Here's my issue with them, and as unserious as it sounds, it's a sincere issue... I think. Maybe I'm wrong.. Chaps, leave a very important part of me uncovered and unprotected, except with jeans. If I get off my bike and I'm sliding down the road, gravel, rocks, dirt, etc seem like they'd rip through my pants pretty quickly. It would seem like road rash on the legs would be drastically better than road rash of the, well, rear... Like I said, this is a sincere thing, so if I'm way off on the protective quality of chaps, I can go to Avon boot shop and pick up a pair for $60. I just have always felt this way about them, but admit I've also never worn them.