Ankle straps that offer convenience and increased visibility

(June 9, 2015) After I had a pair of leather chaps blow off my bike on I-83 in York, PA back in 2006, I purchased a nicer, heavier pair that I have been more careful with when it comes to stowing them on my bike.

Unfortunately, as nice as these new chaps look and how sturdily made, the leg openings are just wide enough to allow wind underneath them at highway speeds. The wind whips the legs back and forth enough to pop the snaps loose, and soon the zippers are working their way up my legs. As a result, I have often been reluctant to wear them when I should.

I added a snap on each leg that made the opening a bit smaller, but it wasn't enough. For a while, I used short black bungee cords to secure them around my ankles. And then one day it occurred to me that bicycle riders sometimes use a strap around their ankle on the chain side to keep their pants out of the way of the chain. Sure enough, I found on Amazon.com just what I was looking for.

Click on the accompanying photos to see a very functional pair of ankle straps that look good and work great. In the day-time, I face the black side out; and at night, I turn them over so the reflectorized material faces out. At just $12 for the pair, these were a great investment. They also keep my legs much warmer in the cooler weather by preventing the wind from getting under my pant legs.

Even if your chaps don't come undone in the wind like mine, give these a try anyway, especially in cooler weather and see if you don't agree that they're a great investment.

Keep the shiny side up!

-The Long Rider