Best motorcycle jeans and trousers
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With record numbers of people choosing to ride a motorcycle nowadays, there has never been a better time to find the perfect protective garment to wear.
The days of pure leather motorcycle trousers are starting to dwindle, especially in London and other urban areas. People are instead opting for Kevlar-lined denim, or waterproof textile as their trousers of choice.
Whilst leather, textile and denim offer different style and protective qualities, it really is personal choice. Here are some of the best motor cycle jeans and trousers on the market today to suit every need.
Alpinestars Oscar Rouge Straight Fit Jeans
Best for: Denim
Kevlar lined denim is all the rage in the motorcycle community at the moment. It merges the fine line between everyday usability and safety. I rode across Morocco in these Alpinestars denim jeans, which feature CE-rated knee armour and are reinforced with Aramidic fibre panels, and they performed flawlessly.
I even came off and the denim didn’t tear and I was uninjured. They therefore come highly recommended.
£179.99 | GetGeared | Buy it now
Held 5850 Rocket 3.0 Leather Trousers
Best for: Leather
Leather motorcycle trousers have long been the garment of choice for riders. Before the onset of textiles and Kevlar, leather simply offered a layer of tough hide to protect you from the road. Nowadays, leather trousers are highly advanced, and the Rocket 3.0 is no exception. Tough, with CE-rated knee and hip armour, these will keep you safe if you come off at high speed.
£307.00 | GetGeared | Buy it now
Dane Lyngby GTX Pro Trousers
Best for: Textile
Textile trousers are the dream for long distance commutes in the winter, or year-round touring. This pair from Dane Lyngby are lightweight, windproof, waterproof, and feature the all-important CE-rated armour. For those looking for excellent long-distance riding performance, these are the ones for you.
£499 | GetGeared | Buy it now
Draggin Classic Jeans
Best for: Urban
The need to hop on and off the bike while remaining stylish has never been more important, and the Draggin brand has skyrocketed in London. Fundamentally, these jeans look great, and with CE-rated knee armour and Kevlar lining, they’ll protect you too.
£159.97 | GetGeared | Buy it now
Belstaff Ipswich Trousers
Best for: All-Purpose
Belstaff has long been the manufacturer of stylish, ergonomic motorcycle apparel, and the Ipswich trousers are no exception. They have a vintage design, a phenomenal build quality, full CE-rated knee and hip armour, and are incredible comfortable. I’ve ridden on both motorways and in town with these, and they’ve always performed exceptionally.
£625 | Belstaff | Buy it now
Rev it! Westwood SF Skinny Jeans
Best for: Women
Naturally, it’s not all just about men here. More women than ever are obtaining their bike licence and taking to the streets. Therefore a female-friendly cut is of huge importance to the female urban rider. These Condura- reinforced denim with PWR panels, alongside both knee and hip armour pockets, mean that you can ride in comfort, style and protection.
£179.99 | GetGeared | Buy it now
Verdict:
Picking the right motorcycle trousers is always going to be a personal choice. But for our largely London-based readers, high-performance denim is the most appropriate. Having reaped the benefits of the Alpinestars performance, the Oscar Rouge Straight Fit Jeans take the top spot on this list.
Hugh Francis Anderson is a freelance writer specialising in adventure, motoring and luxury lifestyle. Follow him on Instagram @hughfrancisanderson and visit his website, hughfrancisanderson.com