Men’s Leather Chaps

Men's Leather Chaps

Men's leather chaps put a layer of genuine leather between your legs and whatever the ride throws at them: wind, road grit, brush, rope or sparks. You can still wear the jeans you already own underneath. This collection brings our motorcycle, western and work styles together, from plain black riding chaps to fringed, concho-trimmed and two-tone designs, in sizes 2XS to 8XL.

What Are Men's Leather Chaps?

Leather chaps are separate leg coverings worn over trousers. Each leg is a full-length leather panel. The two legs are joined at an adjustable belt, and there is no seat and an open back. That design protects the front and sides of your legs while leaving you free to sit in a saddle or on a motorcycle. The word comes from the Spanish chaparreras, the leggings Mexican vaqueros wore to ride through thorny chaparral brush.

Motorcycle, Western or Work: Which Chaps Do You Need?

Motorcycle Chaps

Riding chaps are cut close through the leg so they don't flap at highway speed. They usually close with full-length leg zippers, so you can put them on and take them off without removing your boots. Black and distressed brown are the classic finishes. If you want as much leg coverage as possible, start with a longer cut such as our chaps with extended leg protection. Browse the full range in Motorcycle Chaps.

Western and Ranch Chaps

Western chaps are built for horseback riding, ranch work and the arena. They come in several traditional cuts:

• Shotgun chaps: fitted and zippered, good for cold weather and brush
• Batwing chaps: wide, flared legs that are easy to put on and suit rodeo
• Chinks: knee-to-calf length, cooler for warm-weather work. Our guide to what chinks chaps are covers them in detail.

Fringe and conchos started out as practical details and are now as much about style. See pieces like our white fringed leather chaps, or shop all Western Chaps.

Work Chaps

Leather work chaps protect against sparks, brush, abrasive materials and general wear on the job, including welding, fencing and landscaping. One important point: leather chaps are not chainsaw chaps. Chainsaw work needs purpose-made cut-resistant chaps. See Work Chaps.

What to Look For in a Pair of Leather Chaps

• Leather. Genuine cowhide is the standard for chaps. Smooth leather gives a clean, polished look. Distressed leather, like our Rustic Rider brown chaps, wears in with a vintage character.
• Waist. An adjustable belt-style waist with a buckle lets you set the fit over different layers. Some chaps also have back lacing for extra adjustment.
• Leg closure. Full-length zippers make chaps quick to put on and take off, which matters if you remove them at every stop.
• Coverage. A standard cut covers waist to ankle. An extended cut gives extra length over your boots when you're seated.
• Details. Fringe, conchos and two-tone panels are style choices, not performance features. Examples include our concho-button chaps and red-and-black dual-panel chaps. Choose them for looks, and choose the cut and leather for function.

Each product page lists that style's exact features and size guide.

How Should Men's Leather Chaps Fit?

• Thigh: close, but not tight. Loose leather catches wind on a bike and rubs in the saddle. You should still be able to bend your knee and sit comfortably.
• Waist: the belt sits around your hips, usually at or just below your jeans' waistband, with the front open in a V.
• Length: your knees bend when you ride, which pulls the hem up. When you stand, chaps should rest over your boot and reach close to the heel. Then they'll still cover the boot when you're seated.
• Measuring: measure these three things and compare them with the product's size guide:
  • your hips where the belt will sit
  • your thigh at its widest point
  • your inseam, from crotch to floor, wearing your riding boots

If your measurements fall between sizes or don't match a standard chart, custom chaps are made to your numbers. For western cuts, our guide on how western chaps should fit goes further.

What Leather Chaps Can and Can't Protect You From

What they do:

• Block wind, which is the main reason riders feel cold at speed
• Take hits from gravel, insects, brush and rope that would otherwise reach your jeans
• Resist scuffs and abrasion far better than denim alone

What they don't do:

• Chaps have no seat and an open back, and they carry no knee or hip armor. They aren't a substitute for certified armored riding pants.
• Untreated leather isn't waterproof. In steady rain it gets wet and heavy, so dry it slowly afterwards.

For more on cold-weather riding, see do leather chaps keep you warm?

Made to Order, With Custom Options

Most Chaps Fit chaps are made to order rather than pulled from warehouse stock. For measurements outside our size chart, a different color or personalized detailing, go to Custom Chaps. Production and delivery times are listed in our Shipping Policy. How we check materials and stitching is explained in our Quality Policy.

Caring for Leather Chaps

Brush off dust and grit after riding, and wipe the leather with a damp cloth. If the chaps get wet, let them dry naturally at room temperature, away from heaters or direct sun. Heat dries leather out and can make it crack. Apply a leather conditioner whenever the leather starts to feel dry or stiff. Store chaps hanging or loosely folded in a breathable cover, not a sealed plastic bag.