The armoured jeans thread

[stampos]

G'day all

After lashing out on some quality gear including leather jacket, decent riding boots, different gloves and a half decent helmet I have found that I am not really covered that well on my lower half.

I have looked at Draggin jeans, Hornee etc and I can't really tell the difference by sight alone. So my question is does anyone use these types of armored jeans and if so, what do you think?

[Brad]

Ask me one day... I'll point out (on my own toosh, I'll keep the pants on) where I've lost flesh over the years... then you can look for coverage.

[Bruce]

We have Shift jeans, and they're shitloads cheaper than draggins, but they work... Jill crash tested them and they saved her skin... They have an elastic gusset and stretchy panel below the belt line at the back... Seriously comfortable and cooler than draggins up here as well... I also own a pair of draggins, but would take the shift ones any day

Edit: Avoid the Technic ones... They hole really easily on the "kevlar"

[NJS]

Have the draggins with the zip off legs, with the added knee and hip pads. Like them very much.

[stampos]

Ask me one day... I'll point out (on my own toosh, I'll keep the pants on) where I've lost flesh over the years... then you can look for coverage.

Thanks for everyones opinions as well as your kind and generous offer Brad...

Seems you can not really go past a first hand crash test, as unfortunate as that is. Glad to hear that protection was found when it was needed most and I also trust everything else was OK.

An elastic gusset? thats gotta be worth 15HP

[Jake]

i have crash-tested a pair of draggins in a slow-speed off as a pillion and all the damage they took was a tiny scuff on the knee...

i have seen their demo videos of a guy getting pulled along behind a drag bike with a ski rope, on his arse, wearing draggins... so the kevlar they use must be seriously good shit... the coverage could be a little better imho but they still beat standard denim jeans hands down!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_8A8ZaH9sY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUKzAORD35I

[Brett]

I am discussing the longevity of the Draggin Jeans with the manufacturer at the moment.

Each pair of camo I have had has worn out prematurely on the upper leg. (4 pair over the last 2 years.)
I have had one set replaced but they too wore out far sooner than a $220.00 pair of jeans of this quality should. Havent tested the kevlar yet

I dont mind the type of kevlar blend used in these jeans as they are a good insulator both in hot and cold . I really like them in the cooler weather.

[Brumby Boy]

Where do you get those shift jeans brucie?

[Bruce]

future sport stock them..

[Brad]

i have crash-tested a pair of draggins in a slow-speed off as a pillion and all the damage they took was a tiny scuff on the knee...

I have test crashed regular jeans, and I can tell you, you might as well be wearing shorts...

[alpal]

Trouble is that they do not make jeans like they used to, the weight and strength of fabric is far less these days, they are thinner weave and wear out quicker and this problem extends to draggins and the like. What is the use of having Kevlar inserts if the fabric holding them in rips apart or rots in the sun like Bretts obviously are. I came off many times years ago and although suffered some injuries not once did I shred ordinary jeans which were Lee brand and are still around but nowhere near as heavy or tuff a material as they used to be. Leather offers the only real protection IMO.

[Bruce]

Trouble is that they do not make jeans like they used to, the weight and strength of fabric is far less these days, they are thinner weave and wear out quicker and this problem extends to draggins and the like. What is the use of having Kevlar inserts if the fabric holding them in rips apart or rots in the sun like Bretts obviously are. I came off many times years ago and although suffered some injuries not once did I shred ordinary jeans which were Lee brand and are still around but nowhere near as heavy or tuff a material as they used to be. Leather offers the only real protection IMO.

I agree Al... I fell off in a pair of Levi Red Tabs back in 1990, slid down the road and lost no skin... They used to be good, heavy denim, and weighed about 3 times as much as they do now... The only hole in the jeans was from the chain cutting through them, and the bike pressed me into the road

[stampos]

An update on the jeans.

About 2 weeks ago, shortly before my maiden voyage down the drag strip I purchased some Draggin Silverbacks from the local Yamaha mob. The jeans are very comfy, cover the necessary bits( thanks to Brad for showing the necessary bits). The price was up there, but the quality seems to reflect this. There were other brands there but there seemed not as robust, but hey, who knows.

The jeans are slightly warmer than standard jeans but thats the price you pay. Around town these jeans are awesome and down the drag strip I felt confidant that I would be protected, mainly after Youtubing the Dragin jeans test. Hopefully a road test never hapens

[Bruce]

We are working on getting Draggin up for the Expo and may even be able to swing our own version of the draggin jeans demo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUKzAORD35I

[Cat]

Expo? What expo??

[Brett]

Trouble is that they do not make jeans like they used to, the weight and strength of fabric is far less these days, they are thinner weave and wear out quicker and this problem extends to draggins and the like. What is the use of having Kevlar inserts if the fabric holding them in rips apart or rots in the sun like Bretts obviously are. I came off many times years ago and although suffered some injuries not once did I shred ordinary jeans which were Lee brand and are still around but nowhere near as heavy or tuff a material as they used to be. Leather offers the only real protection IMO.

and its happened again.


To me it appears as if the kevlar knee panel rubs through at the fabric join , it must be abrasve.
Both legs are worn through and rpped in the same place and I bought these for over $200 in June.

