BUYING a decent pair of kevlar jeans is difficult. All of the models we've ever owned or tried have been let down by at least one feature. Whether that be price, a lack of comfort, minimal kevlar protection or just criminal styling, there's always something.
So we selected eight pairs of kevlar jeans currently being sold and aimed to find out which one's cut it and those we'd steer clear of.
We subjected the jeans to a total of three tests. Each carried a maximum score of 10 with bonus points on offer for jeans that came included with knee or hip armour as standard.
Test 1: Comfort: Sore knees and cardboard fabric is not cool.
Test 2: Abrasion resistance: These are kevlar jeans, so we want to see lots of it.
Test 3: Style: Flared jeans aren't illegal, but they should be.
Test 4: Bonus: Two points for jeans with knee armour as standard, four points for knee and hip armour.
Roadskin Paranoid Rain
What the Roadskins lack in style they more than make up for in abrasion resistance with Kevlar lining the inside of the jean from the waist right down to the ankle. They’re relatively heavy compared to the other trousers in this test and you don’t get any armour as standard. You do however get removable pockets over the hips and knees for optional protectors. And if you like to know a product works before parting with your cash, how’s this video of Roadskin MD taking a curved blade saw to his leg? Watch video
- Comfort: 6/10
- Abrasion resistance: 10/10
- Style: 4/10
- Armour as standard: 0/4
Total: 20/34
Price: £119.99
Dainese D1 Pred Evo
Like almost everything in Dainese’s range, the D1 Pred Evos look the part. The denim is extremely thin so they weigh almost nothing making them very comfortable to wear both on and off the bike. Kevlar coverage and crash protection is on the stingy side for a set of jeans that’ll set you back £164.99. You get pockets over the knees and hips for optional armour but no protectors come included as standard and the thin strip of Kevlar covering the seat can only be described as prison protection. The D1 Pred Evos look great with a turn up at the bottom but were too narrow to fit over our test boot. Scores high on style, loses out on protection.
- Comfort: 7/10
- Abrasion resistance: 5/10
- Style: 9/10
- Armour as standard: 0/4
Total: 21/34
Price: £164.99
Held Hoover Stretch
The Held Hoovers can be ordered with normal denim or this slightly elasticated version. This Stretch edition is extremely light, thin and comfortable to wear both on and off the bike. They were slightly too figure-hugging for our liking but they have a respectable amount of Kevlar reinforcement on the seat, hips, thighs and knees covered in a soft liner for added comfort. Pockets for optional hip and knee protectors are integrated into the jeans as is a detachable stirrup to prevent the Hoovers from riding up. Oh, and how could we forget? You also get a snazzy tartan design lining the interior.
- Comfort: 8/10
- Abrasion resistance: 8/10
- Style: 6/10
- Armour as standard: 0/4
Total: 22/34
Price: £139.99
Alpinestars Charlie
The Alpinestars Charlie jeans cost £160 and have a slim tapered fit with stretchy fabric to help improve comfort. There’s a decent spread of Kevlar over the seat and hips of the jeans as well as CE approved knee armour included as standard. You won’t find any pockets for optional hip armour but if you’re searching for a nice looking and protective set of jeans from one of the big names you could do much worse than the Charlies.
- Comfort: 7/10
- Abrasion resistance: 7/10
- Style: 6/10
- Armour as standard: 2/4
Total: 22/34
Price £160
Held Hoover
This non-stretchy version of the Hoover jean costs £129.99 and comes finished with a stonewashed waxy effect. You get four large pockets and like the Stretch version you’ll find Kevlar reinforcement on the seat, hips, thighs and knees, all covered in a soft liner for extra comfort. A detachable stirrup stops the jeans from riding up and thanks to the extra width at the bottom they’ll slide over any style of boot without issue. Pockets for optional hip and knee armour are integrated into the jeans and finished in a funky tartan design.
- Comfort: 8/10
- Abrasion resistance: 8/10
- Style: 6/10
- Armour as standard: 0/4
Total: 22/34
Price: £129.99
RST Denim Dirty Aramid
RST’s jeans are an extremely well finished product at an affordable price. They’re lightweight, comfortable and can be ordered in a number of different colours and sizes. You get a relatively generous amount of Kevlar protection across the seat and knees, and height-adjustable knee armour comes fitted as standard. The jeans also come with removable pockets for optional hip armour. Available in standard leg, short leg and long leg, the jeans have decent styling and enough width at the bottom to fit over any style of boot.
- Comfort: 9/10
- Abrasion resistance: 7/10
- Style: 7/10
- Armour as standard: 2/4
Total: 23/34
Price: £89.99
Hood K7
We absolutely loved Hood’s K7 jeans. They're covered from top to bottom with protective Kevlar, are £145 cheaper than our group test winner, and could easily pass for casual wear. Instead of using adjustable pockets, the K7 jeans have Velcro fasteners on the hips and knees to fit soft D30 armour which hardens on impact, and to top things off they’re designed and made in the UK. They’re not the lightest pair in this test but they make up for it in protection. Available in various waist sizes, Hood will alter the jeans free of charge to any leg length to ensure a perfect fit.
- Comfort: 8/10
- Abrasion resistance: 10/10
- Style: 8/10
- Crash protection: 0/4
Total: 26/34
Price: £119.99
Draggin Holeshot
At £265, the Draggin Holeshots are the most expensive jeans in this test but that didn't stop them from finishing in first place. You get top to bottom coverage of Kevlar and a soft liner that offers a comfortable quilted feel to give these jeans a perfect score for comfort. Knee and hip armour is included and as far as style is concerned they look just like any other pair of jeans you'd find in a high street shop. It's worth noting that Draggin use very heavy denim for durability purposes, so it’s worth bearing in mind the Holeshots might not be as well suited to summer riding as some of the other offerings.
- Comfort: 9/10
- Abrasion resistance: 10/10
- Style: 7/10
- Armour as standard: 4/4
Total: 30/34
Price: £265
