Pants - jeans - armor
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
So.....motorcycle jeans are evolving quite quickly.....
It used to be that armoured jeans were typically denim on the outside with a thick inner lining of kevlar on some or all of the inside. Think bulky and warm. But over the last year or two, you are seeing single layer armoured jeans where the aramid fibre (think kevlar, which is just a brand name) is actually woven into the denim material.
This is the way forward as the pants are now just the same thickness as a pair of denim jeans. The cut can also be identical to a regular pair of jeans and there are no daft seams at the knees anymore.
The abrasion resistance of many of these new jeans is also better than leather - in some cases, much better. All of these have pockets for knee and hip armour and some come with the actual armour as standard. If not, D3O make superb lightweight armour.
There's a very good article about this here: Single layer vs. "kevlar" jeans
Take a look at Rokker for the "best of the best" although other brands like Spidi are now also making single layer jeans. You can also get single layer waterproof riding jeans as well - which is awesome as there's no need to pack separate wet weather overtrousers. I have a pair of these and have ridden for 8 hours in them and still been bone dry underneath. They really do work.
Bottom line is you can now buy a pair of riding jeans that are more abrasion resistant than leather, have lightweight knee and hip armour, are waterproof and look and feel exactly like a pair of standard denim jeans.
The good ones aren't cheap, but to my mind represent good value if you ride a lot.
It used to be that armoured jeans were typically denim on the outside with a thick inner lining of kevlar on some or all of the inside. Think bulky and warm. But over the last year or two, you are seeing single layer armoured jeans where the aramid fibre (think kevlar, which is just a brand name) is actually woven into the denim material.
This is the way forward as the pants are now just the same thickness as a pair of denim jeans. The cut can also be identical to a regular pair of jeans and there are no daft seams at the knees anymore.
The abrasion resistance of many of these new jeans is also better than leather - in some cases, much better. All of these have pockets for knee and hip armour and some come with the actual armour as standard. If not, D3O make superb lightweight armour.
There's a very good article about this here: Single layer vs. "kevlar" jeans
Take a look at Rokker for the "best of the best" although other brands like Spidi are now also making single layer jeans. You can also get single layer waterproof riding jeans as well - which is awesome as there's no need to pack separate wet weather overtrousers. I have a pair of these and have ridden for 8 hours in them and still been bone dry underneath. They really do work.
Bottom line is you can now buy a pair of riding jeans that are more abrasion resistant than leather, have lightweight knee and hip armour, are waterproof and look and feel exactly like a pair of standard denim jeans.
The good ones aren't cheap, but to my mind represent good value if you ride a lot.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
Of the ones recommended the Dainese Todi look good and are reasonable compared to some of the others. I owned a pair of Kevlar jeans many years ago and they were hot as hell during the Summer. As in almost unbearable hot. Thats just my take. There is a compromise to be made between protection and comfort. Everyone has to decide that for themselves. I ride with the thickest denim jeans I can find. Which in my case are the Wrangler pro jeans. Not the ones you find in department stores. I order directly from Wranglers website. I am giving up some protection but I am comfortable with the decision.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 126
Likes: 19
From: MARION NC
So.....motorcycle jeans are evolving quite quickly.....
It used to be that armoured jeans were typically denim on the outside with a thick inner lining of kevlar on some or all of the inside. Think bulky and warm. But over the last year or two, you are seeing single layer armoured jeans where the aramid fibre (think kevlar, which is just a brand name) is actually woven into the denim material.
This is the way forward as the pants are now just the same thickness as a pair of denim jeans. The cut can also be identical to a regular pair of jeans and there are no daft seams at the knees anymore.
The abrasion resistance of many of these new jeans is also better than leather - in some cases, much better. All of these have pockets for knee and hip armour and some come with the actual armour as standard. If not, D3O make superb lightweight armour.
There's a very good article about this here: Single layer vs. "kevlar" jeans
Take a look at Rokker for the "best of the best" although other brands like Spidi are now also making single layer jeans. You can also get single layer waterproof riding jeans as well - which is awesome as there's no need to pack separate wet weather overtrousers. I have a pair of these and have ridden for 8 hours in them and still been bone dry underneath. They really do work.
Bottom line is you can now buy a pair of riding jeans that are more abrasion resistant than leather, have lightweight knee and hip armour, are waterproof and look and feel exactly like a pair of standard denim jeans.
The good ones aren't cheap, but to my mind represent good value if you ride a lot.
It used to be that armoured jeans were typically denim on the outside with a thick inner lining of kevlar on some or all of the inside. Think bulky and warm. But over the last year or two, you are seeing single layer armoured jeans where the aramid fibre (think kevlar, which is just a brand name) is actually woven into the denim material.
This is the way forward as the pants are now just the same thickness as a pair of denim jeans. The cut can also be identical to a regular pair of jeans and there are no daft seams at the knees anymore.
The abrasion resistance of many of these new jeans is also better than leather - in some cases, much better. All of these have pockets for knee and hip armour and some come with the actual armour as standard. If not, D3O make superb lightweight armour.
