Tredstep Ireland Spirit Nubuck Paddock Boots. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Horse people have two distinct wardrobes: “normal” clothes and “barn” clothes. Usually when we wear “normal” clothes to ride, they automatically become barn clothes by default. The dirt, grime and general gunk that goes hand-in-hand with horses has a way of quickly claiming any clean objects within reach.
That’s why it’s something of a small miracle to find a wardrobe staple that can bridge this clothing divide. Meet the Tredstep Ireland Spirit Nubuck Paddock Boots, which I loved so much from the first moment I put them on that I instantly didn’t want to take them anywhere near the barn.
Thankfully, Tredstep Ireland was one step ahead of me. Not only are these boots so comfortable that you’ll want to wear them both at the barn and out in the real world, but they are very easy to clean. With the Spirit Nubuck Paddock Boots, you don’t have to choose between whether they can be “normal boots” or “barn boots” — they can be both.
There’s so much to love about these boots! Photo by Jenni Autry.
Let’s talk about the comfort factor. The boots feature innovative Tredstep TS3D insoles, which provide excellent shock absorption and arch support on a forked Bartoli composite midsole. The advanced shank in the sole provides stability and reduces foot fatigue.
How does that translate to the barn? You can wear these boots all day and still feel like you’re walking on air at the end of those long hours spent riding and doing barn chores. The cushion, shock absorption and arch support in the Spirit Nubuck Paddock Boots makes them the most comfortable pair of paddock boots I’ve ever worn.
That same comfort level applies when you’re wearing the boots away from the barn, whether you’re grocery shopping, going out to dinner or running errands. The padded tongue provides cushion for your ankle from the front zipper and also makes the boots that much more comfortable to wear, especially for long periods of time.
The boots are also available in a lace-up style with a rear zipper. Photo courtesy of Tredstep Ireland.
Tredstep Ireland is well known for incorporating beautiful aesthetic details into its products, and I love the little extras on the Spirit Nubuck Paddock Boots. From the white contrast stitching to the branded logo on the side of the boots — which sits on an elasticized panel to up the comfort factor even more — there’s a lot to love.
Lastly, let’s talk about cleaning the boots. When I first saw the beautiful nubuck leather, I worried about how to keep it clean and in good condition. It turns out that caring for nubuck is a breeze. I bought an inexpensive suede cleaning kit, which includes a brush and cleaning foam. Quickly brushing the boots to remove dirt then using the cleaning foam easily restores the boots to their original condition. Mine are still looking great, and I’m confident they’ll stay that way.
The Spirit Nubuck Paddock Boots from Tredstep Ireland retail at $139.99 and are available in black in both a front-zip style and a lace-up style, which features a rear zipper. Click here to learn more about the boots on Tredstep Ireland’s website and here to find a retailer near you.
