Children's Half Chaps & Gaiters
Half chaps and gaiters zip around a child's lower leg, worn over jodhpurs and short boots to help protect against the rub and pinch of stirrup leathers – and to give the smart long-boot look without the long-boot price on a leg that is still growing. The choices that matter are material (machine-washable synthetic, soft suede or proper leather), sizing (most run Child Small–X-Large by calf and leg measurements, while some brands simply size by age) and fit features like elasticated panels and full-length zips that small hands can manage on their own. Just Horse Riders stocks children's half chaps and gaiters from brands including Brogini, Dublin, Shires and Ariat, from around £5.
Free UK delivery over £50 · Fast next-day delivery available · 90-day returns · Family-run UK retailer, rated 4.9/5 by 14,500+ riders.
Children's half chaps advice from the Just Horse Riders team — last reviewed July 2026.
Choosing children's half chaps and gaiters
| Choice | What it means |
|---|---|
| Washable synthetic | The best everyday choice for most children — shrugs off mud and, on pairs like the Gallop and Dublin Easy-Care, goes straight in the washing machine. |
| Suede | Softer and grippier against the saddle, so popular for regular schooling. Brush clean rather than machine wash. |
| Leather | The smartest and hardest-wearing option, like Ariat's full-grain Youth Scout. Costs more, so best for a child riding several times a week. |
| Lightweight mesh | Breathable fabric for warm weather, pony camp and summer lessons, when a full-weight chap gets sweaty. |
| Age sizing vs calf sizing | Most children's chaps run Small–X-Large based on calf width and leg height; Brogini simply sizes by age 6–12. Either way, measure rather than guess. |
Measuring a child's calf and leg
Take two measurements with your child sitting down, wearing the jodhpurs and short boots they will ride in. First, the calf: around the widest part of the lower leg. Second, the height: from the floor (next to the boot) up to the crease at the back of the knee — the chap should finish just below it. If the calf measurement sits between two sizes, go up a size; too tight is uncomfortable and gets outgrown in weeks.
Room to grow — without the flap
It is tempting to buy big, but a chap that is loose around the calf twists in the saddle, flaps at the top and catches on the zip. A better plan: pick the size that fits the calf now and rely on the elasticated panels most pairs have for growing room, or buy an inexpensive washable pair each season and let your child grow straight through it. Extra height is the one place a little spare room is fine, as long as the top does not dig in behind the knee when they sit.
Children's half chaps favourites
- Best budget buy: Gallop Equestrian Childrens Coloured Washable Half Chaps (from £5.27) — machine-washable with fun pink and blue colourways; an ideal first pair to grow through.
- Sized by age: Brogini Treviso Piccino Gaiters Childs (from £13.06) — simple age 6–12 sizing in black or brown, with a grippy lining that helps stop them slipping down.
- Warm-weather pick: Rhinegold Childs Mesh Gaiter (from £14.00) — lightweight, breathable washable mesh in blue or pink for summer lessons and camp.
- Leather look for less: Saxon Childs Equileather Half Chaps (from £20.69) — smart synthetic leather with an elasticated calf; wipes clean after the yard.
- Easy-care all-rounder: Dublin Childs Easy-Care Half Chaps (from £26.09) — machine-washable synthetic suede in black or brown, with secure top and bottom closures.
- Premium leather: Ariat Youth Scout Chaps (from £65.00) — full-grain leather with a suede inner leg panel, in regular and tall fits for a child riding most days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between half chaps and gaiters?
In children's sizes, very little — both zip around the lower leg and are worn over a short jodhpur boot. "Gaiters" usually describes slimmer, smarter styles cut to look like the top of a long boot, while "half chaps" covers everyday schooling pairs. For most children it is best to choose on material, fit and price rather than the name.
How do I measure my child for half chaps?
With your child seated in their jodhpurs and riding boots, measure around the widest part of the calf, then from the floor up to the crease behind the knee. Compare both against the brand's size chart — calf width matters more than height, and if you are between sizes on the calf, go up.
Should I buy a size up so my child can grow into them?
Only a little. A chap that is baggy around the calf twists and flaps rather than doing its job. Fit the calf correctly and let the elasticated panels provide the growing room; a touch of spare height is fine as long as the top does not press behind the knee. Growing fast? An inexpensive washable pair each season often works out better than one oversized pair.
Can children's half chaps go in the washing machine?
Only if the maker says so. Synthetic pairs such as the Gallop Coloured Washable and Dublin Easy-Care are machine washable, and the Rhinegold mesh gaiter is washable too. Suede and leather pairs should be brushed or wiped clean instead — the machine will ruin them.
Not sure which size or material to choose? Tap the WhatsApp button at the bottom of the screen and the team will happily help you measure up.