River Road Plains Chaps - 2014

The waist on these chaps is adjustable with lacing at the back and a belt in the front and there is a large amount of adjustment available between them. In most cases, the waist can be adjusted to fit.

The most important measurement is the thigh. Measure your thigh up high near the crotch where it is the largest. Then use the chart to choose the smallest size that is bigger than your measurement. And measure yourself wearing the clothes you think you’ll be wearing with the chaps.

These chaps are available in two lengths – regular and tall. It’s kind of hard to give an inseam measurement for chaps, but I would estimate the regulars would work for someone up to about 6ft tall. If you are taller than 6ft, order the talls (easy enough?). Either one can be hemmed to the ideal length. Before you hem, make sure to sit down to get the desired length while on a motorcycle.

Note on River Road’s published sizing guide: Up until this year, we carried their Plain chaps (not to be confused with these new Plains Chaps), and the chart above is what we used throughout that product’s life. But this year, they have a new size chart online which lists thigh measurements approximately 2” larger for any given size than what you see above. But I measured the chaps at the thigh and get exactly what the above chart shows. If you use their new chart, the chaps you buy will be about two sizes too small. For example, I measure myself at about 23” at the thigh and using my advice above, I’d order a Large, but using their newly published chart, I’d buy a Small. I tried on the Large in the chaps and they fit fine. Not sure what they were thinking when they published this year’s info, but it isn’t right.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

The Plains leather chaps are a good quality pair of basic black leather chaps. I stress good quality because there is a LOT of cheap black leather gear in the cruiser style available that costs less, but they are pretty much junk. However, I think River Road, in general, is pretty good stuff for the money. The lace up back and belt front mean you can adjust the waist to size, and the cuffs have four snaps so you can hem them to the right length for you. Full length leg zippers are sturdy aluminum and they make getting the chaps on and off a breeze. You get one small patch pocket on the thigh. Check out our custom pictures of these chaps by clicking the “View Larger Images” link above. Not sure how you could go wrong with a pair of these chaps. :: Paul, 11-21-13