Surely I’m not the only one who has this problem! My Ariat Brossard paddock boots are nice and warm, but bulky. My regular half chaps do not fit over them.
Last year I bought some inexpensive Ovation half chaps, and they are very stretchy. They do indeed fit over the winter boots. But they are not stiff enough to stay up, and they slide down my leg and bunch at the calf.
If I go to a smaller size, they will not fit over the paddock boots.
Anyone with other suggestions?!?
No suggestions, but I have the exact same problem with my older Ariat winter paddocks. A few years ago, I bought a pair of cheap canvas half chaps that stretched enough to fit over them, but they broke and I can’t find them anymore. So I’ve been forced to wear my tall winter boots or just suck it up and ride without half chaps. I have the calf pinch-marks to prove it!
I hope someone else here has an idea… thanks for posting 
The Dover brand “Rider International” suede pair I have fit over some pretty clunky boots. The pair I have are fairly old so I’m not sure if the newer ones do. They may not be stiff enough though but I’ve used them for both on the flat and over fences.
I don’t know if this would work, but there are suede half chaps with velcro tabs down the side instead of zippers. It might allow you to tighten the top part while loosening the bottom of the chaps for the boot tops.
I think I have those exact same paddock boots, and they are definitely bulky.
Not cheap, but I have a pair of ProChaps that are a size too big (the place that fitted me put me in the wrong size). I ended up getting a second pair for summer that fit better, and this bigger pair fits perfectly over those boots. Even though they’re pricey, the ProChaps are worth the money. Mine are going on something like 7-8 years or more and they are still in great shape.
I have three pairs of chaps in three different sizes. I don’t have the problem of chaps not fitting over boots but I wear thermals under breeches (those are also a size or two to big). My summer chaps are a true fit, then I have fall/spring/felt like wearing jeans chaps and a pair of thermal winter chaps that I wear if it is cold enough for multiple layers.
It doesn’t negatively effect my riding and works for me.
My winter boots are also a half size two big (or whole size, I forget) and I wear to pair of socks or my really thick wool socks with them.
I have a pair of the ProChaps that fit over my Mountain Horse Rimfrost paddock boots and they are definitely clunky. But, the ProChaps seem to stretch on the bottom half and they fit. As someone said above, they are not cheap but you can find them on clearance at times.
Is it just the elastic stirrup at the bottom that is at issue? I’ve had that before, and also had issues with them being snug over my thick winter breeches. Honestly, in my thickest winter breeches, I didn’t need the half chaps. But the other option was to have the elastic modified - an insert to allow more stretch over the bigger boot, yet still tighten over summer boots.
I have those paddock boots and I just bought a second pair of leather half chaps in a bigger size so they fit over them. The leather half chaps are sturdy enough that they do not fall down even though, at the top, there is some wiggle room because of the larger size. I just use the bigger half chaps when I have my winter boots on and then my regular ones otherwise.
I have just ridden without when I wear my heavy duty winter paddock boots. I’ve also considered just cutting the elastic strap that goes under the boot on a pair of old half chaps. Even when I move to a new pair, I keep the old pair. So I have several old extremely worn half chaps that I could try it on.
I have the same winter paddock boots. I have two pairs of half chaps. The ones that fit over my winter boots i have had for quite a while and they have stretched out. I managed to fit them over my boots with breeches and long underwear. The first few times I did this they were super tight and hard to get done up. But given time they stretch and fit great now. I keep my other half chaps for summer riding.
I ended up just buying the winter tall boots. I love mine.
Before I did that I bought a cheap Velcro pair that way I could fasten it tighter up on the top and looser on the bottom.
[QUOTE=LilyandBaron;8996307]
Is it just the elastic stirrup at the bottom that is at issue? [/QUOTE]
It’s not actually the elastic stirrup. The circumference of the half chap is not large enough to go around the heavier-weight paddock boots. If I buy a large size half chap, then any part above the ankle is too large.
This is CLEARLY the best suggestion!
And look, everything is on sale…:winkgrin:
I wear Ariat terrains and use a Dubin half chaps that I got at Dover. Luckily we have a store here so I got to try a few pairs. Also don’t pay attention to size as they do stretch and tried a few pairs in same size and brand but just like most women clothes these days every pair fit differently. I wish I’d bought two. My DH has lovely leather half chaps from Ariat that are a PIA so he also got the Dublin and very happy with them and how easy they are to put on. I bought the smalls and have been using them for about two years with no problem getting then on with the Terrains and I have Skinny legs . Also they are cheap…
Millbrook does a custom ankle option on their half chaps, I was debating ordering a set as I have the same problem with my winter paddock boots!
My moxie half-chaps fit over the clunky and the refined and haven’t stretched out in three years of year round use.
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