Narrow Calf Riding Boots ~ 2015 All-Stars

Artwork copyright 2015 KKG

Not since 2013 have we had the material for a year-end "greatest hits" post featuring riding boots for skinny calves that will work for even the slimmest-legged among us. Despite my hopes, 2015 did not yield an abundance of 5-out-of-5-star boots for calf slimness -- but there were two standouts.

The Vaneli Vesper is, happily, still available at Amazon and for discounts (as I type) of 30 to 70 percent (!). It's a cute style that will be most at home in casual environments but, for some, may work at work too :) Most importantly, it hugs even scrawny calves nicely. So check that one out, if you haven't already.

The Skinnycalf Rider is a luxurious made-in-Italy boot that offers a good value for the price, especially if you use the code SKINNY20 at checkout. Drawbacks: It may not be quite as tall as more statuesque boot lovers would prefer; it runs a little small in the foot, as far as I could tell from my try-on; and (the biggie) it's mostly out of stock now. But there appear to be a few color/size combos available, so worth a peek.

photo: amazon.com

Note: I am 99% sure the reissued Solemani Gabi boots (at right) would rate a 5/5 for calf slimness, though I haven't tried on this year's model. Based on reviews, I'm guessing these are identical, or nearly so, to the Gabis I tried back in 2013. (The new quilted-leather Martina from this same reliably slim-friendly label looks pretty sharp, too, especially in black.)

*****

2015 honorable mentions: The Frye Molly Gore Tall, Frye Phillip Harness Tall, Aquatalia Gina and Via Spiga Bufu all rated 4 out of 5 in my book for both beauty/style and calf slimness. See if one of those strikes your fancy.

photo: 6pm.com

Last-minute tip if you're gift-hunting for a tall girl: The Ugg Danae is pretty elegant for a cold-weather (sheepskin-lined) boot and has a functional buckle for calf adjustment. Caveats: Based on reviews around the web, it sounds like this one runs narrow in foot as well as calf, so maybe go up 1/2 size from normal. And the shaft--somewhere between 18 & 20" tall, depending on which store you want to believe--may hit the knee awkwardly for shorter or even average-height folks.


Happy, healthy holidays to all ... and special thanks to everyone who has made this page more fun, useful, lively & engaging by posting a comment. May 2016 bring more laughter than tears, and -- just maybe, if it's not pushing our luck -- a few new skinny boot styles :-)

Clarks Pita Dakota

Of the dozens of slim calf riding boots featured here these past two years, the Clarks Mullen Spice is an all-time reader favorite, combining adjustable circumference (via functional buckles) with comfort, versatility and a fair price. It's been ages since I reviewed that one, so I was eager to take what looked to be a new Clarks contender, the interestingly named Pita Dakota (update: priced at an insanely low 60 bucks as of April 2018) for a spin.

Good news first? The leather upper is sturdy but soft, a little dressier/less rugged than the burnished-looking Mullen Spice but still unfussy and wearable for play as well as many work environments. For comfort, a lightly padded footbed is paired with a cozy faux suede lining that runs through the entire inside shaft and foot except for the stretch panel in back (which we'll get to in a moment). A full inside zip makes on & off a snap. And the price is, as with the Mullen Spice, reasonable for a tall leather boot.

Unfortunately, there's some not-as-good news in terms of measurements. I can never figure out why boots with stretch panels can't have a smaller base circumference. There's a need, and market, for both average-circumference boots that stretch to fit wide calves and narrow-circumference boots that stretch to fit average calves. Probably both markets are underserved, but the latter especially so, it seems (though I could certainly be biased...).

In size 7.5, the Pita Dakota has a midcalf circumference of 13.75" (not bad), but it's 15" at the top and, even with the buckle on its smallest setting, 12" at the ankle. I like the boot but can't help but wonder how much better it would look with a good inch or so knocked off each of these measurements.

Sizing tips: the 7.5 felt true-to-size, though not overly roomy, with a shaft height of 17" -- a true knee-high boot for me and possibly too tall for those of shorter than average stature or proportionally short legs.

For what it's worth, while the upper is leather, the stretch panel on this boot is a textured synthetic of some sort. I personally don't mind the texture, which like the upper is sturdy but pliable. (Apologies for the upside-down photo above that I can't seem to fix! It's gonna have to do for now...)

