A must read for any new chaps wearer
Not to say that there is a right or a wrong way to put on your chaps. If you have a system that works, then keep on keeping on. For newbies, we put together a quick “How To” piece on putting your chaps on and included some great fitting tips.
The first main tip is: Do not worry about the chaps touching the floor during any part of this procedure. They more than likely will end up there and should if you are doing this correctly.
- Unzip and unsnap both legs of the chaps.
- Grab the top of the chaps between the lacing and the back of the right leg with your right hand. Make sure the inside of the right leg is facing you.
- Use your left hand to pass the male part of the zipper between your legs from front to back passing it to your right hand and you let go of the top.
- Grab the female part of the zipper in your left hand.
- Move the zippers to the front of your thigh well below the thickest part of your thigh and zip the right leg.
- Position the zipper towards the outside rear of the leg. Do not pull the chaps up on your leg, yet.
- Pass the belt and the left leg of the chaps straight across behind you to your left leg just above the knee.
- Pass the female part of the zipper from front to back between the legs passing it to your left hand.
- Move the zippers to the front of the thigh and zip the left leg.
- Position the zipper to the outside of the leg towards the rear.
- Pull the chaps up and buckle them. Squat down and stretch them out like you are trying to bust them. Get in a catcher’s position and bounce.
The zipper is on the outside rear of the leg because that is where it is most protected from wind and rain.
A good fit in the thigh would be if you can (just) fit your hand between your thigh and the chaps leg. When your hand is in there, you should not be able to move it around or wiggle your fingers.
You would want the belt to fasten in one of the middle grommet holes. If you are in the very first or last grommet hole, try to adjust the laces to allow for maxium fit and comfort.
Just so that you know, wherever your body puts pressure on the chaps they will stretch (where there is no pressure they will not stretch). After time they will form to you and give you the lived in feel that you desire.
If the chaps are too long, you can trim them to fit. We ask that you make sure that you have a good waist and thigh fit before trimming because once you trim the chaps we cannot take them back. The seams are glued and sewn to keep the thread from unraveling and of course the leather does not fray. Remember that it is better to cut twice than to cut too much.
If you are unsure of the fit, just give us a call.
Thanks to Chippy for the great modeling.
March 15th, 2006 at 11:46 pm
Mother Superior: “Sister Maria, if you were walking through town at night, and were accosted by a man with bad intentions, what would you do?”
“I would lift my habit, Mother Superior.”
Mother Superior (shocked): “And what would you do next?”
Sister Maria: “I would tell him to drop his trousers.”
Mother Superior (even more shocked): “And what then?”
Sister Maria: “I would run away. I can run much faster with my habit up than he can with his trousers down.”
May 22nd, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Very informative for me and found out a better way to put on my chaps. Thanks.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:21 am
Where can I get a pair of chaps in Brisbane Queensland Australia?
July 23rd, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Thanks for the tip. I struggled with putting my chaps on, the way the vendor showed me, for 6 months. It got so frustrating, I sometimes wouldn’t wear them. You, in 60 seconds of reading saved me hours of frustration.
Thanks for sharing.
tom
maryland
August 31st, 2007 at 4:27 pm
my waist 34inches,ideal inside leg length 28 inches.question what width would the bottoms measure?
September 16th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Thanks so much for the fitting and donning tips. Not my first bike, but will be my first leathers! Yeeha! Pays to get older and more solvent.Can’t wait to ride!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
hi i would like to know what the diference between mens and womens leather biker shaps
thanks steve
February 8th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Hey, Steve — that’s a good question. Our chaps are uni-sex meaning both men’s and women’s chaps are the same. We have them listed under Men’s and Women’s categories to make them easier to find on our site.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I ordered a pair of chaps online three weeks ago, my first pair. The very next day, I received a call from Fox Creek Leather to confirm the measurements I had taken. They took time to “fine tune” the measurements with me, and to my disappointment, was later told they did not have my size in stock; that ones would have to be custom made. They mentioned additionally that it would take at least 6 - 8 weeks before they would ship. One week later I received an e-mail from Fox Creek Leather advising me that the chaps were on their way to me! What a pleasant surprise! So in less than three weeks total, I have my chaps and they fit just GREAT! The quality is superb, and with a little shortening I was ready to hit the road. I cannot say enough good things about this Company. They’re great! Oh, I should also mention that I previously bought their magnificent vented leather jacket too! With all this “top shelf gear” I guess I’m ready to jump on my new Harley! Great going Fox Creek!!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Fox Creek sells High quality leather. The best I’ve found. However, the real treasure you find at Fox Creek are the people who work there. Always helpful and always a pleasure to be around. Great leather products and great folks to deal with. That’s a combination that can’t be beat!
September 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Oh my gosh! I have struggled putting my chaps on for years and thought I would have to buy a new pair when they no longer seemed to fit. Once I followed the directions, they were a snap to put on & I learned that the fit is exactly as recommended. This article truly saved me an unnecessary purchase. Thank you.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Chippy, You look great after your weight loss! Great job!!!
Thanks, too, for the ‘Chaps Tips’!
April 21st, 2009 at 10:15 am
I’ve been wearing chaps for at least 20 years +,and today I learned a better way to put them on…thanks to FOX Creek.I’ll be ordering a jacket soon…….
January 29th, 2010 at 7:14 am
Like others, I gave up on my chaps as I thought they were too tight! Not at all, just didn’t have the right method of putting them on! Thank for the tips!