Tested: The Best Motorcycle Jeans For Every Rider

Riding pants are almost certainly the most commonly-overlooked and under-utilized piece of protective motorcycle gear. And while it’s understandable that it feels a bit overkill to wear full leathers or knee-puck-equipped track pants while on the road, it’s still wildly important to shield your legs from impacts and abrasions should you happen to go shiny-side down. Jeans developed specifically for riding are unequivocally the best solution to this issue, affording ample fortification often while looking and feeling like a regular pair of denim pants — allowing them to lend themselves to use both in and out of the saddle. Below, we’ll be highlighting a handpicked selection of the latest and greatest pairs of denim riding pants that we’ve gotten hands-on with for this buyer’s guide and review to the best motorcycle jeans.

Selection & Testing

Since the introduction of the first-ever pair only a few years ago, the market has been inundated with some truly fantastic pairs of single-layer riding jeans. When we set out to deliver a guide to the best jeans for wearing on and off-the-bike, we began by first limiting our selections to single-layer models. After making this decision, we then formulated a list of qualities and characteristics that would be used to guide our search, reviewing areas such as construction, CE rating, armor setup, cut, stretch properties, style, and versatility. With these factors guiding our search, we were then able to generate a shortlist of motorcycle jeans that we suspected may currently stand as some of the latest and greatest that money can buy. 

In a bid to gain a more complete understanding of how each pair feels and performs — and what it’s like to live with each pair and use them on a day-to-day basis both on and off-the-bike — we managed to track down samples of each pair of riding jeans from our shortlist. This allowed us to individually put each pair to the test, allowing us to get a truly comprehensive sense of what each pair of jeans has to offer. Additionally, in an effort to establish a more objective testing, judgement, and comparison process, we also devised several standardized tests that each pair of motorcycle jeans was subjected to. This included kneeling and swinging-a-leg-over-the-bike tests in order to judge mobility and range of motion, as well as a test to discover how easy or difficult it was to install or remove each pair’s armor. What’s more, how each pair looks was also heavily scrutinized, as was whether or not these pairs resembled regular jeans, or readily announced themselves as being riding jeans. 

More importantly, each pair of riding jeans was also used to commute to and from the office for several days, thereby affording us with a markedly more robust sense of each pair’s overall, day-to-day user experience. Once armed with the information from our hands-on testing process and standardized tests, we then proceeded to narrow our original shortlist down to a final hard selection of what we found to be the very best motorcycle jeans on the market. So, now that you know how we arrived at the selections we did, let’s dive into our picks. 

Iron & Resin Enduro Denim Jeans

Best Value Pick: Since its inception in 2012, Iron & Resin has built its name on the strength of delivering modern, built-to-last, USA-made takes on timeless wardrobe staples. And the Southern California label’s signature MO is in full effect on the Iron & Resin Enduro Denim Jeans. Made by hand in America, the Enduro Denim jeans are cut from the brand’s proprietary 12oz Enduro Denim — a Lycra-infused cotton-nylon blend backed by 13% Dyneema content. While no doubt protective, this construction doesn’t require any break-in period at all. Also benefitting from a triple-needle felled rise, this pair also features an unmistakably premium trim and a classic tapered fit. 

The Good

There’s honestly a lot to like above Iron & Resin’s Enduro Denim Jeans. The pair has reinforced belt loops with a small reinforced stitched section that’s anchored to the pants sitting below each belt loop, plus sports red interior accent stitching — the latter of which is  a signature detail found in a great many of the American brand’s other stellar garments.

Further separating these jeans from other pairs on the market is its unique curve-flap front pocket design. When first examining these jeans, I was initially a little bothered by the idiosyncratic shape of the pair’s front pockets, as they utilize a design that curve in from the two rivet points. And while I’m still not a huge fan of how they look, I have become a huge fan of these pockets — in fact they’re easily one of my favorite aspects of this pair of jeans — as they provide a super wide opening that makes entry ridiculously easy. Even when wearing an armored set of riding gloves, I could still easily get my hands in my pockets, and still have enough room to dig out items. What’s more, thanks to how deep the front pockets are, I also felt completely comfortable stashing EDC items (that I normally stash away in a zippered pocket of my backpack or under my seat) in them while riding without having to worry about them falling out mid-ride. 

