What western chaps should I buy?

We like chinks too. The full length chaps seem to get in the way. If you really want a nice pair that will last you forever find a good leather worker in your area. You will pay $$ for nice custom chinks or chaps but you will never have to buy another pair if you take good care of them.

We wear them to protect our legs because we ride through a lot of brush and they keep you nice and warm. I never even thought about them helping you keep your seat...

I ride in chinks and really love them. Before my chinks I always had bruised legs and tore up all my comfortable (stretchy) jeans. Plus because the thigh straps are adjustable they actually fit me (I'm overweight and doubt I would fit into normal skinny-leg chaps).

And I find they DO give me more grip. Especially because in winter I ride in unconventional riding apparel- sweatpants! Trying riding in sweatpants with vs. without chinks. They do give you grip! Plus the sweatpants would never stay in one piece without them. And they really cut the wind chill off your legs. I'm a fan for sure!

The only time I tend not to wear them is in the hottest part of the summer. I have found one disadvantage- being a girl they do make stopping to pee more awkward. My new horse took advantage of that one time and made a run for home. But that is a whole 'nuther story!

This thread caught my eye because I ended up breaking out my chaps for a ride the other night. When the cold wind is blowing, they definitely help.

As others have mentioned, the intended purpose of chaps is to protect your legs, not to help stay in the saddle. However, the right kind of chaps can also have the side effect of a little more grip.

With this in mind, I would personally advise against batwing style chaps. They usually only cover the outside of the leg and there isn't much on the saddle side. My limited experience with chinks are the same - they usually seem to be shorter batwings.

You should probably look to shotgun chaps. The suede ones (like the ones linked in the first response to this topic) tend to be inexpensive and will give you the extra grip you are looking for.

If you are considering another style that doesn't fully wrap you leg, you should probably try them on first to make sure they give grip where you want. Remember that neither chaps or chinks will cover you "rear." :)

Someone else mentioned a suede/roughout saddle. Another good alternative may be suede pants. These should give you lots of grip (rear included) and may be more easily found in a local store.

For whatever reason my chinks do give me grip. They cover the inside of my thighs and I find that helps a lot. I ride in slick-seat saddle too. But I don't miss the grip on my seat. But on the inside of my thighs it really helps. Leather on leather gives a much better grip than leather on jeans. Mine aren't suede. I have never had a pair of suede so I don't know if that makes them more or less grippy. Rubbing a little saddle soap into your saddle plus chinks REALLY gives you grip. I discovered this after conditioning one of my saddles. I stuck like I was wearing shorts on a vinyl car seat.

I didn't mean to discount your prior mention of chink giving a grip. I think the important thing is to be very careful when purchasing sight unseen (i.e. Online). Different styles, cuts and fits may or may not give desired grip.

Suede/roughout _should_ give better grip than just leather. Again, this depends on the product. Some leather is softer than other providing more grip. Other leather can be very smooth and provide less.

Interesting tip about the saddle soap. I will keep that in mind - although for the opposite reason. I ride a slick seat with jeans and like the ability to shift position in the saddle. I don't like too much stick. :)

Ray Holes saddle butter, love it! I have chaps but I feel like I am confined too much. I switched to chinks and like them a lot. I bought them at SoMoMule. There was a lady in my home state who made beautiful leather products but she has retired from it. Her work was like art.

Yeah, I like a little bit of stick, but that was too much!