Product Review: Ariat Bryn Gtx Country 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.

Pulling the Bryn boots on or kicking them off? Super easy...and I mean SUPER easy. The U Turn Entry System features a flexible gore panel in the back of the boot shaft. Photo by Lorraine Peachey. Pulling the Bryn boots on or kicking them off? Super easy...and I mean SUPER easy. The U Turn Entry System features a flexible gore panel in the back of the boot shaft. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

I’m an extremely practical type of person who likes to plan ahead. Since we’re in the middle of the winter season, that means that I try to dress in an all weather type of way. That way, I’m ready for whatever curveball mother nature decides to throw my way.

Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, ice — the whole lot of them tend to frequent the forecast here in the northern half of the country. But it doesn’t bother me so much when I’m outfitted appropriately for winter conditions.

Managing my own barn means that I spend a lot of time outside, regardless of the weather. No matter what the conditions are outside, the horses need to be fed and the stalls need to be mucked each and every day. And all of that work is in addition to my every day job.

One of the biggest downers that I’ve faced while spending time out in wintery conditions is getting my feet wet. Soggy and squishy socks not only feel kind of gross, they also mean that my feet are going to get really cold, really quickly.

No matter what I’m doing, cold feet are never a good thing when the temperatures are down in the teens. Whether I’m getting barn chores done, going for a hack, heading in to the office, or simply going shopping, I need a dependable pair of footwear that can keep my feet dry.

Naturally, I feel like I live in boots this time of the year. I’m so over having to dodge puddles, whether I’m walking through the paddock or a parking lot. What’s important to me is finding a pair that can hold up to barn life, while still look stylish enough for everyday life.

The leather of the Bryn boots is durable feeling, yet I also find that they leave me with the impression of being already broken in right after being pulled out of the box. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

The leather of the Bryn boots is durable feeling, yet I also find that they leave me with the impression of being already broken in right after being pulled out of the box. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

This season, one of the pairs of boots that I’ve been wearing have been the Bryn Gtx boots from Ariat. When I first learned about the Working Country line of boots, I was pretty excited. I was very glad to see boots that by all initial appearances, were designed to work as hard as I do.

The Bryn is designed to be a shorter boot, that comes to about mid calf height. From the first time that I picked up a pair, I found myself not wanting to put them down, as the Bryn is crafted out of a premium full grain, waterproof leather upper.

The Bryn also boasts a waterproof and breathable GORE TEX liner. The liner is in place to help keep shield feet from the elements, and it allows vapor to escape, without letting moisture in. And it also features a fashionable plaid pattern!

The leather of the Bryn boots is durable feeling, yet they leave me with the impression of being already broken in right after being pulled out of the box. The boots do feel heavy duty, without seeming like they would weigh my feet down while being worn.

I found the two tone leather look of the boots to be very appealing to the eye. I’ve been wearing the Teak color, which features a lighter tan boot shaft, coupled with a dark brown foot, heel and accenting. The outer side of the boots boast a stylish leather Ariat logo as well.

Upon looking closer, I found myself getting drawn in by the details. I was happy to feel that the stitching of the boots felt to be quite sturdy to me. The piping that borders the edge of the dark brown foot and heel also adds a little something extra to their appearance.

What do I like about Duratread outsole of the Bryn boots? My favorite part is that it is designed to be highly resistant to acids around the barnyard, oils and slips. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

What do I like about Duratread outsole of the Bryn boots? My favorite part is that it is designed to be highly resistant to acids around the barnyard, oils and slips. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

Wearing the Bryn boots brought some other features to my attention, which aren’t obvious at first glance. Pulling the boots on or kicking them off? Super easy … and I mean SUPER easy. The U Turn Entry System features a flexible gore panel in the back of the boot shaft.

Which means that the on and off of the boots is easy no matter what the shape of the foot is, and the fit is not compromised to make it happen. I’ve also come to appreciate the Advanced Torque Stability (ATS) Pro technology that the foot bed includes.

But what does ATS mean for feet? The technology supports and cushions feet as they move, which helps promote good posture, while reducing foot fatigue. The foot bed is moisture wicking, and is also features a gel cushion in order to promote support and stability.

The Duratred outsole is heavy duty and luggy feeling. What do I like about Duratread? Well, it is a rubber compound exclusive to Ariat, which is very flexible. My favorite part is that it is designed to be highly resistant to acids around the barnyard, oils and slips.

For me, the Bryn boots have been a terrific winter boot for both work and everyday wear. My favorite features? For one, the super fast and comfortable way that they pull on and off. And the fact that the leather is pliable feeling, so that the boots feel nice during wear.

The Bryn boots work hard around the barn. I’m glad to not have to worry about how stall acids might affect them if I wear them to muck. Also, they pretty much laugh in the face of puddles great and small, because the GORE TEX lining has helped to keep my feet dry.

I’m glad to have a pair of boots on my feet that can tough it out around the barn, and then easily clean up to wear into the office. They look oh so very stylish, and I find myself getting many compliments on them. All Weather. Comfortable. Stylish. I’d say that’s a win.

The Bryn Gtx boots from Ariat are available in both Teak and Ebony. They have a retail price of $329.95, and you can find them here. You can also check out the Braemar Gtx here, which is a tall boot similar to the Bryn that has a retail price of $399.95.

Go Feet that are Dry, Comfortable & Stylish. Go Ariat. Go Eventing.