Supplementary Strengths

Another one of my favorite aspects of this pair of riding jeans is the appearance. In typical I&R fashion, they sport a vintage-inspired aesthetic that gives them a timeless air. What’s more, another one of the biggest highlights and selling points on these jeans is the price. Despite being meticulously crafted in the USA, Iron & Resin manages to sell this pair for just a tad over the $150 mark. As such, the Enduro Denim Jeans almost certainly offer the best value and bang-for-your-buck of any pair of motorcycle jeans currently on the market — and do so by a pretty significant margin.

The Iron & Resin Enduro Denim Jeans also offer fantastic mobility and range of motion, with the only noticeable restriction being when attempting to raise my knee high above my waist — a position I don’t think I ever really find myself in, short of when purposefully testing the mobility of pants. And, aside from these uniquely-shaped front pockets, Iron & Resin’s Enduro Denim Jeans look and feel like normal jeans in pretty much every way. 

The Not So Good

Ultimately, my only real complaints surrounding Iron & Resin’s Enduro Jeans are both pretty obvious. For starters, I really wish I&R opted to bestow these pants with internal pockets for housing hip and knee armor — or at least offering an available armor-pocket like SA1NT and BSMC do with their respective riding jeans.

Lastly, I also wished the company cited a specific CE rating as well — though this has no impact on how the jeans perform in any way. Additionally, I wouldn’t mind seeing this pair’s construction receive some light stretch properties, as this area really does have the ability to pretty hugely bolster comfort — as SPIDI’s J&Dyneema Evo Denim Jeans proves in spades. 

Verdict: Iron & Resin’s Enduro Denim are a classically-styled, American-made, built-to-last pair of riding jeans that offer solid protection and comfort — along with what’s almost certainly the best bang-for-your-buck of any motorcycle jeans currently on the market. 

BSMC Protective Road Jeans

Most Advanced Pick: The entire purpose of the Bike Shed Motorcycle Club’s Protective Road Jeans was to create a pair of classically-styled riding jeans that look and feel like traditional denim pants while affording ample protection. And while this is no easy feat, BSMC has managed to pull it off by taking a pretty interesting route. Rather than turning to Dyneema, Kevlar, or Aramid, the Bike Shed instead opted to utilize a state-of-the-art material known as COVEC.

Offering incredible levels of abrasion resistance, this Elastane-infused cotton-COVEC blend is spun from a liquid crystal polymer that sees the materials protective properties baked right into the denim. As a result, they legitimately look and feel like any other premium pair of jeans — while also affording ample slide protection, and a suite of D30 knee and hip armor to protect against impacts when going shiny-side down. 

The Good

Not requiring any break-in period, BSMC’s Protective Road Jeans are incredibly comfortable right off the rack, and look just as good as they feel. Because the construction is able to form a unique patina over time with regular use, they actually become even more handsome and characterful with age.

The more plain appearance is furthered by this pair’s use of cutting-edge D30 armor, which is not super low profile, but is also flexible and form-fitting — that is until suffering an impact, at which point the D30 hardens. On several occasions, I spent the entire day wearing the jeans with the armor still left in without even realizing it. And, while you could honestly just leave the armor in — as I did on several days — it’s nonetheless worth noting how ridiculously easy it was to install and remove the armor in-between rides. 

Supplementary Strengths

In addition to being offering in a raw indigo version, the Bike Shed also sells an armor-free version of these riding jeans known as the BSMC Resistant Jeans. I happen to be extremely partial to the black color way (seen here), as it takes the fully-murdered-out approach, with everything from the stitching to the logo patch to construction itself sporting a blacked out finish. The pants also boast a considerable amount of multi-way stretch, plus the Protective Road Jeans tip the scales at around 1.7lbs (without the armor), which is extremely svelte for a pair of CE AA-rated motorcycle pants — and makes this pair the second lightest out of every pair I tested.

Between the cut of the pants and the multi-way stretch, they also afford a pretty terrific range of motion that doesn’t restrict range of motion — so long as you aren’t attempting any advanced yoga positions/poses. Also of note is the Protective Road Jeans’ hardware and trim, which is top-shelf through and through, and features a blacked-out leather logo patch and a custom BSMC front closure button. 

The Not So Good

With a sub-$200 price tag, the BSMC Protective Road Jeans also offer pretty stellar bang-for-your-buck. IN fact, when you consider the construction, trim, and overall build quality — which is also stellar by the way — their $192.50 price point actually seems like an absolute bargain. And, while it admittedly has no impact on the performance or user experience of the jeans, I no doubt appreciate that these jeans are made by one of the coolest and most well-respected motorcycle and lifestyle brands currently in operation.

