Field boots are worn in the hunter/jumper disciplines, in the various phases of eventing, and they are permissible at the lower levels of dressage competition. They are made of soft, supple leather that will crease at the ankles; some synthetic leather versions are available that look and feel like leather, but come at the most attainable price points.

Field boots are easily recognized by a lace system at the front of the insteps, which, combined with the ankle creasing, allow the rider to achieve a correct heels-down foot position for jumping, enjoy the flexibility to ride in shorter stirrup lengths and experience a close-contact feel at the inside calf. Laces used to be traditionally tied in a bow, but contemporary laces are elastic “speed” laces with no bow tying required.

Field boots have a highly contoured cut through the ankle and calf designed to flatter the rider’s leg profile. An upward curve at the outer aspect of the top, called a Spanish topline, can range from moderate to quite high. It may be accented with a logo plaque or a faux swagger tab as a nod to equestrian tradition, when swagger tabs helped pull-on boots slide on more easily. Some boots today are also accented with textural bands of detail at the cuff, and they may have either plain or punched toe caps and spur rests.

The inner aspect of a field boot may be lightly reinforced to guard against wear, but the supple leather allows the rider to feel the horse’s barrel. Most boots have a full-length zipper up the back to create an easy on/off process. Pull-on field boots today are rare.
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