Riding boots for short legs and narrow calves: Aquatalia

I posted about these Aquatalia boots on both FB and Twitter while all sizes were in stock, and hope anyone interested was able to pick them up! Shopping for boots that fit both height and width-wise is the bane of my fashion existence. I might be pickier than most, but only to avoid any unnecessary bulk on already shorter legs. On my wishlist were both below-the-knee flat boots and heeled boots, in basic black as well as brown. I do own a pair of Stuart Weitzmans (see my review for both womens and kids) which I absolutely love, but need more options given the long winters here. In my opinion, their over-the-knee style boots reign supreme for lengthening legs, but that style may not be for everyone or every occasion.

Earlier this summer, I tried on a pair of Aquatalia boots and thought the fit was pretty good. I asked the Nordies sales associate for their slimmest-calf boot that would actually hit below my knees, and he promptly brought out another style (Drew) by the same brand. He mentioned that Aquatalia boots are handcrafted in Italy and go through a special weatherproofing process. To my pleasant surprise, the boot shaft fit me almost perfectly both in height & width.

My issue with them however was the part suede, part leather composition. I was hoping for full leather riding boots and wanted to browse some more. I would still love a pair of full-leather boots, but the many positives of this particular style have helped me overlook the partial suede.

Fit: I usually take between 5 and 5.5. My local store only had these down to a 5.5, and they were snug both across the width of my foot, ankles, and at the calves. The sz 5.5 shaft measures 14″ high, not including a small 0.75″ heel. The calf circumference is about 12″ and the top opening is about 12.75″ around. There is a small stretchy panel running down the back which allows for some give. The side buckles are more decorative rather than adjustable. I would’ve never considered these boots while browsing online, as the description says 15.25″ height.

Quality: These boots seem sturdily made, and the insides are lined with an insulation-like plaid fabric. I’ve only worn these boots a few times but have found them to be very comfortable with no breaking-in required. I plan on them being my go-to commuting shoe this winter.

I was also curious about what exactly “weatherproofing” entailed. From their website, I found these excerpts that also explained the padded lining:

What is weatherproofing? The weatherproofing process…provides a protection for the supple leather and suede used in our Fall-Winter collections. During the tanning process, the leather and suede skins are bathed in a special sealant within a uniquely designed drum. This sealant penetrates through the fibers, resulting in soft and natural looking leather and suede that prevent the absorption of moisture and also provide salt and stain resistance. Each seam made during the stitching stage of production is filled with a liquid sealant to prevent water penetration. This unique and complex process allows the materials to resist moisture while maintaining breathability, keeping your feet comfortable and dry. Please note: fastenings and zippers cannot be protected against water penetration. Our weatherproof fall/winter collection is designed to be worn in all types of weather: sun, rain, sleet or snow.

What type of insoles are used in Aquatalia footwear? A padded, insulating footbed is used underneath the sock lining. This footbed is made with long term memory foam…this unique feature will keep your feet comfortable year round, indoors or outdoors, regardless of the weather. During cold weather, the special insulator will activate to keep your feet warm. In warmer weather, the breathable microfiber lining will keep your feet cool and dry.

What types of outer soles are used in Aquatalia footwear? The outer soles are fabricated using a special rubber compound that retains its flexibility, even in cold weather conditions. They are specially designed to be slip resistant, providing maximum stability.

In a nutshell…wearable in rain/snow, salt and stain resistant, non-slip, and memory foam footbed? Sold and sold!

This particular style is now unfortunately sold out, but check out Aquatalia’s other weatherproofed tall boots here. As with the boots I got, however, please note that listed measurements are usually taken off a size 7 or 8, so both the shaft height and calf width measurements could increase or decrease with shoe size.