Draggin Jeans or Cordura pants

[Naki]

Looking at buying either a pair of Draggins or a pair of textile pants.

My question is do Draggins offer similar protection as Cordura and are they as warm?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[James Deuce]

Draggin's only offer the same protection as Cordura if you put the knee and hip pads in.

I've crashed in both and it didn't hurt as much in Cordura quite frankly.

[Whynot]

i havn't crashed in either but i find the draggins to be a lot more comfortable and much cooler in summer.
although i'm not sure the cordura pants i have are the best .....:innocent:

[sinned]

Draggins are not wind proof. My cordura are totally wind proof and very comfortable so if it is cold the cordura are better. I only wear Draggins for short distances and if I intend walking around on arrival - eg shopping. Not that I do much shopping - better to be riding.

[Quasievil]

Cordura for sure, Jeans aint warm period.
Besides I dont sell jeans !!

[TerminalAddict]

I thought kevlar jeans were going to make an entrace in your 2007 line up?

[Titanium]

Go the cordura, jeans are jeans ..... dragin or not.

[James Deuce]

No they're not, Titanium.

I can still wear my Draggins after crashing in them. They only needed minor repairs. The Cordura was utterly rooted.

[beyond]

Errmm....neither.

Get leathers. From experience they are much safer. There is still no substitute for sliding down the road in a beef skin. They hang together better, take longer to wear through and have heaps of armour if you get the right sort. Landing hurts but sliding and having your gear wear through, hurts more.

Ever seen a beefer ploughing down a steep hill through thick gorse and scrub in jeans or corduras???? :)

[James Deuce]

Cordura will wear through before the kevlar on Draggin's.

I wear leather on big/fast trips and the Cordura and Jeans for gentle rides, commuting, and sometimes on a low key tour.

Hang on a minute I don't have to justify my choices to anyone.

[beyond]

Hang on a minute I don't have to justify my choices to anyone.




Nor do I but sharing what works keeps more skin on bodies :)

[James Deuce]

OK, so where's the proof that Draggin's provide less protection than Cordura?

Denim, and most natural fibres, explode when they have a weight dropped on them, like a human body travelling at 50km/hr or more. Cordura melts once a hole has been worn.

The Kevlar in Draggins does neither and nor will it abrade under most NZ riding conditions.

Once again I've looked at it in depth and made a decision based on personal experience and a variety of studies conducted on motorcycle gear by Australian and US motorcycle magazines. Then I've conducted my own inadvertant tests.

I lost skin wearing Cordura. I lost none wearing Draggins. I've lost none wearing leather.

It took me a couple of years but I can see where Motu and Ixion are coming from now.

[beyond]

OK, so where's the proof that Draggin's provide less protection than Cordura?

Denim, and most natural fibres, explode when they have a weight dropped on them, like a human body travelling at 50km/hr or more. Cordura melts once a hole has been worn.

The Kevlar in Draggins does neither and nor will it abrade under most NZ riding conditions.

Once again I've looked at it in depth and made a decision based on personal experience and a variety of studies conducted on motorcycle gear by Australian and US motorcycle magazines. Then I've conducted my own inadvertant tests.

I lost skin wearing Cordura. I lost none wearing Draggins. I've lost none wearing leather.

It took me a couple of years but I can see where Motu and Ixion are coming from now.



All true my friend. :)
As long as people wear some armour with the Draggin jeans there will be less broken bones, but without armour, after a highside in Draggin jeans :( :(

With the offs I've seen, Cordura leaves some nasty burns and scrapes. If the Draggin jeans ride up the leg, then that's another story :(

As many know, I went down the road in leathers, a good 40 metres under the bike and another 30 or so after leaving it. Apart from a quarter tonne machine snapping it's footpeg off and getting the full weight on my foot which broke my ankle and some minor wrist damage, not a scratch, no burns and the leathers are good to go.

[James Deuce]

I've seen cheap goatskin leathers fall apart at the stitching too.

Highside while wearing Draggin's? Well that's the rider's choice isn't it?

[beyond]

I've seen cheap goatskin leathers fall apart at the stitching too.

Highside while wearing Draggin's? Well that's the rider's choice isn't it?




True. Beefer hides the ticket, some good stuff.
I've seen riders highside with no warning. Trouble is a slide starts, regrips and whammo. Lowsides of course are much more preferable but not coming off is just so much better :)

[Toaster]

The only thing I dont like about leathers is the lack of breathability and water resistance. Cordura seems more practical, given that they provide reasonable protection as well as more water resistance and breathable materials.