When all was said and done and testing was complete, I only had two very minor gripes. The first is that I wished the custom logo button sported a black finish, as the contrasting silver juxtaposes the rest of the black color way and stands out like a sore thumb. Second, while it almost certainly would have driven the price up a bit, I would really like to see the Bike Shed make a version of these jeans with a higher COVEC content that’s able to achieve a CE AAA rating — rather than the still-very-respectable CE AA rating that these jeans have. 

Verdict: Looking and feeling like regular jeans, the BSMC Protective Road Jeans are a classically-styled, sub-$200 pair of riding pants that are cut from a cutting-edge construction that’s spun from a liquid crystal polymer. 

SA1NT Unbreakable Slim Jeans

Best Overall Pick: In the first decade of my riding career, I was constantly on the look out for new pairs of riding jeans that I could comfortably wear on and off-the-bike. That was until I first got my hands on a pair of SA1NT Unbreakable Jeans, which I’ve worn since, more days than not — despite receiving numerous riding jean samples and pairs as gifts, as none of them measured up to the quality and performance offered by the jeans from SA1NT.

If that doesn’t already speak volumes, then let me add the fact that these are the only riding jeans I wear on days when I’m not riding, as they genuinely are more comfortable, and just as good looking as the regular pairs of jeans I own — some of which are pretty high-end. 

The Good

Made by the first company to ever bring a pair of single-layer riding jeans to market, the SA1NT Unbreakable Slim Jeans are a top-shelf pair of motorcycle jeans that genuinely look and feel like a luxury pair of stretch jeans. Concealed in their double face black stretch denim construction — which is currently on its seventh generation — is ultra-rugged Dyneema, which constitutes a quarter of the denim’s total content, allowing the jeans to afford pretty remarkable levels of both strength and slide-resistance.

With the benefit of added stretch properties, the jeans afford multi-way flex properties that bolster both comfort and range of motion. Speaking of which, the overall mobility offered by these jeans are simply fantastic —  not quite as impressive as SPIDI’s J&Dyneema Evo Denim Jeans, but definitely a close second. 

Supplementary Strengths

The whole point of modern single-layer riding jeans is to provide protection while on the bike, and then allow you to dismount and spend the rest of your day in those same jeans, all while looking and feeling like regular jeans. And in my opinion, no pair of motorcycle jeans currently on the market do this better than those from SA1NT. I happen to be fond of the Unbreakable Slim Jeans, but the reality is that this applies to all their Dyneema denim jeans. (Their more affordable Force and Engineered Jeans are great too, just nothing really measures up to the Unbreakable models).

On top of sporting orange pockets, orange trim, and orange SA1NT wing logos, the Unbreakable Slim Jeans have also been decorated with a vintage trim suite that includes a leather logo patch, a coated wing-logo’d button, and a custom-cut leather tab adorning the coin pocket. On their own, these details aren’t all that substantial, but together, they add up to an unmistakably premium pair of jeans. In fact, I don’t think my entire collection of riding gear has received as many compliments put together as just my SA1NT jeans. 

The Not So Good

Not only do the Unbreakable Slim Jeans feature pockets for housing ultra-low-profile and ultra-effective D30 Ghost armor at the hips and knees, but said knee armor pockets are also adjustable, allowing you to dial-in the placement of the pads to ensure they do their job if ever needed. The armor is also ridiculously easy to remove or install in just seconds, too. Moving on, this brings me to one of my very few gripes with these jeans, and that’s the fact their D30 armor is sold separately. One of my two only additional complaints is that I’d ultimately love to see SA1NT up the Dyneema content in their flagship jeans in order to achieve a top-of-the-line CE AAA rating, as that’s really the only area in which these jeans fall short in my opinion.

Everywhere else, they get top marks across the board. Not only are these gripes pretty minor, but they’re also massively outweighed by the enormous slew of strengths and pros that SA1NT’s Unbreakable Slim Jeans offer. They’re also no doubt expensive, but more so than any other pair on this list, you 100% get what you pay for when buying SA1NT’s jeans — or really any of their products in my experience. Speaking of which, the Unbreakable Jeans can also be paired with SA1NT’s matching denim riding jacket — which is cut from the same gen-7 Dyneema denim. 

Verdict: The SA1NT Unbreakable Slim Jeans do everything that modern single-layer riding jeans should, and do it better than any other pair on the market, offering an unrivaled amalgamation of style, comfort, and protection. So long as you can afford it, you really should just get these. 