[NJS]

Have had my zipoffs for a year now. Pocket stitching isn't much chop, but the rest seems to be surviving without a problem.

[Brad]

I think usage rates might also be a contributing factor... Brett has suggested the kevlar may be abrasive, and it may well be... but in any case, the kevlar is stronger than cotton, and if the two are rubbing together, you have to expect some cotton to fail as a result... perhaps Brett's jeans are getting a lot of use? I would suggest gentle cycles in the wash to help longevity, but ultimately, eventually flexing the material is going to fail it.

What's the warrantee like?

[NJS]

Mine don't get washed very often I will admit. I remember reading somewhere that they don't enjoy regular washing.

[Woodsy]

I thought I'd revive this thread instead of starting my own as I'm looking at getting myself a pair of jeans for riding (my work pants won't cut it).

Does anyone have anything more to add here. Draggin's seem to be the best from what I'm reading but Brett's points are pretty valid.

Does anyone have any experience with Hornee as a comparison to the Draggin and Shift's mentioned up further?

Cheers,
Woodsy

[Brett]

I think usage rates might also be a contributing factor... Brett has suggested the kevlar may be abrasive, and it may well be... but in any case, the kevlar is stronger than cotton, and if the two are rubbing together, you have to expect some cotton to fail as a result... perhaps Brett's jeans are getting a lot of use? I would suggest gentle cycles in the wash to help longevity, but ultimately, eventually flexing the material is going to fail it.

What's the warrantee like?

Well sorry for the late reply Brad. Must have missed this one.
Warranty?
Well the third pair I had that failed within 6 months I sent back and they were replaced without an issue, They also sent me a Draggin T shirt.

The next pair that I bought that also failed in exactly the same place as the previous 4 pairs . Granted i do wear them a lot, probably 3 or 4 times a week. I do wash them, mostly by hand and I put them in the machine to spin the water out of them before hanging on the inside rack so they are treated very well. I only wear them for riding..full stop.

I called Draggin described the problem and was told that they had never had this happen before. ( that was odd as they had already replace a pair approx 12 months earlier with the identical issues)I sent them photographs of all the Draggins I have owned and all show the wear in exactly the same place as the 4 or 5 month old jeans that I was advising them about. I offered to send them all of the jeans for inspection. That offer wasnt taken up.

I didnt ask for the jeans to be replaced. I told them several times that I was not pleased that a $229 pair of "high end and durable" jeans should wear out so prematurely

They didnt offer to replace the pair that had prematurely worn out. They did offer to supply me with new jeans at a reduced price. They offered to put my logo on the jeans at no additional cost too.

I procrastinated a bit over this because I still felt jilted because I had basically paid over $50 per month to wear some jeans that were now buggered and did I want to pay for more??? Having said that, I do like the way they fit and I do like the thicker terry towling sort of kevlar blend material that they use over the thinner kevlar stuff used in other armoured jeans.

Well i called and advised them that I was taking them up on their offer to supply me with some lower cost jeans I was told to send them my logo etc etc.
I did this and heard nothing, I sent it again and heard nothing, I called twice and left a message for someone to get back to me and heard nothing and I havent chased them any more.

It is a shame because as I said earlier, i like the jeans, the comfort, the apparent or claimed protection and I dont want to go hunting for another brand because the others dont have exactly what I am looking for or used to wearing.

Do I think they are good for a weekend rider or occasional wearer? Yes I do and I think they will last a long time if worn occasionally.

Will I buy another pair of Draggins? Yes but only if I pick them up a a very discounted price.

Will I be looking for another supplier of armoured jeans? Yes.

Unfortunately none of the bikeshops that I frequent carry any real variety or range of that gear, if any at all, so I will have to put jeans on the away shopping list again

[Woodsy]

MCAS have Draggin, Hornee, Sartso Killer and K-Shield jeans.
I like the look of the Sartso's over the others.
The K-Shield and Hornee seem a bit cheaper but not knowing if this presents a quality difference I'm not sure if that's good or not.

[outbackbiker]

Hey Brett try this mob http://bikersgearaustralia.com/produ...6f91d517600e0b they have a store at PI i believe, bought my last pair of camo's off them don't wear 'em near as much as you but am happy with the quality, cheaper too.

[Woodsy]

I went into Redline on Saturday to have a look at their range. They apprear to stock Hornee and Shift.

Out of the two I think the Shift jeans seemed a little heavier and better made. The Hornee jeans were very light and the inserts just didn't seem to be very substantial.

I don't know but I didn't see anywhere I could try them on either so I'm not sure on the sizing. I noticed the website said for some of them that they are one up on normal jeans. I'm a 38 waist (yeah I know fat fucker hey) and the 38's they had were way too big and the crotch was hanging halfway down my leg. I've got a big wanger but it's not that big

Makes it a bit hard to order something online though. Does anyone else in town stock Draggin or Sartso?

[Brett]

Surely they have changing rooms over at the new shop??

Sartso? never heard of them.

No Draggin jeans in the tractor shop.
Cant try and buy the stuff local cause they dont stock it and when you ask for it they say they done sell any of it and thats why they dont stock it.