I’ve had it with my treadsteps. Have a hard time finding chaps that fit as I’m short. Treadsteps don’t hold up like they used to. Thinking of going custom route. I don’t want to spend $500 and don’t need anything super fancy just something that is well made fits well and looks nice. Any suggestions?
I went to Treadsteps after I killed a pair of the Ovation “customs”. But don’t get the Ovation customs, quality is just not there.
I have custom Journeymans and I love them (I’m also short and could never find off the rack ones that fit). They’re not fancy fancy like Pinnels are but they’re sturdy, they’re nice looking, and I could afford them. I’ve had mine for nearly 10 years now (I think they were around $250 but I can’t recall exactly). I had the inside leather patch replaced last year and I expect to get lots more use out of them.
Yeah was just going to say Journeyman, which is under 300 depending on what you get as extras. I bought them for my 11 year old because nothing else ever fit and that that did was always falling part. They wear like iron and when she outgrew them a year or so later, i sold them for 150.
I really needed customs too. Super skinny calf, and one leg smaller because of an old injury. Tredsteps would fit for a while until the elastic stretched - I’d get about a year out of a pair of the deluxe which are not cheap.
I didn’t want to spend $500 either, but if you want excellent quality, fit and durability, you have to be willing to pay for it. I got a pair of Pinnell’s - basic, black with the Spanish cut that makes it look like you have a nice pair of riding boots on when you pair them with a nice paddock boot. They were $500 three years ago. I ride 5 days a week. They are amazing. They are broken in but showing no signs of wearing out. I expect to get at least a few more years until I might have to send them to Mr. Pinnell for some rehab.
At $150/pair for Tredsteps, it doesn’t take long to break even. After about 3 1/2 years you actually get ahead. And there is no comparison in terms of quality.
I just ordered Pinnell half chaps on Wednesday for $1335.00. Now…that includes faux lizard, piping, turquoise stones and a leather carving of flowers on either side. Their starting price is currently $725.00. I would say they are worth the money! Many and I mean many, have had theirs for 8-14+ years and still kicking! I was not impressed with journeyman’s half chap. Kevin made my full chaps and Punkin measured me and I love them, just not keen on their design for the half chap.
No custom recs but a second to the recent decline in quality of the Tredsteps. My 5 year old pair bit the dust last year and the replacement Tredsteps are looking like they won’t last a year.
[QUOTE=fourfillies;8851667]
No custom recs but a second to the recent decline in quality of the Tredsteps. My 5 year old pair bit the dust last year and the replacement Tredsteps are looking like they won’t last a year.[/QUOTE]
I was in the same boat…treadstep originals from 2009 are on their last leg. I went and looked at the new ones and the quality was disgusting!!! The reason I splurged for customs!
I have Tenneys custom half chaps and I LOVE them. The fit is great, the workmanship is super quality, and they have held up beautifully. I got measured in Ocala in 2008 and they are still going strong! The only minor issue with them is that I’m wearing through the elastic that goes under the foot lol!
I’m very short as well, and not willing to spring for customs. I have been very happy with my Grand Prix full grain chaps. I’m on set #3 in 20 years, and they wear well and come in short heights (I think I get 14" high). Not fancy but functional and comfortable.
I second Tenney’s. I’ve had mine for 9 years and they’re still in great shape. I paid about $400 for them. That’s with snake skin, piping, Spanish tops and reinforced leather on the inside of the calf. I just recently sent them back to Tenney’s to get the elastic that goes under your boots and the neoprene panels replaced, which was $90 including shipping and they cleaned and conditioned them.
I have a friend locally who is a Swiss leatherworker, and does custom jobs like this. www.skookumhorse.com is her website I think. Very high quality stuff. And always underpriced for the quality of her work, IMO. I definitely recommend her work.
I have Tenney’s custom half chaps as well, and they have held up amazingly well. Tenney’s is also extremely easy to work with on repairs/changes if needed.
http://shop.ordertenneys.com/tenneys-chaps
