Love my Half-chaps, BUT...

[PoohLP]

…The buttons drive me crazy. They are the Tredstep DeLuxe half-chaps and after the first few months, I could never close one of ones at the foot and and time went by, the others also became hard to work.

Now, after several years, it is time for a new pair, so I’m trying to decide whether to just deal with the button problem (since the chaps are great overall) or try something else. I know I want something with full leather and the higher back to accommodate a spur.

What half chaps do you guys like?

[PoohLP]

I can’t believe there are no opinions. Everyone has half chaps they either love or hate!

[Arcadien]

Love my Ariat Concords! Although I did struggle with managing the back zip until I whined about it here and someone asked if I was trying to do it standing up (I was). Sitting down fixed that problem.

The buttons are a bit hard to close, I have to press it almost uncomfortably on my calf to get it to snap.

But otherwise I totally love them - comfortable fit and I love how the spanish top makes my leg look.

I had to order & return a few pairs before I found the ones I loved. Good luck!

[Appsolute]

I am very happy with my Ariat Condords as well.

I have been riding in them 4-6 days per week for about 5 years now! The leather, zipper, and snap are still in great shape - but the stretch panel has become very stretched in the last few months - looking to replace them soon.

I get a lot of compliments on them, and for the $89 I spent on them (on sale at Dover) I have been more than happy.

[RPM]

I love my Dublins:

http://www.statelinetack.com/item/dublin-ladies-suede-half-chaps/SLT653220/

But I don’t think they are the kind you are looking for. They have snaps, not buttons, and although occasionally one of the snaps will come undone, or be hard to snap, I still love them.

[emipou]

[QUOTE=PoohLP;7757611]
…The buttons drive me crazy. They are the Tredstep DeLuxe half-chaps and after the first few months, I could never close one of ones at the foot and and time went by, the others also became hard to work.

Now, after several years, it is time for a new pair, so I’m trying to decide whether to just deal with the button problem (since the chaps are great overall) or try something else. I know I want something with full leather and the higher back to accommodate a spur.

What half chaps do you guys like?[/QUOTE]

I’ve got opinions for you… I’m a really difficult case though. I have wide calves. I’m now about 17" but was 19" a year ago. So I had to have custom ones made for me until I could fit into store-bought chaps. I now have the SmartPak Harwich halfchaps. I think they are great. Very light-weight and affordable. They look good, they clean well, the button and zipper are good quality. They have a small stripof hidden elastic to help ensure a good fit. I can wear spurs under or over the them. I like them. Oh, and I’m wearing these chaps about 5-6 days a week. I’ve had them for a few months now, they’re staying in great shape.

[toady123]

[QUOTE=Arcadien;7758057]
Love my Ariat Concords! Although I did struggle with managing the back zip until I whined about it here and someone asked if I was trying to do it standing up (I was). Sitting down fixed that problem. [/QUOTE]

I tried these once in a tack shop, and after performing a variety of acrobatic maneuvers that would have qualified me for any national gymnastics team I could Not.Get.Them.On.

I will never ever buy a pair of back zip chaps. I don’t know if it’s the chaps or I’m just a numpty but they are a GIANT pain to get done up.

[UlysMom]

I adore my JustChaps, but I have to order them from the UK since they no longer have a distributor here (unless someone knows something I don’t. If you do, please share!). Comfortable and totally durable. I ride in them at least 5 days a week, from 15 mile climbs to jumping/dressage lessons to chasing cows…and everything in between. 2 years and they are in amazing shape. Zippers rock on these things!

[Credosporthorses]

I have D’yon half chaps that I absolutely love. Have held up great over the last three years.

[Appsolute]

[QUOTE=toady123;7758199]
I tried these once in a tack shop, and after performing a variety of acrobatic maneuvers that would have qualified me for any national gymnastics team I could Not.Get.Them.On.

I will never ever buy a pair of back zip chaps. I don’t know if it’s the chaps or I’m just a numpty but they are a GIANT pain to get done up.[/QUOTE]

Its so weird - I have a big calf - my concords were EXTRA tight when I first got them, I have had ZERO issues zipping them up. Guess I have a secret technique?

Sitting to standing, I position the chaps, turn my heel inward, reach from the inside of the leg, start the zipper - and zip them right up! Never once struggled (besides the tightness).

But I have heard multiple people on COTH say that they just can’t get bottom zip / back zip chaps on. I don’t get it!!

@Credosporthorses;7758228

I have D’yon half chaps that I absolutely love. Have held up great over the last three years.

These look nice - but $350 to $425 for half chaps :eek:

[Somantu]

Blew the zipper on my left boot yesterday. (Horse was all tacked up and ready to go.) Today my half-chaps came out of storage… and I was reminded how much I love them!

http://www.prochaps.com/

Great fit, super comfortable, durable, easy to put on and take off, clean up easily and nicely. What more could you want?

[Goforward]

I just bought some Ariat Breeze half chaps. They close at the bottom with Velcro.
BAD IDEA. At the end of the first ride the right side zipper popped open and the Velcro is now forever encrusted in chestnut Hanoverian hair : ( Also I think they were made for magical riders who don’t need spurs because the backs are so low I cant figure out how exactly my spurs are supposed to share space with the half chaps.
Right after my first ride, the new Smartpak catalog arrived showing their new Harwich half chaps that are really nice and high in the back. I know my spurs would work with those ones! Too bad the darn catalog didn’t get to my mailbox a few days sooner.

[equiniphile]

I haven’t had any problems with my Ariat Breeze half chaps. They stay shut when I’m riding and are washable to boot (no pun intended!).

[groomette]

I have a pair of Ovation suede half chaps and they are really nice. They also come in a wide variety of sizes based on calf width and leg length. These: http://www.ovationriding.com/half-chaps/ovation-precision-fit-suede-half-chaps-468497

I also won a pair of Outback Leather custom smooth leather half chaps on ebay (for $10!) that are super nice too. Very well made and sturdy feeling.