The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

To wear or Not to wear Chaps?

33K views 50 replies 31 participants last post by  Acadianartist 
#1 ·
I am new to english riding and am wondering about the usefulness of chaps. My trainer and my friend both have full chaps (suede). They mentioned that not only do they protect their pants from wear, and their legs from bruising at times, but also keep them warm in cooler temps. Do you wear chaps, and if so, full or half chaps and what purpose do they each serve? Not sure if I should get myself a pair or not as I am fairly new to riding.
 
#2 ·
I can't afford full chaps. Since I am fat, i cannot fit ready made ones and would have to have them custom made, like 300$. But, in any case, I ride in breeches with paddock boots and half chaps. Works very well. They also keep your calf from being pinched by the leathers of an English type saddle. I don't know how people can manage without something over the calf. Without it, every time you post the leather gives your calf a tiny pinch. I suppose if you have very thin calves it wouldn't happend, but if you are fluffy, or even the least bit rounded out in the calf, it will pinch. Love my Ariat half chaps.
 
#3 ·
Ditto to tinyliny's response.

I love to wear half chaps. I've used full chaps in the past but half chaps give you the grip and protection where you need it without the extra bulk in the way. Although, full chaps do help keep you warmer if that's a concern.

Half chaps are also usually cheaper. I have ariat breeze half chaps. They are inexpensive, washable and super comfy. Ariat's zipper some times tend to fall if they are zip up so I like these because they zip top down so that's never a problem.
 
#5 ·
Ditto to tinyliny's response.

I love to wear half chaps. I've used full chaps in the past but half chaps give you the grip and protection where you need it without the extra bulk in the way. Although, full chaps do help keep you warmer if that's a concern.

Half chaps are also usually cheaper. I have ariat breeze half chaps. They are inexpensive, washable and super comfy. Ariat's zipper some times tend to fall if they are zip up so I like these because they zip top down so that's never a problem.

Top down zip is the way to go. Very hard to do bottom up ones. And remember that they stretch.
measure you calf at it's widest point, and use that to order. they have size charts.

Also, if you plan to use spurs (I dont') the chaps that come down over the back of the heel will get in the way of your spurs. So, get the kind that are cut away around the back of the heel.
 
#6 ·
I'm not a fan of full chaps - just not my personal preference. I love half chaps. I don't care for suede - I like smooth leather (of course they cost twice as much). I've had both - the ariat zip ups that are tapered and nice and fit over paddock boots, and the velcro tabbed ones (my favorite) and fit over anything (including stretch riding jeans) and fit well over my sneakers. In fact, that is what one would find me riding in on a typical day - comfy, well worn breeches, sneakers and leather half chaps. Some half chaps have an extra velcro strap at the top so you can cinch them a little tighter above your calf so they won't droop too much as you break them in and as they begin to take the shape of your leg.

In my experience, the all leather ones (suede even more so) will stretch to at least a half size bigger after the first 20 rides so consider that as well when you look at sizing.

You'd have to just try everything out and see what you like. If you are considering full chaps, I'd try on a friend's pair that were already broken in and get up on the horse to see how they feel. If you go for half chaps and you can afford it, get some good quality real leather ones. They will last for many years, look quite fancy and nice and won't pill and stain like suede ones.

Ariat is a great brand - theirs will last a long time and they offer different price ranges and all look really pretty. I am not a fan of any of the Ovation brands. Every single pair I tried on (several pair) all looked like baggy socks on me. It's like they were cookie cutter made to some specific size leg that doesn't exist. So try before you buy!:wink:
 
#7 ·
I usually stick to half chaps during the winter, unless its too cold and I just ride in carhart's. I do have a pair of full jeans but I am not at all flexible and struggle to get on :oops: so I opt out of that option.
 
#8 ·
My everyday (half) chaps are suede with velcro tabs. There were really cheap, are really comfy, and they've lasted for years of regular use.

I also have a pair of smooth leather zip-up ones for showing. And while I love the look, they're not nearly as comfortable. That's largely because I have short, wide calves and it's near impossible to find something that fits properly without being custom made. Even though the ones I bought are short & wide, they're still just slightly too tall and keep me from bending my knee all the way. I have nightmares of having to mount from the ground in those half chaps ;-)

ETA- I've never actually seen anyone ride in full chaps, and I'm not personally a fan of the look. I might feel differently if I lived in a much colder climate...
 
#9 ·
I have custom-made full suede chaps. Only reason I have them is a friend of a friend outgrew them and was selling them ridiculously cheap. I love that I can clean the barn, throw them over my jeans and go for a ride.

I also have half chaps but those only fit over my breeches.

Oh and TinyLiny, I am midget-sized with tiny lil calves (had to have my tall boots custom made) and I HAVE to wear some sort of chaps or tall boots to keep my legs from being pinched.
 
