Just idly watching for sales right now. Thinking of taking new horse to a couple of schooling shows next year. Currently ride in black paddock boots and brown suede half chaps!
Back in the Dark Ages when I last wore boots I had lots of issues with fit. Short legs wide feet and the regular calf was uncomfortable and the wide was too loose. Add in skin that blisters really easily.
The question is have boots and sizing improved enough for people like me? If I go the half chaps route, I would likely need new paddock boots too. My current half chaps are a child’s large!
Any budget-friendly suggestions?
I have stuck with the Ariat paddock boots, and half chaps for showing. It’s been fine. Many decades ago, when I showed more extensively, I had some nice vogels (tall boots), but they died a natural death, and wouldn’t fit me any more anyway. I have a semi paralysed bit toe on one foot, and require the foot bed found in Ariat paddock boots. I think this footbed is now available in Ariat tall boots too, but haven’t gone there. I don’t do the huge shows, mostly local, but some local A circuit. I do mostly jumpers, so it doesn’t matter for that, but do venture into the hunter divisions sometimes too with no issues, using the paddock boots/half chap solution. I think that to get GOOD tall boots, it will cost you quite a bit more than just staying with the paddock boots and half chap solution. If you are not a huge follower of fashion, go with what is comfortable, and affordable, and if someone else doesn’t like that, poop on THEM.
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How much money you got?!?!?! 
Serious question. If you can afford them there are multiple makers that will sell you a custom made, tall boot (dress or field). If you cannot, or wish not to, go that route then paddock boots and half chaps are a very viable alternative. Just make sure what you do complies with the rules and regulations and customs of your discipline.
Good luck in your search.
G.
You can show in half chaps? I got some very attractive treadsteap deluxe which i love for schooling I also have parlanti for showing.
There are so many more options now than there used to be in terms of fit for tall boots. Elastic inserts, mutliple heights/widths, softer leather (they also don’t last as long, but it’s a trade off). If you want to show I would get tall boots. Or at least make a best effort to get fitted and see if there’s something that works in your budget.
There are tons of half chaps these days at all price points, and way more choices of sizes including for those of us who need short and wide. At the higher end they really can look like a tall boot when used with a matching paddock boot. I have a pair of semi-custom Effingham field boots I got 15 years ago shortly before they disappeared from the landscape. I think zipper repair is going to be difficult, if not impossible. So I have been browsing the half chap market, and found a lot of choices on the Equestrian Collections website. I have been doing some comparison shopping but have yet to make a decision, and then I’ll probably post here to see what brands seem to hold up the best.
you can show in half chaps in Canada BUT they must look like tall boots… so no suede or even the Ariats that you can tell from a mile away are half chapsLOL. All of the ones I’ve seen are basically more expensive than tall boots as the paddock boots and chaps are usually ones like a Tucci set up etc! More for those that cannot wear tall boots!
At this stage in my life, I can’t imagine ever showing in anything other local unrated shows, so I don’t intend to ever own a pair of tall boots again. Ariat Heritage round toe paddock boots (that accommodate my duck feet) and SmartPak Harwich half-chaps meet my needs and are so much more comfortable and less expensive.
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Local/schooling shows absolutely you can show in half chaps. They should mimmick the look of a tall boot (plenty of options out there) I show in mine because I haven’t had time to break in my newer tall boots. I adore my I have Ariat zip paddock boots, Ariat Breezeway Half Chaps, and the new tall boots are Ariat Heritage Contours. Loyal to the brand that is one that fits me and I find their boots/chaps last for-e-ver (at least a decade, many over that). That is not everyone’s experience, but they are truley a great brand for my needs and the price is affordable. No, it isn’t the cheap-o pricing, but I’d rather pay a bit more for what will last than blow through cheaper quality constantly. I have found items for sale at local tack stores cheaper than online and vice versa so definitely search/call around.
ETA: I too have wider feet, shorter legs, a medium wide calf, and my heels will blister up at the drop of a dime. It took me forever to find boots that fit. I would say give Smartpak a try b/c they have free returns if the boots don’t fit. I tried 2 pairs of different brands (returned) before I figured out that the Heritage is the best fit for me.
Ditto.
In fact I have just brought my leather tall boots to the “free” shelf at my barn. I kept them, “just in case”, but riding in 1/2 chaps is SO much more comfortable lol. Hopefully they’ll make a kid happy.
I love schooling and showing in paddock boots and 1/2 chaps. Ariat H20 Terrains + suede 1/2 chaps for schooling, and Ariat black leather paddocks and black leather Spanish top 1/2 chaps for “special occasions” like hunter paces, clinics, local shows, etc.
Ariat has some very nice half chaps, I love the Ariat Close Contour and ride in those. I don’t know if you can show in them. If so, they look like a boot from the distance. So many fits to choose from, you should be able to fit yourself perfectly.
Am I the only person in the world who loves my tall boots both for comfort and speed? Open the back of the car, pop off shoe, grab boot hooks, hook boot, shove my foot into it, repeat. I’ve got paddock boots and half-chaps in there too but they don’t get much use.
It helps that they’re the only pair of boots I’ve ever had that really fit well. (They should, they were made to measure by Kroop. Who are awesome BTW. They were a ton of money but I have no regrets at all, and it sure is nice having my foot measured right there in the shop in Maryland where they will then make my boots!)
This is weird, I know, but when I zip up my tall boots for showing I feel more professional and ready to go! Not to mention taller - which is important when you are 5’1". (They do make your leg look longer.) But while turnout is very important, your comfort and ability to be the best rider you can be is the most important thing - as long as you meet the rules. I am VERY hard to fit in tall boots. There’s only one pair of off-the-shelf that fit me and that is the Tuff Rider Regal Field Boot wide calf. They are the soft leather so as soon as I get off my horse at the last class I’m unzipping those babies, cleaning them and putting them back in their bag.
Up until a few years ago I’d have said boots. But then I started wearing half chaps more often and really grew to love the closer feeling I got from the more flexible material.
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