[beyond]

Yep Toaster. Quite correct. There is always a trade off. Leather does get colder too when conditions aren't right.

BUT, I carry a cheap, fully waterproof set of over jacket and trou which deals with the wet and the cold. Just a size or two bigger than normal and easily goes over the leathers.

[Pogo2]

Cordura for winter and/or cold days and Draggins for summer (if it ever arrives!!).

When I first got my Draggins, about a month ago, it felt like the difference between a cage and an airconditioned cage. Cordura was fine whilst the bike was in motion, at traffic lights I melted. Agree that its hard to beat leather but then cordura is flexible and Draggins are cool.

Life is a compromise.

[MotoGirl]

Back to the topic.... I'd use cordura over draggin jeans - why? because cordura is wind proof and water proof AND the pants have a winter lining you can put in/remove as necessary.

I've also crashed wearing cordura, and surprisingly, my jacket received less damage than my leather pants.

[Naki]

Thanks for the feed back.

Looks like it will be Cordura and then at a later date some Draggins.

Cheers.

[Pat]

Its realy a matter of how much value you put on your hide , if you want the best buy Draggin , if you are a little strapped for cash buy leather or cordura .The beauty of Draggin is that you can go on tour or short trips stop and blend into the local scene , feel comfortable and yet know when you mount your machine you are well protected.I gather that because you are rideing a cruiser you will be traveling at sensible speeds and rideing for pleasure rather than being an ultra high speed menace on the road.
Pat

[Robbo]

I've seen several pretty impresive results from kevlar reinforced jeans after a slide down the road so i guess that they do live up to their reputation but for me it's leathers everytime and No compromise. My skin is rather attached to my body and i intend to keep it that way.

Cheers

[scracha]

Its realy a matter of how much value you put on your hide , if you want the best buy Draggin , if you are a little strapped for cash buy leather or cordura .The beauty of Draggin is that you can go on tour or short trips stop and blend into the local scene , feel comfortable and yet know when you mount your machine you are well protected.I gather that because you are rideing a cruiser you will be traveling at sensible speeds and rideing for pleasure rather than being an ultra high speed menace on the road.
Pat

I can't comment on Draggin as I've never worn them. Leather is super dooper comfy but sometimes you just want to look like a normal human being when you arrive at your destination. Another disadvantage is that leather is heavy. Either of them not being waterproof isn't really an issue as goretex gear is extremely light to carry.

Advantage of armoured cordura is that you can wear normal stuff (in my case often a shirt, tie and trousers) and then just take off the cordura gear when you arrive. Other advantage is that cordura is now pretty cheap.

As with leathers, there's good cordura jackets and there's bad ones.
http://www.motoport.com/saveyourhide.pdf?Merchant_ID=ALL&Merchant_Fax=760-752-9317&Merchant_Phone=1-800-777-6499

From memory I believe Draggin do waterproof jeans too. I really wish someone would post a link to a proper "scientific" and independant study of Draggin' products vs cordura/leather.

As always, it's a trade off. For a lot of day to day riding are you really likely to be sliding along the road at 100kmph in the event of a mishap? More likely you'll come off at a lower speed, slide for a bit and then smack into something and this is where the armour comes in.

[Pat]

It is a matter of preference , all three are very good and at the end of the day each of us has to purchase what we are most comfortable with.One thing for sure they are far better than the gear that was availabe when I started rideing in the early 60's.I purchased from Vallantines Army Surplus in Hamilton a second world war leather flying officers jacket and a set of leather sheep skin lined flying boots the lot for 16 pounds or $32 in todays money.This was fairly standard equipment for milk bar cowboys of that erra.Cheers Pat

[Swoop]

Someone on KB had a comparison between the 3 materials when subjected to abrasive substances (roads). Leather came off tops by a large margin.

Promo for draggin jeans:
http://www.dragginjeans.com.au/productTesting/index.htm

[thehollowmen]

I've got a pair
they're cooler and breezier so are great for summer when it arrives. They're lighter than leather and padded cordura but hopeless in rain.

They also look the biz...

<IMG src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/thehollowmen/invisiblepants.jpg">

[Disco Dan]

Wear draggin jeans for short trips, but anything above 60kmph I wont trust them. I wear my armoured revit overpants over the top of them for mway/touring.

