Chaps

Chaps are leg coverings, usually made of leather, that are worn over normal trousers. They buckle around the waist and zip or snap up each leg, covering the front and sides of the legs while leaving the seat open. They originated with cowboys and are popular among cruiser and touring riders.

Chaps keep wind, rain and cold off the legs and give some abrasion protection in a slide. However, they usually have no impact armour and no protection at the back, so they are not equivalent to CE-certified motorcycle trousers.

Choose chaps that are long enough to cover the boot tops when seated and fit snugly so they don't flap at speed. Leather chaps should be cleaned and conditioned regularly so the leather stays supple.