Leather Motorcycle Chap Information Page

Many people think of chaps only as a source of warmth for their legs when riding on cooler mornings or during the cold season. Chaps and Leather pants are much More than that.

Chaps do much more than warm your legs, although many people only wear them to do just that. If you ever fall off of your motorcycle by any means, accident, hit ice on the road, loose gravel of if you need to lay your bike down to avoid a more serious injury, your legs are going to hit the road first. Chaps are there to act like a tough, thick layer of skin (which is what they are) to prevent major damage to your skin and muscle tissue. When just casually riding, your legs are being bombarded by small stones kicked up from either your tires or vehicles traveling in front of you. Chaps lessen the direct impact on your legs. Bugs during summer can hit your legs in great volume and when you are traveling at 50 to 60 miles per hour, with great force. Your motorcycle chaps are much more than leg warmers.

Since motorcycle chaps have the potential to do so much for you, you need to get a pair that will save your legs. Leather Quality is the key to getting good quality chaps. Many people on the web and even in stores carry Patched leather chaps that are of unknown quality and even the leather type is not known. Stay away from these. Chaps made from Pigskin are also likely to be of no value if you hit the road and need the protection of leather. Your best bet is to purchase the thickest pair of chaps in the best leather you can find. If you ever to need them, they will save your legs and if you don't need them, the chaps will last for a very long time. The Cargo Pocket Chaps pictured in Figure 1 are made from 5-6 ounce Cowhide Top Grain Leather (1.6 to 1.8 millimeters thick) and although not the heaviest of chaps, are quite heavy. Because of the thickness of the leather, these chaps are made from Naked Leather, a softer more pliable, allowing greater movement.

Most motorcycle chaps purchased are made from 1.2-1.3 millimeter thick leather. This thickness of leather is good for 99% of all riders as long as they are made of good quality Leather. Cowhide and Buffalo are the preferred leather for Motorcycle Chaps. The type of chaps you get depend on the feel, movement and what you can afford. Buffalo Leather Chaps are stiffer and may not provide the ease of movement desired. Cowhide Leather chaps are usually softer and provide more movement even at the same thickness. Chaps are primarily fitted to the person based on the circumference of their thigh. You want chaps that are snug fitting when sitting on your bike but have a little play in them when you are up walking around. Waists on most chaps sold are adjustable by lacing at the back. Chaps normally have a belt type buckle in the front. Zippers (always look for high quality hardware like YKK) are usually on the outside leg of the chap to prevent scratching your bike. A leather flap usually covers the zipper hiding it. The Cargo pocket Chaps in Figure 1, have zippers on the inside of the legs to make room for the cargo pockets on the outside. The inside zipper is covered well with leather to prevent scratching of the bike. Good Chaps can be found for between $60 and $160 dollars, depending on the thickness of the leather and other features.

Leather Chap pants pictured in Figure 3, are like a pair of Jean Style Leather Pants, but they have a zipper running up most or all of the outside leg to make them easier to get in and out of. Many people are more comfortable wearing Pants rather than chaps and these make a good alternative. They can be worn over clothing, or as a regular pair of pants, depending on size.

The Leather in Leather pants is as important in protecting your as the Quality of Leather in Plain Chaps. You should look for at least 1.2-1.3 mm thick leather for your pants. Other styles of Motorcycle pants range from plain jean style pants, to pants with side laces for a better fit around your thigh and to prevent wind blowup.