Zandona Elite Air Tendon Boots

Keep the eighteen air openings clear: rinse sand and mud out of the holes after work, because a silted-up opening does nothing any more. Set both fastenings on the same position left and right, so the shells sit at the same height, and after a few minutes of walking check that nothing is slipping. Wipe the Coolmax lining clean with a damp cloth and let the boots air-dry, not on the radiator: neoprene and gel hold their shape better at room temperature. Zandona states no washing instructions, so do not put them in the machine.

Choose the Elite Air if you jump and want a firm shell that still stays light, with carbon reinforcement, gel damping and plenty of air flow in one model. Zandona gives showjumping and hacking as the disciplines. If you ride international dressage, this is training kit: boots are not permitted in the dressage arena and must come off before you enter the space around it. If what you are mainly after is a soft lining against the skin rather than a technical layered build, the Kentucky Vegan Wool Tendon Boots Bamboo Elastic suit you better. If you want more choice of sizes, have a look at the Stübben Hybrid Tendon Boots or the Schockemöhle Air Flow Champion Tendon Boots.

Slide the boot over the leg with the shell and the carbon insert at the back, over the tendon. Lay the elastic straps on the outside of the leg and set each stud fastening so that the boot sits firmly without pinching, on the same position left and right. After a few minutes of walking, check that nothing is shifting. After work brush off the dirt, rinse sand out of the eighteen air openings and wipe the lining with a damp cloth; let them air-dry.

What is Flex-Carbon?

A patented carbon fibre insert from Zandona that is worked into the outer structure of the boot. It stiffens the shell but keeps giving, so the boot adapts to the shape of the leg.

What does Gel-Tech do?

It is a gel filling that Zandona places on the zones that take the most punishment. The gel absorbs part of the energy of a knock instead of passing it on.

How much do they weigh?

Zandona states 0.75 kg for the size we carry, and sells the model per pair. That works out at around 375 grams per boot.

May I use them at an international showjumping competition?

The international showjumping rules set no requirements today for the shape of front boots; everything on one leg together may not weigh more than 500 grams, including when wet. At around 375 grams per boot you stay under that. Do note: there is no FEI vetting and no list of brands; the official on the ground decides.

And in dressage?

In international dressage, boots are not permitted in the arena and must be off already before you enter the space around the arena. In the warm-up arena and in training they are allowed. In eventing: no boots in the dressage test, the jumping rules in the jumping test, allowed on the cross-country course.

How do I clean them?

Brush the dirt away, rinse sand out of the eighteen air openings and wipe the inner lining with a damp cloth. Let them air-dry. Zandona states no washing instructions for this item, so do not simply put them in the machine.

Do they fit the hind legs?

No. These are tendon boots for the front legs. For the hind legs you use fetlock boots; at international showjumping competitions there are also rules there about shape, length and fastening.

• Tendon boot for the front legs from Zandona's Elite Air range.
• Patented Flex-Carbon insert in the outer structure.
• Gel-Tech on the most heavily loaded zones.
• Layers of 3D Air-Mesh and perforated neoprene, with a Coolmax inner lining.
• Eighteen air openings in the shell.
• Stud fastenings on elastic straps.
• 0.75 kg per pair in the size we carry.
• Made in Italy, in black and brown.