Draggin Jeans. Any good?

[sootie]

For the last few years I have been using a pair of these on most rides.
I am pleased to say that up until now at least I have never put the Kevlar to the test.
I do find them very warm, and quite comfortable to wear off the bike. Quite a big plus.
Would be interested in anyone elses experiences with these.
I suspect there may be better ways to protect one's skin!

[5150]

I have a set of camo ones and absolutely love them. They will never beat descent leather but they are better then std jeans. And they are warm too

[SMOKEU]

Kevlar jeans offer reasonable abrasion protection, but that's pretty much where it ends. They won't stop you from smashing your knees or doing other severe damage like more traditional armoured synthetic pants or leather riding pants. Some jeans have room for armour inserts, and I strongly suggest you fit these if you can. Even with the armour inserts there is no guarantee that the armour will stay in place during the event of a crash. Avoid highsiding at all costs with jeans. In a low to moderate speed lowside you MAY be OK with kevlar jeans.

However, kevlar jeans are a lot better than ordinary jeans. It's your call how seriously you take safety. I'm actually keen to buy some kevlar jeans as riding pants are dreadfully hot in summer, but for open road riding I will still wear proper riding pants.

[sootie]

I have a set of camo ones and absolutely love them. They will never beat descent leather but they are better then std jeans. And they are warm too

Thanks thats helpful & in line with what I had thought.

[sootie]

Kevlar jeans offer reasonable abrasion protection, but that's pretty much where it ends. They won't stop you from smashing your knees or doing other severe damage like more traditional armoured synthetic pants or leather riding pants. Some jeans have room for armour inserts, and I strongly suggest you fit these if you can. Even with the armour inserts there is no guarantee that the armour will stay in place during the event of a crash. Avoid highsiding at all costs with jeans. In a low to moderate speed lowside you MAY be OK with kevlar jeans.

However, kevlar jeans are a lot better than ordinary jeans. It's your call how seriously you take safety. I'm actually keen to buy some kevlar jeans as riding pants are dreadfully hot in summer, but for open road riding I will still wear proper riding pants.

Also very helpful. I need to come up to speed a bit better with safety gear, but I do like these jeans to ride in.
I have been using them for quite long distances on the open road, but maybe I will think about this some more with regard to better protection.

[nathanwhite]

I like mine, warm enough that I only have to put a pair of thermals on underneath if it's a really cold morning which is nice.
I got some armour for the knees and stuck them in there against the kevlar and that seems to work fine.

My only problem is that because the outer material is denim and the inner is a Kevlar fiber it is not waterproof in the slightest. I keep reminding myself to get waterproof overpants but that never seems to happen for some reason

[Ocean1]

So much of how you come out of a close encounter with the road is pure luck that it's difficult to point to any one incident for a performance evaluation. So much so that I suspect even fairly extensive surveys might struggle to score the various alternatives.

For what it's worth, in summer I use an equivalent, (Rhino) with thigh and knee armour. I wore two pairs of Draggins out, (stitching came appart) and looking for an alternative I found these, zipped at the ankle, can wear them in or out of the boots. So far they're holding up well, don't plan any particularly agressive abrasive testing, but if that happens I'll let you know how lucky I was, eh?

[tigertim20]

my personal opinions on draggin jeans is that their uses are
nipping down to the shops when you cant be fucked wearing full gear
short commutes where you are just travelling within the city at low speeds
other short jaunts.

anything more than a 20 minute ride or so, and my gear goes on. period. they dont offer impact protection like full gear will which is the main concern for me. really it depends on what you are comfortable with - good to see someone asking the question about whats best for their safety!

[sootie]

I like mine, warm enough that I only have to put a pair of thermals on underneath if it's a really cold morning which is nice.
I got some armour for the knees and stuck them in there against the kevlar and that seems to work fine.

My only problem is that because the outer material is denim and the inner is a Kevlar fiber it is not waterproof in the slightest. I keep reminding myself to get waterproof overpants but that never seems to happen for some reason

I will look at the armour issue now thanks. Agree about the the lack of waterproofing, but I have worn them in moderate rain on the open road for 2 hours of riding & only been a bit wet behind my fairings. I could not be bothered stopping to put on my over-trousers actually!

[sootie]

So much of how you come out of a close encounter with the road is pure luck that it's difficult to point to any one incident for a performance evaluation. So much so that I suspect even fairly extensive surveys might struggle to score the various alternatives.

For what it's worth, in summer I use an equivalent, (Rhino) with thigh and knee armour. I wore two pairs of Draggins out, (stitching came appart) and looking for an alternative I found these, zipped at the ankle, can wear them in or out of the boots. So far they're holding up well, don't plan any particularly agressive abrasive testing, but if that happens I'll let you know how lucky I was, eh?

I have tried the abrasion test - not again thank you!

[sootie]

my personal opinions on draggin jeans is that their uses are
nipping down to the shops when you cant be fucked wearing full gear
short commutes where you are just travelling within the city at low speeds
other short jaunts.

anything more than a 20 minute ride or so, and my gear goes on. period. they dont offer impact protection like full gear will which is the main concern for me. really it depends on what you are comfortable with - good to see someone asking the question about whats best for their safety!

Respect your opinion there ( I have to, I come from Dunedin!!)
The getting too hot thing is fairly major up here with riding, and I am sometimes too hot even in Draggin Jeans, although it is usually the jacket that is the problem. I often ride around with all 4 jacket vents wide open in summer even for long periods on the open road.

[tigertim20]

Respect your opinion there ( I have to, I come from Dunedin!!)
The getting too hot thing is fairly major up here with riding, and I am sometimes too hot even in Draggin Jeans, although it is usually the jacket that is the problem. I often ride around with all 4 jacket vents wide open in summer even for long periods on the open road.

if thats an issue, I see no reason whatsoever that you cant take the gear into an alterations shop, and get more vents put in. pretty easy, cut a slit, insert a zip. remember, clothing can be customised to suit your needs just as much as your ride!

[Gareth123]

I like mine, warm enough that I only have to put a pair of thermals on underneath if it's a really cold morning which is nice.
I got some armour for the knees and stuck them in there against the kevlar and that seems to work fine.

My only problem is that because the outer material is denim and the inner is a Kevlar fiber it is not waterproof in the slightest. I keep reminding myself to get waterproof overpants but that never seems to happen for some reason

If your after decent wet weather gear hit up PGG farming shops. I bought a pair of over trousers there and they are fantastic! They fit over my bike trousers and are completely wind proof and water proof. They are made by line 7.

[Gremlin]

I've come off in Draggin Jeans before, around 90kph. However, it was very wet (why I came off... both wheels aqua-planed). I think it was a high side.

Slid for a decent distance, obviously friction was low. Had impact bruising, but between two pairs of Draggin pants, I can't tell which pair I came off in...

Obviously they do not offer the protection of proper textile or leather pants, but as said, better than standard jeans.

[slowpoke]

I'm not impressed with 'em at all, and have the scars to remind me why. Yes, they are better than jeans but if that's your alternative you are setting the bar pretty low. I'm not criticising the folks who wear them, I just think they are given far more credit for "protection" than they deserve.