Leather riding boots, and leather half chaps, same/similar effect?

I rode in my Ariat leather riding boots for the first time yesterday, and OMG it was so comfortable!! My leg position was also much better. SO stable and secure, and I felt great riding in them!

The BUT is, I don't want to overuse them because I want to keep them for many years (8-10 years... plzzzz (fingers crossed)) and in good enough condition to show. I will clean and polish them as often as necessary and do my possible to keep them in good shape, but using them will still wear them out no matter how well I take care of them.

I usually ride in synthetic paddock boots and suede half chaps. The chaps are kind of dying and I am going to buy new ones, but I want to know how leather half chaps are.

Will they give me that similar affect? Would I also have to get leather paddock boots to achieve the same feeling my riding boots give me?
I like my synthetic ones and I don't want to spend too much, but give me your opinions please!!!!!

Thank you.

I've never ridden in tall boots or suede anything before, but I wear R.M. Williams boots ($350 AU) and Ariat Covington leather half-chaps ($250 AU). I rode in my chaps for the first time last week and the grippy leather sides they have on them did wonders for my leg position and ability to balance etc.

I'd personally go for leather boots + chaps but they can be a bit pricey. Maybe check for second hand ones or eBay? But get fitted out for the chaps in store before searching online; it can be a bit tricky to figure out your size just by using charts and measuring tapes.

I had exactly same thread I started month ago or so (boot are extremely comfy, but too pricey to use every day). The bottom line of all responses was no, chaps don't give same "effect" as tall boots. So I'm saving up on other pair of boots now.

Aw... :( pity. Thanks for the short but very complete answer. Do you think you'd be able to find me the thread so I can read it though? Or at least do you remember the title so I can somehow fish for it myself? :)

(sigh) Cannot afford another pair of Ariats...

Do tall rubber boots also make your leg feel more stable and secure? Any brand with good synthetic or rubber boots that someone could recommend me?

Devon-Aire makes a synthetic field boot. Its made out of a pleather type material. I personally don't care for them. I had a pair when I was in between boot sizes and my foot was still growing, I am too hard on my boots and I actually wore holes in the sides of them. They might work for you though.

Devon Aire Synthetic UniCalf Field Boot Tall Boots Footwear English HorseLoverZ.com

You can also just keep an eye out for a decent pair of leather paddock boots and half chaps. The website I posted always has low prices and deals. You should look around.

I actually ordered those one day and they were super stiff and didn't fit me in any possible way. :( I was mad because I had to pay 15$ to ship it back.

If I find leather chaps on sale and for a really good price, I'll most probably buy them because I am sure they are better than suede ones. I'll see what I find this summer when I go to a tack shop.

Mmosst leather chaps have suede on the inside of the calf anyways. There are some that are all leather but most of the ones I have seen are that way, mine included.

But doesn't the leather outside still make it grip better than the suede ones? I would really like some more opinions on that one. I just concluded leather chaps would be more "grippy" than suede chaps since my leather boots seemed to be so.

I thought your leather boots felt better because they were tall boots. NO? I am confused. Were they just paddock boots made out of leather?
Tall boots can help a lot with your position because they bring such stablily to the ankle. The stiffness of them ends up supporting your lower leg in a way that any paddock boot, leather or synthetic, can do.

I have leather half chaps. I use Grand Prix. They are very expensive but hold up very well. I just have them restitched at the shoe shop if the stitching wears out. Have ahd them for years! I also have a pair of Ariat half chaps made from leather . These are stiffer and look more like a real tall boot when on. They feel really great, but are so tight that it's a struggle to get them on over my winter weight riding breeches.

So, I do recommned leather half chaps, and the Ariats that look like tall boots are really nice. They should last for years and years.

My legs don't conform to normal tall boot sizes and I'm too poor to afford customs so I ride in leather boots and chaps. I bought a pair of all leather (no suede even on the inside of the leg) smooth grain chaps before the summer and I love them. They are super grippy and if I shine them and my boots up from a distance you can barely tell I'm not wearing tall boots. They must be the same ones or similar to what tiny mentioned, I really like them
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