Kevlar Jeans

[BugCollector]

I have a pair of relaxed fit Draggin Jeans. I wear them on really hot days here instead of my mesh pants. The mesh allow too much moisture to escape without allowing any evap cooling. So on long highway runs, I put water on the jeans and am much more comfortable. I also switch to cotton shirts from wicking fabrics too. That's for 95 degree and higher riding. Below that, I stick with mesh and wicking fabric.

I'm in central Texas, BTW. I'd agree that the jeans are warmer than the mesh in the lower 90's.

So that would mean you're wearing the jeans from June through September since it's always at LEAST 95 during those months.

[Woodbutcher]

Kind of. This year I wore the mesh longer. And actually I commute in fairly early in the morning so I will still use the mesh then and just figure I'll suffer on the way home.

I'm more likely to wear the draggin jeans when I know I'll be out during the day. The protection on the mesh is much better since it has armor.

[Brian-NC]

Rather than hijack the mesh gear thread I'll start another.

Anyone wear kevlar jeans or cargo pants? I'm considering a pair of Sliders with knee armor.

I drove to my local competition accessories in Rock Hill, SC and tried on several pair of the "Sliders" kevlar pants. IMHO, they are very cheap in their construction and poorly sized. They just seemed awkward to me. The armor was poorly aligned for me anyway, I'll pass.

One word of caution about kevlar jeans. I don't mean to insult anyone's intelligence but the kevlar lining will only protect you from road rash. You'll need some serious knee/shin/hip armor for impact protection. And if the jeans are baggy as they apprear to be, they'll most likely slide up in a crash and leave your skin exposed.

[Firenailer]

I have a couple of pairs of the Draggin" Jeans and generally like them. I have wondered how much protection they really offer should I go down.

Do we have anyone with a kevlar crash experience who'd be willing to share?

[cehlbeck]

I have a couple of pairs of the Draggin" Jeans and generally like them. I have wondered how much protection they really offer should I go down.

Do we have anyone with a kevlar crash experience who'd be willing to share?

On the Draggin' Jeans website he has a video where he's towed behind a truck in the parking lot while sitting on his butt.

http://dragginjeans.com/custom.aspx?id=1 Or go to the "About Us" page on their web site.

[jnrugg]

+1 what he said. Only drawback is they get HOT if you hike in them in really warm weather.

DITTO on the heat.
I went to Bloomfield last year from work so I had kevlar pants on.
I was roasting, amazing how much wind the fairing blocks even with the windshield down and 100+ degrees out.

They are on the heavy side too so tighten the belt a bit more.

[Theo]

{snip}...the kevlar lining will only protect you from road rash. You'll need some serious knee/shin/hip armor for impact protection...{snip}

Absolutely! I think the odds of landing on your precisely on your butt and sliding down the road behind a truck are fairly slim. IMHO, impact protection for your ankles, knees, hips, back, elbows, shoulders and head should be considered along with road-rash protection.

$0.02,

[queretaro]

DITTO on the heat.
I went to Bloomfield last year from work so I had kevlar pants on.
I was roasting, amazing how much wind the fairing blocks even with the windshield down and 100+ degrees out.

They are on the heavy side too so tighten the belt a bit more.

after reading this, you will understand why you cannot cool at that temperature even in the wind.

http://www.ironbutt.com/ibmagazine/I..._62-66_Hot.pdf

p.s. I found this in another thread in this forum.

[greenwald]

Denim Sliders 4.0 - wore them to and from the Sedalia Rally - very nice.

As I mentioned, no problems with wearing the Sliders in triple digits, both there and back.

Just ordered a second set - a pair of tan-colored cargo pants. The fact that they do not line every single square inch with Kevlar makes them more comfortable and managable than the Draggin' Jeans, IMHO.

Like I tell all my BRC students - "Wear the skin you willing to lose."

[dwyandell]

+1 on the Sliders. My sons and I all wear them-- both the jeans and the khaki cargo pants. None of us use the armor, but it's easy to add. These are the only riding pants I can get my 'armor looks stupid, Dad'- college-age kids to wear--they just look like jeans.

Very comfortable for riding AND walking around, and do OK in hot weather; they're great in cold. They run very large so beware the sizing. Wore a pair on a 2500-mile loop a few weeks ago in everything from 45 to 100 degree weather, rain and shine, and never got tired of them.

[EUGENE]

Is there a website for the Slider 4.0 ?

[na1g]

To add to the confusion:

Aerostich has "Protekt Jeans" that look like serious pants. Also, they have "Arborwear Gusseted Canvas Pants" and "Protekt Khakis". All have TF3 knee pads available and double fabric at the knees, but no Kevlar. Prices are $97, $77 and $97 respectively, plus pads for $27.

I don't have experience with any of them. I ride in Draggin Jeans with Roadcrafter knee pads.

pete
'11 R12RT

[greenwald]

Is there a website for the Slider 4.0 ?

I order them thru Competition Accessories.

[TomDac]

I work for a company who makes apparel for military and police, etc. called 5.11 Tactical. I've only been there about 6 months, but their pants are great - very comfortable and well made. I've not ridden with them, but they're thick canvas and have pockets for kneepads.

http://www.511tactical.com/All-Produ...ns-Cotton.html

Check out the video at the bottom of the screen.

[greenwald]

I work for a company who makes apparel for military and police, etc. called 5.11 Tactical. I've only been there about 6 months, but their pants are great - very comfortable and well made. I've not ridden with them, but they're thick canvas and have pockets for kneepads.

http://www.511tactical.com/All-Produ...ns-Cotton.html

Check out the video at the bottom of the screen.

I wore 5.11 Tacs on duty as an LEO, and bought several pair (Kakhi and Navy Blue) from General Jackson's (Fort Bragg, NC) while visiting my son, and use them both for MSF instructing and general riding.

HOWEVER, as rugged and practical as they are (and I really like them!), they are still just heavy-duty cotton, and will vaporize in a significant slide.

Not Kevlar-reinforced.