Schooling tall boots or half chaps - recommend the indestructable and pretty?

[puzzle]

I have just killed my annual pair of paddock boots and half chaps. I had switched from schooling in tall boots a while back but I’m considering returning to them (when I switched options like the Ariat Volants didn’t yet exist). Before I reorder the Ariat Close Contour chaps, I wanted to ask about other options that folks have had success with.

Please recommend half chaps OR tall boots with the following attributes:

• schooling or show style (will be for home use only, so doesn’t have to be “boring”)
• very durable (should last 1 year +, 3 horses a day, 6-7 days a week)
• available to fit 15-15.5 inch calf, 20 inches from floor to back of knee; if tall boots, need to fit a US 10 foot
• under $500
• professional look (no suede/synthetics)

I’ve heard good things about the Ego7s but the pair of field boots I tried on a couple years ago did not remotely fit, despite what the size chart claimed. I’m usually a large/tall or a regular/tall in Ariat, and a large/tall in Ovation in the one pair of half chaps I have had from them.

Recommend something for me? I’m open to custom as long as it’s within budget.

[touchstone]

My go-tos are the Ariat Devon Pro paddock boots, which typically run around $200, and the Tredstep Deluxe Half Chaps, which are usually around $150. I ride about the same amount you do. I usually wear through about one pair of half chaps a year. The boots last about two years. But both products are comfortable and durable, and I like that you can replace one or the other part when it wears out, and that you have more choices in sizing since you’re buying leg and foot separately. I find the footbed in the top of the line Ariats way more comfortable than any tall boot.

Since I know what I use, I am constantly scouring the internet for closeouts, so I can usually get each item below retail. Ariat, in particular, changes the model slightly from time to time, so you can sometimes get a deal on last year’s model.

I know a lot of people have switched from chaps to tall boots all the time. But I don’t find them to be as good a solution if you do a lot of riding. YMMV.

[licketysplit]

I school in paddock boots and custom half chaps. I swear by dehner paddock boots. My current pair is 5 years old. They are not cheap but they last. I ride 2 horses a day. They key though is I take them off to bathe my horses or clean stalls. That is killer on leather. I like perfect and tight fitting half chaps so I go custom. Plus it’s fun to pick a piping color or design.

[SolarFlare]

If you decide to stay with the half chaps, I highly recommend ProChaps. They have a ton of different sizes - I was able to fit my chicken legs beautifully. I finally replaced my original pair after more than 10 years of use (and the originals are still usable, but the inner calf leather is separating and I found a new pair on sale).

I’ve been asked if mine are custom because they fit so well!

[twixNnater]

I show in my more casual and cheap Parlantis. https://parlantiinternational.com/sh…l-field-boots/
They have a flat, but flexible gusset on the back that makes them super comfortable, but they don’t slip down.

[GoodTimes]

I school in the Ariat tall boots, Heritage? I think?

My first pair lasted through 5 years of riding 1-2 horses 4-5 days/wk. I did eventually wear through the calf.
Current pair are just over a year old. I average 10 rides per week. No signs of wear, and I rarely clean them.

I wish they weren’t so big through the ankle but oh well. The Deniro’s that I show in are much prettier.

[Renn_aissance]

I’m headed out the door shortly so I didn’t check the size chart, but from one tall person to another:

I will probably still be wearing my Ariat Volants through the apocalypse. I think I’ve had them for 7 years at this point. I love them. I would never discourage anyone from getting a pair. If you get them, do not expect them to drop more than 1/2".

Half chaps: I bought and returned a ton of different styles looking for my current pair and have landed on Tredsteps, which I have found to be excellent quality.

[c0608524]

@SolarFlare

If you decide to stay with the half chaps, I highly recommend ProChaps. They have a ton of different sizes - I was able to fit my chicken legs beautifully. I finally replaced my original pair after more than 10 years of use (and the originals are still usable, but the inner calf leather is separating and I found a new pair on sale).

I’ve been asked if mine are custom because they fit so well!

Isn’t funny how people can be so different? I bought ProChaps because I loved them when I tried them on AND it’s a Canadian based company. I hate them. They’ve held up great but they have come un-zipped on me since day 1. Half way through my ride I’m stopping to zip them back down. I emailed the company questioning if I have a faulty pair and received no response.

I do however ride in blundstones and they’re a bit bulkier than other paddock boots, so perhaps that’s why they come unzipped? And although I hate them I won’t toss them - and they will not die.

[anon510129]

Here are my experiences/favorite items:

• Ariat paddock boots really last. I hate that they’re made in China, but I digress. I prefer the look of the Parlanti paddock boots but hate Parlanti quality. I’ve never owned the paddock boots so I can’t speak to that. They’re always on sale on European websites.
• Tucci half chaps look great & last. It’s hard to tell that they’re not tall boots.
• Higher price point, but my Fabbri boots just died after 6 years of severe abuse. Talking stall cleaning, washing horses & buckets, & riding multiple horses a day. Those run about $1200 new. I really just have to get the zippers replaced, leather is still in amazing shape.

[SolarFlare]

@c0608524

Isn’t funny how people can be so different? I bought ProChaps because I loved them when I tried them on AND it’s a Canadian based company. I hate them. They’ve held up great but they have come un-zipped on me since day 1. Half way through my ride I’m stopping to zip them back down. I emailed the company questioning if I have a faulty pair and received no response.

I do however ride in blundstones and they’re a bit bulkier than other paddock boots, so perhaps that’s why they come unzipped? And although I hate them I won’t toss them - and they will not die.

The only time mine come unzipped at the bottom is if I wear them over very bulky winter paddock boots (I have a pair that was fitted incorrectly and they’re a size too big so they are perfect for winter over fleece breeches and winter paddocks). The pair that actually fits properly doesn’t unzip, and I’ve had a few pairs of paddock boots under, both zip and lace. I think you’re right in that it’s because your boots are a little bulky (or maybe they’re not the right size?).

[puzzle]

FWIW: I ended up with Ariat paddock boots, Huntley halfchaps, and a bonus pair of Dublin Holywell tall boots that were upstairs at Smartpak in clearance. Out of all of them, the tall boots are what I am wearing the most (and they were the cheapest of the lot, as well!). Now, I just need something for the winter and I will be set…

[Greys4Days22]

I would personally go with Ariats - I have a pair that have lasted a few years riding 1-2 a day 6 days a week. They come in some fun styles that you couldn’t really show in but that are fun for at home, too. You could absolutely find some to fit your budget. I also think that the Mountain Horse brand has some really pretty ones, but I don’t have any personal experience with them.

[LadyB]

My Ariat Ellipse Tall Riding boots, I have a pair for showing and a pair for schooling. They schooling pair are amazing, and I think are around $300.00 Surprisingly durable. I didn’t have much hope as the quality of Ariat has gone down hill since my first pair of Close Contact half chaps. I bought a second pair of those and they died within a year.

My Ellipse though, have been amazing, I’m on year 3 right now, and they are still going strong, the lace broke this fall on my left boot, I can handle that. They’re like a second skin to me which is nice for a generic boot. Worth looking into IMO.

Riding 1 horse 6 days a week, with the odd second horse. Schooling cross country in them as well.