Batwing Chaps
Batwing Chaps
Batwings are the chaps with the wide, flaring "wings," the style most people picture when they think of a working cowboy or a bronc rider. Chaps Fit batwing chaps wrap the leg in leather and snap closed around the thigh. That makes them quick to put on over boots and spurs, and cool to wear in the saddle. They're available in brown, black and suede, and in styles with conchos and traditional detailing, sized from 2XS to 8XL.
What Makes a Chap a Batwing
A batwing chap is a full-length leather chap cut wide and flat rather than tube-shaped.
- The wing: the extra leather that extends past the snaps and swings as you move. That's where the name comes from.
- The snaps: instead of a zipper, each leg closes with a few snaps or rings around the back of the thigh and calf.
- The yoke: the shaped leather at the waist. On batwings it's often stamped, tooled or finished with conchos.
The result is a chap that lies against the front of your leg but stays loose and open behind it.
Why Riders Choose Batwings
- Easy on and off. Unsnap and step out. You don't have to take off your boots or spurs, which matters when you're changing between ground work and riding several times a day.
- Cooler in the saddle. The loose back lets air move, so batwings are more comfortable than shotguns in warm weather.
- Freedom to move. The loose wing doesn't bind when you spur, swing a leg over or move with a bucking horse. That's why batwings have been a rodeo roughstock favorite for so long.
- Presence. The wide wing makes a bold outline, whether it's plain for work or tooled and fringed for the arena.
Working Batwings vs Rodeo Batwings
- Working batwings are plain and practical, in brown or black leather. Any decoration is usually on the yoke, in the form of tooling, conchos or a brand. See the Handcrafted Brown Leather Batwing Chaps or the Frontier Leather Western Batwing Chaps.
- Rodeo and show batwings are made to be seen, with more decoration, conchos and color. Try the Brown Leather Batwing Chaps with Side Conchos or the Stallion Crest Leather Pro Western Batwing Chaps.
- Traditional styles such as the Batwing Chaps with Traditional Crafted Look and the Batwing Chaps with Classic Fit sit between the two, suited to riding and western events alike.
For women, the Women's Rider Suede Leather Batwing Chaps are cut on a women's pattern. See all women's leather chaps.
Batwings, Shotguns or Chinks?
| Batwing | Shotgun | Chinks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg shape | Wide, flat, flared | Close-fitting tube | Short, flared, ends below the knee |
| Closure | Snaps around the leg | Full-length zipper | Snaps or ties |
| On and off over spurs | Easy | Slower | Easy |
| Warmth | Cooler | Warmest | Coolest |
| Best for | Riding, roughstock, warm climates | Cold weather, brush | Hot climates, ground and ranch work |
For the other styles, see Western Chaps and our guide to chinks chaps.
How Batwing Chaps Should Fit
- Waist: the belt sits snugly on your hips, over your jeans.
- Thigh: fastened, the snaps should hold the leather close to the front of your thigh. If the wing sticks out at an angle when you stand still, the size is too big.
- Length: the hem should reach your boot heel when you stand, so it still covers your boot when your knee bends in the saddle.
- Snaps: check that you can reach and fasten every snap while wearing gloves.