I recal an ad for the draggin jeans where the maker was dragged along a runway on his arse pulled along by a rope attached to a car. He just got a bit warm from the friction and that was it.

They (draggin) are good, cool in summer and good protection. Unfortunatly not waterproof, and a pain to wash... you have to be careful not to dry them in the sun... if the kevlar inner is exposed to direct sunlight it's protective quality will be reduced.

I like leather pants, a friend of mine lent me his for a while when he wrote his bike off. They were great but I just kept thinking "pulp fiction. Gimp".

[Ghost_Bullet]

I bought a pair of draggins, they feel good to wear and are comfy. They are warmer than the std levis jean. Also the kevlar does cut out a little of the cooler wind, when in the wet or longer trips I wear some thin over trou that are wet and wind proof. I have never hit the road so not sure of protection for real. I do have codura pants that I wear if going much longer and colder distances (winter).

It's all a personal pref' thing I guess, similer to open or full face helmets.

[Bob]

I don't own Draggins, but I do own a pair of Hood (which are the same concept - heavy denim, with Kevlar stitched inside) jeans - and I wear them most of the time on the bike.

OK, they're not windproof, and they're not waterproof - but in terms of sliding down the road I trust them totally to protect my skin.

Here is a review I wrote for the Hood jeans (http://www.bobpickett.co.uk/bkit/hoodjeans.htm) - if you look about halfway down the review, there is a link to the results of a drag-test Hood did with a pair of their jeans to simulate a real-life accident... and it is impressive.

I do also own a pair of textile trousers (Bering Corpus (http://www.bobpickett.co.uk/bkit/beringcorpustrousers.htm)), which are a fibretech material - so totally rain and windproof, with knee armour, high-backed waistband and impact padding at the sides - but these only come out to play in the worst weather.

If you can afford both, I'd say get both. The jeans are the more comfortable option, do allow you to walk around looking 'normal' away from the bike, but textile will do better in wet, windy and cold conditions. That said, you can always buy a pair of cheap waterproof overtrousers to accompany the jeans!

Hope this helps,

Bob

[NinjaBoy]

If you can afford both, I'd say get both. The jeans are the more comfortable option, do allow you to walk around looking 'normal' away from the bike, but textile will do better in wet, windy and cold conditions. That said, you can always buy a pair of cheap waterproof overtrousers to accompany the jeans!

Bob

Essentially I do the same. I have Draggin's for commuting to work in the Summer or short trips to the shops etc.. I have a cheap pair of PVC waterproof overtrousers from The Warehouse in case it rains.

In Winter, I wear my cordura trousers. They provide better wind protection and have armour.

In general I feel more secure in the Cordura pants than Draggin's but the Cordura does get hot and sweaty at the height of Summer ( when it arrives!).

However, for any distance rides or weekend hooning..ummm I mean Sunday Cruises, I have full leather.

[Pussy]

I don't know how to post up old threads, but about this time last year I explained the ineffectiveness of draggin jeans. Have a look at my old posts.
In short, THEY ARE BLOODY USELESS, and above 10km/h, you may as well be wearing tights. Ask my missus, she has no left kneecap to prove it. Don't waste your money, unless you are buying them to get dragged down a runway on your arse. You have been warned

[Steam]

about this time last year I explained the ineffectiveness of draggin jeans.

It was here. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=474818#post474818

Thanks for the interesting discussion everyone, I am following it with interest.

[Mom]

Cordura for sure, Jeans aint warm period.
Besides I dont sell jeans !!

Note to Quasi......."investigate jeans".......I wear Cordura, cos that is all i have :innocent:
they are great...sweaty in summer :sick:
but have the thermal liner thingy in winter :love:
best of all they have massive i feel bomb proof qualities, they are also waterproof.......
Jeans are crap when wet........:cold:

Note to self.....buy some armoured jeans for summer :done:

[Hitcher]

I've got a pair of Draggins that have been along the highway on two occasions. They're in good order. The legs inside them are too. And that's without the added armour, which may have lessened the considerable bruising resulting from my first off.

Cordura tears really easily. I suspect it's to do with friction and it getting hot when sliding along the ground. Draggins are made of stout denim and need to snag on something to make them tear. If they do, there is a kevlar liner beneath. Mr Dupont will be very interested to hear from anybody who can get kevlar to tear -- it was made as a liner for bulletproof vests.

