Custom Chaps
Shotguns, Arizona Bells, Reining, Show, and Repairs
I offer custom western chaps in a variety of styles, mainly catering to the show and working cowboys and cowgirls. Every pair is custom made to the client's measurements to ensure a perfect fit. My laced in zipper style chaps are made with adjustable zippers for a pair that should work for you in all seasons. I have learned to make chaps from some of the best chap makers out there. Every element of the design is made with functionality and comfort in mind. I order my leather from one of the most reputable tanneries in the United States. All buckles, zippers and rivets come from Weaver Leather Supply or other reputable suppliers. I use high quality products to make chaps and chinks that will last a lifetime.
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Initiating Your Order:
If you are interested in chaps, please reach out to me using the "Get Started" button below or send me an email at: featherleatherco.sc@gmail.com. I also respond to inquiries via instagram and facebook messenger as well.
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I prefer that local customers come to my shop in person or at Tumbleweed in downtown Aiken for measurements. I can also meet local customers at their barn or a horse show. My shop is located in SC but is a private address. Customers can make appointments with me to visit.
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For folks long distance, I'll schedule a call with you and we'll go over all details and then discuss obtaining correct measurements via facetime, skype, zoom, etc.
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Upon taking down your order, I create a sales order and send to you for review and approval. I look for a deposit of 50% up front and the balance upon completion. At the time of deposit, I will share with you the lead time. I try to work on completing orders anywhere between 8-16 weeks.
Reining/Shotgun Chaps
Custom made exactly to your measurements, they will be flashy enough for the show pen, but comfortable enough to ride in all day at home. The only difference between these and the "cowboy" shotguns chaps are that these do not have laced-in adjustable zippers. These are I offer a wide variety of leather types and colors depending on your intended use. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more info on leather types.
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Base Price: $850 includes:
One color body
Choice of fringe (up to 10"- same color as body)
Adjustable back belt with 1" cart buckle
Front belt with 3/4" cart buckle
Adjustable YKK brass zippers
Top and bottom yokes of same color or similar in stock
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Customizations: See 2025 Price List Page
Stamped tops
Inlaid brands
Partially carved or fully carved yokes
Bottom carved yokes
Conchos
Pockets (inside and outside)
Double fringe
Scalloped edging
Cowboy Shotgun Chaps
Custom made exactly to your measurements, and of durable leather, they will be comfortable and functional. Adjustable zippers allow for flexibility depending on the season. I offer a wide variety of leather types and colors depending on your intended use. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more info on leather types.
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Base Price: $850 includes:
One color body
Choice of fringe (up to 10"- same color as body)
Adjustable back belt with 1" cart buckle
Front belt with 3/4" cart buckle
Adjustable YKK brass zippers
Top and bottom yokes of same color or similar in stock
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Customizations: See 2025 Price List Page
Stamped tops
Partially carved or fully carved yokes
Bottom carved yokes
Conchos
Pockets (inside and outside)
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Batwings and Arizona Bells
Excellent working chaps with added flair.
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Base Price: $750 includes:
One color body
Choice of fringe (up to 10"- same color as body)
Adjustable back belt with 1" cart buckle
Front belt with 3/4" cart buckle
Adjustable laced step ins or brass buckles
Top and bottom yokes of same color or similar in stock
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Customizations: See 2025 Price List Page
Stamped tops
Partially carved or fully carved yokes
Bottom carved yokes
Conchos
Pockets (inside and outside)
Inlay brand
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Chinks
Chinks either square bottom or rounded bottom.
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Base Price: $575 includes:
One color body
Choice of fringe (up to 10"- same color as body)
Adjustable back belt with 1" cart buckle
Front belt with 3/4" cart buckle
Adjustable laced step ins or brass buckles
Top and bottom yokes of same color or similar in stock
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Customizations: See 2025 Price List Page
Stamped tops
Partially carved or fully carved yokes
Bottom carved yokes
Conchos
Pockets (inside and outside)
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Designing Your Chaps
At Feather Leather, I believe in collaboration and creativity. Together, we will design your chaps to reflect your unique style and vision. From selecting materials to finalizing the details, your input is invaluable in creating a custom piece that you'll love. Let's embark on this exciting design journey together!
Style: First, we'll discuss which style of chaps or chinks suit the type of riding you do. If you show, there are some limitations based on the association like AQHA, NRHA, or ARHA.
Color: Next, you'll pick out color and either smooth-out or rough-out. We'll talk about the color of the horses you ride, show shirts and pads, and what we feel will best suit you.
Yoke: So many options! Whether you want to go with a traditional look of a basket stamp, or fully tooled with a unique design, the possibilities are endless. We'll also decide on yoke shape, which is determined by the overall style.
