Textile vs Jeans

[Gunslinger]

I am doing quite a bit of 'net surfing lately trying to find info on some inexpensive riding pants that offer a decent level of protection. I have heard that denim is near useless as a pavement barrier. Do textile pants offer more abrasion resistance than denim? When looking at some of these pants in my local shop they don't seem to be much thicker than jeans. They do offer knee and hip protection, which is nice, but I would also like to keep most of my skin if I happen to take a slide down I-10 sans my bike. Can anyone recommend a pair of riding pants that won't break the bank, yet offers a decent level of protection? As always thanks in advance for the replies.

[safety-boy]

Actually, as a pavement barrier, denim is pretty good. It is just a lousy impact absorber When I was in my wreck my jeans stood up like crazy. You can't tell they were in an accident. No cuts, and only a touch of a scrape on my knee (from the denim fabric). Now on the other hand, severly bruised hip and badly bruised knee. Exactly in the places my riding pants have armor

As far as the thickness goes, slippery is what textiles aim for. Less friction, less wear. But like jeans, it is more the armor that saves you.

I have Tourmaster winter riding pants. About $100. FirstGear might have some cheaper stuff. Just look for knee pads and hip armor. When you go down you'll be glad you had it. I wish I had been wearing mine

--Dave

[Grey Thumper]

I've got Joe Rocket mesh/textile riding pants, but I still wear them over jeans. I figure the armor will help when it comes to impacts, the riding pants will deal with abrasions, and the jeans will protect from temperature (in a slide, I assume the textile will melt slightly because of friction instead of tearing, and actually become slightly harder and less pliant, but the heat could still burn bare skin). 'Course, I'm hoping this is how they'll actually work when the time comes.

[storysunfolding]

While rash sucks it isn't going to cause as lasting damage as impacts will. Whatever you go with make sure it has decent armor. If you decide one day to just wear jeans then consider something like the icon field armor leggings.

Other than that- check out the joe rocket ballistic 5.0 pants. They held up for two years on me and since the 7.0 was just released I imagine these will go on clearance soon.

[Skier]

Denim is a crapshoot for abrasion resistance: you hear some riders that rip jeans instantly at parking lot speeds, then some riders who didn't get any rash from a 60 MPH get-off.

Any kind of overpants are an improvement on jeans, though.

I'm afraid I can't make any suggestions for non-bank-breaking overpants because I went whole-hog years ago with a riding suit and never looked back.

[Johnj]

This year I picked up some Diamond Gusset Jeans. They have kevlar inserts in the knees, hips, and seat. Along with the diamond gusset for a little extra room. I think I'll modify them so I can use some armor I have.

[flynrider]

Denim is a crapshoot for abrasion resistance: you hear some riders that rip jeans instantly at parking lot speeds, then some riders who didn't get any rash from a 60 MPH get-off.

A lot depends on what happens after you get off. I dismounted at 50-60 mph wearing jeans and did a lot of rolling/flopping before I came to a stop. Didn't have much abrasion damage on the jeans and no road rash to speak of (that was the least of my problems).

On another occasion, I lowsided and slid through an intersection (red light runner, greasy pavement) at 30 mph. This time it was all sliding on asphalt. When I got up, there was nothing left of my jeans and large amounts of skin missing. In a slide, soft cotton doesn't stand much chance against rough asphalt.

[ceemes]

I'm old fashion, leather all the way. Have to get some armour tho.