SPIDI J&Dyneema Evo Denim Jeans

Most Rugged Pick: Engineered using a spare-no-expense approach, the SPIDI J&Dyneema Evo Denim Jeans are an ultra-premium take on single-layer riding jeans that boast an unparalleled combination of comfort and protection. Representing SPIDI’s most advanced and high-end riding jeans, this flagship pair uses a traditional five-pocket layout.

Inside, the jeans feature pockets for housing knee and hip armor of the Warrior Lite variety — a type of protective padding that’s borrowed from SPIDI’s more technical race-focused gear, ultimately giving you a level of protection on the street that’s normally reserved for the track. Best of all, they afford this incredible level of protection while legitimately looking and feeling like an ordinary pair of jeans. 

The Good

SPIDI’s J&Dyneema Evo Denim Jeans utilize all bespoke hardware and trim, from the custom leather logo patch to the engraved front closure button to the custom SPIDI-branded rivets used throughout. What’s more, though it’s a very small detail, I also really like the carabiner attachment that’s mated to the front right belt loop, as it provides a convenient and ultra-secure means of storing your keys when off-the-bike for brief periods. Same goes for the interior reflective patches that can be viewed when the pant leg’s cuffs are rolled up.

On top of using race-derived armor, I also really like that SPIDI’s J&Dyneema Evo Denim Jeans feature knee armor pockets that are adjustable. This is actually a pretty big deal, as protective motorcycle gear has to precisely fit its wearer in order to afford the best possible protection — something this adjustable element practically guarantees. Another small detail that I also appreciate is the pair’s rear band that allows it to be clipped to a jacket. And, while it also applies to several of the other pairs that I tested, I no doubt appreciate that the SPIDI J&Dyneema Evo Denim Jeans don’t require any break-in period whatsoever. 

Supplementary Strengths

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the SPIDI J&Dyneema Evo Denim Jeans is undoubtedly their construction. There’s admittedly no shortage of modern-day single-layer riding jeans that are infused with Dyneema, however, for this particular pair, SPIDI has opted to bestow the pants with a whopping 60% Dyneema content, which ultimately allows for insane levels of slide protection — and a CE AAA rating (I.e. the highest level rating a riding garment can achieve). As a point of reference, SA1NT’s Unbreakable Jeans — which are widely viewed as the bar-setting standard in the space — feature a construction comprised of just 25% Dyneema.

The pants are cut from a Dyneema-cotton blend that’s lightly infused with Elastane which affords the pants some impressive stretch qualities. When combined with the actual cut of the pants, this results in what’s unquestionably the most comfortable pair of motorcycle jeans I’ve ever worn — an area made all the more impressive by the fact that they’re also easily one of the most protective pairs I’ve ever worn, too. As far as mobility goes, this pair is legitimately just one small step below being competently naked — bolstering comfort that much further. 

The Not So Good

Despite thoroughly scrutinizing the pair for an extended period — and going so far as to actively look for flaws and shortcomings — I honestly couldn’t come up with a single gripe about these jeans. They genuinely are just about as close to perfect as riding jeans can get. As a result, my one and only complaint doesn’t concern the jeans themself, their performance, or their overall user experience, but rather their price. While I do actually think it’s wholly justifiable considering the super-liberal Dyneema content, there’s no getting around the fact that more than $350 is objectively a lot to spend on a pair of jeans. 

Verdict: With a super-generous 60% Dyneema content, the SPIDI J&Dyneema Evo Denim Jeans are able to deliver a unique amalgamation of immense comfort and unparalleled protection. If you can swing the price, this is almost certainly the pair of motorcycle jeans that you want. 

Rokker Revolution II

Best Waterproof Pick: The Rokker Revolution II is unequivocally one of the most unique pairs of motorcycling jeans on the market. Boasting a second-generation design, these riding jeans are cut from a single layer of 14-ounce Schoeller Denim dynatec — a cotton-polyester-polyethylene blend infused with a small percentage of Elastane for some added stretch properties.

This already advanced single-layer construction has been mated to an integrated c_change membrane that’s not only completely and totally windproof and waterproof, but actually actively reacts to changing temperatures and conditions, keeping the pair of jean’s wearer comfortable while at the same time affording tremendous levels of protection. On top of affording ample protection from the elements and slides, the Rokker Revolution II jeans also offer equally robust levels of fortification from impacts thanks to an included set of SAS-TEC hip and knee armor — both of which are easily removable.

