I prefer heidi-whoa 
Quinn, I believe you’ve hit that proverbial nail on the head - looking the part should count for something.
I wear the Tred Step half chaps. When it is 85+ degrees outside and high humidity, I can’t stand the full chaps! 
I understand the benfits of half chaps, but then you miss out on the fun of designing custom made chaps!!![/B][/QUOTE]
No way, almost all of the custom chap companies are making half chaps for a fraction of the price. I ordered a pair at Jax Winter that have custom stripes, piping, fringe, and even a beaded monogram on each leg 
I love 'em!! Right now I use Milano Gaiters but have been through several brands (and have had them in black, brown, and my beloved fave: navy blue! )
But - half chaps are NOT TRENDY! NOT NEW! NOT A FAD!
I’ve had them since the early 1980s when a friend of mine made a pair out of scraps of leather he had lying around…I guess I beta tested them!
I wear mine with jeans usually, sometimes with breeches. And for winter I have a beeyootiful pair of fleecelined black suede half chaps!!! 
HAHA we finally got Nora to buy tailored sportsman and we still have to do her hair at the shows sometimes!!! At YCHS she took 3 of my hair nets and I got none back
Yet another “tredstep” post. I too wear them, they’re washable too and cheap enough relative to wearing out custom boots / chaps. Personally I think they should always be worn over breeches and not jeans…its the one “look” my trainer actually expressed an opinion on…something along the lines of “ride dressed like that and you can ride out back in the fields where I can’t see ya”…this from a man with no opinions on all the other horsey fashion items.
Am I the only one who has never even heard of Custom Half Chaps? I think tha tTredsteps do just fine. I am not even a fan of fringed half chaps.
TREDSTEPS!!! I can just throw them over my jeans on hot days and VOILA!!! soooo comfy, fit me like customs.
To the person who said Tredsteps weren’t tall enough… did you actually go to a tack shop and try them on? b/c they come in any combination of calf widths and leg heights, and if the store doesn’t carry the right size, you can call Hadfields and order a pair in the right size combo
I am on my first pair of Tredsteps and wondered how you all clean yours. I get the major stuff off with a hard brush but I’m not sure how to clean the suede. Also, does the elastic bottom hold up or do you have to get it replaced?
By the way, I love wearing mine and as far as the “jean” thing…I ride in my jeans and when I leave the barn I don’t have to change to do other things for the rest of the day. I agree there is a slight bloomer effect but to me, the convenience aspect wins
Okay, I have never caved in to the desire to own the aforementioned but now I have an inexplicable need for them.
What can you tell me about them? Are they actually of any use or are they just silly, trendy things? I do tend to be a big fan of grand prix (because they’re Canadian) but would really appreciate opinions here.
I have a pair of the old-style suede half chaps. Yes, they are ugly! However, I love them for two reasons: I use them when it is hot outside, and you’ll roast in full chaps. Also, I tend to put my boots on for shows and feel like a loose goose because I am so used to the full-leg grip of chaps. With half chaps, you get used to gripping with just your lower leg and they have a “tall boot feel”. The only beef I have with mine is that there is so much leather around the ankle, spurs are uncomfortable. I think with the Tredstep/Ariats this problem is eliminated.
One vote for Ariat (can’t get TredSteps here). But only over breeks!! I also have the custom chaps, try to wear them only when it’s really cold, so I have something ‘warmer’ to fall back on in the really nasty weather. I’ve ridden down to -20 here, it’s not humid at all, so it’s ok as long as you and the horse are adventurous.
For me?? No no no…can’t stand half chaps. I’ve tried on many different brands and many different sizes. Can’t stand 'em. I’ll still to my full chaps or my tall boots, thank ya very much.
~Erin
well I’ve put my swede Half Chaps and Full Chaps into the washing machine and then hang to dry. The first few rides will be stiff but the will break in again. It is so much fun to see what color is lurking under all that dirt.
I will just say that my custom made chaps will go with me to the grave…I am not a fan of half chaps, but on the other hand…my mother swears by them. She has the Tredsteps I believe. They stay on her legs about all day!!
I understand the benfits of half chaps, but then you miss out on the fun of designing custom made chaps!!!
One word, Tredstep
i give half-chaps a VERY enthuisiastic two-thumbs up!!! SO comfy, So easy, and they don’t even look bad!! What could be better? Ariats are good. Everyone reccomends tredsteps, I might get a pair of them for my next pair. We’ll see…but def. good!
I LOVE my Ariats, becasue they are nice and stiff like real boots but cooler in the summer, also they have lasted 4 years very nicely and for $99, you can’t beat it. Still I think I will get the gaiter style next time, because they look even more bootlike.
Blech.
I personally love mine. Quicker in and out of than boots. I still use them over breeches though. Since my dimensions have changed over the years, get the drift, I am not comfortable riding in jeans. Prefer half chaps over full chaps because you don’t have that wad of leather at your knee. Again personal shape is a consideration here. My skinny friends do not have that feeling about full chaps.
I did not spend a fortune on my half chaps, think they are the on sale Dover Practical Choice ones, have used them for about two years, little strap at top is wearing out on one but other than that I like 'em.