There's some texture, too, on the rubber sole, but for slippery environs it could leave something to be desired. The low wood heel is pretty & walkable.

Rating:
Beauty: ***/5
Value: ****/5
Calf slimness: ***/5

In black or brown.
Find it at:

Amazon

Franco Sarto Maleni

A disappointing try-on in this blog's early days put me off Franco Sarto boots for a while, but I'm glad the pretty Maleni pulled me back on board.  In the modestly priced category, these are some of the best riding boots for narrow calves I've found in a while. If you're open to stretch panels, that is.

What does the Maleni get right? First, its measurements: In a shoe size 7.5, the top circumference is 13.5 inches; at the middle of the calf it's an even 13"; and the ankle circumference is a not-too-shabby 10.25. The overall effect is sleek, lean, and I would say work appropriate for many.

The gently curving cut of the stretch panels on the outer calves is a nice touch. Finally, I appreciate FS's pairing of a brown zipper with the goldtone zipper pull, rather than a shiny gold zipper that might cheapen the look.

The stretch fabric is more of a silky type, as with the the Kors Arley boot, than the rigid, tough-as-nails variety we've seen on some styles. Whether that's a plus or not depends on your personal preferences and, perhaps, how cold & rugged your local environment is.

Interestingly, the sole is partly covered in felt -- something I haven't seen before, and I'm  not sure what, if any, difference that will make on slippery surfaces. The footbed is lightly padded, and the foot fits true to size, though if you're between half-sizes & plan to wear thick winter socks underneath, I'd recommend choosing the larger. (The toebox feels just a tiny bit narrow to me, but that may be because one of my little toes has been sore from a boatload of autumn runs & walks lately.)

Probably the most important tip on fit is that the front of the shaft is quite tall, at about 18 inches in a size 7.5. You'll see from these photos that that's almost verging on too tall for my 5'4" frame, though I think it's fine, even flattering. If you're shorter, this style might not work out, as nobody seems to want an "on the knee" boot. (Over or under, great, but not "on.")

The back of the shaft, by contrast, should work for most heights, as it's a reasonable 16" tall in size 7.5.

Crucial question I haven't been able to answer yet: Is the shaft leather or synthetic? Amazon says manmade, while both Nordies and Zappos say a combo of leather & manmade. A "sniff test" was inconclusive on the pair I was sent. The only thing both my husband and I noticed was that this is very lightweight for a tall leather boot, which could spell synthetic. So far I haven't been able to track down contact info for the Franco Sarto brand, but I'll keep at it and update here if I find out. (Update: I spoke with a brand rep who didn't know the answer but promised to get back to me. Days later I got an email saying "The Maleni boot is available in both synthetic and leather materials." Sheesh -- not exactly enlightening...)

Rating:
Beauty: ***/5
Value: *****/5 if leather, ***/5 if not
Calf slimness: ****/5

In black & brown.
Find it at:
Amazon
(limited sizes as of January 2018)

Lacoste Rosolinn Tall

It's always extra fun to cover a new brand, or a brand that's new to me, or at least a brand that's new to me in footwear ... which is why I'm pleased to report for you on these comfy, minimalist Rosolinn boots for narrow calves by iconic French brand Lacoste. Yep, you can now get that celebrated little crocodile on a boot.

What's special about the Rosolinn? Well, the stretch fabric that makes up the back half of the shaft seems reasonably high in quality and has a cute diamond pattern. Even cuter is that aforementioned logo, in small, subtle "button" form at the outer heel. 

The half zip makes on & off a breeze, providing your legs and ankles are fairly thin, without detracting from the boot's sleek lines.

Other than that, what we have here is a pretty basic equestrian style boot with slimmer than average calf measurements. Up top, at the opening, is nothing to write home about, at 14.75" in a boot size 7.5. But the midcalf is a slenderish 13.75", and the ankle is decent at 10.5 inches.

Please note, this is a tall boot, at 17.25" in front, though a bit shorter in back. Look at these pix & you'll see why I recommend avoiding this one if you're under my height -- 5'4" -- unless you have quite long legs for your height, as I do. (And they still come just about up to my kneecap, which I don't mind in a boot as long as it hits in a comfortable spot in back -- but you be the judge. I tend to think taller boots make thin legs look even thinner, which may or may not be your preference.)

