Kevlar jeans are a great option if you want protection but you don’t want to look too ‘bikery’.
While textile trousers are great for long-distance comfort and keeping the elements out, and leather jeans are a good all-day comfortable option on the bike – jeans are a great compromise.
Jeans offer decent protection, some are waterproof but most importantly, they’re comfortable and look good off the bike.
Most motorcycle jeans are labeled as unisex but there are loads of options out there for the ladies.
A women’s specific jean will fit better, look better and ultimately protect you better as the impact zones and abrasion-resistant fabrics are likely to be in the places you want them to be, rather than able to fold up as they might on an ill-fitting pair of jeans.
We’ve put together this showcase with jeans and leggings to suit different budgets.
RRP: £70
A no-frills option with basic protection in the form of a 60% internal cover of covec impact abrasion prevention layer and an internal covec thermal barrier to prevent heat transfer from friction off the road. You have the option to add CE approved knee and hip protectors but these aren’t included. The side and rear seams are triple stitched to prevent wear and the zip closure uses a YKK zip for strength. Complete with a water repellent finish.
RRP: £130
Pretty much the same as the Oil Skin Jeans, these ones have exactly the same protection offered except only 50% internal cover of Covec impact abrasion prevention layer. Optional knee and hip armour can be added to the pockets on the jeans.
RRP: £219
This stretchy pair of motorcycle jeans are perfect to fit any body shape and hide a multitude of sins! Waterproof and breathable, you won’t have a problem in any weather condition. Complete with Seesmart CE-level 1 protection at the knee, a double-layered PWR shield at the seat and knees plus the triple stitching on the seams provides ample protection from abrasion. If you want to upgrade your protection, the pockets for Tryonic Seesoft CE hip protectors allow you to insert these if bought separately. The internal mesh liner made from polycotton adds more comfort during wear and a range of sizes including regular and long length will suit most riders.
LEGGINGS
RRP: £89
If you prefer leggings to jeans for a more comfortable and skin-tight fit, these ones are a great option. The high waist is perfect for comfort while in a sitting position and protecting enough skin while out on the road. The outer construction is made from high-quality denim and contains an abrasion-resistant aramid fibre lining which is removable. Included are CE-level 2 certified knee protectors and there is accommodation for CE hip armour (sold separately). Available in a good range of sizes and short, regular and long lengths.
Kevlar Jeans Buying Guide
It's a good idea to try on different pairs of jeans from different manufacturers to get an idea of how they feel and what you like about each one you try.
If you're looking for the best ladies kevlar jeans, these are the features that we think you should be looking out for.
- CE approval: If the jeans are only partially lined, they won't be up to the CE standards but not all fully lined jeans pass the CE test. Jeans that aren't fully lined are generally lighter, more flexible and slightly easier to wear but they most likely won't offer as much protection.
- Armour: Not all jeans come with armour and those that do, come with different types. Look at the quality of the supplied armour and check the shape. Brands such as Knox, D3O and Alpinestars come with a pre-shaped armour that's comfortable. Also, check to see if the armour is adjustable (via Velcro tabs) or if it just slips into an internal sleeve.
- Thickness: Different manufacturers use different thicknesses of denim. The denim is actually good for abrasion resistance but if it's very thick, the jeans tend to be less easy to wear and can retain a lot of heat.
CE Approval - Motorcycle Jeans
There are some great protective motorcycle jeans out there but there's also a lot of rubbish. They need to carry CE approval in order to be a far better choice than just a thick pair of regular jeans.
For testing purposes, garments are divided into three zones: A, B and C. Each area is tested for seam strength and abrasion resistance. And, in each zone, certain parameters have to be met to attain a particular standard.
The EN17092 or the "Damstadt test" is the new standard set to replace the old CE test (EN 13595).
Essentially there are five different standards under the new rules. Class C is for off-road garments. Class B is for road garments where impact protectors are deemed not necessary. Level A is a standard for urban riding. Level AA is a standard deemed to provide sufficient protection for touring. The top level, AAA, provides the very highest level of protection.
The highest rating that kevlar jeans are likely to get is a AA standard. The AAA standard will pretty much be the preserve of leather motorcycle gear.
Motorcycle Jeans FAQs
Are motorcycle jeans waterproof?
Most of them will be water-resistant and some have been treated with waterproof materials such as Teflon coatings and other waterproofing measures to improve their ability to shed water before it soaks in.
You can buy products like Nikwax Fabric & Leather waterproofing which will hugely improve the waterproofing of your kit, from leathers to textile jackets or gloves but if you are caught out in a downpour and want to stay dry, you’ll need a pair of waterproof trousers.
Sources
Thanks to the following websites which helped us research and write this armoured motorcycle jeans guide:
