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Would you wear it? The Jodhpur Boot

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Polo R.L. Newent Suede Jodhpur Boot – $117.81* w/ MPRE13 ($198)

*Part of Ralph Lauren’s up to 40% off Fall-Pre Sale event. Code gets you 30% then an extra 15% off these boots through today, 10/30. Free shipping for a limited time too. It’s a select item discount, so to see all of the goods that are up for it, you’ll need to head to RalphLauren.com/Presale.

The Jodhpur Boot is more dressed up than a desert boot with it’s chukka lacing, yet gets away without the goring of a chelsea. It’s sort of a high top single monk, and can look at home with everything from jeans to fall-weight suits.

RL Jodhpur

Invented as a companion to the Jodhpur Pant, these boots seem to have been originally intended as a shorter, less expensive, easier to get on and off boot for someone riding a horse. Could a zipper do the same job? Sure, but zippers didn’t really come into their own until the Model T was on the streets. The buckle closure is a nod to the previous favored mode of land transportation (the four-legged beast mode… not the Quad City DJ’s preferred mode)

RL Jodhpur sole

It’s a sleek boot, laceless obviously, and the signature characteristic is that buckle up top. Like a monk strap, that’s how the boot is fastened to the wearer. But unlike monks, buckles on boots (unless you’re on a motorcycle) don’t get as much love in the style community. Some guys think they look girly. Some guys love em’. Some would point out that unless you’re tucking your pants into your boots, they’ll probably remain mostly hidden. That, and that buckle has a job to do. Function usually gets points in masculine style (see a watch instead of a bracelet).

RL Jodhpur Side

This option from Ralph Lauren looks like it comes in an awfuly rich suede, the shape + toe looks spot on, soles look solid, and the price is down to under $120 shipped. RL also has a black and brown in calfskin for $133.87 if you use MPRE13, and then there’s the made-in-Portugal/Blake Stitched Ike from Jack Erwin.

So would you? Or is a buckle at the ankle of a boot just not your thing? Leave it all below…

Comments

  1. Jodhpurs are a weakness of mine, as is snuff suede, so these are a damn fine proposition. I’d put these in the same category as Chelsea Boots: unisex in a “ooh thats sexy… wait, why am I thinking this??” kind of way. To balance that I think these would look great with some manned-up pants, specifically denim, slim cargos, or washed-out chinos. Sign me up.

  2. Are these the same shape as the PRL Chelsea boots featured here a few weeks ago? I bought and returned those because the toe was way chunkier looking in person.

  3. I dig it. Love the clean lines of pull on boots and that seems like handsome leather.

    Would be really interested to see if a jodphur like this would fit and feel better than the likes of something like an engineer with an instep buckle. (which, I adore my redwing engineers don’t get me wrong)

  6. I don’t know why, but I feel like I ought to be riding a horse once I strap these boots on…

  7. Really like these boots and that is a very good price for them. No money right now to spend on more boots, but I may have to add some Jodhpurs in the future. Probably go with the Jack Erwin boots though… they look just about perfect.

    On a related note, that whole Jack Erwin lineup is quite great looking. Barring some terrible reviews from people who get them first, I will definitely be purchasing shoes from them.

  8. That’s exactly what I was thinking! The color, the shape, the quality and price, everything checked out except for that bullet shape of the sole…

  9. I ordered (and returned) a similar pair of PRL Chelsea boots featured here a few weeks ago. They are about a full size too big. I’m normally a 9D, and in those boots there was about a 1/2 inch gap at the heel if I scoot my foot all the way forward.

  14. Honestly, all I think about when I observe these are my girlfriend’s boots in the autumn.

  15. Incredibly tempting, especially at that price. But I think I’d rather wait to find the AE Haight for $200-ish. That’s partly for the Dainite sole, since I’m kinda in the market for dressy boots that can handle a Boston winter, and partly because I like the dark brown calf leather (although that suede is really nice).

    How should I feel about the construction quality of the PRLs (relative to AE)? The price point makes me nervous, since RL seems to generally have a pretty high price for its quality & even full price, these are pretty cheap for dress boots. If I got them topy’d right away, will they hold up well?

  17. These boots and the Chelseas mentioned here a while ago are gorgeous in person. I found the sizing a bit odd, however. All my other RL shoes are 10.5D and they fit well. These were quite narrow and the heel slipped a lot. As opposed to other comments, I found them a tad small.

  18. I ordered these on a whim last week when I heard about the sale. They arrive today. Looked too cool and were too affordable to not try. May end up eating the return charge, but what the hell. The RRL sale is dangerous, though. Luckily, most things I ordered didn’t work. But one did. And ouch. But worth it.

  19. Any PRL shoes under $400 – quality wise will be ok. Their English and Italian made shoes are awesome (with awesome price tag to boot). Saw their Italian made Jodhpurs in both suede and leather. Wow (also wow price tag)

  23. I wish I’d taken a top down shot but I also couldn’t get these off quick enough. They are being very careful with those shots, you’re right.

  26. They’re not as trim as, say, the Stafford Camlin, but they honestly look just fine to me. Leaning more casual, but I still dig em’ myself.

  28. I like these. The Jack Erwin boots I own, but I wouldn’t mind a pair of these for casual wear

  35. Mini review: pleasantly surprised. They feel substantial and well-made. I like the thick sole and the darker color of the leather sole sets off the suede nicely. They fit me really well but BEWARE: I have a narrow foot so these may be very snug on normal-footed people and I don’t even know how a wide foot could fit. I’m an 11.5B in AE, 11 in most other brands, the occasional 11.5 in Cole Haan which often run a little narrow already. Even if they didn’t fit me as well as they do or didn’t feel as substantial and well-made as they do, I’d still keep them because they look good and they won’t be daily drivers. These will be when-the-fancy-strikes boots.

  36. Check my mini-review above. I found them to be great for me, but I prefer a narrow and snug fit. Can’t make heads or tails of the sizing advice- wildly different. I’d say go UP a half size for a normal or wide foot. Maybe the quality control is inconsistent?

  37. It’s true. You don’t see it at all until maybe you cross your legs and your pants ride up a little.