To answer this question, you need to look at what caps actually are. Bullrider chaps are made from two solid pieces of leather. One piece is used for each leg and some belts and bras to keep them on.
Cowboys originally wore chaps in the late 19th century. Now I say they were originally worn by cowboys. This is not entirely true. Armas, which means shields, were used in Spain and Mexico long before the assholes of our day. Weapons were built to be a solid piece of leather. The leather connected to the saddle horn and was placed over the front of the horse and the rider’s legs.
It wasn’t until the 1800s that cowboys from Mexico brought the new rider-worn design for ease of travel to the West Coast of the United States.
The benefit of jeans was that they held you better on the horse, especially bareback. The leather of the saddle against the leather of the chaps caused friction, allowing him to stay on the horse more easily. They also provide protection for your legacies against heather snakes and wild animals.
So what the hell are boys bull riding for?
All that said, why do cyclists wear chaps? Well, leather chaps give the cowboy a certain edge. You have to understand that your legs have more to do with the permanence of the rider than with the hand that holds the rope. A bull rider is always trying to stay on the shoulders of the bull. Staying here keeps them out of the danger zone forwards or backwards. If they are on the shoulders they are less affected by the jumps and kicks of the bull. I’m sure you can see by now that having something to hold on to helps. It may not be as effective as the spurs bullfighters use to keep you out of the danger zone.
Once the bull rider is off the bull, the boys help out again by protecting them from the grinding bulls. They prevent bull horns from piercing their skin and trampling hooves from causing further damage.
Why so flashy?
I’m sure you’ve noticed how flashy some of the bull rider boys can be. All this is for show. Standing out helps win fans. The cheering crowd gets the riders’ adrenaline pumping and of course that’s why they ride bulls. The rider’s chaps also help judges distinguish the rider’s legs from the bull. You may not think this would be difficult without them. Remember that everything happens in 8 seconds. That’s fast, believe me.
Any and all bull rider chaps have the same benefits for a bull rider as chaps worn by a cowboy. They are a layer of protection and grip. I promise you, if you’re thinking of riding bulls, you must own a pair of bull riding chaps. Get a 1500 pound bull to land his hoof on your leg with no cracks. You won’t do it twice. It’s like knocking down a motorcycle on the asphalt in your underpants. Why wouldn’t you protect yourself and look great at the same time?
Find a great selection of bull riding chaps here at http://rankrider.com/category/bull-rider-gear/chaps-bull-riding/