Curious if anybody has recent experience with the Ariat leather half chaps (the ones that look like the top of a tall boot) and paddock boots? I am looking for something to get me by for schooling to save further wear on my already worn out looking boots that I also use to show in. I did end up ordering a pair of DeNiros but it sounds like it will be a while before they arrive.
I’m not sure which model you’re looking at, but last summer I picked up a pair of the Monaco half chaps on super clearance (I think they were being discontinued) as a backup pair. They very quickly became my favorite pair. They look like tall boots, they are easy to keep looking good, and they are really soft so they mold to your leg well. I have been wearing them solidly for a year, 1-2 horses a day, 4-6 days a week, and they look brand new. I would highly recommend them if you can find them. However, I don’t like the feel of a lot of the other Ariat half chaps - they’re too thick/stiff for my liking, so definitely make sure you know which model you’re looking at.
I’ve also ridden a lot in Tredstep and Grand Prix half chaps (the nice leather ones) and like those as well, but they aren’t as classy looking as the Monacos.
fwiw, I have always ridden in Ariat paddock boots for schooling and they wear like iron. I think my current pair are over 4 years old and going strong. I hear bad reviews of Ariat here but I’ve always had excellent experiences with mine, and I don’t take care of them at all.
I’ve had Ariat half chaps for 3 years now. They’re great. Buy them smaller than you might otherwise and spend the effort getting them to stretch to fit you.
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That’s what I ride in, now using them for daily use as well as showing. I have a bad foot, and the Ariat footbed in the paddock boots are best for me, and I bought the half chaps to show in, because I don’t care about “style”, or “what is the done thing”, just want to be comfortable and affordable. If someone thinks I am “unfashionable” by wearing these, that is their problem, not mine. Both have worn well, no issues. I’ve used Ariat boots for years, been through lots of sets of them over the years, they last well. I was expecting the half chaps to wear, and for the zippers to break, but they haven’t. And still look fine if I clean them up.
I went to look up Monaco halfchaps, and yes they have disappeared off the face of the earth.
I have a pair of Ariat paddock boots and leather (suede) half chaps that I have been riding in since 2004 and they are still in great shape. I also have a pair of Ariat tall boots that I have ridden in 2-3x a week for the past year and they still look brand new. So I guess my feedback is that Ariat has, in my experience, worn very well.
I got my mother the Close Contour half chaps for her birthday and she likes them very much. She tried on the Kendron and it seemed best suited for someone with a slender ankle; there was a pronounced curve from ankle to calf.
I bought a pair of Ariat half chaps on Ebay for $20 several years ago and they’re still going strong. I’ve even thrown them in the wash machine a couple times. The only problem is the elastic at the bottom is stretched, but I just folded it over and wrapped it in electrical tape. The leather is still perfect and they’re super comfortable.
I am torn between the Kendron and the Concord. Glad to hear there are people happy with them. When I was asking around I had quite a few people say that their Ariat boots hadn’t held up well. Anybody have issues with their zippers sliding down on the rear zip style? My current boots like to unzip themselves by a couple of inches while I ride.
My Ariat tall boots have a strap on the back at the top of the zipper that the zipper feeds through and then you snap it. So they cant slide down. Not sure if they all have this.
I currently have the Ariat close contour ones and I love them. People think I’m wearing tall boots! I get compliments on them!
I’ve had them 2-3 years and I ride pretty much every day. I did wear a hole in one, but they were able to be patched. I just make sure to oil them and condition them every now and again. I really love them. They were also pretty tight to start, but now they’re perfectly molded to my leg.
I’d buy another pair in a heart beat.
Good to know. I am noticing a lot of companies adding that feature to their boots. Nothing worse than realizing I have been looking like an idiot my entire ride because my boot zipper is half way down my calf. :lol:
