Half chaps also keep from your breeches getting wet with the horses sweat in the summer, and protect your lower leg from any chaffing. I feel naked without half chaps lol. And breeches are so much more comfortable than jeans for me. I went on an 8 mile trail ride in my english saddle, breeches, and half chaps. The riders we passed really enjoyed teasing me lol.

The winter boots I have now are old, ariat frostbiters. From before they started making them zipped. I wear silk long underwear and fleece winter breeches during the winter. Putting on my boots often makes my breeches ride up which annoys me. I also find it easier to flex my ankle with paddocks and half chaps. I was looking at the newer winter boots this past winter and noticed ariat made winter paddocks and winter half chaps so I'd like to get those next winter. I don't tolerate cold well lol. So in the winter on top of the previously mentioned items I have heated socks, a hood/scarf/face cover thingy (it has a thin part that goes over your head under a helmet with a fleece part that you can either use to cover just your neck or pull up to cover your nose/mouth as well as neck), layers on top, winter gloves, and a fleece quarter sheet more for me than my horses lol.

Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes.