[Artemis47]

I've been a re-rider for a little over a year now (working on jumping). I've been riding in inexpensive starter gear, including Ariat All Around Chap III leather/suede half chaps. Yesterday, I noticed that the inside suede patches are starting to become worn smooth and shiny. As a teen rider, I always wore tall boots, so I'm not sure what counts as normal wear and tear on half chaps. What things indicate that they're getting worn out and need to be replaced?

[Trixie]

When they get holes in them or they wear thin and stop protecting your legs. The leather wearing smooth is normal but they usually still have a while to go before they're worn out.


.... says the person whose schooling half chaps now have rips all down the leather on the calves but damn it, the elastic is holding for now.

[ElisLove]

When they start falling apart to the point they are not usable

[hightide]

Suede becoming smooth is normal and means you're riding a lot! I tend to replace half chaps when the snap/zipper/elastic dies and I can't keep them on or there's more holes than chap left.

[annaelizabeth]

When they fall apart while riding. Lol. That's usual for suade. It's why I use full leather.

[Jo]

When the zippers bust!

[pony4me]

When you can afford new ones.

[Artemis47]

Thank you all for the speedy and helpful replies! "Wear them until they have actual holes in them or the zipper goes" seems to be the consensus.

[hunterrider23]

When you literally cannot put them on any more lol.

[Dakotawyatt]

Or if you lose 40 lbs and begin to get huge, raw blisters from the now too big chaps.

[DottieHQ]

When you have to use tape or vetwrap to keep them on.

[Jax]

When the cobbler refuses to keep fixing them for you.

[CharingHounds]

Or if you lose 40 lbs and begin to get huge, raw blisters from the now too big chaps.

I wish...

[FineAlready]

When one of them actually disintegrates off of your leg mid-ride. My Tredsteps currently sport major holes, busted seams, binding on the left one that is separated and creeps up over my knee, broken elastic on both bottoms, and broken snaps. Eventually, the lack of elastic will cause them to twist enough that I will retire them. I do have their replacement waiting at my house, as it really is any day down that one of them may suffer a catastrophic breakdown.

[kookicat]

When you can poke your hand through the holes.

[horsepoor]

For me, it is when they stretch out so much that they twist. Or the zipper breaks and they are so raggedy, it doesn't seem worth fixing. I haven't worn holes through any of mine before one or both of those other scenarios happened.