How to Fold and Store Leather Chaps: Saddlebag Fold, Chap Pack and Off-Season Storage

To fold leather chaps, unzip them, lay them flat leather side out, fold the waist down, fold each side in by a third and snap the buttons together. For longer storage, clean and dry them first, then hang them on a wide padded hanger or lay them flat under a breathable cotton cover in a cool, dry place. Plastic bags, damp cellars and hot attics are the things to avoid.

This guide covers folding and storing. For cleaning and conditioning other leather, start at our leather care and cleaning guide.

Fold for the ride or store for the season?

What you need

• A clean, flat surface (a bed, a table or the bike seat)
• A soft, dry cloth to wipe off dust and road dirt
• A wide wooden, plastic or padded hanger
• A breathable cover, such as a cotton sheet
• Optional: cotton or acid-free tissue to wrap folded chaps

How to fold leather chaps in 6 steps

This is the flat three-fold for a saddlebag or a shelf.

1. Unzip and lay them flat. Open the zips and lay the chaps flat, leather side out.
2. Fold the waist down. Fold the waist area down so the top forms a straight line.
3. Turn one side under. Fold the right side under so the snap buttons sit on the bottom.
4. Fold the right third over. Bring the right side over about a third of the way.
5. Fold and tuck the left third. Fold the left side over and tuck it so the snaps line up.
6. Snap it closed. Snap the buttons together so the bundle stays folded.

Another retailer's version folds the waist toward the ankle instead of snapping, which works for flat storage at home.

How to roll a chap pack on the road

Riders also roll chaps into a tight "chap pack" while draped over the motorcycle seat, because that is where you usually take them off.

In this video from the Touring Midwest channel, the rider folds the waist down, turns the snap ends under, tucks the zipper end inside and snaps the bundle shut. Watch how the zippers end up inside the roll, which keeps them away from the bike's paint if you strap the pack on.

How to store chaps between seasons

1. Clean and dry them first. Dust, dirt and moisture left on stored chaps cause wear and mildew. Wipe dirt with a clean, damp cloth and let the leather dry naturally at room temperature, never in a dryer. More on that in how to dry leather without damaging it.
2. Hang them or lay them flat. Use a wide or padded hanger, or store them flat. Give them space: cramming and compression cause creases. Wire hangers can distort leather garments.
3. Cover them with cloth, not plastic. A cotton sheet lets the leather breathe; plastic bags or coverings dry it out. Conservators at the Canadian Conservation Institute wrap leather in cotton or acid-free tissue and use dust covers.
4. Pick a cool, dry, airy spot. Avoid attics and cellars. Damp is the big risk: relative humidity above 65% favors mold, so keep air moving. Keep chaps out of direct sun and away from heat.
5. Decide on conditioner before storage. One care source says to condition before long-term storage. The US National Park Service says leather dressings have no preservative effect and can leave a sticky surface. Both views exist; if you do condition, read choosing a leather conditioner for chaps.

The store's chaps page says to care for the leather with a cream as its care instructions explain. Those instructions name a leather lotion on a soft cloth and warn against shoe cream.

Creases after folding

Wrinkles in leather garments should hang out. If ironing is needed, the store's care page says to lay heavy brown paper over the leather and use a cool to medium iron, because overheating makes leather shine. Don't force a stiff fold flat: forcing misshapen leather can tear it. Deeper creases are covered in our leather reshaping and wrinkle guides.

Mistakes to avoid

• Packing them damp. Moist storage invites mold.
• Sealing them in plastic.
• Crushing them under other gear in a full saddlebag or drawer for weeks.
• Storing near a heater or window.
• Forgetting them all winter. Leather left unused for long periods may stiffen, so take them out and check them now and then.

For the rest of your gear, see how to maintain motorcycle riding gear.

Quick answers

How do you fold chaps?

Unzip, lay flat leather side out, fold the waist down, fold each side in by a third and snap the buttons together.

How do you wash leather chaps?

Don't soak them. Wipe dirt off with a clean, damp cloth and let them dry naturally. The full answer, with what sources disagree on, is in can you wash leather?

If you are choosing a new pair, Leather Collection men's leather chaps are cut from 1.1-1.3 mm (about 0.04-0.05 in) cowhide and close with a full-length side zip, so the fold above starts with opening that zip.