Half Chap recommendations - replace Grand Prix full leather half chaps

[pattnic]

Looking for some recommendations on half chaps to replace my Grand Prix half chaps. Ideally, I would just buy a new pair of the same style (the full leather style - http://frantisi.com/grand_prix-half_chaps.php?p=1.1.1), but they have become very difficult to find. Prior to that, I had the Dover Riding Sport Contrast half chap (which I’m pretty sure were made by Grand Prix at the time), but the quality changed at some point (which was when I switched to Grand Prix)… and they’re on closeout, anyway.

I’ve looked at the Tredstep Deluxe and the Tredstep Custom Fit half chaps, as well as Ariat Covingtons and Monoacos… but I just don’t know that I’m sold on any of them. I’m also interested in the Tredstep Pro-G2 half chaps, as well as the Grand Prix Elite and Grand Prix Stretch Leather half chaps, but haven’t seen them in person.

Thoughts? Experiences? How does sizing run on any of the above? (I found that a 15-17 was a decent fit in the Tredstep Deluxe and 14-17 was a good fit in the Custom Fit).

Thanks!

[GaMare]

I have the Ariat Close Contact which I’m really happy with. http://www.doversaddlery.com/ariat®-close-contact-half-chaps/p/X1-35115/
They’re full leather and back zip. They’re nice enough I’d use as an emergency substitute if a dress boot zipper breaks.

[KateKat]

I love the Ariat Breeze. I also had a pair of Prochaps that finally bit the dust after probably 5 years of regular use.

[billiebob]

I have these Horze half chaps and I love them. They’re REALLY nice in person and quite durable. I’ve had mine for about 2 years, ride daily, slop through muck and mud and don’t clean them nearly as often as I should, and they still look almost brand new after a good scrubbing (or a round through the washing machine…with regular detergent…bad, I know). I was a 17/19 in Tredsteps and take an XXL in these.

http://www.horze.com/half-chaps/horze-soft-leather-half-chaps/37246.html

[fancy_stitched]

I am really disappointed with the quality of my Tredsteps. I ride a couple of horses a few days a week- nothing major. On one leg, the “crinkly” stretchy leather on the back has peeled away , leaving the thin cloth lining.

[Everlong274]

my trainer rode in the side zip leather tredsteps for years before she got her customs. 5-6 horses a day, and they held up for her really well. Usually got 1.5-2 years out of them. A lot of trainers I know ride in them actually. They looks really nice on.

[keatssu]

The Harwich half chaps from SmartPak are quite nice and very reasonably priced. I can’t speak to the durability - I’ve had them for a few weeks. Compared to the Tredstep Deluxe, they are softer, have less elastic and are more tight fitting (same size). I had a bit of a struggle getting them zipped up the first few times, but my expensive custom half chaps were the same way. The Tredsteps, in my experience stretch out a lot.

[Pancakes]

I have the Tredstep Custom Fit half chaps which do NOT have “crinkly leather” - they are smooth all the way around. They have held up for over a year for me. I ride 4 times a week. I love them and love the look of them. I got mine from Smartpak. They have a guarantee of quality – the first pair’s zipper broke after a month and Smartpak replaced them no charge, and the new pair has lasted well over a year and a half now.

[AffirmedHope]

I have the Tredstep Deluxe. I just bought them. My previous pair were Tredsteps, but the lower end, suede version. They last about 4 years with hard riding. The new ones were a bit of a pain to break in, but they did so quickly and molded to my leg nicely.

[shadowanne]

I plan on buying a new pair of Grand Prix in the upcoming weeks to replace my current pair. I considered a diff brand, but can’t find one with the specs I need (15 calf, 16 height). I did order the Tredstep Deluxe from SP but they wouldn’t even zip, over an inch too narrow at calf (and I actually measure 14.5) and also a bit too tall. So they went back.

I had no trouble finding the full leather GPs on several websites which appear to be in stock. I plan to buy from here as it was the cheapest pricing - I have not called to see if what they are actually stocking though.

http://www.saddlesource.com/grand-prix-leather-half-chaps.html

I would consider Ariats, I actually have a pair that I show in, but not a fan of the zipper going up instead of down. I find it MUCH more annoying to put on.

[Foxinthesouth]

Hoping I am posting in the right place- didn’t want to start another thread about a well worn topic. I recently purchased Grand Prix leather chaps (not the elite) and after a month the leather started peeling from the accordion stretch back.
My local tack shop is taking care of the issue and it seems that Grand Prix made a running change to this model. The new ones have a stretch elastic panel that’s not accordion style. Does anyone have experience with these? I can’t find reviews anywhere online and I want to make sure these will hold up.
I love the fit and quality, but these are the most expensive ones I’ve ever purchased and they better last. I was able to try some on in the store and I like what I saw. Just waiting for my size to come in.

[pattnic]

The ones I was trying to replace many years ago were like what you are describing - a stretch leather panel rather than the accordion style. I can’t speak to what the quality will be like now, but I really liked the ones I had.
I ended up getting a now-discontinued style of Tredstep half chaps, but eventually changed over to riding in tall boots all the time.