Are Cheap Motorcycle Jeans Worth It? What to Check Before You Buy

Price doesn't tell you how a pair of riding jeans will perform in a crash. A cheap pair and an expensive pair can both be unrated. How long jeans last depends on how much you ride and how you look after them, so "cost per mile" sums built on guessed lifespans don't prove much. What you can do is check the same few things on any pair, whatever it costs.

1. Is the finished garment rated?

In Europe, riding jeans are classified under EN 17092. A class (AAA, AA, A, B or C) is awarded to a finished garment model after type examination, including an impact-abrasion test on concrete, seam and tear tests, and checks on protector coverage. A fabric can't carry a class on its own, so "AAA fabric" is not the same as an AAA garment. Look for the class on the label and ask for the declaration of conformity. The US has no federal standard for riding apparel, so "DOT approved" means nothing on jeans.

2. What are the knee and hip protectors?

Impact protectors are tested separately under EN 1621-1. In the standard test, Level 1 limb protectors must transmit a mean force below 35 kN and Level 2 below 20 kN. Check whether protectors are included, what level they're marked with, and whether they sit over your knees when you're seated on the bike.

3. What does the fiber label say?

"Kevlar lined" in a listing is just words. US textile rules require fiber content by weight on the label, and a trademarked fiber name must appear alongside its generic name (aramid). Look for the percentage and where the lining sits.

4. Has anyone tested it independently?

MotoCAP, the Australian and New Zealand rating program, buys gear anonymously at retail and publishes all its results. If a pair you're considering has been rated, that's useful evidence.

5. Seams and fit

Road-safety guidance from New South Wales recommends seams with more than one line of stitching and gear that fits well enough to stay in place. Check that the cuff still covers your ankle, with boots on, while you're seated.

Where we stand

Our riding jeans cost more than budget marketplace jeans, and we won't tell you that makes them safer. We don’t publish test reports or protection classes for our garments. See Testing & Certification Information. What you get is a choice of styles in 23 fabric colors, men's waist sizes 28 to 40 and women's 25 to 34, a custom made-to-order option, and internal knee and hip pockets with one set of removable inserts included with a standard order (an upgrade is offered).