The Good

The interior of the pants have an almost wetsuit-like feel to them. Because I tested these jeans in Los Angeles during the heart of the spring season (when temperatures are fairly high), I expected the experience with these jeans to be a particularly uncomfortable and sweaty one, though this just wasn’t the case. Sure, they don’t offer quite the same level of breathability or overall comfort as the rest of the riding jeans that I tested, however, not by much.

The fact that they’re actually fully waterproof — not weatherproof or water-resistant — makes them particularly easy to justify the mild sacrifices in the two aforementioned areas, especially if you reside in a region that receives ample precipitation such as the Pacific Northwest or UK. Despite the robust waterproofing, the jeans also afford a satisfactory range of motion for on-the-bike use, however, mobility is somewhat restricted when off-the-bike, with a noticeable amount of resistance when attempting to raise my knee above my waist.

Supplementary Strengths

It always bothers me when I see jackets, bags, or backpacks that are crafted from waterproof materials, and then pieced together using regular stitching and outfitted with regular zippers — both of which allow water to penetrate the item. As such, I massively appreciate that Rokker opted to pair the Schoeller Denim dynatec and integrated c_change membrane with a waterproof YKK zipper and a seam-taped construction used throughout.

As you’d probably expect from a pair of premium $500 jeans, the build quality, attention to detail, and overall fit and finish on Rokker’s Revolution II is just stellar. Not only is its build quality top-notch, but the pants are further elevated via their suite of top-shelf trim items, which includes a custom embossed alloy waist closure button, a custom leather logo patch, and a second bespoke leather tag on the back of the pants. 

The Not So Good

In addition to the laundry list of other highlights and pros these jeans offer, one of the pants’ other major selling points is its appearance. Even from up close, they just look and feel like regular jeans — an area that’s all the more impressive when you consider how much they have going on under the surface, and what incredible levels of protection they offer. Speaking of protection, Rokker Revolution’s II also achieve a CE AAA rating, which is the highest possible rating a riding garment can receive. It’s also abundantly clear that these jeans are highly calculated and blatantly benefit from a great deal of thought. This can be seen through minor areas such as how the pair is devoid of any rivets, preventing the pants from potentially scratching the paint of your bike.

Though I was expecting them to be fairly uncomfortable due to their unique material selection and waterproofing, the reality is they aren’t that different from the other pairs of motorcycle jeans I tested. At the end of the day, my only real complaints were the fact that Rokker’s Revolution II sports pretty shallow front pockets, and, while they are admittedly pretty comfortable right off the rack, they do require a bit of break-in time. The price is also objectively pretty steep, though, all-things-considered, I’d argue you really do get what you pay for here. 

Verdict: The Rokker Revolution II is a super-advanced single-layer pair of riding jeans that are completely impervious to the elements and achieve an ultra-robust CE AAA rating — all while looking like a regular pair of high-end jeans. 

Motorcycle Riding Jeans Comparison Chart

What Exactly Are Single-Layer Riding Jeans?

For years, jeans made for motorcycle riding were comprised of either ultra-heavy-weight denim or regular denim that had key areas internally lined with panels made from abrasion-resistant materials like Kevlar. And while this configuration remained the status quo for a cool quarter of a century, the last few years have seen the introduction of what are called “single-layer riding jeans” which are made from just one layer of denim that’s been infused with advanced proprietary materials like Dyneema, Kevlar, and COVEC. This setup not only affords single-layer riding jeans with phenomenal levels of abrasion resistance but also allows some of them to do so with minimal heat transfer.

The result of infusing denim with one of these advanced materials is what allows these types of riding jeans to genuinely look and feel like regular jeans — all while concealing stellar levels of protection. This setup also provides better protection, as the entire pair is abrasion resistant, not just a few underlying areas over the knees and seat, plus is markedly more comfortable. What’s more, because they look and feel like normal jeans, single-layer riding jeans can be worn on or off the bike, giving the buyer more bang for their buck (and not requiring them to bring a second pair of off-the-bike pants). Lastly, because the jeans are infused with expensive cutting-edge materials, they tend to cost more than traditional riding jeans. As a result, most companies that make single-layer riding jeans tend to outfit these pairs with high-end accents and trim, and top-shelf craftsmanship, making for an all-around more premium product.

What To Consider When Shopping

From the outside looking in, it may at first appear that riding jeans are all more or less the same, though this couldn’t be further from the truth, as there’s a slew of finer points one should wrap their head around before making their purchase. Below, we’ll briefly unpack the most crucial aspects to think about when buying riding jeans.

Style: Unsurprisingly, motorcycle jeans come in a plethora of different styles, all ranging in color (or dye), pattern, details, and/or accent stitching. If you’re fond of a particular style of regular jeans, there’s most likely a moto-counterpart to it that exists.

