Half Chaps & Gaiters

WHICH IS BETTER - RIDING WITH HALF-CHAPS OR LONG RIDING BOOTS?

Whether half chaps or long riding boots are better cannot be answered in a straightforward manner, as the rider's preferences have a great influence on the answer. While half-chaps allow more flexibility especially in the ankle area, long riding boots are firmer and need to be broken in for the best fit. Long riding boots are meant for riding and are rather unsuitable for the rest of the stable day on foot. With half chaps, however, the rider is more flexible and can put them on and take them off at will.
While long riding boots provide a lot of stability due to their firm shape and thus a calm rider's leg that can give precise aids, the leg has more freedom of movement in half-chaps. Depending on the rider's position, this can lead to an unsteady leg.
Often the choice between half chaps and long riding boots is a question of price. Not all riders can afford expensive long leather riding boots, but with the right care they can last a long time. A compromise between half chaps and long riding boots are gaiters: they are made of a harder leather and look very much like long riding boots. The zip is at the back, whereas in half chaps it is at the side. Gaiters give almost as much support in the saddle as a long riding boot.

WHICH HALF CHAPS ARE BEST FOR RIDING?

Chaps are made of different synthetic leathers, such as Amara or Sylka, but also nylon, chloroprene rubber or genuine leather. Some styles offer particularly strong adhesion to the saddle with grip trim.
Genuine leather offers more grip on the saddle than a soft synthetic leather, which on the other hand allows more freedom of movement. Those who need the security of a sticky feel to the saddle are more likely to go for synthetic leather half chaps with grip trim. However, this impedes the ability to give fine, precise aids.
At Kramer Equestrian you will find a wide selection of half chaps and gaiters for women, men and children in a variety of materials and designs. From supple imitation leather to sturdier genuine leather, half-chaps in elegant or casual design, as well as half chaps in a lined variety, so that you also have warm legs in winter. You'll find them in all price ranges in our shop.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HALF CHAPS OR GAITERS?

• Always take measurements in the afternoon or evening
• Measure calf height and calf width standing up with breeches and riding socks.
• If the measurements are different, choose the next size up.
• Wear Jodphur boots for the fitting
• Fitting half chaps and gaiters start two fingers width below the back of the knee.
• They must not crease at the leg
• Proper, intensive care will prolong the life of your half chaps and gaiters.
• Use a zip spray weekly to keep them running smoothly

WHY SHOULD JODPHUR BOOTS BE WORN WITH HALF CHAPS?

Half chaps and gaiters are very narrow in cut. Although they have elastic inserts at the instep, they are only flexible in width to a limited extent. Therefore, slim riding Jodphur boots fit perfectly under half chaps and gaiters without creasing. Normal boots or yard boots are often wide or chunky and would stretch the half chaps. As a result, the fabric no longer lies correctly against the leg and defeats its purpose. The hooks of some yard boots can also damage the material of the half chaps. Jodhpur boots with lacing, on the other hand, do not have such hooks.

HOW HIGH SHOULD HALF CHAPS BE?

Half chaps start two fingers width below the back of the knee. If the half-chaps are too low, the end of the half chaps will catch on the saddle flap, making it impossible to give precise aids. If the half chaps are too high, they pinch and rub the back of the knee and restrict the freedom of movement of the thigh.
Therefore, always try out the half chaps and gaiters while sitting on a saddle block to imitate the rider's seat and test whether the half chaps are the right fit.