Product Review: Ariat Lakeland H2O Boots

Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.

The leather styling on the outer sides of each of the boots lends an elegant appearance to them, while the white stitching also offers a really nice contrast look - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The leather styling on the outer sides of each of the boots lends an elegant appearance to them, while the white stitching also offers a really nice contrast look. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

Sometimes it’s just all about getting that feeling. It’s funny how different outfits can evoke specific emotions for me. Colors are certainly a great reflection of my mood for the day — anything bright for days when I’m feeling especially outgoing. Or muted hues for other days when I’m feeling particularly reserved.

Fashion can be so much more then a reflection of my personal style and mood, though. It can put me in a certain mindset for the day — like the right outfit can make me feel like going somewhere. Or doing something particularly exciting. Which is why I like to choose an outfit each morning based on my mood, in combination with considering what activity I’ll be undertaking during the day.

I’m definitely an outdoorsy kind of girl. In my mind, a perfect day would be spent entirely outside. Any activity is pretty much OK in my book — whether it just be sitting an relaxing or planning out some sort of exciting adventure. Whatever I’m doing, though, I find myself enjoying the simple beauty of nature. The fresh air of the outdoors helps to brighten my mood on any given day.

While being waterproof by itself is great, the Lakeland boots also feature a GORE-TEX lining as well - which along with being waterproof is also BREATHABLE - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

While being waterproof by itself is great, the Lakeland boots also feature a GORE-TEX lining as well, which, along with being waterproof, is also BREATHABLE. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

Many — well most, actually — days this time of year, I find myself pulling on a pair of boots in the morning. I generally tend to gravitate towards pairs that offer a fusion of functionality and fashion together. Because I don’t like to be one of those girls who has to dive to avoid puddles. Or be too afraid to wear my boots around the barnyard. Or end up tip-toeing around mud, manure or the likes.

Pulling on the right pair of boots gives me a certain kind of feeling. Wearing a pair that is comfortable to walk in and tough enough to handle the elements makes me want to take a grand adventure. I get the urge to set off and trek around the countryside in an “over the river and through the woods” kind of manner.

I often have the opportunity to check things out around the farm here — many times I take a nice, quiet hack to keep an eye on things. But there is plenty of space for walking. Especially with a comfortable pair of boots that can hold their own against the varied terrain — the slopes, the rocks, the woods and even the stream.

The Lakeland boot's outsole is also designed to go just as nicely while resting in stirrup irons - and, the boots also feature a convenient to use spur rest - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The Lakeland boot’s outsole is also designed to go just as nicely while resting in stirrup irons — and the boots also feature a convenient-to-use spur rest. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

And, for me, pulling on the Lakeland H2O Boots from Ariat has only helped to feed my sense of adventure. The Lakelands are a country-style boot that have quite a lovely appearance to them. The first time that I saw the boots, I felt that a deep sense of tradition has been infused into the design. I can appreciate the full-grain footbed and top trim that are paired with a  suede upper.

The oh-so-very equestrian outer face that the Lakeland H2O Boot puts forward is just the beginning, though. While keeping up their pretty face on the outside, the boots are also fully waterproof from their top edge, right down to the bottom of the heel. Which makes them very versatile and ready to face a number of conditions that you pit them against.

Being waterproof is a quality that is important to me while I’m trekking around through all sorts of conditions — whether I’m walking down the sidewalk in the rain or am trudging around through puddles in the barnyard. And while being waterproof by itself is great, the Lakeland Boots also feature a GORE-TEX lining as well, which along with being waterproof is also BREATHABLE. Which helps when trekking around in them for an extended period of time.

My inner fashionista was thrilled in an over the moon sort of way to observe the plaid lining that is further down inside the boot shaft - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

My inner fashionista was thrilled in an over-the-moon sort of way to observe the plaid lining that is further down inside the boot shaft. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

The Lakeland Boots also feature Ariat’s Advanced Torque Stability (ATS) Technology, which helps to provide all-day support and comfort for feet. ATS Technology features a gel-cushioned foot bed with a heel stabilizer that offers rebound and stability. And, it also helps to provide enough support in order to promote good posture and reduce fatigue for all-day wear.

A Duratread outsole also helps to give the Lakeland Boots a great foundation — after all, doesn’t a good boot start with a good foundation? The Duratread outsole is not only flexible, it is also designed to offer maximum wear resistance so that it holds up well over time. And to finish things off, the outsoles are also resistant to barn-yard acid … so no worries that stepping in wet spots might lead to the corrosion of the boots down the road!

And these boots were made for more then just walking. The Lakeland H2O Boots can do more than just keep feet dry and comfortable while hoofing it around in all weather conditions. The boot’s outsole is also designed to go just as nicely while resting in stirrup irons — and, the boots also feature a convenient-to-use spur rest.

The Lakeland boots also feature Ariat's Advanced Torque Stability (ATS) Technology, which helps to provide all day support and comfort for feet - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

The Lakeland boots also feature Ariat’s Advanced Torque Stability (ATS) Technology, which helps to provide all day support and comfort for feet – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I was quite pleased the first time that I pulled the Lakeland H2O boots out the of box — the rich smell of leather was quite inviting, and I very much liked how they felt in hand. The full-grain leather left me with the impression of being durable while still smooth to the touch. And the suede upper felt soft and pliable, but still sturdy enough to hold up to wear.

Looking at the side of the boots, I also really appreciated the attention to detail. The leather styling on the outer sides of each of the boots lends an elegant appearance to them, while the white stitching also offers a really nice contrast look. There is also a small bronze Ariat logo badge, as well an additional small bronze GORE-TEX logo badge on the outer side of each boot.

When I went to pull the boots on, I was delighted to observe that there are also boot pulls located on the inside of each of the boots to help with pulling them on. And, my inner fashionista was thrilled in an over-the-moon sort of way to observe the plaid lining that is further down inside the boot shaft. Hidden — sure. But a little style on the inside still makes me happy.

Wearing the Lakeland H2O boots, I can walk over varied terrain and through water puddles without worry because the Lakeland H2O boots get the job done, keeping me both dry and stylish - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

Wearing the Lakeland H2O boots, I can walk over varied terrain and through water puddles without worry because the Lakeland H2O boots get the job done, keeping me both dry and stylish – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I’ve personally enjoyed wearing the Lakeland H20 boots in all manner of conditions. Wearing them down to the barn and around the farm, I find them to be comfortable, and I just love the fact that I don’t have to worry about the acidity of the barn yard affecting them later. I can walk over varied terrain and through water puddles without worry because the Lakeland H2O Boots get the job done, keeping me both dry and stylish.

And even after wearing my boots around the farm, they still clean up nicely enough to wear out about town and even to work! I get many compliments on the styling — which is a so much more authentic equestrian styling then the styled “riding boots” that some of my friends wear — because I can actually ride in my boots.

The Ariat Lakeland H2O Boots are available in both Ebony (which is the color of the pair that I’ve been wearing), and also in a brown color called Teak. They have a retail price of $299.95, and you can check them out here.

Go Traditional Boots (That Rock Against All Weather Conditions). Go Ariat. Go Eventing.