Kitsune
03-25-2010, 12:38 AM
Writing a review here, in case anyone is interested.
Because I'm anticipating having to spend a lot of my summer commuting, hopefully more to school than to work, I decided to have a looksee at the motorcycle jeans available.
I wanted something that would give the most protection for what they are- I know jeans will never equal the protection of full leathers, etc, but my school and work are 10 mi away, and the convenience of wearing something to ride in that I can be comfortable in all day, and not want to "avoid" because it's uncomfortable/inconvenient/a PITA really won out.
By the end of my "studying" there was not a single link that came up in Google for "kevlar jeans" or any of the associated brands, that I had not looked at. This took 2 months.
I need to say that although Draggin' Jeans intrigued me, I read enough reviews that said the sewing was a little shoddy that I wasn't entirely sure. The coverage of their kevlar panels also seemed lacking.
DJ-in Oz seemed more promising, but for close to 200$au, my wallet cried and I had to cover its eyes and walk away.
The same goes for Esquad, whose jeans cost $400 (I believe) but are probably all around better quality.
The name that kept coming up for me was HooD in the UK.
Their kevlar is woven, not knitted, which doesn't take advantage of its tensile strength to the greatest of its ability, but where it shines is the sheer amount of coverage. From all the way up to your waist (women's pants are measured at 'true' waist) to down beneath your knees in the front and mid rear thigh in the back, you are covered.
Quoted price came to $99 (I think?) pounds, or $120 (give or take a couple dollars.) This was my big "spring break" gift to myself.
The jeans arrived today and I was immediately impressed with the weight of the fabric and the quality of the stitching. I ought to be, since they're hand made, but you never know, these days, what one might consider artisan quality.
The Kevlar is really interesting. Pale straw colored it's very smooth and somehow very cool to the touch. It takes a lot of heat to warm it all the way through (me sitting with my Mac on my lap for 45 minutes now and my knees are just now feeling warm). It's weird to touch and maybe weirder to wear- but not uncomfortable. Maybe just a little slippery, but just as flexible as the denim. Think double-front carhartts.
The smallest size they come in is a UK women's 8. That's JUST fine because a UK 8 is a somewhat snug American 6. For me this means that right out of the bag, the waist is a little tight but I've got plenty of hip and crotch room. *cough, cough*
I've had lots of jeans that loosened up considerably after being worn a day or two, though, and I'm guessing this is also the case.
The jeans come in a very heavy denim fabric, dyed a lovely, rich indigo. HooD says they'll fade, and to wash with darks or alone. I can believe it! (Mom always said to wash with a little salt to lock the dye at first... I like my jeans a little worn and faded looking, so I'll just pass that along to you ladies instead)
The pockets are made of the same denim as the rest of the jeans, and there's enough room for a wallet in back if you carry your greenbacks that way whilst riding.
I'm not sure about the armor attachment as yet. I opted not to get the optional Knox armor, instead choosing to get HG hiprotec armor. The armor holding area seems to be a strip of velcro in the front, as with Draggin' Jeans, but I will more likely sew my armor in place once I figure out about where my knees are going to be when riding. I know Hiprotec isn't the same as Knox, but it's CE approved and better than nothing when coming to the crunch. I have Tpro armored pants to wear under these jeans for longer rides and higher speeds, as well.
Here's a link to HooD:
http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/html/k7jean.html
Ride test results coming after Spring Break!:roflmao:
Because I'm anticipating having to spend a lot of my summer commuting, hopefully more to school than to work, I decided to have a looksee at the motorcycle jeans available.
I wanted something that would give the most protection for what they are- I know jeans will never equal the protection of full leathers, etc, but my school and work are 10 mi away, and the convenience of wearing something to ride in that I can be comfortable in all day, and not want to "avoid" because it's uncomfortable/inconvenient/a PITA really won out.
By the end of my "studying" there was not a single link that came up in Google for "kevlar jeans" or any of the associated brands, that I had not looked at. This took 2 months.
I need to say that although Draggin' Jeans intrigued me, I read enough reviews that said the sewing was a little shoddy that I wasn't entirely sure. The coverage of their kevlar panels also seemed lacking.
DJ-in Oz seemed more promising, but for close to 200$au, my wallet cried and I had to cover its eyes and walk away.
The same goes for Esquad, whose jeans cost $400 (I believe) but are probably all around better quality.
The name that kept coming up for me was HooD in the UK.
Their kevlar is woven, not knitted, which doesn't take advantage of its tensile strength to the greatest of its ability, but where it shines is the sheer amount of coverage. From all the way up to your waist (women's pants are measured at 'true' waist) to down beneath your knees in the front and mid rear thigh in the back, you are covered.
Quoted price came to $99 (I think?) pounds, or $120 (give or take a couple dollars.) This was my big "spring break" gift to myself.
The jeans arrived today and I was immediately impressed with the weight of the fabric and the quality of the stitching. I ought to be, since they're hand made, but you never know, these days, what one might consider artisan quality.
The Kevlar is really interesting. Pale straw colored it's very smooth and somehow very cool to the touch. It takes a lot of heat to warm it all the way through (me sitting with my Mac on my lap for 45 minutes now and my knees are just now feeling warm). It's weird to touch and maybe weirder to wear- but not uncomfortable. Maybe just a little slippery, but just as flexible as the denim. Think double-front carhartts.
The smallest size they come in is a UK women's 8. That's JUST fine because a UK 8 is a somewhat snug American 6. For me this means that right out of the bag, the waist is a little tight but I've got plenty of hip and crotch room. *cough, cough*
I've had lots of jeans that loosened up considerably after being worn a day or two, though, and I'm guessing this is also the case.
The jeans come in a very heavy denim fabric, dyed a lovely, rich indigo. HooD says they'll fade, and to wash with darks or alone. I can believe it! (Mom always said to wash with a little salt to lock the dye at first... I like my jeans a little worn and faded looking, so I'll just pass that along to you ladies instead)
The pockets are made of the same denim as the rest of the jeans, and there's enough room for a wallet in back if you carry your greenbacks that way whilst riding.
I'm not sure about the armor attachment as yet. I opted not to get the optional Knox armor, instead choosing to get HG hiprotec armor. The armor holding area seems to be a strip of velcro in the front, as with Draggin' Jeans, but I will more likely sew my armor in place once I figure out about where my knees are going to be when riding. I know Hiprotec isn't the same as Knox, but it's CE approved and better than nothing when coming to the crunch. I have Tpro armored pants to wear under these jeans for longer rides and higher speeds, as well.
Here's a link to HooD:
http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/html/k7jean.html
Ride test results coming after Spring Break!:roflmao: