Motorcycles and jeans both give off a rebellious kind of rogue message. These days more and more people are starting to get inclined towards biking, and with that, jeans are becoming exceptionally popular. Bikers have been riding in jeans for decades now. We are all well aware that bike riding is a dangerous activity and should be practiced responsibly. If you have a motorcycle accident, a good pair of protective pants can make a massive difference. No one can guarantee a hundred percent safety from a crash. However, you can still minimize the chances of getting hurt by wearing protective clothing. Here is a complete guide about motorcycle pants and their types:
Motorcycle Jeans or Pants?
Choosing the correct type of pants comes down to understanding the levels of protection and style you require. However, whether you choose between motorcycle jeans or pants, they are both better than a regular pair of jeans that you might wear in your daily life.
Leather pants have proven to be more protective since they minimize the chance of injury or any scrapes in case of a wreck. Leather is the toughest of materials that can provide the highest resistance against abrasions.
Moreover, riding denim jeans provide extra protection than regular pants.
What Makes Motorcycle Pants Unique?
The primary difference between motorcycle pants and simple pants is the protection provided by the former from the risks of motorcycle riding.
These motorcycle pants are made to protect the rider from abrasion or scrapes in the event of a calamity.
What Are the Main Types of Motorcycle Pants?
Motorcycle pants come in different shapes and sizes. Below mentioned, are the main types of motorcycle pants:
Leather
Leather pants top this list because they provide the highest level of protection compared to the rest of the types. In case of skidding, these pants would not let a scratch come over your body due to their high resistance quality.
However, the downside of these pants is that they might seem quite heavy for the rider. Also, there is not much breathability in these pants, so they warm up quite quickly.
Textile
Textile pants are light and comfortable compared to all other riding pants. Kevlar and Cordura are the two fabrics that are woven together to create protective solid pants for the riders. These fabrics offer ample protection as they are created to make bulletproof vests and other military-grade equipment.
Textile pants can prove just as good as leather pants in comfort and safety.
Jeans
Motorcycle jeans are the most popular item among the rider community. These jeans appeal to the community and are comfortable to wear on or off a bike.
These jeans are very stylish and can amp up your style game along with providing a high level of abrasion resistance.
Motorcycle jeans do not provide the highest levels of safety compared to the type mentioned above. However, they are still better than a regular pair of denim jeans.
Mesh
Mesh pants are one of the most sought-after pants among summer riders. Not only do these provide protection, but they also keep you cool in hot weather.
Mesh pants are pretty similar to textile pants as most of the panels inside are made up of Cordura or Kevlar hybrid fabrics.
A significant percentage of mesh pants will have armor inserts included; if not, these armor inserts can be added whenever needed. Mesh pants are an excellent choice for breathability and style.
Motocross
Motocross pants are one of the most durable pants on this list. These are an excellent choice for riders seeking comfort and those in contact with dirt on the track.
These pants prove to be a great fit as motocross riders constantly move around the track. Motocross pants provide excellent protection from high-level impacts, along with style and comfort.
How Tight Should Motorcycle Pants Fit?
After reading all the above information, this fundamental question is on almost everyone’s mind. The answer is that the pants should be snug but not too tight. Not only should the armor stay in its place, but it should also be able to aid easy movement.
Also, before you buy any pair of pants, make sure to look out for the following salient features as per your requirements:
- Waist design (belt, velcro, or suspenders)
- Waterproofing
- Cuff closures
- Zippers
- Pockets
- Knee Sliders
These features can make a huge difference, so do proper research before purchasing motorcycle pants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Denim Jeans good for motorcycle riding?
Regular jeans are not an ideal choice for motorcycle riding because denim on its own has low tensile strength. Regular jeans will rip and tear in no time if you fall off your motorbike at speed.
Are motorcycle jeans comfortable?
For many bikers, the go-to choice for riding trousers is a pair of denim protective jeans. They are appealing, relaxed, and great to wear even when not on the bike.
How long should motorcycle pants be?
Motorcycle pants need to be long in standing position and moderately short when the biker sits on the motorcycle.
Can you wash motorcycle jeans?
Yes, you can wash your jeans. It depends on how frequently you wear them and where. Follow the instructions given on the pants. Some might require a hand wash or softer detergents. Most washing guides will be similar to those of other pants.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that if you are looking to buy yourself a pair of protective pants which are both stylish yet safe to wear, you would have to do thorough research and ask the right questions.
Motorcycle pants with padded inserts protect crucial body parts such as the hips, knees, thighs, etc.
A helmet and jacket are still essential and should not be ignored as leg injuries are pretty unlikely to be life-threatening. Different styles of pants will suit different bodies, and there are various pants in the market. It would be best to look for a pair of motorbike jeans that come with adequate protection and will still make you look fabulous when you are not on the motorbike.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fred Felton
Content Creator / Editor
Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the motorbiking adventure space, focussing on all types of biking both on and offroad. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.
