paddock boots and half chaps for the rider who only likes tall boots?

[Beau Cheval]

I only like to ride in tall boots, but I wore through my ariats really quickly, and now I only have derdaus left, and I really hate to wear them every day even when I'm just hacking out. Does anyone have recommendations for nice half chaps and paddock boots with a more tall boot like feel. I really don't like grippy half chaps, and I hate thick soled boots. I can't break the bank, and I need tall half chaps. Does such a beautiful combination exist?

[PNWjumper]

As far as paddock boots go, I like my Ariat Crowne Pros. They feel pretty much the same as my various pairs of tall boots.

The half chaps I use the most right now are my Ariat Close Contacts and I like them (though the zippers don't stay zipped as well as I would like), but I don't love them. They do feel similar to my tall boots, and I've worn them a few times at shows when it's really mucky out. I've had several pairs of Grand Prixes and really liked them. I was so-so on my Tredstep TBs, and not a big fan of.....well, can't remember what brand my other ones are. I had a pair of Lende half chaps (they were cheap on Tack of the Day one day) that I really loved, but they did have oddly long elastic straps that required some hand sewing to fix. And then I have an OLD pair of Ariat Crone half chaps (before they made them with a spanish top) that feel exactly like a pair of boots, but the new ones I have are cut HORRIBLY and are ridiculously loose through the ankle, and thus have never been on a horse in the 2 years I've had them. So I guess I would have to throw my vote to the Grand Prix full grain leather half chaps. I'm kind of tempted to buy a pair of the Ariat Monaco half chaps because I love my monaco boots, but I'm not sure I really want to spend that much money on a non-custom half chap.

[YankeeLawyer]

I second the Ariat recommendations. I have the Crown Pro paddock boots, and I have the Ariat half chaps that look like dress boots. I have very thin calves but the extra small / tall Ariat half chaps fit perfectly. My tall boots are by Vogel and my half chaps feel very similar.

[DancingQueen]

There's a halfchap, I could try to remember to look what brand they are, designed to look like the leg of a tallboot. I bought a pair a long time ago when I all of a sudden got a new job and was asked to show on short notice and didn't have enough money for a real pair. You can barely tell the difference from a few yards away and they are very comfortable and sturdy. I'll try to change my profile pic to one where i'm showing in them if i have one scanned.

They are great cause you can get the look and almost the feel of a tall boot and then take them off to run aroung the barn and do busy work.

[PNWjumper]

There's a halfchap, I could try to remember to look what brand they are, designed to look like the leg of a tallboot.

Pretty much every brand out there has a half chap designed to look like the leg of a tallboot. Just flip through a Dover catalog and you'll find quite a few to choose from.

[Anyplace Farm]

They are called exactly that (above). The picture on the Dover website doesn't do them justice but they are the prettiest combination I have seen. I've gotten several compliments whenever I wear mine because the hide of the paddock matches well with the half-chap. People who have commented on them say they look like I'm wearing tall boots.

[joiedevie99]

Ariat and Tredstep make very nice tall boot look-alike chaps.

[Beau Cheval]

Thanks for the recommendations. I went to the dover store today and tried on many paddock boots and I settled with the ariat heritage because I'm picky about the feel on the stirrup and I have had the heritage II tall boots so I imagine the feel will be as close at it can be. I got the close contact half chaps too. Hopefully I like them!
thanks again!

[twobays]

Ariat close-contacts are great...and so easy to take care of.

They look great with jeans for casual stuff and you can wear them with breeches and still look put-together for when you want to look nice.

[Anyplace Farm]

Hmmm...looked these up and they look like the ones I got as well. I guess 'black oiled' was the hide and color. So, yes, you will love them. They remind me of my Vogels.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

Honestly, I am on the "only ride in tall boots boat" and I have yet to find a half chap I like. I own a pair of tall boots that are TuffRiders that I have had for 4+ years. They were about $160 and are still holding up. The leather and quality of them is really not that bad either! Of course I clean and polish mine everyday :). Then I have a pair of nice tall boots for showing and a lesson once a week. I would look into the "cheaper" tall boots rather than half chaps. They will last twice as long.

[chawley]

As far as paddock boots go, I like my Ariat Crowne Pros. They feel pretty much the same as my various pairs of tall boots.

The half chaps I use the most right now are my Ariat Close Contacts and I like them (though the zippers don't stay zipped as well as I would like), but I don't love them. They do feel similar to my tall boots,.

I really prefer to ride in tall boots too, but have customs which I can't afford to replace in a year or two. Therefore, I also have Ariat paddock boots and the oiled leather Ariat Close Contact half chaps. They definitely give a similar feel and have held up nicely too.

[Jo]

For those of you who "have" to ride in tall boots, why not look into a cheaper option for "schooling" boots? I got a pair of Mt. Horse dress boots for under $200 on sale and wear them daily. I am madly in love, and the reason I purchased them was because it was cheaper than buying new paddocks and a new pair of half chaps!