Après-Ride Footwear
Running both to and from the stable or around horse shows, I like to look neat and also wear comfortable items. When choosing footwear, I own various styles because the weather in the Pacific Northwest varies greatly from snowing to blistering hot dust storms. Regardless of the weather, I keep my riding boots in my tack trunk as I have learned the hard way to always put them on before even getting near a horse. Here are my three primary rules for choosing “après-ride” footwear:
- Must be able to machine wash, hand wash or hose down. This time of year I wash my jackets and vests daily and clean off my “commuter” boots/shoes before I leave the barn because of the mud. During the summer, I clean my shoes often in the washing machine.
- Slips on styles are preferable. The last thing I feel like doing after taking off my riding boots, and usually sweaty socks (TMI, but it’s the truth for most of us!), is to deal with tight shoes that require lacing.
- Comfort trumps. At shows, when I am not riding, I am the anti-golf cart person. I much prefer to ride a bike or walk around the grounds as a means of physical fitness and therefore I bring comfortable footwear for an active lifestyle.
FAVORITE PICKS
All of the footwear I am recommending are brands that I own myself. The athleisure trend has had a large influence on the resurgence of “retro” styles with low profile cuts. Nike has created the ultimate in comfort with their “free” style, and for the winter I like Blundstone boots because they have a rebel chic look, but are waterproof and last for countless seasons.
1) Converse Chuck Taylors always top my list in the summer. The All Star Shoreline Canvas model easily slips on and I like the lower cut with breeches as well as the the leather details as a homage to the equestrian lifestyle.
2) Saucony Bullet: I am up to 2 pairs and counting. These shoes are lightweight, hip and comfortable. I wear them to and from yoga, around town for errands and also to the stable.
3) The OluKai "Pehuea" is remiscent of tradititional slip-on board shoes with a more urban look. I was introduced to these beach shoes by Monica at Equ Lifestyle Boutique as she always has a pulse on the top West Coast trends. I purchased the grey because they match my various shades of earth tone breeches . As many of you have read, my husband is a surfer and this Hawaiian influenced label does double duty when I'm drafting behind him to the beach.
To order, call Equ Lifestyle Boutique at 619. 851. 4301
4) Blundstone: This Australian manufacturer traces its roots back to the 1840’s and has a reputation as no-nonsense footwear. Recently, the label has added more contemporary designs for women. Don'’t be fooled; these boots remain workhorses. While I am currently wearing them daily to the stable, I am also known to pair them with skinny jeans and a Barbour sweater and head out with friends.
5) Nike Free: When your feet just need a BREAK, these are the ultimate go to. I also like packing this style for horse shows because I can do my treadmill runs in them, thus saving the room in my baggage.
