chaps or rain jacket?

[floppy]

I was wondering what sort of protection long suede chaps give you to weather conditions? I cant decide whether to buy long chaps or to buy a long rain jacket as i hear different opinions over them both.. im told that chaps keep you warm and dry and rain jackets too but they can get drafty and when it snows chaps offer you better protection, i was also told that longs chaps would be more beneifical and cheaper to buy than a long rain coat.
i have noraml sized rained jackets falling out of my ears and in a way it seems silly to buy a long rain coat when i already have half sized rain coats but then it all depends on the protection...do chaps need some sort of waterproofing? I need to buy one or the other but im not sure..any advice?im subjected to alot of snow during the winter months and regardless of the weather 'my' horse needs to be ridden

[Allie]

leather chaps will not keep you warm and dry when they are wet. Your best bet would be to buy a "rain suit" like you can get from camping supply stores. They have a jacket and a pair of pants. The are excellent for riding because it doesn't blow up in the wind like the flaps of a long jacket do. I have a pair that I took with me on a covered wagon ride that I went on (as an outrider) and it rained both days and I was warm and dry. Just don't get plastic ones because they are not breathable and will make you sweat. You need to get the special synthetic ones (can't remember what they are called at the moment) that are breathable.

Allie

[stella]

I've got some long wax chaps with a sort of brushed cotton lining and suede leg reinforcements. They are really great at keeping me warm and dry AND protecting your jodhs so you don't have to keep washing them.

I wonder about synthetic waterproof trousers - aren't they a bit slippery for riding in. I can see the advantage when mucking out but my wax ones keep me dry and the suede patches are nice and grippy for riding.

Stella

[Mossy]

Hi
I'm out in all weathers and have a big dryzabone coat which I have lived in this winter. When it is really pouring I wear Goretex walking overtrousers as well. A big coat not only keeps you dry it keeps the saddle dry too. However I also have normal waterproof which I wear when it is warmer or showery and I may want to take it off and tie it round my middle. Personally I have never seen the need or justification for long chaps. Hot in the summer, not waterproof if leather. However others swear by them.

[floppy]

hmm...very good points..i didnt know you could get wax chaps too? Is a bit of decision because during the winter im riding out in temperatures that reach down to about -10 degrees celcius and this is why i was interested in long chaps because of the amount of clothes i can fit underneath them :) but then if ic ant get hold of wax ones then i still need a way of protecting myself from snow and rain.
the bonus of the rain jacket covering the saddle doesnt really matter to me because i have a wintec saddle but arent long riding jackets expensive? my mum told me they cost about £100 when she was in a riding shop in england ( i live in germany) and there isnt any where that isnt a 2-3hr drive where i can purchase things from ...that is why i want to know all about them before i go to the shop.

[floppy]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!!!:)
I just made a nice long 2 hour drive to my nearest horsey shop and came back a happy girl! its a good shop but expesnive ...due to its clientel...sells second hand items too so i managed to get rid of some of my old riding gear that is still in good nick...that i have simply grown out of, that have been lurking in my wardrobe for the past 8yrs...
and i came home with a neat long water proof riding jacket that was in the sales...its not wax....it some other waterproof material with all the storm flaps etc...and it cost me only £30!!!! and my problem with chaps was solved..my grandparents bought me a nice buck suede boot cut pair as a birthday present. :)
thanx for you help though! i believe im sorted for the rest of my life :)