Getting Leather chaps to fit

 The weather was just damp enough to make me cold and miserable. “That’s it! I’m buying myself a pair of chaps.” I pointed my Heritage Softail® in the direction of Adventure Harley-Davidson and down the highway I flew.

Upon arriving I was greeted by all the friendly gang at Adventure H-D. I made a B-line to the MotorClothes® Apparel Department. Melissa, was standing there waiting to help me.

“Hi, Melissa. My name is Joe and I bought my bike here a couple months back. I’m in the market for a pair of leather chaps,” I said expectingly.

“Hi, Joe. I remember you. You also bought a helmet that day. I’ll be glad to help you select the perfect pair of chaps,” Melissa chirped with a big smile.

“My legs are cold and its not wet enough for a rainsuit so I figured it was time to buy some chaps,” I rambled on as I followed Melissa.

Melissa led me to the chaps display and said, “Well Joe, I have some pointers for you. Usually the length and waist of chaps are adjustable so you have to make sure the chaps fit around the thickest part of your thigh. Are these jeans and boots that you usually wear while riding?”

“Yes, they are? I love these Harley-Davidson jeans and boots to ride in,” I remarked.

“Great always wear your riding jeans and boots when fitting for chaps. Chaps fit best over snug jeans. Your chaps should fit a bit snug so you don’t have gaps. It also helps them not to bunch up or pinch. You have to make sure they are comfortable in the thigh so you can move but don’t have them loose and baggy,” Melissa stated as she handed me a couple of styles to try on.

“I like these chaps, Melissa. They feel pretty good,” I said proudly as Melissa looked observed intently.

“Let’s see Joe, The waistline of the chaps fit about 1″ below your jeans waistline and that is just what you want them to do. Joe, can you come over here and sit on this motorcycle. The length of your chaps should be long enough to reach the boot heel when you are sitting. You may have to cut these a little bit to get the correct length.”

“How do I know where to cut them?”

“Joe, first mark the chaps at the correct length, usually long enough to reach the boot heel when sitting. Then since leather does not fray, you can cut them using sharp scissors and they do not need to be hemmed,” Melissa grinned and then continued. “Remember that Chap inseams run about two inches shorter than pants inseams. You can cut chaps up to six inches to get a custom length fit. Here is a little chart for you, Joe!”