test. Mountain Horse lists a Thermolite lining on the Rimfrost III and a faux fur lining on the Active Winter Rider.
CloseDo Mountain Horse boots come in wide calf?
Yes. The Rimfrost III and the Active Winter Rider both come in a Wide Calf version, and the calf width filter on our Mountain Horse tall boots shows every width.
CloseWhich Mountain Horse boot is closest to an Ariat Heritage Contour II Field Zip?
The Sovereign Field Boot. It is a leather field boot with a full-length back zipper and a Spanish cut top; the Veganza Field Boots are the all-synthetic alternative.
CloseWhere can I read more comparisons like this?
Riders weighing a switch from Ariat also read these guides to compare boots, half chaps and breeches across the brands we carry.
- Alternatives to Ariat boots: are they worth the money?
- Ariat breeches and tights: alternatives
- Ariat half chaps: alternatives
- Ariat Heritage Contour field and dress boots: alternatives
- Ariat Heritage and Devon paddock boots: alternatives
- Ariat vs Ovation and TuffRider: budget-minded alternatives
- Ariat vs Shires Moretta boots: tall and paddock
- Ariat vs Tredstep boots: what riders say after they switch
- Ariat winter riding boots: alternatives
- Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter alternatives: carried knee-patch picks
Brands we carry
Boots riders chose after Ariat
Every boot on this page comes from Mountain Horse, a brand we carry.
How we built this guide: rider quotes are shown as posted, with spelling fixed and names withheld. Mountain Horse boots checked November 4, 2026. Ariat details as listed on Ariat's website on October 7, 2026.