Half chap and/or tall boot recommendations for a short wide calves...

[moving_to_dc]

I have been avoiding purchasing half-chaps or boots because I know finding a pair that will fit WILL NOT be fun. I do not have any “local” tack shops that carry a wide variety of brands/sizes. The nearest Dover is a 90-minute drive in miserable good traffic, and well over 2 hours if there is any back up anywhere.

I am hesitant to order out of a catalog because I fear I will just be sending the product back, over and over.

I am only 5’4", and have ALWAYS had big calves. Even when I was 115# in high school, I had trouble finding soccer shin guards that fit comfortably without strangling my calves. Twenty years and 4 kids later (plus some weight!), and my calves haven’t changed… Ankles are tiny, calves are huge…

My calf measures 17.5" and height is 15.5" from floor to back of knee. Any recommendations that are NOT $400 custom orders? (I don’t need the boots/half-chaps for shows, just casual hunter paces and organized outings).

Thanks!

[Highflyer]

I’m 5’3 with similar measurements, and I got the Ovation Flex Sport field boots. I got the regular boots in XXW, and they were a bit tall but dropped enough to be comfortable with heel lifts. They also come in plus size which offers a short height–they are more expensive than the regular, which is why I didn’t buy them, but it looks like they would work for you. They seem pretty nice and the leather is fairly soft and broke in quickly.

http://www.vtosaddlery.com/product/FB/OLFPFB.htm (plus)
http://www.vtosaddlery.com/product/FB/OLFSFB.htm (regular)

[otisrider]

Grand Prix half chaps may fit. I’ve got similar dimensions and they work for me.

[ladymcts]

I’m always hopeful of seeing someone with a larger number than mine … still disappointed. At my top form in high school I was 160lbs, could bench my weight and could leg press twice my weight.

I’m now cough a lot bigger than I was then, and a lot of that muscle has gone to flab. So I’m 5’7" with a 20-21" calf, with one larger than the other because I also tore my calf muscle a few years ago.

So I’ve had moderate success with “Perri’s” brand, which is relatively inexpensive. The suede ones I have are extremely flexible and forgiving.

First pair I bought lasted about 2 years with riding 2-3x a week and a fair amount of mud, dust, and lazy care. The under-boot straps came off first, and then the stitching disintegrated by the zipper.

The second pair I bought was an inch taller, in spite of the exact same size markings, so I have to admit that their quality control must not be very good. For that one the boot straps came loose much sooner, and actually I realized that kind of liked not having to fuss with them, not really sure why they are needed. So I’ve been using them another 2 years or so. They are lasting just as well or better than the first pair.

Third pair i bought just to have some on hand that aren’t all muddy, sweaty, nasty looking, in case I want to join friends on a fox hunt or otherwise dress up for some public event. (A girl can dream …) Size wise, it’s more like the first pair I bought and I think I’ll be very happy with them. But they stay in the package they came in until needed.

Point being … they are relatively inexpensive, can be gotten from Amazon, and Amazon has great customer serivce and return policies.

Edited to add product info:
My tree trunks need size XXX large, which is only offered in the suede model , and at Perri’s website that runs $44.

http://www.perrisleather.com/pc_product_detail.asp?key=86EE96DF647142ACB7BB61031C4FE191

[moving_to_dc]

Thanks guys! I appreciate it!

I also forgot one HUGE factor in my original post - the tread on the boots needs to be pretty “grippy”. I will be riding and working in the boots, but I also will be sidewalking handicapped riders for MILES on very very hilly and rough trails - not groomed beautiful flat surfaces - but leaf covered, rocky, tree root covered trails. I need to be able to stay upright and walk up hills and not be sliding backward.

Right now I ride and sidewalk in a pair of Red Wing boots: http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/8675-red-wing-shoes/8675-red-wing-mens-5-inch-hiker-boot-brown that are AWESOME for handling the trails, but honestly not the best for riding due to the tread.

[Hinderella]

While custom boots may be too expensive, perhaps custom half chaps or full chaps would not be over budget. Try Journeyman Saddlers in Middleburg. They make custom chaps, I bet they would make a nice st of half chaps.

[FatCatFarm]

A suggestion worth considering IMHO are the Tuff Rider Sport and Wellesley tall boots via Dover. Here’s the Sport which is currently on sale for $99 but in limited sizes: http://www.doversaddlery.com/tuffrider-sport-dress-tall-boot/p/X1-380522/

I was tired of my stiff as a stove pipe Ariat Tempos and picked up a pair of the Wellesley tall dress boots and absolutely love them! They’re very pretty if you like the buttery soft leather, custom fitted look, and are SUPER comfortable. Same for the Sport version. Completely broken in, right out of the box! They have an elastic band down the back of the shaft, next to the zipper which provides forgiving flexibility. I was going to use them to school in, but they’re so pretty and comfortable, I’m going to save them to show in and continue using my half chaps and paddock boots for schooling (both Ariat brand). My Ariat Tempos will be cleaned up good and put into the closet as a back up pair or if I ever make it to doing upper level dressage (ha!). But I love being able to really feel my horse with my lower legs and didn’t care for the stiffness of the Tempos.

Anyway, I would definitely give them a look. I picked up the Wellesleys off of Stateline Tack for $224. Happy shopping.

