I've used Chota hippies paired the Chota boots for a long time. I like the system except for one thing: I can't keep the hippies up as high on my leg as they'll go. The elastic is useless, as the elastic doesn't have the strength to support the weight of the hippie. Wrapped about my belt, they are not secure and always fall down. Plus, they only attach at one point, so there is more pressure on the single attaching point when I bend over or sit down...and they fall again.

Over the years I've tried various solutions with mixed results. I've used two BDBs looped around the elastic on the hippe looped again to my belt. This is a barely adequate solution. Though it works, invaribly the BDBs will eventually detach, usually snapping back on my fingers in the process. I've tried elasticized alligator clips, clipping one end to the hippie and the other end to my belt. Again, not perfect as the arrangement isn't very secure, and the elastic between the two ends isn't long enough...so it will hold for a bit, but any strain on the elastic will pull one of the clips off.

I've tried to find a suspender system that I might be able to make work, but no luck.

Ideally, I'd like something elastic or rigid, that attaches to the Hippie (preferably at two points), wraps over the belt, and attaches again to the Hippie.

I've called Chota, but they just tell me to replace the elastic in the tops of the hippies. Anybody have any ideas?

Mike

Faced with the same issue, I made some soft shackles out of 7/16 amsteel. They still only connect at one point per hippie (at the original elastic) but looped through my belt, they have never come undone.

Tiny carabiner hooked to pant belt loop. Hippie elastic attached to carabiner. Synch. Solved. Using system for years without fail.

MagicMan1: "Tiny carabiner hooked to pant belt loop. Hippie elastic attached to carabiner. Synch. Solved. Using system for years without fail."

i made a similar connection with shock cords, about 1/8" diameter and attached to belt loops and the hippie wader tops with mini-caribeaners. It worked well and kept the waders from sagging.

Othello: "Faced with the same issue, I made some soft shackles out of 7/16 amsteel. They still only connect at one point per hippie (at the original elastic) but looped through my belt, they have never come undone."

I'm not sure what this is. Can you explain or do you have pictures?

Mike

+1 for a small carabiner (Nitize is my pick) to connect the Hippies' cinch cord to my belt loops works for me. The carabiners roll neatly into the waders when I don't need the height. Soft shackle idea is great too!

Thanks everybody! All suggestions will be considered. I'll work on this project this weekend. I didn't know what soft shackles were, but they look perfect, as does the carabiner system.

Mike

Here are the soft shackles on my hippies.


You can make them as easily as using a simple overhand knot, but there are countless examples and how-tos on YouTube. I like Tac Blades' Improved Soft Shackle, but my favorite, and the one I used for mine, was an example shown by Brion Toss (search Brion Toss Soft Shackle). I liked his description and demonstration for getting the intricate wall and crown button finish. Have fun with it!

Small carabiners on the adjustment cord just hooked over my belt, simple and quick

ISRO: "Small carabiners on the adjustment cord just hooked over my belt, simple and quick"

Do you ever have any issues with them catching on stuff or does your shirt cover them? Got my hippies a few weeks ago and apparently my thighs aren't thiccc enough for these things. I need a solution too, thinking about grabbing a couple micro carabiners this weekend.

AlexanderSupertramp: "

ISRO: "Small carabiners on the adjustment cord just hooked over my belt, simple and quick"

Do you ever have any issues with them catching on stuff or does your shirt cover them? Got my hippies a few weeks ago and apparently my thighs aren't thiccc enough for these things. I need a solution too, thinking about grabbing a couple micro carabiners this weekend."

Nary an issue as shirt hangs over them