Chaps For The Lady Rider

Sexy, safe and warm. We love motorcycle chaps! They are a must for all riders. Ladies, keep them packed on your bike at all times if you can. Let's talk more about these hot must haves!

Let's talk leather...

There are two common leathers used for making motorcycle chaps: pigskin and cowhide.

Pigskin, while less expensive, will not keep you as warm nor will it provide as much protection as cowhide. This is because pigskin is more porous and thinner. But if you live in a warmer climate, this might be a better choice for you.

Cowhide is thicker and heavier and often softer to the touch when of good quality. This more popular material is, in most cases, the best choice. They will last longer and offer better protection. Check the label before you buy to make sure that the leather is genuine cowhide.

Let's talk fit...

Your chaps should sit just above your hips, They will be more comfortable while riding and you also want them to fit well as there may be times when you come home after riding and leave them on while you play Party Poker or watch the television, and it's a more flattering look!

Make sure that you buy a size that fits snuggly but still allows you to make adjustments. Depending on the season, you should be able to "let-out" or "take-in" the waist belt to accommodate extra clothing. From experience, cold weather riding often requires wearing long underwear or thermals of some sort along with additional shirts that you may tuck-in. You'll need that extra room in the waist.

Along the same lines, your chaps should have some type of adjustment in the thigh. Some have laces on the back of the leg while others have stretch material on the inside of the upper thigh. The choice is yours and both seem to do the job equally.

. Let's talk length...

First of all, the bottom of your chaps should touch the top of your foot/boot. Second, most all women's motorcycle chaps come standard with a 31"-33" inseam. Keeping these two things in mind, most women will need to have their chaps trimmed. If you need to shorten the length...let the leather store where you bought them do it for you before you leave. That way, if there is an error in the cutting, the fault will rest on them and not you. You won't be out $75-$300 and the proud owner of chaps that are too short! Good leather shops will offer this service for free.

If your inseam is longer than 33", you'll most likely want to look for a unisex style or even a men's style where the length is longer. Don't worry about them being too plain. You can take them to a seamstress or local leather shop and have them personalized for you! Add trim or patches and have fun with it!

If your chaps are too long and you need to adjust the length yourself, here are some simple steps to take to make sure you get it right the first time.

• Put your chaps on with your motorcycle boots and have a friend mark the spot where they hit the top of your foot. Give yourself some extra cushion while marking because you can always cut more off but you can't put it back on!

• Once you have your mark, take your chaps off and lay them out flat on a hard, smooth surface. Use a ruler to measure from the bottom edge to your mark.

• Now, turn your chaps over so the inside (suede side) is facing up. Use your ruler and chalk to transfer the measurement you just took to this side of the leather. Make a series of marks and then use your ruler to connect the dots. You should now have a straight line to use as a guide for cutting.

• You are now ready to cut! You can use either a pair of heavy-duty shears or a box-cutter type knife. Use your ruler as a guide to help you make your cut straight.

• Repeat these steps on the opposite side and you're done! Nothing to it, right?

Note: If your mark lands on a snap, move your mark lower on the leg and leave the snap alone. You won't be able to use it but it's not going to hurt anything either.
Remember: Leave a little room for error. You can always go back and trim a little more off.

Not comfortable adjusting your new motorcycle chaps yourself? Don't worry. You can take them to any local shop that sells leather products or to a seamstress and they can help you out.

A good, quality pair of motorcycle chaps will last you season after season. Make the decision to go for quality over price if you can afford it. If not, there are always tons of sales happening online and at the end of the year.

Ride warm ladies!