Cowboy Chaps: Batwing Chaps, Shotgun Chaps, and Rodeo Chaps

Cowboy Chaps For Sale On

Below are cowboy chaps for sale on eBay. There is usually a very good selection of batwing, shotgun, and rodeo chaps. Please scroll down for an explanation of the differences between batwing, shotgun, and rodeo chaps. If you're looking for a certain type of chaps, you might want to narrow your search with these links: Batwing chaps or cowboy chinks, or rodeo chaps.

Cowboy Chaps Savvy

Cowboy chaps (pronounced "shaps") are leather leg coverings worn by horseback riders – typically cowboys and cowgirls – as protection against weather, timber, brush, rope burns, and other hazards. They are buckled around the waist, and are open in the back so a rider’s seat is not covered. Chaps run the full length of the rider's legs. The most common styles of chaps are batwing, shotgun, and rodeo with each style having variations.

Batwing chaps are fuller cut than the shotgun style of chap. After being fastened around the legs, batwings will have a generous amount of leather that overlaps the closure. Batwing chaps typically fasten around the rider’s legs (with snaps, buckles, zippers, or other fasteners) from the top of the chap to just above the back of the knee, allowing the batwings to move freely from that point downward. Many working chaps are the batwing style, and they are also the most common style (or a variation of this style) for rodeo chaps.

Shotgun chaps are the original style of chap for working cowboys. They are named for their very straight style, similar to a shotgun barrel, and do not have the generous overlap of leather like batwings. Shotgun chaps most commonly close around the legs from top to bottom. Modern shotgun chaps are usually made with a zipper or other fasteners running the length of the leg to make them easy to put on and take off. Older shotgun chaps - or new ones designed on an older style - might be enclosed from top to bottom requiring the rider to step into them like a pair of jeans.

Rodeo chaps, worn in competition by bronc riders and bull riders, are a variation of batwing chaps. They are often brightly covered with elaborate fringe or eye-catching decorations. Rodeo chaps typically only have closures from the top to just above the back of the knee, allowing the chaps to move wildly from that point downward during a bronc or bull ride.

Pictures Of Cowboy Chaps


Batwing chaps on a ranch bronc rider. Batwing chaps are much fuller cut than the shotgun style.	A pair of shotgun chaps. These chaps are named for their very straight style, similar to a shotgun barrel.	A bull rider wearing rodeo chaps, a variation of batwing chaps.

Pronouncing Chaps

Chaps are pronounced with a soft "ch" which means they are pronounced "shaps."