Kevlar

[oddshapedballs]

Anyone had any experience with kevlar jeans? If so, how do you rate them over textile trousers? (assuming knee & hip armour under/fitted to both)

Was thinking of getting a pair but worried about compromising on safety over my textile trousers.

Thanks.

 

[ebbo]

Just got a pair of Hood jeans and worn them a couple of times, very good build quality and really nice denim. Size wise I measured up carefully and sent for a pair, they were to big, Hood sent the next waist size down (2" smaller) and they are perfect (sent the first pair back). I added an extra 1" in leg length for use on the bike but now wish I'd asked for an extra 2" as like any trousers, they do ride up. Can't speak for the Para-aramid kevlar type material other than its nice to know its there, makes for a useful wind stop too.

 

[Buz]

There's been a few threads on here about this, have a search.

I have had Draggin Jeans and now Hood. IMO i'd go for hood, mainly because the kevlar lining goes nearly the whole length of the leg. Draggin jeans have 'patches' of kevlar and as the leg length comes in one length and you have to shorten them I found having short legs (29") which meant the protection didnt cover the parts of my legs I wanted them to, above the knee. Hood jeans will also accept armour fixed with velcro and available at a bit more money. I wear the jeans all the time, 15 mile commute to work and legs did get a bit cold when temp dropped to -3c.
There's videos on youtube showing a guy being towed along the ground on his Draggin jeans and no damage sustained.

I was knocked off my bike 18 months ago, I had a broken leg and ligament damage but no gravel rash, probably due to the fact i went skidding down a grass verge and not the road.

A while ago a fellow Tossers lad (may have been Crapauld but not sure) came off his Scoot, the paramedics were impressed with the lack of injury due to his Kevlar jeans

 

[Nutty]

I have a pair of Draggin Kevlar jeans and a pair of Draggin cargo pants with Forcefield knee protectors underneath. I've not worn the cargos on the bike yet, but the jeans are quite a bit thicker than regular jeans due to the Kevlar, so bear that in mind if you are planning on wearing them all day long, at work, on a hot day.

 

[Mattcooke99]

Have a look at Bull-it jeans (www.bull-it.com). Their new Voloce jeans are CE level 2 ...the only ones to my knowledge. The blurb says they lasted over 7seconds on the industry abrasion tests and lists a whole host of other advantages over Kevlar based trousers.

I haven't seen a pair in the flesh yet but as I'm a bit of a self-preservation enthusiast I will be straight down the shops when they roll out to somewhere local to me.

They look better than the usual fare as they don't appear to be recognisable as 'biker' jeans - with extra panels over the knees.

Im genuinly excited by the prospect of them, as going through the rigmoral of dressing like a storm trooper is fine for a long day in the saddle but a bit tiresome for 5mins into town to the cash machine.

Don't suppose anyone here has got a pair & could share their opinion?

 

[Buz]

They actually look rather good, they also do jackets, may be something worth thinking of if we get a summer this year

 

[Fanum]

If you wear Kevlar jeans, you may have to change your user name from oddshapedballs to oddshapedandrathersweatyballs

Protection wise (at least against abrasion) they're great, but IME they don't breathe at all and are very hot to wear.

It's a shame nobody has mixed Kevlar with Cordura in an outfit
(Maybe they have IDK )