Motorcycle Pants & Riding Jeans

Ordinary jeans wear straight through when sliding on tarmac. It happens in less than a second. Riding jeans are a different animal. They are lined or woven with abrasion-resistant fibres like aramid, the material most people know as Kevlar, and are certified to CE EN 17092 so you know you are really protected. They also look like normal denim jeans. So commuters and weekend riders actually ride in them regularly.

Textile touring pants are the other main option. They suit longer days and wetter weather, and many come with roomier fits and extra pockets. Touring pants are not automatically more protective than a good pair of riding jeans. What actually decides your protection is the EN 17092 class and the armour, not the style or the fabric on the label. Check the class, then check for CE knee and hip protectors certified to EN 1621-1. Knees take the first hit in most falls, so armour that adjusts and slides into place properly is worth having. Information on armour and abrasion certification is on every product page.

Heat and fit decide whether pants stay in the wardrobe or come out every ride. Single-layer and mesh-panel pants keep you cooler for daily riding. Stretch panels keep them comfortable on a long balik kampung run. Buy for the riding you actually do, and get a fit that lets the armour sit where it should, over the knee and on your hip, not somewhere below it.

Compare fits and armour above, or read our riding pants buying guide for Malaysia.

Are riding jeans actually protective?

The ones we sell are lined or woven with aramid fibres, a well known type of this is called kevlar. These are certified to CE EN 17092, so you know you're really protected. They still look like normal denim.

Do I need armour as well?

Yes, if you’re doing any highway riding we encourage you to wear armour. Look for CE knee and hip protectors certified to EN 1621-1. Knees take the first hit in most falls.

Riding jeans or textile touring pants?

Riding jeans for everyday and the commute, textile touring pants for longer, wetter days. Your protection comes down to the CE class and the armour, not the style.