Chinks, Armitas, Leggins: Which is best for you?
By Madeline
Many ranch and cowboy gals have a preference as to which leg covering style they choose. What works for me, may not work for you. This style preference can also be weighed heavily on where you come from, practicality, and what the people around you are wearing. It may also be influenced by which category of cowboy you relate to most. If you have deep roots in the California Vaquero and Buckaroo cultures, there’s a good chance armitas will be the style you enjoy most. If you are a cowpuncher then you may have a pair or two of “leggins”. These can be your Arizona bells, shotguns, bat wings, etc. Finally, if you relate most to the original cowboy style, chinks may be your go to.
Now let’s get into the basics of each style and what they have to offer. No matter which fit you like best, the goal is to protect your legs from the elements, brush, and whatever else is thrown at you. In some areas like Wyoming and Montana, you might want full coverage for protection against snow and rain. In regions like Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico you’ll want full coverage to protect from the cactus and brush. If you’re in a place with less moisture or a more temperate climate like California or Nevada, you may opt for chinks and armitas. Not only do they provide protection but they also provide functionality. Many are adorned with rings and pockets, making them perfect to hold tie strings, get downs, doctoring supplies, snacks, and fencing tools.
Chinks are typically made in a rounded shape towards the bottom with long fringe, although some can be more square than others. They’re light, comfortable, and offer a large range of movement. These are typically more well-suited for warmer days that entail more physical activity. They can be fashioned any way you like and are guaranteed to offer protection while keeping you comfortable and clean in the heat.
The chinks pictured above were made by the incredibly talented Lexi Jo, owner of Missfit Mare.
Leggins are my personal favorite due to the coverage and warmth they offer. The shapes and styles of leggins are many. From bat wings to shotguns and everything in between, they’ve got you covered. Because there is more structure to them, they can have larger pockets to hold any of the essentials you may pack along with you. They can however, be quite toasty on hot days, so keep that in mind! Leggins are a HUGE life saver on the cold and stormy days. The hips of leggins are often accompanied by an O ring that works perfectly to carry your many tie strings (which you can never have enough of). You can have fringe, no fringe, tighter, and more relaxed. With leggins you will stay (mostly) clean, dry, and protected from what life has to throw at you.
The leggins above were made by the out of this world Carson Burke, owner of Buckaroo Tack House.
Armitas are essentially chinks with a little more pizazz. They have square bottoms and lots of fringe, including across the belt. These are more popular among the Buckaroo and Vaquero cultures. Armitas are better outfitted for warm weather and temperate climates. I personally am a huge fan of armitas for all my warm cow work endeavors. They allow you to move freely while looking incredible and being very functional. Being light and comfortable, they’re a close runner up to leggins.
Pictured above is Morgan rocking her wild armitas, while being a hand in the branding pen.
No matter the place you cowboy or the style you choose, chinks, leggins, or armitas will greatly benefit you. While they all look great, finding the one that suits your lifestyle best is the way to go!
