Chaps are sturdy leather coverings worn over regular pants to protect a rider's legs. Cowboys and ranchers wear chaps when riding horses through brush, thorny plants, or rough terrain that could tear their clothes or scratch their skin. The leather acts like armor for your legs.

Traditional Western chaps buckle around the waist and cover each leg separately, leaving the back open so they're easy to put on over boots and jeans. Some chaps have long fringe on the sides, which helps brush away water and adds a distinctive look you might recognize from rodeos or Western movies.

Motorcycle riders also wear chaps for protection, though theirs are designed more for safety in case of a fall rather than protection from thorns. In both cases, chaps serve the same basic purpose: protecting your legs while you're doing something that could damage regular pants. If you visit a working ranch or attend a rodeo, you'll likely see riders wearing chaps as essential gear for their work.