PONY'TUDE Approved: Dubarry Longford Boots

Or, the tale of how I finally succumbed to the lure of expensive, trendy boots.

I will be the first to admit that I did not jump on the Dubarry train when it first pulled into the station. I didn't understand why anyone would spend $500 on glorified muck boots, and to be perfectly honest, I thought (and still think) that the original Galway striped boots were ugly. The poop-brown color, the way they sag and slouch, and that stupid drawstring in the front really turned me off. I would stick with my DAV rain boots in warm weather and Sorel snow boots in the winter, thankyouverymuch!

Then everyone and their mother started coming out with Dubarry knockoffs, and I just continued to roll my eyes. If possible, the Fubarry's were even uglier and clompier than the real thing. I was not going to get roped into this trend, NO SIR.

WHY?!?! THESE THINGS ARE HEINOUS IN EVERY WAY!

But the thing is, my Real Adult Person Job often finds me having to both a.) trudge around farms, barns, fields, and woodlands and b.) look put-together and professional, at the same time. I'd either end up getting my "nice" boots wet and muddy, or show up to meet clients in ratty cowboy boots, sad Dansko clogs (not great for uneven terrain and not a great look with skinny pants), or my afore-metioned rain boots.

None of which is really an ideal footwear option.

Then, my poor DAVs finally kicked the bucket. RIP, faithful companions. After about 6 or 7 years of hard use, they just completely cracked through across the sole at the ball of my foot, rendering them dead and useless. I needed to replace my beloved barn boots.

Because I knew that my DAVs were not long for this world, I began window-shopping online for a replacement pair before they were good and truly dead. DAV is, unfortunately, no longer making rubber boots in the utilitarian style I prefer, and while BOGS or Muck Co. boots would certainly get the job done at the barn, they were even less presentable for work than my old rain boots, and I really needed something that would work in both scenarios.

So, my internet wanderings led me reluctantly to the vast offering of knockoff Dubarrys available these days. I found 90% of them completely hideous, and the styles that I could tolerate had very poor reviews when it came to durability. While I'm no longer mucking a dozen stalls every weekend and turning out horses almost every day, I'm a buy-it-right-buy-it-once kind of gal, and a flimsy boot just wouldn't do.

Somehow, perhaps out of sheer desperation in my search for durable, somewhat attractive footwear, I found myself on the Dubarry website, and the Longford boots immediately caught my eye.

Now THIS... this is an attractive pair of boots.

The Longford was not aggressively-striped, it did not boast a stupid, dangling drawstring, the lines were slimmer and less clunky than the Galway, and it came in an absolutely stunning black and brown color combination. Intriguing.

I keept looking for other boots, but in the end I could not resist the Dubarry Longfords. They seemed like the perfect addition to my wardrobe: tough enough for the barn, but stylish enough for my day job. A recent commission check and encouragement from my husband resulted in me taking a deep breath and clicking "Submit Order", and my boots arrived in a couple days.

Holy cannoli, guys, these things are lovely.

My new Dubarrys IN THE FLESH! 

You get what you pay for, and when you buy Dubarry you're buying quality. I can't find a single thing about the materials or construction of these boots to complain about - they are absolutely perfectly made. The leather is soft, but heavy, the lining is cozy and comfortable, and the Longford boots boast a SERIOUS rubber sole that will stand up to all kinds of conditions. Some people have complained that the footbed isn't cushy enough for their tastes, but I find them 100% comfortable even for long hours on my feet.

In reading the reviews for the Longford boots, I found that people said they run smaller and slimmer than the ubiquitous Galways, and many wearers and retailers suggested that you size up. I have narrow feet and a 13" calf, so I opted to order my normal European size - 39. True to what I had read, the boots DO run narrow, and thus ended up being a perfect fit for my narrow feet and chicken calves! The close fit of these boots is exactly what I was looking for - no baggy, saggy, clompy barn boots here.

Because of the slimmer fit, the Longfords also boast a very neat little elastic panel through the back of the ankle to assist in putting them on, which I found ingenious. I also find a boot jack pretty necessary for getting these things off, but that's a price I'm willing to pay for slim-fitting, non-slouchy boots. While the foot was a bit snug at first, after a few weeks of wearing them almost daily the boots broke in perfectly and are now among the most comfortable shoes I own.

While perfect for the barn and as waterproof as Dubarry says they are, I also love the classy look of these boots and the way they can easily go from Barn Life to Real Life with a squirt of the hose or a wipe with a wet rag. I even ended up wearing them to a wedding soon after buying them - I was assisting my husband in photographing the wedding, the weather forecast was calling for snow, and there was NO WAY I was going to spend that much time on my feet in heels! My Dubarrys looked really great with my dress, and I think I pulled off the English Countryside look quite well. Plus, my feet and legs were warm, dry, and comfortable even while holding camera equipment in the sleet. If these boots hold up as long as my DAV rain boots did, they will be more than worth their hefty price tag!

Totally pulled it off.

TL;DR -  Some things are trendy because they're top-quality products, and Dubarry boots are one of those things. While I initially hesitated and balked at purchasing them, I'm very pleased with the investment in my Longford boots and they are so far proving to be an invaluable addition to my lifestyle and wardrobe. If you're on the fence about buying Dubarry boots, just pull the trigger! You won't be disappointed!