New summer gear

Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 mesh- $153. Has rainliner.

Thinking about getting some armored jeans. Opinions, recommendations?

 

I'm not comfortable with the protection of any of the mesh gear--I stick with perforated leather.

 

Well, it's gotta be better than a T-shirt

 

If you're wanting something for "everyday" use and/or don't want to look like a storm trooper, try some Kevlar lined pants. I grabbed a few pairs of the 'Sliders' riding pants (Jean, Khaki and Cargo) from Competition Accessories. They have thick fabric to start and a lot of Kevlar in the key areas. Although they do have pockets in the knee area for knee pads, I opted to use the knee/shin guards that strap to the leg. I also wear padded shorts that have hip and thigh protection.

The Sliders Jeans won an MCN 'Best Buy' award. I wear these when commuting mostly and when I have to be on job sites, as I don't always have the luxury of having a place to change out of a leather riding suit or a place to store it.
Sliders 4.0 Motorcycle Riding Jeans

 

Hey thanks OOTV! Those might be just the ticket.

Would you happen to have link to the padded shorts?

 

Sliders make some great products, I currently use their all season 2 overpants for everything lately since they have full length zippers and kevlar. Great for commuting/errands.

http://www.compacc.com/p/sliders-kevlar-all-season-2-pants

 

They're made by Alpinestars but here's a link to them on Revzilla's website Alpinestars Compression Shorts

I went with these knee/shin guards because they seemed to be longer than most I saw. Dainese Knee/Shin Guards

When I wear either of these when going to job sites, the shorts are fine, unless it gets really hot, then they start to get a bit warm but most of the time I'm in an air conditioned building so I don't really notice them that much. The knee pads I remove and put them in my back pack, at least most of the time.

 

I purchased the Excursion Kevlar Cargo Pants from Motorcycle-Superstore.com. The appear as normal trousers and are very comfortable with Kevlar covers all the important areas.

A much less expensive heavy duty pant without Kevlar is the LLBean Katahdin Iron Works Double Knee pant. These are the thickest material pant I've found and highly recommend them. The 'Iron Works' in the name is clear the moment you unpack them.

Regarding the comment "not comfortable with the protection of any of the mesh gear--I stick with perforated leather." ... I'm certain the Klim Induction Jacket would change your mind. It's expensive yet tremendous quality and works as advertised in hot climates like Arizona. In fact, its cooler in the jacket than without and the high tech mesh material is protective and allows perfect air flow to be comfortable.

... Just sayin : -)

 

Over in Europe if you can afford quality then there is just one brand to go for - the brand with the best rep is "Draggin jeans". Note the spelling - this video shows their stuff in action. I know at least one person who has done their own unintended test at speed on a diesel spill and walked away shaken but fine although their bike was rather banged up. They of course would not consider buying any other brand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUKzAORD35I

BUT beware of stuff on eBay which seems to have more than its fair share of fake goods circulating - fine if its coming from a reputable outlet but beware of private sellers. Unfortunately the fake manufacturers seem to be getting good at making stuff which looks like the real thing until you go sliding down a road and discover the seams rip open and the "Kevlar" liner is anything but. One give away to watch out for, is products with very similar names - so misspellings like Dragging and Dragin.

Draggin was the first brand authorised by Dupont the manufacturers of genuine Kevlar fibres to use the "Kevlar" name in their products. So if you buy from a reputable dealer you will get top quality protection - but do not expect it to be cheap. Their c-Evo model was the first jeans to get full CE street use safety approval. Oh and I have two pairs which have not worn out despite heavy use during many summer seasons.

http://www.getgeared.co.uk/s.nl/sc....raggin+jeans&gclid=CNnkk_j9rsUCFYuWtAodhw0AHw

Even if the sun is out - ATTGATT




SkiMad

 

I also wear "Sliders". I have kakhi pants, jeans and the all-season pants (love those). It gets Hot as balls here in Florida and leather is a Bad choice in Summer; I do wear ventilated leather during winter...

I typically wear Nike pro gear padded shorts under my gear... Got that idea from son (plays HS football). Picked up those from Ross/Marshalls for dirt cheap

ATGATT

Ride Red!

 

For armored Jeans, I would advise against the very popular ones made by Icon. They are made like complete garbage, don't fit, and cost too much (the ones I bought were discontinued in less than a year due to complaints).

Personally, I think the best riding jeans I've seen are Draggin' Jeans, but I don't like how the armor fits in the knees with velcro. I had a pair and wound up selling them because I had gotten to chubby to wear 'em (made the mistake of buying them after I got back from backpacking around Europe), but they were very well made unlike the Icons. If I were going to buy riding jeans again, I think I would go with Draggin' Jeans and just make damn sure they fit me, i.e. take measurements and contact the company. I would then go to a professional outdoor/backpacking gear tailor (we have one here in Seattle) and have them permanently affix some armor to the knees somehow.

 

Personally I like the under garment knee/shin armor better, as it will secure to your knee/leg much better than something that is attached to the jean itself. Unless the jeans are really tight, the possibility of the armor moving when you hit the ground is much more likely to happen than something that is strapped to your leg. If the former is true, walking around in tight jeans with armor can get uncomfortable, where as strapped on armor can easily be removed. YMMV