These days, just about every major brand has its take on motorcycle jeans. As the number of options on offer goes up, the marketplace becomes increasingly difficult to navigate – but luckily that is where we come in, cutting through the bs with Katana-like efficiency.
This is the world of motorcycle jeans brought to heel.
Protective Motorcycle Jeans: Three Categories
Manufacturers who sell motorcycle jeans in the EU can no longer market casualwear jeans with pockets for armour as “motorbike jeans” – following a change to CE certification standards. As such, most protective motorcycle jeans can be placed into one of two categories:
1. Single-layer Jeans
OR
2. Lined Protective Jeans
Single-layer protective motorbike jeans nonetheless, are now practically indistinguishable from a pair of high-street pair of jeans. The critical difference is that they not only feature pockets for armour and modern high-strength stitching techniques but the fabric itself is abrasion-resistant.
This is achieved by subbing some of the cotton fibres in the weave for nylon, aramid or UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene). The result is a fabric that almost feels like standard denim but with dramatically increased abrasion resistance.
Motorcycle Riding Jeans: Lining & Materials
Cordura Denim is a popular off-the-peg fabric using military-grade nylon, offers 4x more abrasion resistance (in 13.75oz weight) than 100% cotton denim fabric and comfortably meets CE test requirements.
Higher-end products often use aramid fibres (e.g. DuPont Kevlar), or the market-leading UHMWPE brand, Dyneema. Dyneema is incredibly low bulk but offers an equivalent abrasion resistance of 15x the strength of carbon steel, so it is a pretty solid bet for anyone looking to make a tough pair of trousers.
Lined jeans are essentially a standard pair of jeans, but with additional layers of a protective fabric – often an aramid (Kevlar) type – in various positions to provide protection where it is most needed.
Aramid fabric is not as lightweight as one woven from Dyneema, but Kevlar’s association with flak jackets should tell you all you need to know about its toughness (please note, aramid lined jeans are *not* bulletproof).
The double-layered design of lined jeans does mean that the outer will probably only handle one crash before needing repair or replacement. They are also a little more insulating than a casual pair, but when riding at speed this is actually quite welcome. Creating a pair of lined jeans also comes at a significantly lower manufacturing cost, so they tend to be a little easier on the wallet too.
R&D for Protective Jean Fabrics
Some brands have spent some serious time developing their own protective fabrics for motorcycle clothing. For example, John Doe uses its proprietary XTM fabric in almost all of its products. This is a blend of Kevlar and Coolmax fibres, to create a fabric with extreme abrasion resistance but also excellent moisture-wicking properties and breathability.
As a result, John Doe jeans are some of the easiest to wear all day despite being fully lined. Canadian company Resurgence Gear has developed its own strain of UHMWPE and woven either PEKEV or PEKEV Lite into its products.
Although the standard PEKEV is already a lighter material than an equivalent aramid version, PEKEV Lite brings that weight down further and features a wicking mesh on the skin side.
Slide time is reduced by 50%, but still exceeds 5 seconds – plenty for CE certification.
Dutch moto leviathan REV’IT! has PWR|Shield, which is its own lightweight nylon-based protective fabric. Often combined with Cordura Denim or similar materials, PWR|Shield offers better abrasion resistance than leather despite the fact you’d barely know it’s there.
Motorcycle Jeans: Retro/Old-School/Classic/Vintage-Inspired
Resurgence Gear Cafe Racer
Resurgence
If you’re seeking a classic ’50s rockabilly look, then opt for the straight-cut option. The extra room is just what you’ll need to take your pomade and comb along for the ride. The skinny Cafe Racer jeans are moderately slim-fitted. And with their stretchable properties, they’re also approvingly comfortable and available for both men and women.
John Doe Ironhead / Betty
No ordinary Kevlar jeans, John Doe Ironhead and Betty jeans are 100% lined with XTM, but they feel just like a well-worn pair of jeans right out of the box – if a little more cosy than standard. The Coolmax fibres help airflow, and the Teflon coating provides enough water repellency to shrug off showers too. John Doe jeans have a 97% cotton, 3% lycra outer which gives them a little extra stretch.
Urban Motorcycle Jeans: The Modern Upstarts
This is really handy on bikes with a slightly more tucked riding position. The Ironhead offers a tapered leg and a slim fit, but if you’d like something with a straight leg then look to the John Doe Original jeans: they’ll see you right.
John Doe is responsible for some of the most popular ladies’ motorcycle
Richa Original Slim
The Original Slim jeans from Richa are right up there with the best-fitting motorcycle jeans we’ve had through the shop. Using Cordura Denim for the outer, these are properly protective single-layer motorbike jeans, yet come in at under £150. Available in 3 colours, as well as the pre-existing straight-cut iteration.
Retro Motorcycle Jeans for Women Riders
The female rider, on the whole, is equal to or greater than her male counterparts in badassery, so she also requires quality riding
John Doe Betty Jeggings
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking there’s no way that these riding trousers could be considered to be protective moto gear. You’d be wrong though, so listen up.
The cotton/lycra blend outer may look super-casual but it’s backed up by John Doe’s XTM Kevlar-based fabric to provide the same level of abrasion resistance as its denim jeans. A Teflon coating to shake off the showers is a neat touch – oh, and they have pockets too. Real pockets.
Resurgence Gear Sara Jane Leggings
The high-stretch denim outer of the Sara Jane leggings from Resurgence
Motorcycle Jeans for Scrambler Riders: The 50/50 Tyre Club
Fuel Motorcycles Sergeant
Bringing in some style points from the enduro and scrambler scene, the Fuel Motorcycles, Sergeant trousers are more clear about their moto intentions. Stretch denim is supported by accordion panels to provide maximum mobility, and the quilted panels give a nod to classic flat track and speedway race
On the safety side, the knees and seat are reinforced with Kevlar panels underneath the outer and CE Level 2 armour is supplied for the knees and hips.
UglyBROS Motorpool-K / Motorpool-GK
In the past, UglyBROS products have been seen as somewhat overpriced casual jeans borrowing an enduro aesthetic – well, those days are long gone. The Motorpool-K features a Kevlar/polyester mix lining that is comfortable all day long, paired with an ergonomic bike-specific fit. 2019 has also [finally] seen the introduction of the Motorpool-GK, a version for women.
UglyBROS riding trousers come with a sizeable price tag, sure, but the levels of comfort, quality and practicality mean these fly off the shelves every time we receive a delivery. Perfect for cafe runs to full-scale touring.
Smart Casual Motorcycle Riding Pants/Trousers
REV’IT! Alpha Chino Trousers/Pants
If you need something a little smarter than a pair of blue jeans, chinos are often the first port of call. On the bike though? Why should it be any different – the REV’IT! Alpha trousers offer protection and technical features while dodging any scrutiny at the country club. Cordura Denim is reinforced with PWR|Shield in key areas, plus REV’IT supply SeeSmart armour in the knees and hips – easily the lowest profile armour available right now.
Alternative Motorcycle Riding Jeans: Dungarees, Moonshine Runners
Resurgence Gear Dungarees
Workwear outfitting and motorcycles have long been pals, but your run-of-the-mill pair of overalls won’t really do much for you in a spill. These dungarees from Resurgence Gear though, are legit. They feature the same PEKEV lining and armour as the Cafe Racer jeans we mentioned earlier but in a traditional 6-pocket dungaree template cut from raw Selvedge denim.
Being the good ole boys and girls that the Resurgence team are, this dungaree comes in cuts for men and women. The women’s version is also available in black. So strap in, saddle up and stay off the Happy Sally.
