Photo: David De Lossy/Valueline/Getty Images
When you kick-start your engine and prepare to hit the road, it pays to give your jeans as much attention as you devote to maintaining your cycle — especially if you ride long distances. Sure, you want flattering styling and construction that doesn’t cut off your blood supply at the waistband, but protection from serious injuries is also important, so deciding which jeans to buy isn’t always easy. Women’s motorcycle jeans can be pricey, but don’t let your budget stop you from making an investment that keeps you both stylish and safe.
Explore All Options
According to Motorcycle World 360.com and Web Bike World.com, no pair of motorcycle jeans takes the place of leather riding pants. The Motorcycle World reviewer posted a resounding “No” on the site in response to the question, "Do you recommend [jeans] over leather or textile?” Leather remains popular for riding and style, but according to Total Motorcycle.com, it’s considered only “the 3rd most popular type of safety wear” due to cost, weight and potential shrinkage issues. Perhaps leather riding pant makers will figure out how to line leather with Kevlar in the future.
Best Protective Jeans
Speaking of Kevlar, the fabric that stops bullets, it is now used as a liner in some brands of cloth motorcycle jeans, and nothing surpasses it for abrasion protection. Should you be involved in a sliding accident, in particular, your skinny Levis won’t look out for you like jeans lined with Kevlar. Investigate multiple brands before you buy. Draggin’ Jeans, claiming to be “the alternative to hot, bulky unfashionable leathers,” and Kevlar-lined jeans by Israeli manufacturer Broshtex, were both named “Motorcycle Consumer News” magazine's best buys for riders in warm weather. It gets hot in the Negev Desert, so Broshtex can probably back up that claim.
Best All-Weather Jeans
There’s always a risk of a sudden downpour when you’re out for a spin in rural areas, and sheltering options can be non-existent for miles at a time. If your travels take you to places known for inclement weather, check the fabric content on multiple motorcycle jeans labels before choosing Cordura or another water resistant fabric. Wear your leather only if you are willing to risk some shrinkage and if you ride often in cold weather, stay toasty by investing in Generation 4 Women’s Heated Pants Liners. In addition to keeping you warm courtesy of spandex-encased batteries, the fabric wicks water away from the body. So, like the mailman, neither snow nor rain will deter you from your ride.
Best Fitting Jeans
Tailoring and fit go hand in hand, so strip off those stylish leather pants when you ride and don motorcycle jeans designed for comfort and fit. Diamond Gusset isn’t the only brand on the planet manufacturing jeans with a diamond-shaped gusset, but it gets lots of PR due to its name and the fact that the company is happy to tailor their riding jeans to your measurements for a perfect fit. Other motorcycle riding jeans that win over the hearts and derrieres of riders are Bohn Armor Pants. Kevlar inserts slip into hidden pockets, so you can ride safely in a pair of the company’s Adventure Pants, then take out the Kevlar when you dismount to reveal your slim silhouette.
