Skin-to-skin contact is the only way the virus is transmitted. The skin on the legs is little thicker and thus harder to lead to tranmission without the breaks in the skin. The virus needs heat and fritction to be able to take hold.
also, is the skin a protective barrier against herpes? like, I assume the virus is more easily transmitted if the virus comes in contact with an open area such as the genital area or an opening in the skin, but what if the skin is in contact and no openings or cuts or anything?