Ariat Half Chaps

For Ariat half chaps you need two measurements: the calf circumference at the widest point and the calf height. Ariat recommends that you sit on a chair wearing riding breeches, socks and the paddock boots you ride in, with your feet flat on the floor and your legs at a right angle.

Use a soft tape measure, ideally with the help of a second person. Measure the height from the floor to the back of the knee and subtract the heel height. Where both values meet on the Ariat chart you will find your size.

The size is made up of calf width and height. The first part stands for the width from XXS to XL, the attached letter stands for the height: S means Short, M Mid and T Tall. Without an extra letter the height is Regular.

An MS is therefore a medium width with a short height, an XST a very slim, tall half chap. We stock Ariat half chaps in S, SS, SM, ST, M, MS, MT, L, LS, LT and XL, among other sizes, depending on the model.

The models differ mainly in the leather. The Heritage Contour is, according to Ariat, made from unlined full-grain leather, has a continuous stretch panel along the side, a high dressage cut and is 38 cm high. Its silhouette is based on the brand’s riding boots.

The Concord uses very soft, unlined leather with a continuous stretch panel. The Palisade is made from calf leather with an oiled leather panel on the inside of the calf and has a continuous YKK zip. We also stock Close Contour Show Chap and Chorus.

New Ariat half chaps sit close on the calf at first and high at the back of the knee. According to Ariat, the leather gives over time, the half chaps become a little wider and slip down slightly. At the beginning the zip can even be hard to do up.

A half chap that is already loose when you buy it will therefore tend to be too wide later. Ariat half chaps fit most paddock boots, and the larger the stretch panel, the more flexibility the fit offers.

Wipe leather half chaps with a damp cloth after riding and use a leather cleaner instead of household products. This is what Ariat recommends for leather riding boots, because dirt and sweat attack the leather and household cleaners dry it out.

After that, apply leather care with a dry cloth in small circular movements. Ariat points out that such care is not suitable for areas made from suede or nubuck. According to Ariat, anyone who rides daily gives them a more thorough clean once a week.