Half Chaps and Gaiters

[Epona97]

Hello all,

I was wondering if there was a difference between half chaps and gaiters, and if so which would be best for general English riding (e.g lessons, hacking, yard work etc). They will be worn with beige jodhpurs and brown jodhpur boots (I am not sure whether there is a general colour preference or not).

Thank you all once again for your help, and I wish you all the best with your equestrian pursuits. (especially with the weather being as it is!)

 

[Wiz201]

Gaiters are just for walking? Half chaps are for riding, I have black suede ones.

 

[Luci07]

Nope, Gaiters are the leather version, chaps are the suede. Chaps are cheaper, and massively comfortable. Gaiters if in black can then be worn for competition and I found that by riding in gaiters, then wearing leather boots is not such a difference in terms of actual "feel"..However, suede chaps are so very very comfortable.. like riding in long socks!

 

[chessy]

Chaps do up at the side, gaiters do up at the back. Even though many think gaiters are leather and chaps are suede, you can get leather half chaps and suede gaiters. Chaps for casual riding, gaiters for competition.

 

[mandwhy]

I have some ariat concord I think they are called, I got them off equestrian clearance for 35 pounds (not sure which country you're in) and very pleased with them, they look smart like gaiters but have suede inner panels for a bit of extra leg security, best of both worlds

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I've always thought of "half chaps" as being the lower leg covered - and "half-chaps" are a more informal mode of dress than "gaiters" which would be black or brown and worn over jodhpur boots of the same colour. Whereas with "chaps" basically anything goes. They're wonderful things, whatever did we do without them???

 

[Epona97]

Thank you all for your help, I will bear your advice in mind when I go to make my next purchase.

Happy riding,

-Epona97

 

[chessy]

Yeah I did mean to say half chaps. I end up calling them chaps for short, even though half chaps and chaps are different things!

 

[Waffles]

I've got Brogini gaiters which I wear with Jodhpur boots for smart occasions - they look very good - they are synthetic, so it's easy to clean them and it gives the appreance of a smart leather boot.

 

[night_mare]

Gaiters are closer fitting to the leg than chaps, are made of leather (although you can get leather chaps as well) and are styled to look like a traditional riding boot, so that it looks like you are wearing long riding boots when wearing gaiters with jodhpur boots. Gaiters are usually taller on the outside of the leg than the inside, whereas half chaps are most often straight around the top.

Both gaiters or chaps are fine for everyday riding, but if wanting to wear for competitions then gaiters are best.

 

[Waffles]

Half chaps are fairly loose fitting whereas gaiters are closer fitting and in a traditional riding boot style, so that it looks like you are wearing long riding boots when wearing with them jodhpur boots.

Both gaiters or chaps are fine for everyday riding, but if wanting to wear for competitions then gaiters are better looking.

That's what I do as it's a cheaper and possibly more comfortable alternative to long boots - I like to be able to move my ankles - or at least feel that I can if I want to.