There's a very good article about this here: Single layer vs. "kevlar" jeans
Take a look at Rokker for the "best of the best" although other brands like Spidi are now also making single layer jeans. You can also get single layer waterproof riding jeans as well - which is awesome as there's no need to pack separate wet weather overtrousers. I have a pair of these and have ridden for 8 hours in them and still been bone dry underneath. They really do work.
Bottom line is you can now buy a pair of riding jeans that are more abrasion resistant than leather, have lightweight knee and hip armour, are waterproof and look and feel exactly like a pair of standard denim jeans.
The good ones aren't cheap, but to my mind represent good value if you ride a lot.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 553
Likes: 46
From: Canton, GA
I am running the RevIt Philly jeans and I like them. They look like regular jeans and mostly feel like regular jeans but have armor in them.
I used to have cheapy Cycle Gear "kevlar" jeans. They were OK but they fit sloppy and just were cheaply made compared to the RevIt or Dianese. I did low side very slowly in them and the knee armor protected me.
I cannot fathom riding a motorcycle without full gear. I can appreciate peoples' free will but, it's just ignorant to think that anyone can say "it's OK if my skin gets ground off today". You can be the best rider in the world and something you cannot control will put you down.
Ride safe!
I used to have cheapy Cycle Gear "kevlar" jeans. They were OK but they fit sloppy and just were cheaply made compared to the RevIt or Dianese. I did low side very slowly in them and the knee armor protected me.
I cannot fathom riding a motorcycle without full gear. I can appreciate peoples' free will but, it's just ignorant to think that anyone can say "it's OK if my skin gets ground off today". You can be the best rider in the world and something you cannot control will put you down.
Ride safe!
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
For me, when considering riding gear, there are basically two factors to consider: level of protection, and comfort. It is basically a compromise on these two factors.
I have found that leather is the cheapest, most durable, comfortable, and effective material for abrasion resistance. I purchased a textile set of riding gear at the same time I bought my leathers (10 years ago). The textile gear is long gone, but the leathers look great. The benefits of the textile gear was that it was versatile and provided ample impact protection. The benefits of the leather is that it is more comfortable and provides better weather protection. The downside to the leather is that it offers no impact protection. If I ever buy new gear, it will be leather with armor. It is worth the extra money to buy quality protection and durability.
For every day riding I wear a helmet, gloves, leather jacket, jeans, and boots. It is just too inconvenient to wear all of the gear all of the time, when it takes longer to gear up than it does to run the actual errand.
As far as riding jeans are concerned... Not interested. All of the jeans I have looked at are expensive, don't fit me right, and are uncomfortable. I prefer wearing my over pants.
I have found that leather is the cheapest, most durable, comfortable, and effective material for abrasion resistance. I purchased a textile set of riding gear at the same time I bought my leathers (10 years ago). The textile gear is long gone, but the leathers look great. The benefits of the textile gear was that it was versatile and provided ample impact protection. The benefits of the leather is that it is more comfortable and provides better weather protection. The downside to the leather is that it offers no impact protection. If I ever buy new gear, it will be leather with armor. It is worth the extra money to buy quality protection and durability.
For every day riding I wear a helmet, gloves, leather jacket, jeans, and boots. It is just too inconvenient to wear all of the gear all of the time, when it takes longer to gear up than it does to run the actual errand.
As far as riding jeans are concerned... Not interested. All of the jeans I have looked at are expensive, don't fit me right, and are uncomfortable. I prefer wearing my over pants.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 1,212
From: SW Michigan
Not sure if this is right section to post, but, here goes.
I am a new rider to the street and have become totally confused with all the options for riding pants.
Regular Jeans
Cycle Spec Jeans
Over Pants
Bohn Under Armor
And the list could go on.......
Looking for real world recommendations, I want to save my hide the best I can without breaking the bank. I'm thinking good 'ole Wranglers or Carhart with Bohn Armor. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
I am a new rider to the street and have become totally confused with all the options for riding pants.
Regular Jeans
Cycle Spec Jeans
Over Pants
Bohn Under Armor
And the list could go on.......
Looking for real world recommendations, I want to save my hide the best I can without breaking the bank. I'm thinking good 'ole Wranglers or Carhart with Bohn Armor. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 667
Likes: 189
From: U.K.
It's a fair question to ask considering all the options available these days.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 1,212
From: SW Michigan
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Joe Kucinski
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 33
Likes: 5
From: Philly Area
I just wear regular Levis but the more I ride the more I would like some more leg protection. I don't like overpants and riding specific jeans don't really interest me. I really like the idea of draggin jeans liners... there are some reviews where people have gone down and gotten little to no road rash. I also like how you can wear them under whatever pants you're wearing at the time. Will definitely be looking into getting a pair in the next few months I think.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 4,759
From: Albuquerque, NM
There's a very good article about this here: Single layer vs. "kevlar" jeans