The sole is patterned for good grip action in the autumn rains to come, and while this isn't a water-resistant boot, it seems like it would take nicely to a couple coats of weatherproofing spray.

Sizing note: I'm always between a 7.5 and 8. In this boot I chose the 7.5 and actually found it roomy enough that I'd be tempted to try a size 7, which is almost unheard-of for me, so I'm wondering if their UK-EU-USA size conversions got lost in translation. Bottom line, I suggest sizing down by 1/2 size, possibly even 1 size for this one.


Rating:
Beauty: ***/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness: ***/5

Find it at:
Sorry folks; this one appears extinct as of fall 2017

Take Two: Skinnycalf Rider

I don't normally repost on the same product, but the new Skinnycalf label deserves a quick repeat for mustering up the entrepreneurial spirit to tackle the thin-calf challenge with a high-quality line of Italian-made boots.

Fall is the perfect time to step out in this Rider boot, offered for 30% off with code SKINNY30.

Go here for measurements, a shop link & lots more detail.

Frye Tabitha Pull On Tall

This blog focuses mainly on English style riding boots, but I also love a beautifully made, subtle, bling-free Western style. Like this beauty from Frye.

When I ordered these small calf boots, I hadn't fully considered the ramifications of the "pull on" modifier, but they are both positive and negative.

On the downside, pull-on for a tall boot means there's only so skinny they can make the shaft, or nobody would be able to get the darn thing on. Accordingly, the Tabitha measures 14.5 inches at top, 13 at midcalf, and 12 at the ankle. It's definitely slimmer than average but has a straight look rather than nipping in at the ankle -- which is appropriate for a Western style.

On the upside, pull-on means there are no zippers or stretch panels to mar the long, lean look on your leg -- it's all just rich, soft leather -- which is sexy in that classy, not-trying-too-hard way that can be hard to come by in a heeled knee-high boot.

Speaking of heels, the Tabitha's is 2.5 inches tall, which I find incredibly flattering to the leg while still walkable due to its sturdy shape. As for height, the shaft is 16" in a size 7.5 -- perfect on me (5'4" tall with proportionally long legs), but maybe a hair too tall for those more petite in stature. The footbed is nicely padded, per usual for Frye, and the Western style stitching is a pretty touch.

A note on sizing: Though a couple reviews indicated the Tabitha Tall Pull On runs a bit small, I found it comfortably roomy in size 7.5, even though I'm generally between 7.5 and 8. So I wouldn't suggest sizing up...especially since Fryes are known for loosening up after repeated wear to conform to the foot.

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness: ***/5

In black, cognac or dark brown.
Find it at:
Amazon (heavily discounted in some color/size combinations)

ps ~ Another stunner with about the same heel height as the Tabitha is the ultrahip Freebird Wyatt (above), which may be the slimmest boot I've ever tried, as the calf is 100% adjustable. I was attracted to this brand after seeing it on a few stylish legs but was put off by the average-ish calf cuts normally featured. This style offers a very cool-looking skinnycalf solution via the fab lacing system & soft leather insert on the side. Nice!

Via Spiga Bufu

With August & September will come a new crop of riding boots, including -- I am sure -- at least a few promising boots for skinny calves. But almost none of these will come at the reasonable prices we've come to expect in the offseason. So this may be my last "bargain alert" post for a while.

Luckily I've got a pretty Via Spiga boot to offer up, perhaps especially appropriate for those looking for something polished enough for the office as well as more casual environments.

In a size 8, the Bufu boot measures 14.75 at the very top. Not so impressively slim, right? But at midcalf it's a nice slim 12.5", and the ankle is 10.5, adding up to a decent overall slimness.

There's a 2-inch-wide stretch goring panel on the inside and outside of each boot, plus a very pretty buckle detailat the ankle -- one of the subtlest I've seen, thanks to its soft silver finish.

I'm less nuts about the slightly curved-in-back shaft that adds the illusion of calf curve where I've got none. (The idea appeals; the reality, not so much.)

This is a pull-on boot -- no zipper. I had no trouble getting it off and on, but I did need to use the loops at top back to do so.

The sole isn't very textured at all, so if you need an industrial-strength grip, these aren't the boots for you.

Shaft height in size 8 is about 16 inches -- right around my ideal height, but if you're on the short side, measure your calf to see if that's going to be too tall.
 
