Kevlar jeans.

[GedJack]

Don't know if this is in the right place but mods please move if not.

What do we think of Kevlar jeans and can anyone recommend a make ?

Ta Steve.

 

[tony23]

I`ve got Hood jeans, built like a brick shithouse, heavy and hot but good quality, lined all the way down to the ankles.
Also got linsdtrands Wrap jeans with armor at hip and knee plus lining around bum, outer thighs and down outer knee area. Supremely comfortable and my fav`s as far as jeans go.

I also ride with leather Richa pants and to be honest feel safest in them, however they are hot and we are touring Pyrenees this Aug so not decided on riding gear yet.

Unfortunately the only way you will know if you`ve made the right choice is shortly after you`ve been down the road and then it`s too late.

Protect your extremities, head , hands , feet , elbows. the rest is entirely personal in my view.Lots of schools of thought on this one from:-
"I wear all the gear so if I fall off I`ll be OK" To
"I wear whats comfortable and take my chances".

For me I would say be cautious but comfortable, its a fine line and I think "kevlar" jeans allow us to be a bit of both. Lets face it if you hit a wall @ 60mph it won`t really matter what your wearing on your legs.

But I digress, for me Lindstrands/halvarsons Wrap

Tony.

 

[Mattcooke99]

I'm still hoping to see Bull-It jeans in the flesh. http://bull-it.com/

They look alright & non biker, and their technical bumpf is very impressive - the only CE lvl 2 jeans with over 7 secs abrasion resistance. They also mention than regular Kevlar jeans performance and strength Is eroded when washed so the older they are (assuming you wash them or they've gotten wet) the weaker they are but you don't know by how much, and theirs have other advantages too such as not transferring heat to your skin as much as others.

 

[cjw]

I've been on this quest myself,I've tried,Hood jeans, well actually I sent them back without actually using them,too heavy and couldn't get a pair that fitted comfortably.
Draggin Jeans,actually used these for a year or so but gave up in the end and sold them as they were uncomfortably heavy and hot.
I recently bought a pair of Halverssons Mech trousers for a trip to Croatia.Theyre made of cotton not denim and have Halverssons own version of Kevlar (Hart ) lining in them. Thoroughly recommended,not too hot and very comfortable.They are sized a bit big so get a size smaller than normal
Craig

 

[Steve E]

I have a pair of Lindstrands(halversons?) which are without doubt the most comfortable jeans I have owned. They are now the only 'biking' trousers that I own.
With thermal underwear and waterproofs they are used all year round. 10/10

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Denim is 100% cotton but is usually characterised by its 2x2 twill weave which gives it the "diagonal" appearance. All cotton will gradually degrade during washing, it is a natural fibre and short fibres will be quickly lost, then abrasion (washing/tumble-drying) will lose more, so ultimately it has a limited life.
Kevlar does not degrade through washing therefore for a jeans manufacturer to suggest some does, is not giving the complete story - it's the cotton component that degrades. Kevlar does however degrade in UV light, going visibly darker in colour as it does. Incidentally, during the garment making process it is necessary to keep Kevlar components stored in black bags to slow down the change.
Some jeans have a full Kevlar lining, some have panels where abrasion resistance is deemed to be necessary. The latter will undoubtedly be comfier but expect a limited life .... if the cotton has degraded don't expect the Kevlar panel to stay where it should be if you hit the deck! I'm sure we've all at one stage or another ripped the knee or arse out of an old pair of jeans just putting them on! Also any denim fabric that has been "stone washed" will have already suffered a level of degradation.

 

[GedJack]

Thanks for all the replies on this folks. Looks like I will be having a look at the Lindstrands.

 

[B4ndit]

Draggin Jeans are big for their size if you know what I mean. Hood jeans fit better. They cut to your size anyway.

I got a pair of these last year. Not heavy and well built.

http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/acatalog/Army_Green_Jean.html