Chaps or boots?
Opinions differ on the question of chaps or boots: Hardly any other piece of equipment is discussed among riders in this way. Chap wearers love the flexibility and the feeling of direct contact with the horse, the boot rider swears by stability and support.
Chaps and boots
These are two different things that need to be distinguished. Originally the chaps come from the Western riding sport and are leather trouser legs that are worn over the trousers with a belt for protection. Short chaps, also called chapsletten or mini chaps, are thin leg loops made of fabric or leather that are worn in combination with paddock shoes and are held by a rubber band under the sole of the shoe.
And then there are the "boot shafts". They are reminiscent of the classic riding boot in form and material, but like the other chap shapes they are worn in combination with a riding ankle boot. The more matching the ankle boot and bootleg are matched, the more similar they look to the riding boot. In the German LPO it says in paragraph 68 (equipment of the riders): "In performance tests of classes E to S are allowed: Light-coloured boot trousers, jacket and shirt with tie or blouse, if necessary with plastron, as well as dark riding boots. Also permitted are ankle boots and similarly coloured, close-fitting smooth leather chaps (gaiters), provided they correspond to one-piece riding boots. The decision for chaps or boots is often based on price. Genuine leather riding boots usually cost several hundred euros, custom-made boots even more. Chaps and boots are cheaper. In addition, shoes and boots can be purchased separately and combined again and again.
With off-the-peg boots, a compromise often has to be found between the width and length of the calves and the shoe size. Furthermore, chaps can be comfortably taken off after riding or even pulled over normal everyday trousers. The advocates of boots often cite the argument of stability. The boots promote a calm and stretched rider's leg, which enables targeted and effective thigh support. Due to the firm, narrow contact surface on the horse's body, the aids can be given impulsively and selectively, which is not possible with soft chaps. In addition, spurs on boots and chaps slip more easily, which leads to increased activity with the spurs instead of the thigh. Caution is advised, however, if the bootleg is too tight or too long: the leg muscles must have sufficient space, if the calf is squeezed or if the shafts chafe in the hollow of the knee, the provision of assistance is more likely to be hindered.
