I have suddenly developed this intense desire to have some full chaps. SmartPak has a pair that looks pretty decent.
And I looked on Dover; they had this pair by the same company, but these are suede. They have another pair that I don’t like the look of, so those are out.
But, I was wondering, are either of these Barnstable chaps good? And where did you get your pair that you love? I can’t seem to find many options by just searching Google.
Oh dear. I school in a goofy pair of western chaps that I bought on sale from someone getting out of horses. They’re grey suede, and I love them. I love the fringe, super fun. lol
I’m not sure if I want fringe or not. In my mind’s eye I can see my goofy boy trying to eat it! I just want something comfortable; if western chaps are it, so be it 
I don’t know what brand mine are, but I think they were cheap ($100ish bucks or less.) They’re suede. I really like them and they fit me well (except for me having to cut excess off the bottom because I’m short, but that’s normal.) Though I will say, they are EXTREMELY warm. I find them comfortable only on the coldest of winter mornings - though out here our coldest mornings hardly dip under 30. When I lived in a colder climate I wore them more often, but now it seems like January is about the only month I get much wear out of them. Also, keep in mind they’ll stretch, so get them a little snug.
I love my full chaps. After many years I broke down and got a pair of custom journeymans. That was in 2000. Still wearing them. And I’m riding saddleseat now! Before that I spent many, many years of remaking western chaps.
I love the look of the smartpak pair. But then again, I really like top grain. It would depend on the leather quality though. Suede is always great - believe me, you’ll stick to the saddle. And you’ll be warm for winter riding. And they’ll wear forever.
I have some old prochaps - sort of like the athletic that’s currently on their site, but with fringe. I am in love with them - mostly because they had unique sizing that would fit my stumpy, super muscular calves and thighs. Best thing about them was that there was no break in period and they were instantly comfortable.
The pro chaps look great. I may have to try them . . .
I have a couple of pairs of the suede Barnstable chaps, off the rack, not their semi-customs, one is probably 12 years old and still in good shape.
They are pretty nice, decent leather, heavy duty zippers. Comfortable and wear like iron. Ovation makes some off the rack chaps, but they are not nearly as nice as the Barnstables…thin leather and don’t fit very well. I have seen the top grain Barnstables in the Smartpak sale loft, but didn’t really like the leather…thinner and stiffer than the suede.
Barnstable is very easy to work with, I was considering ordering some semi-customs last year (their small fits me very well, except they are bit short)…my calves are actually two slightly different sizes, I called them and they told me I could have two different width legs (small calf on one, xsmall calf on the other) for only $10 more. Plus, I like giving my business to a local company when possible ;).
Do get them tight, like tall boots, just barely able to get the zipper up, as they stretch faily quickly.
I had a pair of the suede semi-custom Barnstable chaps back in the day (mid to late 90’s). They wore like iron, and I loved them. Seeing as how that was almost 20 years ago, I cannot speak to their quality today.
For the money, I really prefer chaps by Larocque. They are all made by a woman in NC (well, according to the website she is now in KS- who knew!), she is wonderful, and her chaps are very nice. I have a pair of semi-custom off the rack chaps which were not insanely expensive, but they look like they were! http://www.larocquechaps.com/home.html
I’d have to double check, but I think the chaps I have from the 90’s are barnstable. However, I cannot wear them as they no longer fit 
but for seven years of constant use they wore like iron and I wouldn’t hesitate to wear them today if they would zip up!
I really love the look of a full chap with fringe. I haven’t gotten a pair though because at the moment I’d rather put my money to something else and I remember how different I felt once I went from full chaps to boots and breeches.
I recall them giving me much more stick-um and a sense of security. I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with that difference once in breeches since I’m only riding a few days a week and want to make sure I stay on at a show:)
[QUOTE=comingback;7269037]
… how different I felt once I went from full chaps to boots and breeches.
