BUYING CHECKLIST
How protective?
CE approval is reserved for jeans that are fully lined with Kevlar (or a similar material) but not all fully lined jeans are protective. Most jeans will have knee armour and scope to add hip armour – for an extra cost. Make sure the armour is in the right place and doesn’t move much.
Do they fit with your kit?
It’s not just about style or waist and leg measurements. Make sure you can get the jeans on with your bike boots (some have very narrow ankles). If there’s a boot-strap, check it doesn’t drag on the floor or snag on footpegs when getting off the bike. Also, sit on the bike and lean forward: if there’s a pant-revealing gap at the back of the jacket, the jeans are the wrong cut for you.
Is it jeans that you want?
Remember, jeans aren’t the only casual riding trousers. Most of the brands offering armoured riding jeans also offer protective combat or cargo-pant style garments.