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Big & Tall Chaps

Big & Tall Chaps

If standard chaps pinch at the thigh, won't buckle over your jeans, or stop short of your boots once you're on the bike, the problem isn't you. It's the pattern. Chaps Fit big and tall chaps are leather motorcycle and riding chaps for larger and taller men and women, with adjustable waists, adjustable leg openings, front zips and side lacing, in sizes up to 8XL. For anything beyond that, we make custom chaps to your measurements.

Why Standard Chaps Fail Bigger and Taller Riders

Most chap patterns are designed around an average build and then scaled up or down. Scaling works for small size jumps, but it breaks down at the ends of the range, in predictable ways:

  • The thigh pinches once you sit down. Your thigh spreads on the seat, and a pattern that fit when you were standing now strains at the zipper.
  • The belt won't reach the right spot. On a rider with a larger midsection, chaps need to buckle below the belly around the hips. Chaps sized by jeans waist often can't close there.
  • The hem rides up. On the bike, your bent knees pull the chaps up your legs. Taller riders end up with bare ankles and shins, which are exactly the areas that catch wind, rain and debris.
  • Zippers are hard to reach. Bending down to a side zipper at the ankle is hard for many bigger riders, especially wearing a heavy jacket.

The chaps in this collection address these problems with extra adjustment, easier-to-reach closures and a full size range, and custom-made chaps cover anyone the chart doesn't.

Big and Tall Are Two Different Fit Problems

  • Big means girth: waist, hips and thighs. It decides whether chaps close comfortably and let you move.
  • Tall means length: your inseam. It decides whether your boots stay covered in the riding position.

Plenty of riders are one without the other. A 6'4" rider with a 34" waist and a 5'8" rider with a 48" waist both struggle with standard chaps, for completely different reasons. That's why the charts above list the belt line, thigh and inseam separately. Check all three instead of choosing by letter size.

How to Measure for Big & Tall Chaps

You'll need a soft tape measure and a helper. Wear the jeans and boots you'll ride in.

  1. Belt line: stand relaxed and measure around your hips where the chap belt will sit. For most bigger riders, that's below the belly, across the top of the hip bones. Don't hold your stomach in.
  2. Thigh, seated: sit on a chair with your feet flat, then measure around the fullest part of one thigh, close to the crotch. This is the most important measurement for bigger riders.
  3. Inseam: stand in your riding boots and measure from the crotch seam of your jeans straight down to the floor.
  4. Optional, for touring riders: sit on your bike with your feet on the pegs or floorboards, and have your helper check how far your jeans pull up above your boots. If it's more than a couple of inches, add length or consider custom.

Write the numbers down and compare them with the chart, using the "which measurement decides" table.

Features That Help Bigger and Taller Riders

  • Adjustable waistband: takes up slack or lets out room for winter layers and weight changes. The AdjustPro Big & Tall Chaps are genuine cowhide with an adjustable waistband, adjustable leg openings and a soft lining.
  • Front zip: you don't have to reach down the side of your leg. See the Big & Tall EasyFit Front Zip Leather Chaps.
  • Side lacing: lets you fine-tune the fit through the hip and thigh, which is useful between summer and winter layers. See the Big & Tall Bold Curve Side Lace Riding Chaps.
  • Zippered utility pockets: keep your phone and keys on your leg, where they're easier to reach than jacket pockets. See the Leather Utility Chaps for Big and Tall Body Fit.
  • Open back: leaves the seat and back of your legs uncovered, which keeps you cooler than full leather pants on long rides.

Big & Tall Chaps for Every Kind of Riding

For all riding styles, see motorcycle chaps.

Plus-Size Chaps for Women

A plus-size women's chap isn't just a larger men's chap. Women carry more width at the hip and upper thigh, so a scaled men's pattern tends to gap at the waist and pull across the hips. These styles are cut for women's proportions:

Use the women's chart above, and measure your hips where the chap belt will sit, not your natural waist. For more styles, see women's leather chaps.

Tall Riders: Getting the Length Right

Length problems show up on the bike, not when you're standing in front of the mirror.

  • Forward controls and floorboards stretch your legs forward and pull the hem up the most.
  • Mid controls bend your knees more sharply, which also pulls the chaps up.
  • The goal: when you're seated in your normal riding position, the hem should still cover the top of your boot.

If your standing inseam is longer than the standard column in the chart, choose custom chaps with a tall inseam.

Sizing for Winter Layers

If you ride in cold weather over thermal leggings or insulated riding pants, measure while wearing them. Those layers can add an inch or more at the thigh. The adjustable waist and side lacing styles let one pair work over both summer jeans and winter layers.

When to Go Custom

Choose custom chaps if:

  • your belt line, thigh and inseam fall into three different sizes
  • your inseam is longer than the standard column in the chart
  • any of your measurements is larger than 8XL
  • you want a specific style, color or feature combination in your size

If you're not sure which size or option is right, contact us with your measurements before ordering. Because every pair is made to order, we'd rather confirm the fit first.

Ordering Big & Tall Chaps

  • Made to order: production and delivery times are in our Shipping Policy.
  • Returns: made-to-order chaps generally can't be returned for sizing, so measure carefully and ask us if you're unsure. See our Return & Refund Policy.
  • Pricing: big and tall styles cost the same as our standard chaps. We don't add a surcharge for larger sizes.

Caring for Larger Chaps

  • Hang them properly: use a sturdy hanger or hang them by the belt. Heavy leather creases if you fold it or drape it over something narrow.
  • Condition the high-wear areas: the inner thighs rub against the bike's seat and tank, so condition those areas more often.
  • Zippers: keep them clean, and rub a little wax along the teeth if they start to stick.
  • After rain: let the chaps dry at room temperature, away from heat, then condition the leather.
Big & Tall Chaps | Chaps Fit