I recall them giving me much more stick-um and a sense of security. I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with that difference once in breeches since I’m only riding a few days a week and want to make sure I stay on at a show:)[/QUOTE]
THIS^^ is what I remember back in my hunter days. Still have the chaps, have used on riding vacations, but did not like how odd the boots and breeches felt at shows. Now ride always in boots and breeches.
I have the suede Barnstable off-the-rack chaps, and my husband has a pair of the semi-custom full grain ones, and we both really like them! I really only wear mine when it’s absolutely freezing and windy out, as I prefer the feel of breeches in general, but they’re super nice for the price. The posters who said they wear like iron are right, these things are pretty much indestructible. Go for it!
sigh
I have a gorgeous pair of chocolate brown custom journeymans sitting in the bottom of my tack trunk. I’ll never wear them here. And now I’m sad.
ybiaw, it can be done, really! We did it all the time. In August, even.
But you do have to be acclimated. 
And once you are acclimated you will need them for those cold WPB mornings. 
(of course I have NEVER given up my full chaps so I am biased in this regard. I have half chaps and every now and then I ride in them,but its pretty much full chaps, every ride. Year 'round.)
I have a pair of Journeyman full chaps that I got when I was fifteen. Thought I was so cool. They still fit, but I have not worn them in about a year. I wear them when it gets chilly out. I forgot how much they grip, until I put them on.
I love mine, full grain black leather, purple and white piping with grey snakeskin trim. My initials monogrammed on the hip and a nice pattern on the back strap. I’ll have to break them out when it drops below 75/80 which it has been all darn week.
I had a pair of the suede Barnstable full chaps and I wore them all over the place as a kid. Wore like iron and I sold them on after four years of hard use. I would buy again if they were the same quality as back then.
Gosh - thanks for reminding me about my chaps! Just the other night I came home complaining how my legs were SO COLD and I just could not get them warm after riding at night.
I have a pair of custom chaps sitting at home that I received as a graduation present in 1997! I need to take them out to the barn and use them for colder nights! (and I am sure they still fit, because I still wear my Millers breeches also from 1997!)
Mine are smooth leather - easier to clean, I think they wear better. And mine have fringe short fringe, but they still have that slap/tap noise when you post, an audible metronome!
I do agree with others that riding in chaps feels very different than riding in tall boots and breeches. For this reason my eq. coach did not allow riding in chaps unless you were going out for a hack (and chaps were SO cool back then, I always wished I could wear some!)
Oh - and chaps take some break in! They should be VERY tight at first, makes it HARD to bend your knees - I remember seeking out the highest mounting blocks possible to crawl on with my straight legs! But, they then stretch out to your knees, mold to your legs, and become wonderful.
DMK - I’ve only been here 2.5 years. I think I’ll need a little more acclimation time before I’m willing to try the full chaps in august. :eek:
I love them. I can fake some mighty good eq in them. LOL
[QUOTE=janedoe726;7269022]
For the money, I really prefer chaps by Larocque. They are all made by a woman in NC (well, according to the website she is now in KS- who knew!), she is wonderful, and her chaps are very nice. I have a pair of semi-custom off the rack chaps which were not insanely expensive, but they look like they were! http://www.larocquechaps.com/home.html[/QUOTE]
My Larocque chaps are so soft and fit like a glove! Anette is now in Kansas, but was in NY prior to that… she hasn’t lived in NC in a few years. If you can find a local shop that measures for her, I would spend the money and go custom. I don’t have an off the rack full chaps kind of body though so more power to you if you can wear off the rack! I have been 100% satisfied with my custom full and half chaps from Larocque. And my full chaps keep me toasty warm in the Colorado winters.
I love mine - I think they are Barnstable - bought off the rack and then adjusted to fit me. It seems the only time I don’t wear them is when I am lessoning - then it’s full seats. I do wear them year round - even in summer - after all, cowboys do!
Awesome! Thanks for all the great reviews! I’ll do some more research and make sure I get them fitted right.
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