Review of Riding Sport Half Chaps for Horseback Riding

When I was a kid my sister and I took horseback riding lessons. We were riding English and my sister had a pair of tall riding boots. After every lesson she would sit down in a chair and we'd have to tug them off her feet. It usually took two of us.

Now that I have a horse of my own I ride 4-5 times a week. I don't have time to deal with tall boots, or the need to wear them. A lot of English riders wear half chaps with paddock boots. The half chaps are leather that cover the leg for improved grip, and to protect the leg from being rubbed by the stirrup leathers. My Riding Sport Half Chaps, when worn with paddock boots, give the appearance of a tall boot. At the top edge on the outside they have Spanish Tops which elongate the leg.

These half chaps cost $99 and they come in black or brown. They come in sizes depending on the width and height of your calf. I do wish they came in larger sizes, as my calves were bigger when I first ordered them and they were quite snug. They zip up the back, with elastic along the edge of the zipper for a comfortable fit. At the top there is a tab with a snap. Though some half chaps come in suede, I like that these are smooth leather, which wears better and gives the appearance of a tall boot.

Unlike a traditional tall boot, these don't need to be broken in. Since I'm short, the calf size that corresponded to my calf height was just a little too high, but over time the chap "dropped" in the ankle area and now they're just right.

I have worn them for 3 years. The first two years I wore them once a week and the past year I've worn them 4-5 times a week. They've held up nicely - the zipper and elastic is still intact.

I typically wear them with jeans or breeches. Some shows do not allow half chaps to be worn instead of boots, but some do. Be sure to check the rules carefully before wearing them for competition. But for schooling, they look really polished. They can be especially nice for those who have, for instance, large feet and skinny calves. In this way buying the size of half chap you need to match the size boot you need is like creating a custom boot.

A similar product are the Ariat Half Chaps, which are $129-139. These also come in smooth leather and have Spanish tops, but are considerably more expensive.

I wear these every time I ride and love the look and feel of them. They take only seconds to put on, and even better. just seconds to take off. After caring for my horse and putting him away, the last thing I want to do is struggle to take my boots off.