Construction: We’d almost always recommend going with a pair of single-layer riding jeans, though these pants can be made from a wide variety of materials, and it’s very much worth exploring what those are, especially when investing several hundred dollars into a single pair of pants. It’s also worth mentioning that there are a couple of pairs of non-single-layer riding jeans that are worthy of your consideration when shopping in this space — though they’re admittedly few and far between.

Manufacturing Origin & Build Quality: It’s not only the materials used to craft a pair of riding jeans that should be closely considered when shopping, but also the manner and location in which said jeans were pieced together. As a result, you’ll want to keep an eye out for construction techniques and the location that each pair was made, as these areas can play a major contributing role in the overall quality and performance of a pair of modern riding jeans. 

Armor: The use of highly abrasion-resistant constructions afford riding jeans with excellent slide protection, though these innovative infused denims still can’t do much when it comes to shielding their wearer from blunt force trauma and impacts. As such, most pairs of today’s best riding jeans are equipped with armor — typically set at the hips, knees, and sometimes tailbone — or armor pockets to accommodate items that are either included or sold separately.

Protection Rating: In order to give a more objective sense of the level of protection a pair of riding jeans offers, certain government regulatory bodies have established official safety certifications that denote how robust of fortification each pair offers (such as CE AA or CE AAA). For obvious reasons, this is another pivotal aspect to consider when shopping.

Cut: Just like with any regular pair of jeans, riding denim is produced in an enormous variety of different cuts, ranging from loose-fitting to tapered and everything in between. We recommend simply opting for whatever cut or fit you normally gravitate towards when dealing with regular, non-riding jeans. 

Stretch Properties: It’s become increasingly commonplace to see riding jeans with light stretch properties, as this ability not only makes these pairs more comfortable, but it can also bolster mobility and range of motion. Consequently, this is another crucial area that should be closely reviewed when shopping. 

Honorable Mentions

With an Armalith denim construction and ample wind and water resistance, the Mo’Cycle Airbag Jeans “MELVIN” Powered by HELITE is already a fantastic pair of CE AA-rated riding jeans, however, what makes this model so unique is the fact that it not only incorporates a set of replaceable Knox Micro-Lock armor, but also features a state-of-the-art built-in 17-liter airbag system that quite possibly affords the best protection of any pair of motorcycling jeans on the market. 

Made in America by hand in small batches by a boutique brand, the Tobacco Motorwear Company Ironsides Indigo Armored Jeans are a premium pair of riding pants that boast a cool-mesh upper lining, pockets for removable D30 knee and hip armor, and a Kevlar lining — all constructed around a 12.25oz Raw Stretch Denim from Mt Vernon Mills in South Carolina. As great as they are, this pair doesn’t utilize a more modern single-layer construction, resulting in the Ironsides getting an honorable mention slot. 

Made by what I’d argue is the best-kept secret in the motorcycling realm, the Aerostich Protekt Jeans are made entirely by hand in a small shop in Minnesota, and sees a 14oz denim construction paired with breathable-waterproof HT 500-denier nylon overlays at all critical stress/slide-prone areas and points. At under $130, the Protekt jeans no doubt offer some pretty incredible bang-for-your-buck, though just aren’t quite as robust in terms of protection as the pants featured in our main guide — resulting in the pair getting a particularly honorable mention.  

In the brand’s typical fashion, the Klim K Forty 3 Jeans are a super calculated and highly-technical take on a standard piece of riding gear, that, in this case, benefits from a mesh lining, D3O knee and hip armor, hidden reflective elements, a riveted construction, a stretch gusseted crotch area, and a CE AA rating. Because this pair was beaten out by the pair above from SPIDI, we’ve chosen to make Klim’s K43 model an honorable mention — albeit one that we seriously recommend checking out when shopping for riding jeans. 

The Alpinestars Copper v3 Riding Jeans are a brand new third-generation pair of riding jeans with a stretch cotton denim construction with Aramid fiber reinforcements, track-grade Necleon Flex Plus armor, and  racing suit-style pre-curved knees Though these pants were extremely close to getting a main spot on this list, they were just barely edged out, which ultimately sees them relegated to an honorable mention. 

Tested: The Best Motorcycle Jackets For Everyday Protection

Now that you’ve got your riding jeans situation all sorted, why not take a look at our hands-on tested guide to the best motorcycle jackets for a deep dive into the best top-layers for modern-day riders.