.png)
Do female riders really pick fashion over function?!
- pegasusphysiotherapy
- May 10
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
I recently shared a post on social media about the design of riding boots after a male commenter suggested that women choose fashion over function - and claimed there are plenty of boots out there that fit properly if people looked hard enough. But this is something I see impacting rider biomechanics again and again in my rider physio sessions.
Too many riders are unintentionally riding on their toes, not because they don’t know better, but because their boots are working against their feet. That’s why I keep repeating: we need to assess foot position, not just boot position, in the stirrup.
Why?
Their boots are too narrow, pushing the ball of the foot further back than they realise.
Coaches and instructors often direct foot placement based on what the boot looks like in the stirrup - not how the rider’s foot is actually functioning.
It's become 'fashionable' to have it on toe to achieve a 'heels down' position (which stiffens the ankle joint with under foot stretched and toes/feet extended)
The response to the post was overwhelming. Female riders aren’t choosing fashion over function - they just don’t have functional options. The number of people struggling to find boots that fit properly is staggering. And that’s just among riders who are aware of the issue. I suspect many others have adapted without even realising it’s their boots - not their riding - causing problems.
A Quick History of Women’s Riding Boots
To understand how we got here, we need to look at the history of women’s riding gear.
1700s–1800s:
Women’s riding boots were nearly identical to men’s - sturdy, flat-heeled, and functional.
Sidesaddle riders and women who rode astride (often working-class) both needed practical, durable boots.
Fashion boots (pointed toes, delicate structure) were worn off the horse, not in the saddle.
Late 1800s to 1920s:
Factory-made boots for men came first. Women’s versions followed much later.
Early factory riding boots were still relatively strong and well-fitted.
An example of vintage boots (care of google- so no exact times for these styles but all womens)
Post–World War II:
With horses no longer essential for transport, riding became more of a leisure or sport activity.
Equestrian fashion shifted to reflect post-war ideals of elegance and femininity.
Riding apparel (including boots) became more image-driven - slim lines, pointed toes, and polished finishes began to matter more than fit.
1950s Onward:
The “small waist, elegant silhouette” influenced breeches, jackets, and eventually boots.
Brands started marketing narrower, sleeker designs to reflect the fashion of the time - not the needs of real riders.
Women weren’t asking for uncomfortable gear. The industry just stopped offering anything else.
Fast Forward to Today: Mass Production & Poor Fit
From the 1990s onwards, mass-produced riding boots exploded in availability - but not in variety.
Narrow molds from outdated sizing standards are still used.
Modern research shows women’s feet have changed - wider, longer, and structurally different than 50–100 years ago.
But boot shapes haven’t kept up.
Many riders have to size up to make boots wearable, which alters stirrup position and balance.
This has a huge impact on performance, safety, and rider confidence - yet is rarely discussed.
Much different shapes and also remember our feet are on average wider and longer than previously!
Why Boot Fit Matters for Rider Biomechanics
Poor boot design affects more than just comfort - it affects function:
Riders are told to place the ball of the foot on the stirrup.
But due to poor boot fit, the ball of the foot often ends up further back in the boot than expected, especially in narrow or pointed designs.
Some instructors still teach riders to align their stirrup by using the boot seam - but that’s usually where the toes bend, not where the ball of the foot is.
This can force riders into less stable or even unsafe positions, leading to confusion or unfair criticism about “incorrect” foot placement.
🦶 Try This at Home: The Boot Fit Test
Want to get a clear picture of what your boots are doing to your feet? Try this simple exercise:
Place your bare foot on a piece of paper and draw around it.
Then take your boot, place it on top of the same paper, and trace its outline.
Compare the two.
If your foot outline doesn’t fit comfortably within the boot outline, ask yourself: Where is the rest of your foot going when it’s inside that boot?
Answer: it’s being squashed inward.
Toes get compressed, especially in narrow or pointed designs.
The metatarsals (the long bones of your forefoot) lose their natural spread.
This affects your balance, foot control, and proprioception - all essential for stability in the saddle.
Over time, compression can lead to bunions, neuroma, or chronic inflammation. Even worse, it reduces feel and responsiveness - the opposite of what a rider needs. Read here about where the ball of your foot is and why it's so important for balance!
And It’s Not Just Boots - It’s Clothing Too!
Post-war fashion ideals didn’t just shape footwear. Breeches became tighter. Show jackets became more tailored. Riders were expected to look elegant - even if it came at the expense of movement or function.
Modern sportswear has come a long way and is more in line with active wear, but much of what’s marketed as “biomechanics clothing” still offers only the bare minimum - a few lines or stripes here and there.
That’s why I created SymmFit - a rider clothing range designed by a rider physio, focused on function first, without compromising on style.
SymmFit: Designed for Performance You Can See
SymmFit tops and jodhpurs are made from technical fabrics for comfort, breathability, and full freedom of movement - just like you'd expect from high-quality athletic wear.
But they also offer more advanced visual guidance than any other rider clothing I’ve seen:
Vertical, horizontal, and angled lines show posture, balance, and symmetry from all angles - not just behind.
Help you see what your body is doing, so you can match feeling with correction.
Support your coach, trainer, or physio in giving more targeted feedback.
It’s not about just looking the part - it’s about riding better.
What’s Next: A Rider Boot Fit Survey
I’m currently preparing to launch a large-scale rider survey focused on foot and boot fit.
Why? Because this is something riders care about. We want to feel confident, balanced, and supported - not stuck with poor-fitting gear or outdated designs. And we deserve clothing and boots that work with our bodies, not against them.
Until then, I’ll keep posting about real rider alignment - from the ball of the foot to the shoulder–hip–heel line - and keep challenging the idea that function comes second.
Because the truth is simple:👉 Riders haven’t stopped caring about function.👉 The industry just stopped offering it.
ความคิดเห็น