Product Review: Dublin Harrowed 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.

Logo accompanied by stylish bronze rivets on Dublin Harrowed Boots - Photo by: Lorraine Peachey Logo accompanied by stylish bronze rivets on Dublin Harrowed Boots - Photo by: Lorraine Peachey

It’s one of my very favorite times of the year–the beginning of fall. The leaves are just starting to turn, and pretty soon the trees will boast vibrant shades of red, orange and gold. I’m not going to pretend that I’m looking forward to the cold weather that winter will bring, when she follows on the heels of fall. But darn it, I’m going to enjoy the brisk and oh-so lovely days of autumn for as long as they last.

There are many things that I love about this time of year in general–hacking out in the gorgeous Chester County countryside. Being able to find anything (and everything) that is pumpkin-spice flavored. The fact that it’s just cool enough to start up drinking peppermint hot chocolate again. And, being able to start wearing sweaters and boots – some of my favorite cold weather wardrobe essentials.

If I could, I’d probably live in boots for half of the year–the cooler half, that is. I’m what you would call a boot loyalist. That is to say, I keep coming back to my favorite pairs year after year. After year. After year.

Suffice to say that I have high expectations for my boots. They should be stylish, in my opinion. I would identify my personal style as being a fusion of a timeless ‘outdoor chic’ look, that is functional and elegant. But just as (if not more) important then style, is that my boots are comfortable AND functional as well. Meaning that my closet will not be home to a pair of stiletto boots any time soon.

My feet have stayed dry and comfortable when I’m out in wet weather, thanks to the Harrowed boot’s HBR waterproof and breathable membrane - Photo by: Lorraine Peachey

My feet have stayed dry and comfortable when I’m out in wet weather, thanks to the Harrowed boot’s HBR waterproof and breathable membrane – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey

While it’s hard to put aside any of my favorite pairs of boots, I find that I still get a little too very excited when I have a new pair to wear. One pair of boots that I’ve been wearing this season have been Dublin’s Harrowed Boots. Or lately, it would perhaps be more accurate to say that I feel like I’ve been living in them.

When the Harrowed Boots arrived, I was eager to pull them out of their box to look them over. Pulling them out of their box, I was not surprisingly hit with the lovely aroma of leather (which just never seems to get old to me). While the boots felt sturdy, I didn’t get the impression of them being overly heavy. And, the Redskin nubuck leather that the upper part of the boots were crafted out of felt surprisingly soft to the touch, yet durable.

The two tones of brown of the Harrowed Boots blend together quite nicely. I also found that I really like the lace design on the outer side of each boot, as it lends a unique appearance to the country boots.

The lace design on the side of the Harrowed Boots is more then just a 'pretty face'...I can loosen of tighten them in order to get a customized fit for my leg - Photo by: Lorraine Peachey

The lace design on the side of the Harrowed Boots is more then just a ‘pretty face’…I can loosen of tighten them in order to get a customized fit for my leg – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey

Once I slipped into the boots, I pulled the laces tight, and then proceeded to fasten the side strap (using the velcro). So while the laces help the boots to look stylish, they are also functional as well—I can loosen of tighten the laces in order to get a customized fit for my leg.

I’ve now worn the Harrowed Boots in a number of conditions…including on rainy days, while walking through both puddles and mud. My feet have stayed dry and comfortable when I’m out in wet weather, thanks to the boot’s HBR waterproof and breathable membrane—which reaches 160mm in height, from the sole of the boot.

The Harrowed Boots have also been spending time in my stirrups.  Yup—I like riding in them as well. While I do not typically ride in lifestyle boots, I was pretty interested to see how the Positive Traction Grip (PTG) system of the boots worked for me. The PTG, along with a durable rubber outsole are meant to help provide traction across the terrain, for either walking or riding.

I felt as though I was able to keep my feet in a good position in the stirrup irons while wearing the Harrowed Boots, thanks to the Positive Traction Grip System - Photo by Lorraine Peachey

I felt as though I was able to keep my feet in a good position in the stirrup irons while wearing the Harrowed Boots, thanks to the Positive Traction Grip System – Photo by Lorraine Peachey

In the saddle, the Harrowed Boots felt quite comfortable to wear – I felt as though I was able to keep my feet in a good position in the stirrup irons (even during times that I decided to go for a nice gallop). And, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of traction that I was able to get against the saddle with the Redskin nubuck leather of the upper portion of the boot. The boots also do feature spur rests.

While I’ve been around the farm quite a lot on foot while donning the Harrowed Boots, I also wanted to see how my feet felt after wearing them on days when I spent a lot of time on my feet.. In any conditions I could think of. I’ve worn them into the office for work. And out to run errands during the weekend. And I even spent a day walking all around Hershey Park and Chocolate World (side note: Best. Amusement. Park. EVER.).

Thanks to the podiatry designed foot bed of the Harrowed Boots, my feet stayed comfortable All. Day. Long. - Photo by: Lorraine Peachey

Thanks to the podiatry designed foot bed of the Harrowed Boots, my feet stayed comfortable All. Day. Long. – Photo by: Lorraine Peachey

And guess what—thanks to the podiatry designed foot bed of the Harrowed Boots, my feet stayed comfortable All. Day. Long. I did not experience any type of rubbing, discomfort, or foot fatigue from the boots. And, I even found myself getting stopped on more than one occasion, by women asking me what kind of boots that I was wearing (that adds style points, right there!).

I guess that I just had not anticipated just how “all-around” the Harrowed Boots would really turn out to be. I can wear them around the barn, or for riding…yet, they are also stylish and comfortable enough that I can also clean them off and wear them to work or out on the town (and get many compliments on them).

Dublin’s Harrowed Boots have a suggested retail price of $249.99.

Go All-Around Boots (with a Customizable Fit).  Go Dublin.  Go Eventing.

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