[japac1]

Hello again. First, thanks to everyone for your replies, suggestions and pointers. I really enjoy this site.

My question: I currently have a Joe Rocket mesh jacket with armour (Pheonix 5.0). I am riding in jeans now but realize this is silly as I have no leg/hip/rump protection. I looked online at the Pheonix 2.0 pants, but not sure I want to wear layers (these pants over jeans, for example.) I like Draggin jeans (online looks only – never seen in person) but can’t decide. What are your thoughts? I live in Texas and leather is out, plus I ride with a mesh jacket and I have to at least look good!!

[Clay Dowling]

Some pants, like Alter Ego, are vented rather than full mesh. So I still get abrasion protection, but I also have good air flow.

[DK]

I don’t believe draggin jeans have any armor. I also have no idea how warm a pair of jeans feels when lined with kevlar in all those special places…

I can tell you for a fact that perforated leather is a viable option in hot riding conditions. I wear a sonic jacket and it breathes like mesh, but wears like leather. (Not sure if you were ruling that out because you think it is too hot, or too funny looking when paired with a mesh jacket.)

[japac1]

I think it’s because it would look funny with the mesh jacket.

[briderdt]

…but then again, temps haven’t been above, say, 53 degrees. So when it gets hot (yeah, around here 80 is considered “hot”), I’ll be doing the mesh jacket and jeans. But I’ve got a couple pair of Icon jeans with the reinforcements, and others are Rigg’s Workwear Ranger pants (ripstop Cordura with double layer over the thigh/knee). And I’ll be wearing shin/knee armor underneath. I’m pretty non-aggressive in traffic, though, and ride about as close to 100% backroads as possible.

[Ben]

I have some Dianese pants with some big mesh panels that are really great. They even look pretty good off the bike as well.

Ben

[Sangria7]

90% of the time I wear Shift Racing Kevlar Jeans or Sliders Kevlar Jeans. Other times I wear my overpants with padding and carbolex material – which has the nearly the same abrasion resistance as leather.

[IanC]

If I’m just doing some local errands I probably ride in my Sliders Kevlar jeans since I usually take slower speed roads that I’m comfortable with. For longer rides, more unfamiliar roads or higher speed roads, I put on the mesh overpants over jeans.

I know the jeans don’t give me impact protection but at least it has road rash protection, compared with regular pants. I’ve also worn them all day at work so they are comfortable and they sure are cooler than two layers. It’s a risk tradeoff.

[japac1]

Sangria or Ian: Have you compared kevlar jeans from other brands? I was looking at Draggin jeans the other day.

[Author]

Posts