Buckstitching or Lacing: We'll determine color of the lacing that goes down the leg.
Pocket: My cowboys and cowgirls usually like a pocket for snacks and such. My show folks are permitted to have a pocket, but that is association-dependent.
Back Belt/ Front Belt: More of a stylistic choice. For fronts: My cutters and cowfolk sometimes prefer a tie string. Show folks usually like a buckle style with an oval cart buckle. For back belt: I typically recommend a cart buckle, because you can easily adjust it after you get on your horse. Reiners cannot ride with a buckle, back belts must be continuous piece or attached by conchos (adjustable).
Chap Repair
Do you have a favorite pair that you​ need fixed? Or want to dress up and customize? I enjoy refurbishing used chaps to bring them new life.
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Replace yokes
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Replace leg straps and zippers
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Bloodknots
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Back and front belts
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Conchos
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In some cases, I can take out the legs to make them roomier.
Depending on your use and desired fit, there are different types of leather from which your chaps can be made.
Ultra Lightweight
(Typically only for showing- ie. Western Pleasure)
Garment Splits: 2.5- 3oz (suede/roughout)
Dove: 2.75- 3.25oz (medium pebble grain with a mild sheen finish)
Turbo: 2.75- 3.25oz (small pebble grain with mild sheen finish)
Genesis: 2.5- 3.5oz (brilliant colors, small pebble grain with mild sheen finish)
Designer Delight: 2.75- 3.25oz (Bright color palette)
Camo: 2.5- 3.5oz (on the motochap page)
Butterball: 2.75- 3.25oz (very flat grain, light finish)
Light Midweight Chap Leathers
(For schooling, showing, or a light work/summer chap)
Reining, Cutting, Reined Cow Horse, Ranch Riding, Mounted Shooting
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Motochap: 3- 3.5oz (standard chap material, excellent selection of colors, light finish)
Soft Metallic: 3- 3.5oz (fun colors)
Granada: 3.5- 4.5oz (in the upholstery line, very durable with little to no finish)
Midweight Chap Leathers
(Working chaps, midweight show chaps, good for chinks also)
Cheyenne: 4- 4.5oz
Suede splits: 4-4.5oz
Heavy weight
(Working weight leather, great for bat wings/step ins)
Day work, Rodeo, Bull Riding
Oil Tan: 5- 5.5oz (a very firm temper)
Glove Tan: 5-5.5oz (large pebble grain finish, thick feel but flexible)
Mellowtan: 4-5oz (very flat/smooth no grain, thick firm temper)
Yoke Options
Fully Carved
Partial Carve
Stamped
Oil Tanned Plain
Function and Fit
Have you ever had a pair of chaps that would twist inward or outward on you? Ever end up sitting on your buckles, or zipper rubbing the outside of your knees? Have you ever taken a pair of scissors and cut a relief for your spurs? Have you added some more "love" to your thighs and now those beloved chaps don't fit?
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All of these issues are due to less than ideal patterning and style. Regular off the rack chaps are designed to fit the large majority of people, but often miss the mark.
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I have learned to make chaps from some of the best chap makers out there. Every single element of the design is made with functionality and comfort in mind. Every pair of chaps is made for that individual- completely made to your measurements, ensuring the perfect fit. My goal is to make you a pair of chaps that are comfortable to wear all day, functional for your riding, and look dang good on you!
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Brief History behind the word "Chaps"
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The concept of chaps was introduced by the Spanish cowboys called "Vaqueros" to protect their legs from cactus, brush and thorns. They called them "chaparros", which refers to a low-growing thicket that damaged clothing as cowboys rode through it. (1) The first chaps were just large pieces of cowhide attached to the saddle and wrapped around the legs. Later the vaqueros modified this design by making a legging that hung from a belt around the waist and went down the leg to just below the knee and rawhide thongs would hold the chaps to the legs. (2) Interestingly, The word "Buckaroo" sprang from the Spanish word "Vaquero," as you may know "V" is pronounced "B" in Spanish.(3)
Early pioneer Texans designed a heavy buckskin breech that fully encircled the leg and often had fringing. Chasing the wily longhorn that would run into dense thickets of thorns necessitated heavy protection. As the cowboy population grew throughout the west, western leather makers designed three types of chaps to accommodate the various general types of ranges and conditions they were used in. The three types were Shotgun, Bat Wing and Woolies. Texas cowboys wore chaps that protected there legs from sharp branches and thorny bushes and thistles. In the north cowboys not only used them for protecting their legs while riding through brush and rough terrain but also used them for the added warmth and some protection in wind, rain and snow.(2)
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Sources:
(1) https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/12/02/chaps-old-west/?chrome=1&D2c=1&A1c=1
(2) https://www.cochiseleather.com/leather-history.aspx
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