Half Chap Recommendations

I'm looking to get a new pair of half chaps. The zipper on my current pair keeps coming undone from the top, so I want to put a new pair on my x-mas list and want to upgrade a little while I'm at it. I'm looking for something good and high quality, but less than $200 (preferably below $150).

I sort of like the look of these, but recommendations on anything else you like would be awesome:

Grand Prix Suede Leather Half Chaps - Dover Saddlery.
Ariat Concord Half Chaps - Dover Saddlery.
Ariat Close Contact Half Chaps - Dover Saddlery.


Also, I'd love to hear people's preferences on suede vs. smooth leather half chaps. During the summer, I often wear them over my bare legs because it is so hot here in Florida, which is why I'm thinking suede might be a little better...

Thanks for any advice.

A lady in my town makes these if you want something a bit different

For high quality, more expensive chaps, I like Treadstep or Pro-Chaps. Ariats just aren't as nice as they used to be (made in china now).

Those animal print chaps are really cute. I saw them as I was looking around earlier. Do they hold up well?

I have synthetic suede half chaps from Arete. They look similar to those animal print ones in design (with the YKK zippers even) and they have held up well.

Well these are so awesome if they're just for at home--- but you can get ones for shows aswell..

They are custom!!!!!!

You can get them in suede, leather, hide- whatever really with bling, embroidery- whatever colours!




The prices all start under $200 (aussie dollars) and well whatever you add extra gets charged on- you could check out this website
Custom Chaps - Mad Cow - Half Chaps

For some ideas

Anyway hope you like :)

AMEN! I get more and more irritated with Ariat's over priced terribly quality leather goods. No one at our barn wears ariat half chaps anymore because they fall apart. Grand Prixs look nice but they (like Ariats) have a patch over the middle of the inside of your calf. I guess for reinforcement... but the seams always wear out and the patch rips off after about a year of lots of riding. (ariats rip sooner then that). I've never EVER worn a hole on the inside of my chaps and I ride multiple horses 5-7 days a week.

My absolute favorite are Tredsteps (although I've also heard good things about ProChaps).
1) Instead of sizing s, m, l, etc. They do height/width combos so you get a custom fit
2) No patch over the middle of your calf
3) amazing quality.

As far as suede/smooth leather goes... i've had both Tredsteps. Both hold up well, both are good. But the suede fades (and gets really shiny on the inside where your leg touches your saddle) and gets dusty easily. So I prefer the look of smooth better.

Check out smartpak for the tredsteps!

This is really helpful. I've heard of the Tredsteps, but Prochaps are new to me, so I will check them out too. THe info on how things hold up is really helpful - like most horsey people, I don't have a lot of extra moolah, so if I spend (or have someone else spend) a lot of money on a pair of chaps for me, I darn well want them to hold up so I can ask for something else for xmas next year!

I really like that these have snaps at both the top and bottom. I think I'm leaning toward the suede version since I put them on over bare legs in the summer. Also seems like my leg won't sweat as much in them too. And I have tall boots, so I don't need them for shows.

Tredstep Xtreme Suede Half Chap - Chaps from SmartPak Equine

I really like all the cute custom ones and also the animal print ones though - maybe when I have a little extra cash I'll get them for a fun pair.