Chaps made from suede or synthetic materials are the most informal. Those in leather can be matched quite well to your boots and certain styles are available that are cut high on your leg to give a more leg lengthening and elegant finish. Dressage riders tend to like these. These combinations are acceptable to wear in more formal competition and can be easier to fit than a tall boot. The elastic that is often built into half chaps can make them very comfortable and easier to wear than a tall boot alternative too.
They are available to suit different budgets, in everything from synthetic material to luxury leather. They can be pull on or have a zipper up the back which helps to give a snugger fit for those with slim calves. If you have the pull on version, you’ll definitely need a boot jack to pull them off. Your other half may get very fed up of pulling muddy boots off otherwise. You’ll also need the help of boot pulls – which contrary to the name help you get them on rather than off. You hook a boot pull into a loop handle each side of the boot opening to give you the leverage to pull it on. So you can see why people tend to only wear tall boots on special occasions like shows.