RoadRUNNER'S Guide to Casual Jeans for the Casual Rider
For years, the basic riding gear of the motorcyclist—in terms of pants—was pretty much a pair of denim jeans from the closet. Not necessarily the best option.
Fortunately, apparel companies have responded by bringing denim into the 21st century with a slate of advanced jeans designed specifically for the rider who prefers a casual, yet protective approach to their riding attire. Here are several brands to choose from.
Merlin Lombard Trousers
These jeans have a classic look, with a traditional five-pocket design and casual appearance in a slim fit. Yet they have sport-reinforced, pre-curved knees with D30 impact armor.
A waterproof hip pocket keeps your wallet dry in rain on your ride. The jeans are made from Halley Stevensons Cotec fabric with a Reissa Active waterproof, breathable membrane for comfort, along a breathable inner mesh lining. There’s also a middle liner that helps regulate temperature.
An ankle zipper allows for easy over-the-boot snugness. There’s additional armor at the hips and the pants have a waist zipper for connecting to a jacket to prevent separation in the event of a fall.
The use of modern materials makes these pants comfortable in daily life both on and off the bike. Available in olive and black.
REV'IT! Brentwood Slim Fit Jeans
These slim fit jeans from REV’IT! are crafted for comfort while providing protection. The outer shell is made with four-way stretch Cordura denim with Coolmax.
The pants allow for freedom of movement while being highly abrasion resistant. Knee protectors are standard and there are pockets that accept REV’IT! RV33 armor for the hips (available separately). There’s double layering in the seat and knees with generous safety- and triple-needle stitching in stressed areas.
To aid visibility, the pants incorporate 3M Scotchlite reflective areas. Front closure is zippered. A total of five pockets ensure room for personal items. Available in black.
Street & Steel Oakland Jeans
The name pretty much sums up these classic-styled jeans for casual riding. The traditional five-pocket design is manufactured with a blend of 12-ounce denim and elastane, providing stretch to aid range of motion and flexibility.
A slight boot cut provides room for boot sleeves and helps avoid snagging while also reducing flapping from buffeting. The trousers are reinforced with heat- and tear-resistant fabric at the seat, hips, and knees.
These stylish riding jeans come standard with CE knee armor inserts, which are adjustable and removable. The Street & Steel Oakland Riding Jeans are available in black, blue, and light blue.
REAX 215 Riding Jeans
Cold-rolled, five-pocket, and straight-cut, the REAX 215 jeans have a relaxed fit. They’re made from 12-ounce 100% cotton denim fabric and incorporate 100% Aramid twill reinforcement in the seat area, thigh, and knees.
There’s triple stitching on the seams in all critical areas of wear and stress with armor at the knees (included).. The knee armor pockets feature a hook-and-loop fastener to adjust the pads’ height and side-to-side placement. Pockets at the hips make it easy to add more armor (sold separately).
The jeans feature a zippered fly with reinforced belt loops and a leather belt guide. There’s a full six inches of reflective material on the inner cuff for visibility. The REAX 215 Riding Jeans are available in black and a stylish distressed blue.
Klim K Fifty 2 Jeans
Adventure apparel company Klim has an offering in traditional jeans for casual riding. The K Fifty 2 Jeans are manufactured from a heavy-duty abrasion-resistant Cordura denim/nylon/cotton blend and have Kevlar panels sewn in.
D30 EVO armor at the knees and hips provides impact protection while the tailbone is protected with a Poron XRDA pad. All of the armor is hidden, with no exterior seams to disrupt the stylish flow of the jeans’ straight-leg cut. The knee armor pocket is adjustable to tailor fit and comfort.
The Klim K Fifty 2 Jeans sport Klim details and trim, and are stone-washed with a whisker treatment. They are available in black, stealth blue, and dark blue.
Klim Outrider Pants
These multipurpose riding pants are derived from the functionality of work pants, providing durability and breathability along with the necessary protection expected of a motorcycle-focused pant. Made from stretch canvas with double-layered cuffs and knees, they offer comfort in a slim fit thanks to the vented armor at hips and knees.
Knee armor placement is fully adjustable to suit the wearer. The armor pockets are external, allowing for removing the pads without having to take the pants off.
Lightweight, the Outrider Pant has flexibility to accommodate movement while still being extremely durable. Technically, this is a six-pocket pant, with two hand pockets, two hip pockets, a coin pocket, and a thigh phone pocket. The bottom pant cuffs cleverly fold up to reveal reflective material.
The Klim Outrider Pant is available in traditional black, brown, or desert sand.
UglyBros Pants
The name is a bit of a misnomer. UglyBros offers a wide range of stylish, premium riding jeans.
The company was founded in 2004 with the intent of fusing high-end fashion and motorcycle-specific protection into practical apparel that looks as good in social surroundings as it does in the saddle. This premium brand of denim motowear provides Aramid-reinforced, lightweight jeans that feel as comfortable as pajamas. These were the first pants, as far as we know, that had the knee protectors slide into its pocket from the outside, allowing the rider to quickly add or remove the armor.
UglyBros is dedicated to creating quality clothing, working with boutique manufacturers and using the best materials to ensure the highest degree of construction, fit, and function. With an extensive and impressive selection of pant designs to choose from, it’s best to check out the UglyBros website to find the right pants for you.
Pando Moto KarlDo Kevlar 1 Pant
The Pando Moto KarlDo Kevlar 1 riding pant is a chino design made from 11.5-ounce cotton-Cordura fabric with a blend of 2% elastane for comfort in the riding position. The pants have reinforced Aramid stitching and Kevlar fiber lining at impact areas for abrasion resistance. Impact armor protects the knees in the event of a fall and there are hip pockets for additional armor. The stitching is accentuated across the rear pockets while accordion-style stretch panels at the rear yoke and knees provide functionality while adding a bit of style. A unique mesh panel at the base of the fly and upper thigh creates venting for airflow. These slim-cut, mid-rise riding pants are made in Europe and are available in basic black.