Rating:
Beauty: ****/5
Value: ****/5
Calf slimness: ****/5

In brown or black.
Find it at:
Sold out at all the usual suspects -- only ebay has this one as of early 2018

PS: Via Spiga's Prish is another promising pair of tall boots for skinny legs. Heavily discounted in some color/size combos.

Frye Phillip Harness Tall

It was almost a year and a half ago when I first tried to review the Frye Phillip Tall Harness boot but was thwarted by a shipping error in which I was twice sent the extended-calf version by mistake. The silver lining was that that version was true to its published measurements, so I suspected the same for its non-extended sister, which had garnered some buzz as a great pair of narrow shaft boots for skinny legs, from what for many of us is the ultimate covetable brand.

Forgive me for how long it's taken to actually get this one onto my bird legs, but I can finally vouch for the non-extended Phillip Harness Tall as a rustic beauty that should flatter most slim calves.

The measurements for me were a tiny bit bigger than those published on some sites, but not by enough to through this one off the (slowly expanding) Frye narrow calf boot list.  At the top, the circumference in size 7.5 is 14.5 inches. At midcalf it's 13.5 inches. And the ankle pleasantly surprised me with its 10.5" measurement, a bit smaller than we sometimes get with straighter riding styles.

Just like the Frye Molly Gore, this style joins a slightly pebbled or (I think more accurately) weathered looking leather for the shaft with a smoother texture for the foot. Because the color is consistent, this looks just fine.

The cognac color I chose is coolly variegated, ranging from caramel to espresso. I would say it's actually closer in hue to my 12Rs in the comically misnamed "tan" than my Taylors in cognac.
 
The Phillip's toe is rounded, which probably contributed to the immediate comfort I felt when I slipped it on. The brass o-ring, strap & studs are as awesome as always with Frye harness boots.

There's a full-length back zip, which has gotten on more than a few reviewers' nerves. I personally found the pulls sticky but manageable with a little patience, and IMO there's something inherently sexy -- while in this kinda-tough-girl style, not even close to trying-too-hard sexy -- about back zips. 

The leather outsole doesn't have grooves but feels solid and slip-resistant. And there is, of course, that lovely, soft Frye leather lining.
Sigh :)

Rating:
Beauty: ****/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness: ****/5

Find it at:
Zappos (in an outrageous number of color/leather finish choices -- a dozen as of early June 2015 .... plus the video clip on a relatively slim pair of legs is helpful)

photo: zappos.com

ps! Two other Fryes that are calling my name for fall...
The stunning, long & lean Jackie Button (above, still available at great prices in several gorgeous finishes as of summer 2018) is something I've worn in the ankle version for a while now, finding the extra bit of heel super leg-flattering yet quite comfy. And judging from the video, its knee-high sibling is pretty skinny through the calves.

Then there's the Frye Tabitha Pull On -- a hip Western boot that falls on just the right side of the sexy/showy divide.

And in the deals-and-steals category, as of the tail end of 2015 the classic Frye Jenna riding boot (at right) is under $200 in many size/color combos and features quite a few "good" bad reviews -- i.e., complaints of way-too-skinny calf circumference. (Update: My 2016 try-on confirmed they're a good bet for narrow calves :-)

Aquatalia Gina

Here in Chicagoland, our April showers were delayed a month or so by some unseasonably cold weather. So picking up a pair of cozy Aquatalia boots for skinny calves to face the May showers with seems somehow more appropriate than shopping all those summery espadrilles the shops have been showing.

A bonus to this way of thinking is that if you're vigilant, you can find an incredible boot deal this time of year, as I did when I scored this boot -- the lovely Aquatalia Gina, made in Italy -- for around 200 clams in late April. If you know this label, you'll recognize that as the outrageous bargain it was. Unfortunately, at press time the price had bumped back up significantly, but as the mercury rises I feel pretty confident that it will go down again sooner or later, so if you like the look of this style, put it on your watch list.

Slim-legged shoppers should be pleased with the measurements. Up top this boot is 14 inches, at midcalf it's 13, and the ankle is a bit roomy (as you can see from the pix) at 11". The shaft height in size 7.5 is about 15.7 inches.

