Women’s Fit Chaps
Women's Motorcycle Chaps
Good women's motorcycle chaps do more than fit when you're standing in front of the mirror. They should sit right on the bike, keep engine heat off your legs, stay out of the way at stops, and look good when you take your helmet off. Chaps Fit women's fit chaps come in black, red, pink and contrast-trim leather, with zippers, buckles, laces, fringe and studs. Every style is sized from 2XS to 8XL.
What Women Riders Need from Motorcycle Chaps
A pair of chaps that fits well standing up can still cause problems once you're riding. Women riders run into four common issues:
- Seat height and reach. On a bike that's tall for you, you'll stretch your legs to reach the ground at stops. Bulky leather at the knee and calf gets in the way. A close, tapered lower leg is easier.
- Engine and exhaust heat. Your inner leg sits right next to the engine, and on most cruisers the exhaust runs on the right side. Leather keeps that heat off your jeans and skin.
- Wind at speed. Loose chaps flap and let wind in. Chaps that are snug from thigh to boot stay still and keep you warmer.
- Stops and walking around. On rides with lots of stops, you want chaps you can wear comfortably off the bike or take off quickly.
For the basics of how women's chaps are cut for the hip and thigh, see our guide to women's leather chaps.
Engine and Exhaust Heat: Protect Your Right Leg
On most V-twin cruisers and many touring bikes, the exhaust pipes run along the right side, level with your lower leg. On long rides or in slow traffic, that heat reaches your right calf and shin through denim.
- Full-length leather on the lower leg keeps that heat off.
- Keep fringe and laces away from the pipes. Sit on your bike in the chaps and check that nothing reaches the exhaust, the drive belt or the chain.
- Don't rest your leg against a hot pipe, even in leather. Leather slows heat down, but it won't stop a burn from prolonged contact.
Closures Compared: Zippers, Buckles and Laces
| Closure | Best for | Chaps Fit example |
|---|---|---|
| Side zippers | Quick on and off over riding boots | Classic Red Leather Chaps with Zipper Leg Style |
| Buckle straps | A secure hold and a bold biker look | Women's Leather Biker Chaps with Triple Buckle Fit |
| Laces | Fine-tuning the fit between summer and winter layers | Laced styles across our women's leather chaps |
| Adjustable straps | Fashion styles that need a close fit | Pink Assless Chaps with Adjustable Straps (faux leather) |
Women's Motorcycle Chaps by How You Ride
Touring and Long Rides
You want full coverage, comfort through the thigh, and chaps that stay put for hours. See the CurveFit Women's Touring Chaps with Fringes and the ThighComfort Women's Leather Chaps.
Everyday and Weekend Riding
Classic black chaps that go with any jacket and boots: the Premium Women's Black Leather Chaps and the Alison Women Black Leather Chaps.
Statement Riding Looks
Color and detail for rallies, bike nights and events: the Pink Leather Women's Fit Chaps with Sleek Style, the StyleLine Women's Chaps with contrast styling, the Premium Women Black Leather Studded Chaps and the Bravado Women's Tassel Fringe Motorcycle Chaps.
Fashion, Festival and Event Chaps
Styles made more for being seen than for highway miles: the Women's Adalyn Quilted Black Assless Chaps and the faux leather Pink Assless Chaps.
Fit Checks to Do on the Bike
Once your chaps arrive, sit on your motorcycle in your normal riding position and check:
- Thigh: the leather lies smooth across your thigh, with no pinching at the zipper and no loose leather flapping.
- Hem: your boot tops are still covered with your feet on the pegs or floorboards.
- Belt: the chap belt sits comfortably below your jacket, without digging in when you lean toward the handlebars.
- Stops: you can put your feet down without bunched leather catching behind your knee.
- Clearance: fringe, laces and straps stay well clear of the exhaust and drive chain or belt.
If the thigh or hem isn't right, our sizes run from 2XS to 8XL. For plus sizes, see big & tall chaps, and for unusual proportions, custom chaps.
Pairing Chaps with Your Jacket and Boots
- Jacket length: a jacket that ends near the top of the chap belt closes the gap at your lower back where wind gets in when you lean forward. Very cropped jackets leave that area exposed on the highway.
- Boots: riding boots with a sturdy sole and a shaft above the ankle work best, since the chap hem sits over the shaft. Avoid thin fashion boots on long rides.
- Color: black chaps go with anything. Red and pink look best with a black jacket and black boots, so the color stands out.
Caring for Riding Chaps
- Bugs: wipe off bug splatter the same day with a damp cloth. Dried bug residue can stain leather and weaken the finish.
- Rain: let wet chaps dry at room temperature, never on a heater or near the bike's engine, then condition the leather.
- Road grime: wipe the lower legs after each long ride. Grit from the road wears leather down over time.
- Conditioning: condition the leather a few times each riding season, paying most attention to the inner thighs, which rub against the seat and tank.
- Faux leather: wipe it clean only. Don't use leather conditioner on faux leather styles.