[NurseHorsey]

Avoid Ariat half-chaps - I currently have a pair and love them but nearly every pair of any type I tried on required herculean strength to get around my calves. They’re super supple and grippy but oh my lord, I swear they cut them a 1/2 inch too short! My legs are pretty “normal” and it took 2-3 rides for the half chaps to stretch to a point where I can comfortably zip them up without sweating through the attempt!

[FatCatFarm]

I’ve had my Ariat half chaps for nearly 20 years and they’re still in extremely good shape with minimal care and even the zippers are very sound. I’m 5’3" and have a “regular” calf as to length and width. The Ariat paddock boots (center zip) I’ve had have held up well too and I am hard on them. Having said that, no, my Ariats are not particularly stretchy. The Perris are though. My daughter is on her 2nd set and I’ve bought both sets off of Amazon. They’ve held up well too.

[anon40672407]

I recall tailoring the Ariat Half Chaps (the ones with the elastic panel. I took them in at the elastic area, using the same stitch holes in the leather.) And I found some great canvas half chaps in Ireland (don’t recall the name) that I could tailor as well.

So, if you can find half chaps that suit your calves, you can have the base tailored, or DIY if you are at all handy.

[NurseHorsey]

[QUOTE=FatCatFarm;8300949]
I’ve had my Ariat half chaps for nearly 20 years and they’re still in extremely good shape with minimal care and even the zippers are very sound. I’m 5’3" and have a “regular” calf as to length and width. The Ariat paddock boots (center zip) I’ve had have held up well too and I am hard on them. Having said that, no, my Ariats are not particularly stretchy. The Perris are though. My daughter is on her 2nd set and I’ve bought both sets off of Amazon. They’ve held up well too.[/QUOTE]

Exactly! I love my Ariat half chaps but good lord, they are the least stretchy things ever! Makes for a great fit once you have them broken in but the process of getting there was really a process.

[BilyandJack]

I’ve never used ariat half chaps but I think you will have good luck with their tall boots. I have bigger calves 16" more of 16.5 with breeches and I am only in a regular calf with the heritage contour boots. These boots have a “short” option as well. They are very stretchy and are slim in the ankle area. I have very small ankles too!

[cuse]

[QUOTE=FatCatFarm;8300927]
A suggestion worth considering IMHO are the Tuff Rider Sport and Wellesley tall boots via Dover. Here’s the Sport which is currently on sale for $99 but in limited sizes: http://www.doversaddlery.com/tuffrider-sport-dress-tall-boot/p/X1-380522/[/QUOTE]

Second this. I had a pair of the Ovation Flex Sports that Highflyer mentioned, but I found the TuffRider Sports fit me MUCH better. My calves are 14+", and I had a wide calf in the Ovations (based on the size chart), but found they were too roomy, especially in the ankle area, which led to blisters. Tried on the TuffRider Sports during a Dover tent sale and bought them on the spot. One caveat - I don’t think the sizing for the TuffRiders is accurate. Based on their chart, my calf should be a regular. However, I walked away with extra-slims (which, according to the size chart, should be at least 1" too small for me). They fit like a glove and have stretchy panels on the front and the back of the boot, so I believe they stretch more than the size chart accounts for. If it’s possible for you to try them on, or if you’re willing to make a $99 gamble, I would highly recommend them!

[drawstraws]

I have a pair of SmartPak’s Harwich half chaps and LOVE them! You order by the calf size and height. $90.

[ddashaq]

I have had good luck with Ariat half chaps. My calves are not short but are big and their XL fits perfectly. I have not personally had a huge issue getting them on, but my Covingtons have taken some breaking in. The other three pairs I own had zero breaking in, they were comfortable the first time I wore them. With 17" calves, I have had zero luck finding boots that didn’t look hideous.

[newtoriding]

Same dilemma!! Anyone here tried to get the Ovation Flex Field Boot taken in by a cobbler? Husband just bought me a pair in 8W Short. They fit in the center of my calf but are way too big for my ankle and at the top of the boot. I took them to a local cobbler who said taking them in would ruin the boot. They were an anniversary gift, so I don’t want to sell them (wore them out once, so return unlikely), but it seems like I won’t be able to ride in them. Seems the best way to go is save and get custom.

[Always_WIP]

I’m about the same size and I got the Tredstep Deluxe Half Chaps.​​ They’re super form fitting, lovely, and so far holding up well. You choose your height and width so they’re customizable. They do drop a bit so you should be fine in the 16" height.

If you want photos let me know! As another short and wide calf person I feel your pain.

[soloudinhere]

You really can’t change your footwear between riding and side walking?

if we are being realistic, footwear that is meant for riding is not meant for aggressively hiking miles in.

[SharonA]

Well, since someone here needs to be cheap, and it sounds like these are for getting down and dirty, I will offer that I absolutely love my Dublin Easy-Care (meaning, not-leather-but-honestly-who-is-looking) half chaps. The size XL fits my short rotund legs appropriately. I don’t like half-chaps to be super tight . When they get really dirty, I throw them in the washing machine, or I just hose them off. They are soft and comfortable. They’re around $25.

[yaya]

You may like the Tuff Rider Plus Rider Dress boots. They have a short version, along with wide calf, they are not stiff (so will settle quickly if too tall) and they are very comfy to walk in. The tread is ridged, not smooth.

https://www.adamshorsesupplies.com/tuff-rider-plus-rider-dress-boot-204365

Size chart:
https://www.adamshorsesupplies.com/tuff_rider_plus_rider_dress_boot_size_chart