Cowboy Chaps
Cowboy Chaps
Cowboy chaps are the leather leggings working riders have worn over their jeans for more than a century to protect against brush, rope, weather and saddle rub. Chaps Fit cowboy chaps come in smooth leather and suede, full-length or knee-length (chinks), plain or fringed, from simple everyday pairs to detailed statement pieces. Many styles are sized from 3XS to 9XL, so riders of almost any build can find a pair that fits.
New to Cowboy Chaps? Start Here
Chaps are separate leather leg coverings worn over your jeans. They buckle at the waist and are open at the seat and back. They aren't pants: they protect the front and sides of your legs and leave you free to move in the saddle.
When choosing a pair, three decisions matter most:
- Length. Full-length chaps cover you to the boot. Chinks stop just below the knee and are cooler for hot weather and ground work. See the Buckaroo Defend Cowboy Chaps and the Cattleman Shield Cowboy Chinks.
- Leather finish. Suede grips the saddle and hides scuffs, like the Black Suede Western Riding Chaps. Smooth leather wipes clean and sheds light rain, like the Sullivan Black Leather Western Chaps.
- Detailing. Plain chaps suit daily work. Fringe and decorative yokes suit events and the arena, like the Brown Suede Leather Fringe Chaps.
Getting the Right Fit
Cowboy chaps should sit snug around the thigh without pinching when you bend your knee or sit in the saddle. Measure your waist and thigh over the jeans you'll ride in, and measure your leg length with your boots on. Full-length chaps should reach the heel of your boot when you're standing, since they ride up once you're mounted.
Pick Your Cowboy Chaps by Where You'll Wear Them
- On the ranch: tough, plain working chaps such as the Outback Rider Cowboy Leather Working Chaps. For more options, see Ranch Work Chaps.
- On the trail: comfortable, close-fitting suede or leather chaps for long hours in the saddle, such as the Armand Mocha Brown Men's Western Chaps.
- At the rodeo or arena: more detail and movement, such as the Bronco Buster Western Cowboy Leather Chaps, or see Batwing Chaps.
- In cold country: zip-up Shotgun Chaps or hair-on Woolies.
- At western events and parties: real leather looks authentic in photos and lasts well beyond one night, unlike vinyl costume chaps. The Rustlers Ride Cowboy Leather Western Chaps are a good starting point.
Caring for Your Chaps
Wipe off mud and dust after each ride and let wet chaps air-dry away from direct heat. Condition smooth leather a few times a year to keep it supple, and brush suede to lift the nap. Well-kept leather chaps soften and shape to you over time.
Completing the Cowboy Look
Wear your chaps over boot-cut jeans and cowboy boots with a riding heel. Then add a western belt that shows through the front of the chaps, a western vest, gauntlet gloves and a cowboy hat. For women's cuts, see women's leather chaps.
