 |
 |
Kevlar Jeans
Kevlar jeans are jeans that have been reinforced with Kevlar – a very tough, heat resistant material. Kevlar is so strong that it is actually stronger than steel and used to protect soldiers from blasts and police from bullets. For this reason it is a perfect material for motorcycle jeans.
Traditionally motorcycle jeans were made from heavier jean material and reinforced with nylon. Kevlar represents a huge improvement in safety for riders. These jeans will typically “look” like a blue jean but are designed for safety and may have pockets near the knees for inserts designed for even greater protection.
These jeans are not rigid like you might think, but actually very comfortable. This is because the jean is made from a mixture of Kevlar and denim.
What to look for:
Be sure that you find a pair of Kevlar jeans that fit well. Some manufacturers have made their jeans a “relaxed” fit which is great for riders.
Many people like to buy their Kevlar jeans with the extra pocket for inserts on their knees. However, you should make sure that they fit well down in the pocket. It wouldn’t do much good if the insert popped out during an accident. For this reason, some people favor buying the knee protection sewn in.
Some of the most popular Kevlar jeans are Draggin’ Jeans and they are made here in America. These have been well tested and proven to work well under crash conditions. You can even watch the jeans being tested online where they drag a guy behind a car and he remains unhurt. These jeans are made in America so you can count on their quality, but they are some of the more expensive jeans on the market. My thinking is “you get what you pay for” so I believe the extra cost is money well spent.
There is also another company producing Kevlar jeans that make more of a fashion statement. If fashion concerns you then you should check out Sartso Kevlar Jeans. They have some women’s Kevlar jeans that are sure to please the fashion conscious. Colorful stitching in the geometric and butterfly shapes are a nice accessory to these stylish jeans.
You can find cheaper Kevlar jeans made in many Asian countries that suit most any budget. Cheaper knock-offs are probably better than nothing, but if you can save up for it, the quality Kevlar jeans should be your first choice. Even in a small accident at 30 miles per hour your skin will feel like it’s on fire if you aren’t well protected as you slide along the pavement.
Look for a minimum Kevlar coverage of 45%, along the yoke area (seat area) and down the fronts, sides and backs of legs. The jean should fit comfortably and have pockets for your convenience. Stitching should be reinforced and rivets secured. Denim should be thicker than that found in regular jeans.
Keep in mind that Kevlar jeans are made to protect your skin from abrasions during an accident, but they are not indestructible. In most accidents they Kevlar will become very scratched up and will protect your skin, but on some rare occasions the accident will cause a tear in the fabric and expose the skin so you won’t be fully protected.
Still – Kevlar jeans are an excellent way to protect yourself from painful injuries.