I bought mine from HD, they have held up quite well. All I can say is don't waste the money on the ones from the rallies not worth it.

 

I got mine at Leatherup.com...$69, lined...I ordered size 38 but I wear size 36 pants...had to put an extra eyelet in the belt to tighten them up but they were well worth the money IMHO...

 

2 RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Try chaps out in person looking for 2 things: length so when you are SITTING DOWN (normal in use position) that they cover your ankles so the 'weather' does come up the the leg. And check where the seam is going to bother your knee cap. If you find/make your chaps, go seamless across the knee cap.

2. Chaps have always been for weather protection, not asphalt protection.

 

2. Chaps have always been for weather protection, not asphalt protection.


HUH? Tell that to a cowboy. Chaps were first worn to protect against riding through brush, and to protect the legs when branding cattle. Many things about riding a motorycle evolved from horseback riding....our seat is called a saddle, we mount from the left, etc.

 

History of Chaps;





You cannot fully understand the terminology and styles they represent without studying the history. The name used for the particular style is as important as the cut, and or usage, in determining the authenticity of the time period.



The ARMAS were the first type of CHAPERAJOS (leg of armor or later meant to be leather britches) invented by the Spanish who settled Mexico. Imagine two large slabs of leather much like a flat pair of BATWINGS tied to the saddle, they were draped across the legs while riding in brush, and laid under the legs when they were not needed. Made from heavy buffalo, or cowhide.



In the early 1800Â’s the Mexican vaqueros designed the first leather britches called ARMITAS. These leggings were made from calfskin, deer, lion, goat, and other wild animal hides. The leggings were attached to a belt around the waist, and wrapped around the legs by leather thongs, and mainly covered the exposed part of the leg while mounted.

The most unique characteristic is they only went down to just below the knees. The ARMITAS of the 1870-1900Â’s, were step into types with a full belt, having no ties or buckles to cinch. In this time period they were used for work around the barn, feeding, shoeing, doctoring livestock, etcÂ…





The early Texans (Mexicans and Anglos) of 1830-40Â’s designed the first full length leather britches, that completely encircled the legs and by the early 1870Â’s were called SHOTGUNS, because these seatless pants resembled a double barrel shotgun. The plain variety which were not adorned with fringe or conchos were called CLOSED LEGS. For big legged cowboys they fit snuggly around the legs and for some were difficult to remove with your boots and spurs on. The waistband is the defining characteristic of the period it came from. The early pairs had a belt that went all the way around the waist and buckled in the back. Most of these chaps were made of lightweight leather, doe, kid, calf, even shaved seal was offered in this style. By the 1880Â’s some chap makers were making two pieced chaps that were laced up the front, with a square waistband, up until the turn of the century when the curved or contoured waistband was introduced. Although these were the most popular style until the turn of the century, there were still many working cowboys that preferred this style. The 1900Â’s also added another feature, zippers. Most modern SHOTGUNS included zippers for a tighter tailored fit and were popular with cowboys and motorcycle enthusiasts.





The BATWINGS were introduced in the late 1880Â’s, mainly to the popularity of the Wild West Shows and rodeos. These chaps feature wide leather wings that flapped freely hence the name. The first variety were the step into type but by the turn of the century most saddle shops offered the open legged style, that buckled or snapped down to the back of the knee. Remember the square waistband was the norm until the 1900Â’s and was designed to allow the rodeo cowboy, more movement and comfort, while bronc bustin or bull riding. This style was made with heavier types of leather and some were quit heavy but the fact that they were open from the knee down helped with movement and mobility. BATWINGS were some of the most decorated variety, silver studs and conchos, bright colors fancy stitching, and hand tooling were very popular elements of personalizing them.





ANGORAS or WOOLLIES, introduced in the late 1880Â’s were very popular in the northern reagion because of the practicality of warmth, and believe it or not helped repeal water in the cold rains of that region. They were made from angora goats, bear, buffalo, mountain lion, leopard, dog, seal with the fur left on, and just about any other exotic animal that had hair. WOOLIES were generally white or black, but after the turn of the century cowboys wore orange, yellow, pink, and even polka dotted. Most WOOLIES were the step into type but after the turn of the century you could just about have any style mixed or matched in a custom order.



*****S, were first put on the market as a over the counter merchandise in the late 1940Â’s, for many years cowboys took their old worn out BATWINGS, and cut them off just below the knees to make themselves modern ARMITAS. Hate to pop some bubbles out there but the *****S, as referred to by the makers, were more popular with the lady rodeo performers of the 1940-1950Â’s. They were and still are used by the working cowboys both for being cooler to wear in hot climates and for not being constraining.



Remember CHAPS are tools of the trade for the era we portray. Many cowboys owned several pairs in their lifetime. Charles Seringo said that he wore out several pairs on the chuck wagon as he very seldom was without them. You seem to see more of the northern cowboys in actual working photos. Probably because they were also used for warmth.

http://newstyleleathers.com/the_history_of_chaps.html

 

Yeah, I've got to disagree with you on that one, too.

 

These guys are experts in chaps. They can help anyone who wants it.

 

The only reason I purchased a pair of chaps was for protection in the event of the unexpected. However, I was out today and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees and I must say they provided me and adequate layer of warmth. Fox Creek puts out a great product, too. But, the bottom line for me:: chaps are for protection/safety purposes.

 

Looks like someone didn't finish reading all the posts before speaking out of their ***. Oh well, there always has to be at least one . If it makes you feel better I will remove them right away.

 

whatever you want, Sport