#10 ·
I ride in half chaps. I've worn Ariat leather ones that I borrowed from a friend, and they kept my legs very warm on a cold day where I was running around helping with lead line classes and riding myself at a schooling show at my barn. They also helped my grip in the saddle.
I eventually bought my own pair of Dublin suede half chaps. They took no time to break in and I wear them tramping all over the stables (including sloppy pastures and the occasional misstep into a pile of horse crap). They keep my legs pretty warm and keep my jeans from wearing out (which was why I bought them in the first place).
I wore full chaps once, borrowing them from a friend so I could exercise a Western horse. In the barn, my entire legs were very warm. Once I started riding, I can't really remember how they felt because the horse decided to be a pill that day and I ended up having to focus on him :)
Personally, I like that half chaps allow you to ride in paddock boots and jeans give the 'illusion' of tall boots. Since you ride English I would say go for half chaps :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fimargue
#12 ·
I used to have a waterproof, fleecelined pair of full chaps purely for yard work or if I had to take a hack out in the rain. Stopped my legs from getting wet and my feet ending up horrible. I have a pair of leather gaiters that I bought with a pair of jodphur boots when my long boots hadn't dropped enough for me to jump without ending up with bruises plus it means if my long boots break I'll have something smart to ride in for exams or my staff lesson.
 
#13 ·
I have both - in the summer, when it's not so muddy and cold, I ride in my jodhpur boots and half chaps, and show in my show boots and gaiters. For the winter I have a pair of fleecy waterproof chaps for the very cold, muddy days which I can just wear over my paddock boots rather than having to change into cold leather boots to ride. I also own a pair of neoprene full chaps which I keep for the hottest of the summer weather - I can go up to the yard in shorts, slip my full chaps over them just to ride in (to stop rubbing) and then whip them off again as soon as I'm done riding. The neoprene isn't so hot, but it also isn't waterproof so no good for the colder weather.
 
#14 ·
I will say that I LOOOOVE the new chaps! Im forsure keeping them.

I know they wont help but my feet felt better in the stirrups. It just felt like my ankles had more supportand most importantly no more rubbing or pressure on the inside ankles. Ironically, I never had an issue with my feet falling forward.

Now I should know somewhat in what it feels like to ride with leather boots on with the extra height.

I recorded my video too today.

I told my trainer that I went back to my old stirrups and she said good decision.
 
#15 ·
I will say that I LOOOOVE the new chaps! Im forsure keeping them.

I know they wont help but my feet felt better in the stirrups. It just felt like my ankles had more support. Ironically, I never had an issue with my feet falling forward.

Now I should know somewhat in what it feels like to ride with leather boots on with the extra height.

I recorded my video too today.

I told my trainer that I went back to my old stirrups and she said good decision.
Was this meant to be in your thread ? This ones 3 years old
 
#17 ·
I always wear half chaps for riding - I prefer them to tall boots which are too stiff for my liking. I really like the feel of the half chaps. However, last winter, when it got really cold (I'm in eastern Canada), I swore I would buy full chaps. My whole body was ok except the front of my thighs. The air flow would hit my leg right there and it would take hours to get my legs back up to a normal temperature. It was the only part of my body that got cold - and I rode in -20 Celcius weather. And for the record, I wear winter weight breeches with merino wool long underwear underneath. So if you plan on doing some really cold-weather riding, I recommend looking into full chaps.

I'm intrigued by the talk of waterproof, fleece-lined chaps... googling them now!

Edited to add - ok, why the heck are the first bunch of sites selling waterproof fleece-lined full chaps from the UK? I know, it tends to be damp there, but why isn't anyone selling them in frigid Canada???? Yet another item I'll have to order online without being able to try it on...
 
#18 ·
Well this is an old thread but maybe worth reviving!!!
I couldn't be without my half chaps but wear them with breeches, stretchy jeans or cut off's - I wouldn't find them comfortable over wider legged jeans
Acadian Artist - As in ex Brit I can tell you that I used to go for what seemed like September through to May riding in some form of waterproof clothing in the UK. I don't miss that at all!!! The winter clothing from there doesn't hold up too well in the real winter cold of North America. I wear padded ski pants (and jackets) here though Mountain Horse do a good range they cost more because I shop at stores like Marshalls and TJ Maxx for bargain prices
 
#24 ·
Yes, dampness is different from dry cold. Neither is much fun though :(

I also add some snow pants (or ski pants as you put it) over my winter breeches with long underwear underneath, but by then, I am REALLY feeling like I can't move anymore. Would like to find a better option, but short of a heated indoor, I'm not sure it exists!
 
#19 ·
I second @Acadianartist and @jaydee.

I always wear my half-chaps with my breeches or sometimes leggings. They even work with jeggings. Super comfortable, I wear them with my paddock boots.:D
The ones I have, I've had for YEARS. I need to clean them. They are like suede. Super comfortable, and they are velcro so I don't need to worry about a zipper breaking! :)
 
#21 ·
Another vote for full length chaps in cold weather, especially if you live in a windy area. If I'm riding western, I normally don't wear chaps unless it's bitter cold or we're riding in an area with lots of brush and thorns. I grew up wearing tall boots for English and now find half chaps awkward feeling with low boots so just put on my field boots.
 
#28 ·
I wear shotgun/full/exercise chaps year round.

Extra grip, more comfort on the english and polo saddles. Protection from brush when ranching.

Mine are smooth leather (in a mauve color). I have a pair of tan suede, but they were cut funny so they just sit in the back seat of my car with an extra pair of boots in case I hop on something unexpectedly.
 
#29 ·
I love riding in chaps! When it is hot, they protect my legs from bugs....when it is cold, they keep me warm. Mine were bought used, so i have no idea from whence they came....my best guess is Mexico. I will try to gfet a picture. Well worth the $40 I paid!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top