The chain detail adds some style without looking too trendy or cheesy, I think -- aided perhaps by the fact that its finish is soft & fairly matte, not bold & brassy. I like the front-of-foot "yoke" (if that's the correct term) that it attaches to quite a lot....a classy equestrian touch. Overall, this is an office-ready pair of slim leg boots that transitions easily to nighttime too.

The cushy houndstooth fabric (microfiber?) lining is probably too warm for summer days, but ideal for the rest of the year. The sole is lightly textured to prevent slips and slides.The padded footbed is a nice touch, though not surprising at Aquatalia prices.

Skinnycalf foes of stretch panels will appreciate the near absence of goring on this boot. There's just one little panel up top (pictured at right), 5/8" wide x 2.5" long. Stretch doesn't get much subtler than this.

This is one of the pointier Aquatalia toes I have tried over the years, but not pointy enough to nudge the Gina into Western territory. The style manages to elongate the leg but not the foot -- quite a trick, and further proof that the Italians really do know how to prettify the female foot, no matter what shape they choose to work with.


Rating:
Beauty: ****/5
Value: **/5 at retail, ****/5 at the price I got!
Calf slimness: ****/5

In brown leather, black leather & black suede.
Find it at: ???
As of January 2018, even ebay's turning up nada :(

Try instead:

6pm has a precious few left of the Aquatalia Giada (right) and provides a helpful video clip. Great discount, plus a more more traditional toe shape for this brand.

Maxstudio Draping

If your ideal narrow calf riding boots are super literal, as in "I'm ready to saddle up," the oddly named but sleek, chic Maxstudio Draping boot may not be your cup of tea. This is a modernized, slightly mod riding silhouette that can definitely go to work as well as play :)

The burnished leather -- in black or the brown hue I tried, mocha colored with pretty gray undertones -- is soft and smooth, more on the elegant than rustic side. A seam down the front center and capped toes and heels add an arty flair. (Though I'd never before tried Maxstudio footwear, I've owned a few outfits from the clothing arm of this brand and would say this is par for their course -- streamlined but with small touches of visual interest through layering, draping or architectural details.)

The boot's shaft is leather-lined -- always a nice touch. The small interior wedge is a selling point for me too, as I don't always find super-flat boots super comfy to walk in, or flattering to the leg. The 3/4-inch heel listed for the Draping is actually this hidden inner wedge -- look closely & you'll see it at left -- and from the outside this appears a flat boot (certainly the flattest I've tried for this blog).

Okay, the measurements: This one runs 14.5" around the top, 12.5 at the midcalf, and 10.5 at the ankle. Pretty slim! Need it slimmer, as I do? The interior wedge isn't the only secret feature of these tall slim boots (shaft height: 16.5" in a size 7.5). There's actually a Velcro patch underneath the cute partial cuff up top that allows you to tighten about 1/2" more -- narrowing the top circumference to 14" -- without blatant folding or wrinkling through the shaft.

I was worried that such a sleek boot would have a sleek, slippery sole, but happily, no. There's a nice pebbled-rubber section, running from toes through balls of the foot, that should forestall sliding around.

Warning: These boots run small. Small enough that for a moment I was afraid I wasn't even going to be able to get the 7.5 onto my foot to show you! Definitely size up if you're between half sizes, or maybe even if you're not. Also, my heel felt rubbed in an uncomfortable way, but that might just have been because my feet were crammed in so snugly. Finally, the toe is quite rounded, which visually shortens the foot, for what that's worth.


Rating:
Beauty:****/5
Value: ****/5
Calf slimness: ****/5

In brown and black
Find it at:
Shoot - I think this one is gone now...please post if you find it somewhere!

**Spring 2018 update**

Non-extinct options from Maxstudio --

 Gilly (below) is another of the brand's streamlined slim calf boot styles, and great news -- it's heavily discounted, especially with the additional discount code listed last time I checked. Let's hope the listed circumference of 13 inches is accurate, as that's a rarity! (Update: Comments by the first, petite reviewer suggest that hooray, it is accurate :)

photo: maxstudio.com

photo: maxstudio.com

And the circumference of the cute, comfy looking Depart (left, over 50% off as of mid-March 2016) -- a sportier take on equestrian style -- has a 13.5" circumference in size 8.5, according to Nordstrom, and, per the brand's own site, features "adjustable velcro at the calf." Based on the photos, that looks to be nicely hidden. Intriguing...