Z1R Sabot Chap

Thigh size is the main factor in picking a size of chaps. You should measure your thigh over the clothes you plan to wear under the chaps. Measure up high near the crotch which will generally give you the largest reading. Measure with the tape comfortably around your leg… not tight or loose. You’ll choose a chap size that is just big enough for your thigh.

The waist on these chaps is adjustable with the belt in front which has a wide adjustment range. The lacing on the back will also give a bit of size adjustment as well, so the waist can be adjusted to fit most anybody if the chap size is chosen correctly based on the thigh.

Inseam is a bit tricky in chaps since chaps don’t go all the way up to the crotch like jeans do, but we are offering an “approximate inseam” which you can use to compare to the inseam you usually buy in pants. I’m also offering an outside seam which is measured from the top of the belt to the end of the chap leg. You can use that to compare what you measure from the top of your belt to the floor (or sole of your boot). The length should be long enough for most people, and then the legs can be cut or hemmed to the ideal length. Before you hem, make sure to sit down to get the desired length while on a motorcycle. If the inseam sounds short for you, then these chaps probably aren’t the ones you need, and you should look for a chap that is available in a tall size.

If your waist is proportionately larger than your thighs, then you might need to get the “extender” listed below to make the waist size range bigger in the size that will fit your thigh (see below).

These chaps are identical to the now retired Carbine chaps, so we have included our two cents from that review: The Z1R Carbine chaps are our “entry level” offering for black leather chaps. They are value priced and reasonable quality.

These chaps are made of traditional black cowhide. The leather is thick and suitable for use on a motorcycle to give protection to your legs from any random flying depris and to give abrasion resistance if you fall. Chaps are easy-on and easy-off over your street clothes and that’s what makes them comfortable and practicial for the bike.

The legs of the chaps are lined with simple black nylon to just below the knee. And there are a couple nylon lines pockets on the thigh. The front buckle and the back laces work in the traditional way which gives a LOT of adjustability. The side zippers are heavy duty aluminum zippers that should last a long time. The ends of the legs close with snaps to make it easy to cut the chaps to length.

So what do you get if you pay about $200 for the other models we sell? Well functionally not a lot. The more expensive chaps are just make a bit nicer in a few ways: the leather is smoother (less grain) and has a softer touch, the linings are of higher quality and finished out a bit better and the buckle hardware looks better. If those things don’t concern you, then these more reasonably priced chaps will work just fine. :: Paul, 01-05-17