I prefer Draggins for summer riding as they're way more comfortable than heavy cordura.

Although I own a set of leather riding pants, I never wear them. They're too cold in winter and not waterproof when it rains. Maybe I should sell or donate them to any interested fuller-figured gent...

[Lou Girardin]

Spidi cordura withstands 1200 cycles of the EC abrasion test,
leather has to withstand 2100 cycles by law..
But Tenax, a form of super cordura, withstands 2400 cycles.
If you want the best, buy a Spidi Step-In Road suit. It has leather and Tenax.
Draggins have no impact protection and they're uncomfortable. Shift or Teknic kevlar jeans are better.

[boomer]

If you want the best, buy a Spidi Step-In Road suit. It has leather and Tenax.

:whistle:..........

[Zapf]

Spidi cordura withstands 1200 cycles of the EC abrasion test,
leather has to withstand 2100 cycles by law..
But Tenax, a form of super cordura, withstands 2400 cycles.
If you want the best, buy a Spidi Step-In Road suit. It has leather and Tenax.
Draggins have no impact protection and they're uncomfortable. Shift or Teknic kevlar jeans are better.

well for what is worth, I am getting a pair of draggins for road riding while wearing T-Pro armor under.

[ceebie13]

I wear Kevlar underpants...on the outside! It makes me superhuman so having an off isn't a problem.




....I've crashed in both and it didn't hurt as much in Cordura quite frankly.


I've never even been to Cordura.

[RC1]

but for me it's leathers everytime and No compromise. My skin is rather attached to my body and i intend to keep it that way.Cheers

yep same for me dont go out on the bike without them on,i have always had leathers on every bike i have had they have saved my skin more then a few times , if your worried about " looks" go to shops in the cage,it not usually a fashion parade on yuor bike it about "safety" NO COMPROMISE

[Naki]

Bought a pair of Spool pants today. Removed the winter liner and then went for a 1 hour ride and found them very good, comfortable and a resonable fit. Also had a look at a pair of shift jeans. Similar Kevlar to Draggins, but cheaper.

Cheers.

[wilber]

I find the draggins good ,better in summer no over trou to carry about may not have the best protection and yes you get hot and sticky in them in summer walking about but riding no problem .

[NordieBoy]

Draggins for day-to-day riding which totals at least 5 hours a week.
Nice and comfortable and I feel more protected in them than cordura unless I've got MX kneepads on as well.
Winter is cordura with winter liners and kneepads.

[Fat Tony]

Question... do any of the products you're looking at zip to your jacket? Personally I wouldn't wear jeans+jacket that didn't zip together. All personal choice though.

[wilber]

Nothing to stop you putting a zip on any trou ,draggins or cordura both have good points,is still better than shorts and normal trousers you see some people wearing.

[beyond]

Question... do any of the products you're looking at zip to your jacket? Personally I wouldn't wear jeans+jacket that didn't zip together. All personal choice though.

Totally agree here and a very good point. Sliding down the road feet first will have your spine grinding away on the chip as soon as the jacket peels back :( :sick: :sick:

[Squeak the Rat]

Do many cordura jackets / trou come in a zip together combo? Any examples of stuff that does?

Most that I have seen don't......

[Hitcher]

Do many cordura jackets / trou come in a zip together combo? Any examples of stuff that does?

Most that I have seen don't......

I know that Teknics and Spidi do zip-together. Other manufacturers probably do too.

[dawnrazor]

jandals, boardies, wife-beater and a piss-pot....'tis all ya need in the summer or so it would appear from recent observations around town:yes:

[sunhuntin]

i scored a pair of mens draggins in the local op shop for about $12. about a half a leg too long, and i could have got two of me in at the waist. got em taken up, and wore a belt done up tight.
i wore em every time i hit the highway on my south island trip, and i loved them! the inner padding sorta stuck to me legs, which was awesome. i dont remember ever getting cold or shivering, even when it pissed down from chch to kaikoura.

normally i just wear jeans...nothing special. my first bin over a year ago shredded the left leg when a car hit me, and that knee is and lower leg is stuffed...the knee hates bending, and the leg is numb from the knee down. but i doubt anything would have stopped that. plus, ive got some wicked looking skin discoloration still, and i show the new riders when they come into work, hopin like hell it might save them from the same.