[HappyJoy]

I'm considering getting a pair of half chaps. I am completely ignorant about them however, and have never so much as seen them in person. My first question is, do you think I even need them? I take one lesson a week, and if I have time I ride at home a few more times. At home I don't ride english, I more putter around. Is it even worth it to get them and wear them once a week?

Do they only fit over jods or skinny ankle jeans, or could you fold wider legs over and get the chaps on top? Or will I look like a moron wearing them with jeans anyway? What sort of boots are they meant to be worn with?

How do you size them? I know if I bought new that companies would have size charts, but if I get them they will be second-hand cheapies since they wouldn't get much use. Basically, what do you think I need to know about half-chaps?

[terrifictay77]

Half chaps are nice when you do a lot of work out without stirrups. I've always worn mine with paddock-type boots, and with any regular pair of jeans.

As for sizing, I don't really know. I had the tack store owner help me out with that.

That's the best pic I have wearing them (and I do know my postion isn't so hot in this pic too )

[sammiee]

well i swear by mine, i wear them over my trainers, johdpur boots, mucker boots. i bought mine from a tack shop new so i just tried them on so i dont know about sizing. i dont just limit mine to riding i wear them evertime im going down the yard

[sammiee]

lol one use ive found with mine is when mucking stables, well more so bedding back down, my half chaps prevents straw from going down the inside of my shoe. *which really irrates me * lol

[luvs2ride79]

I wear half chaps quite a bit. I find them help stabalize my leg. I wear them over everything from Jeans to boot cut jods, to boot cut jeans. Mine stretch well and have no problems over any kind of pants. I have a pair of Olympian and Neo-Classic style from Arete Equestrian. They come in sizes to fit my VERY wide calves!! The neo-classics are synthetic suede, so I don't mind getting them muddy and dirty, and they breathe more on really hot days.
Arete Equestrian - Half Chaps, Skito & ThinLine Saddle Pads, Browbands... (Powered by CubeCart)

If you buy used, just make sure they measure the chaps laid out flat (unzipped) at the widest point. Then measure your calf. If they are stretchy chaps, then they will stretch 1 to 1.5" larger than the flat measurement. Do NOT get chaps that are too big. They will just slip down and not do their job.

[chocchipcookie]

I love mine.
Over here sizes go by S, M, L etc. I am 5'10, so long legs, but not wide and I'm a M if that helps you at all.
I would really recommend getting adjustable chaps. The ones with the zippers are convenient but if you lose/gain muscle and your leg changes too much then it's a real pain altering them. (Or if you're in between sizes like me)
If you get the adjustable ones then you can put them over wide legs, if they're zip up then squishing them over wide jeans can be difficult.

[Oh'When]

Originally Posted by HappyJoy

I'm considering getting a pair of half chaps. I am completely ignorant about them however, and have never so much as seen them in person. My first question is, do you think I even need them? I take one lesson a week, and if I have time I ride at home a few more times. At home I don't ride english, I more putter around. Is it even worth it to get them and wear them once a week?

Do they only fit over jods or skinny ankle jeans, or could you fold wider legs over and get the chaps on top? Or will I look like a moron wearing them with jeans anyway? What sort of boots are they meant to be worn with?

How do you size them? I know if I bought new that companies would have size charts, but if I get them they will be second-hand cheapies since they wouldn't get much use. Basically, what do you think I need to know about half-chaps?

I love my half chaps and I think they would be worth getting ( but then mine only cost $15) I wear mine with wide leg jeans and it works fine for me.... you could look up on the net how to measure for size.. over all I am not much help..

[MissLKcee]

I wear them over any jeans and just with crepesole western boots..

[haunani]

loves2ride- I noticed in the picture it shows that they seem to be really loose below the calf. Since you have a pair, are yours like that?

[Abberlaze]

If you want to wear them with different types of pants, I would definitely recommend getting velcro ones instead of zipper such as these: Rick's Heritage Saddlery - Barnstable Half Chaps, Half Chaps Those are recommended by my lesson barn for the students when they begin to get serious about riding. They're not a huge investment and height only matters for aesthetics, and they can be expanded to fit your leg as it grows as well as they're easy to share among the kids. Barnstable is a quality brand and I would definitely recommend them to you.

Half-chaps are a great investment, especially if you get ones like these that can be adjusted. . They provide some level of grip and also prevent you from getting rubs from your pants as you start to ride more.