Chinks or Chaps?

[Pocket_Pony]

What’s your preference?

I’m in the market for some new ones and I’m not sure which way to go. Historically I’ve ridden in chaps (english, which I’d wear with tights or breeches, which do not fit over jeans now), but I do like the look of chinks, too. Another thing I like about chinks is that they wouldn’t get bunched up behind my knee (would they?), which tends to cause me some problems when wearing chaps.

If you wear chinks, what kinds of boots do you wear with them?
When I ride in jeans and boots now, I ride in english paddock boots. I find the Fat Babys sort of get stuck on the bottom of my fender.

[aktill]

I wanted to like chinks because they’re cooler, but prefer chaps. Just more comfortable, at least the ones I’ve made of each.

[Pocket_Pony]

Why are chaps more comfortable for you? I worry that I’d get chinks and not like them, agh! It is six of one, half-dozen the other…chaps would be warmer in the winter, but chinks would be cooler in the summer!

[kewpalace]

I prefer chinks (and have always had chinks); I am saving up for a pair of Lost Buckaroo chinks … can’t wait to get some! I don’t know, I guess I like them because they are cooler, are comfortable to me (less restrictive) and I like the look of them better. I just wear regular boots with them. Not a fan of the short style Fat Baby boots.

But I would like to have a pair of shotgun chaps. Which I’ll probably get after I get my Carlos chinks (Lost Buckaroo).

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8641284]
Another thing I like about chinks is that they wouldn’t get bunched up behind my knee (would they?), which tends to cause me some problems when wearing chaps.[/QUOTE]

I supposed maybe you need to define what you mean by “chaps” since you mentioned English chaps yet you posted your question in the Western forum. Can you post a picture of what you mean?

I can’t say that I have a preferance over one or the other. The chaps that I have are for showing only. I do have a pair of chaps that I’ll wear for showing in ranch horse classes, or that I will sometimes wear if it is cold outside to take off some of the wind. If it is REALLY cold (below freezing), then I’m wearing my snowpants and UnderAmour.

For most of my regular riding, I’m just wearing my jeans.

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8641284]
If you wear chinks, what kinds of boots do you wear with them?[/QUOTE]

Whether I am wearing chaps or chinks, I wear my normal Western boots that I wear for riding anyway.

If I am riding English, then I wear my English paddock boots with English half-chaps.

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8641284]
When I ride in jeans and boots now, I ride in english paddock boots. I find the Fat Babys sort of get stuck on the bottom of my fender. [/QUOTE]

Are you riding in “short” western boots? That will tend to happen with western boots that have a short shaft. You can adjust where the bottom of the fender lands by adjusting your stirrup leathers. But usually if you ride with a “normal” shaft western boot, that eliminates the problem.

[Aces_N_Eights]

For me it depends on the weather and what I’m doing.
Last winter I wore my husband’s shotguns. They were a little big but they are lightweight but we’re still warmer than wearing my heavy chinks. I’m going to have some made. Just for comparison, I’ve only worn English schooling chaps about twice in my life. These shotguns are lighter and not as constricting as the schooling chap I’ve worn.
Hubby just traded for some Carlos chinks like kewpalace
was talking about. They are nice. I typically don’t wear chinks unless it’s in the spring and fall were it might be cool in the mornings, in the thick brush or branding so I don’t thrash my jeans. Then I have a fancy pair that hubby made I show in.

[Pocket_Pony]

[QUOTE=beau159;8641935]
I supposed maybe you need to define what you mean by “chaps” since you mentioned English chaps yet you posted your question in the Western forum. Can you post a picture of what you mean?

When riding h/j for years, I rode in full chaps (I guess they’d be like western shotgun chaps). My chaps are old and when I got them I was skinnier and I wore them with leggings or breeches underneath and paddock boots. They are/were very slim fit and are shorter than I’ve observed western chaps to be. Western chaps also seem to be a thinner/lighter-weight leather and also don’t look like they fit as tight (especially around the ankle - they seem to be fit for wearing taller boots underneath jeans); they are also longer. I am asking in the western forum because I ride my mustang in a western saddle. :winkgrin:

I can’t say that I have a preferance over one or the other. The chaps that I have are for showing only. I do have a pair of chaps that I’ll wear for showing in ranch horse classes, or that I will sometimes wear if it is cold outside to take off some of the wind. If it is REALLY cold (below freezing), then I’m wearing my snowpants and UnderAmour.

For most of my regular riding, I’m just wearing my jeans.

Whether I am wearing chaps or chinks, I wear my normal Western boots that I wear for riding anyway.

If I am riding English, then I wear my English paddock boots with English half-chaps.

Are you riding in “short” western boots? That will tend to happen with western boots that have a short shaft. You can adjust where the bottom of the fender lands by adjusting your stirrup leathers. But usually if you ride with a “normal” shaft western boot, that eliminates the problem.[/QUOTE]

I’ve found that short western boots are awkward with my fenders and my fenders are as long as they can comfortably be - don’t know how I could adjust them so they would it somewhere else on my leg. Maybe I’ll need to get a bit taller boots!