Full Chaps (Opinion, and where to buy?)

I had a pair made by a highly respected custom western saddle maker. He could do just about anything you could want in a pair of chaps. So mine are just a conservative dark brown, smooth side out (didn’t buy them for the stick, but for the warmth), with appropriate length fringe (I thought they look stupid without fringe, but I did grow up on western all arounds). You would never know they were made by a dude that makes cutting, working, and Wade saddles for a living. So I would suggest a well respected western saddle maker or leather worker. They will really be able to make a product built to be worked in and last.

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I bought a custom pair from Graeme this fall, I love them! They still aren’t totally broken in, I only wear them when it’s below -5 or -10ish. Mostly because I prefer to ride in my tall boots vs winter paddock boots. They’re definitely warm, you can tell when the wind blows since you’re bum will still feel the chill.

I went to Graeme, he measured me, and I picked my colours. He had them done in about a week, emailed me an invoice, and I got them in the mail a few days later. Definitely wear everything that you plan on riding in, he makes them tight. It probably took my 15 minutes to get them on the first time so I wore them around the house for a few hours. I keep mine at home so they’re warm when I put them on, I don’t think I’d get them done up if the leather was too cold.
The leather is great quality, the zippers are sturdy, they really are beautiful. He definitely does the best work in Ontario. I know of a couple people who have chaps from him that are over 10 years old.

I don’t think they do much in terms of stickability, especially when it’s cold.

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I too live in Seattle and find my full chaps to be amazing for the rain. They keep you completely dry and you can hang them and condition them and they are good to go. They also definitely keep you warmer in the winter.

bonus they keep your breeches really clean too :slight_smile:

If you want to try a pair to be sure you like the feel, there’s usually lots of used full chaps on eBay for under $100.

I got a suede Barnstable Riding pair for crazy cheap just to wear hacking on super-freezing days and they’re great.They’re out of business but you can find the size chart on their website, which is still up. Pretty sure this is the exact brand I rode in as a kid (in shorts, of course!), they were sort of the go-to cheap/schooling chap for those of us who couldn’t swing a custom pair.

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I am tempted to dig mine out again- twenty years old and they are still in great shape. (Whether I still fit in them is a whole other question.). When I rode in full chaps, I found them to be both warm and sticky.

I got mine through Journeyman in Middleburg, Virginia. Chuck Pinnell of central Virginia also does gorgeous work.

My internal fifteen year old still covets full chaps with fringe…

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I’ve got a pair of Journeyman chaps that have lasted about 15 years at this point (wow…). I don’t wear them often but sometimes I need to run to the barn in jeans after work or put on an extra layer when it’s cold. I wouldn’t ride in them everyday anymore b/c I actually think breeches/tall boots are more comfortable but I LOVE having them and I love how they look still!

Journeymen Saddlers in Middleburgh, VA…Wonderful quality! I still wear mine. Made for me in 2003. They look great!!

Love my full chaps! My last pair was made by Journeymen in Middleburg. What I love most is that I can wear just about any pants underneath. Perfect for times when I need to be in public before / after or have work to do in the barn after the ride. I won’t destroy my breeches and boots. They can’t be beat in questionable or colder weather.

I’ve never had an issue switching back and forth to boots and breeches nor have mine stained my tack.