Draggin' Jeans

[Cool Runnings]

Why bother?

Sounds like they are HEAVY and hot in the summer?

Tell Me I'm wrong...

[Cool Runnings]

Thinking a mesh pant with a swim suit/ shorts underneath would be a better option?

[charlie b]

They aren't as hot as would seem.  A little warmer than heavy duty jeans.  Mesh pants with armor is better and cooler. 

I wear the jeans as everyday work clothes since I commute to work and ride to client meetings.  When I go on trips I wear mesh riding pants.

[Triple Jim]

My AGV Kevlar padded jeans are very comfortable and not heavy, and I have not found them to be hotter than ordinary jeans on the hottest NC summer days.  An advantage is they look like jeans, so you can go places and not look like you're in costume.  I sprayed mine with a Scotchgard-like spray and they're pretty good about repelling water in short downbursts.  I think they're a great option to have hanging with my riding gear.

[Sheepdog]

I live in South Louisiana and, yes...Dragging Jeans are hot in our summers. Heck, all jeans are hot in our summers! My solution has been to wear khaki 5.11 cargo pants. These are lighter colored to reflect heat, but have double fabric in the seat and pockets in the knees for armor. Along with a mesh jacket, these make an okay compromise when it's really hot.

[Dilliw]

You are not wrong, but I tend to wear the Draggin Jeans on trips where I will be off the bike a lot and I tend to wear my mesh motorcycle pants when I'm going to be riding more.

Draggin Jeans are a better alternative that riding pants when you are not riding.  For me that's short trips, bike night, social visits, etc.

[Lcarlson]

I wear Draggin' Jeans just about all the time -- they're a compromise, but worthwhile in my opinion. One reason: I crash-tested a pair about ten years ago. The denim on both knees was entirely destroyed; the underlying Kevlar didn't show a mark.

[kingoffleece]

I have Draggin jeans also-hot and heavy I think.  Still use them if it's brisk out.
I use Diamond Gausset Defender Jeans more often.  Good Kevlar protection, just a bit lighter weight (but still substantial) and they have a nice feature in the crotch which, for me, makes them much more comfortable on the bike.

I also always use Bohn armour pants, either solid or mesh as temps dictate under any of these options.

[OldBMWMaster]

I have Draggin jeans also-hot and heavy I think.  Still use them if it's brisk out.
I use Diamond Gausset Defender Jeans more often.  Good Kevlar protection, just a bit lighter weight (but still substantial) and they have a nice feature in the crotch which, for me, makes them much more comfortable on the bike.

I also always use Bohn armour pants, either solid or mesh as temps dictate under any of these options.

I wear the Diamond Gusset Defenders as well.  I do not find them any hotter than any thing else I wear.  Of course I live in a hot humid area and am used to it.

[LowRyter]

I've ridden with mesh riding pants for 10+ years.  Sometimes with swim trunks. They provide protection, they can still be hot.  Protection is much better than regular jeans.

Not much to say.  Find some that fit and wear them.

[Jerryd]

I live in South Louisiana and, yes...Dragging Jeans are hot in our summers. Heck, all jeans are hot in our summers! My solution has been to wear khaki 5.11 cargo pants. These are lighter colored to reflect heat, but have double fabric in the seat and pockets in the knees for armor. Along with a mesh jacket, these make an okay compromise when it's really hot.

Which of the 5.11 cargo pants are you referring to? There are several in their line.

Thanks

[rocker59]

I crash-tested a pair about ten years ago. The denim on both knees was entirely destroyed; the underlying Kevlar didn't show a mark.

what about you?  what kinds of abrasions did you have? 

[Lcarlson]

what about you?  what kinds of abrasions did you have?

Friction burns on my knees from the Kevlar, but better that than contact with the pavement.  (Also, eight broken ribs and one clavicle, but the Draggin' Jeans couldn't do much about that.)

[kingoffleece]

OUCH.

[Triple Jim]

what about you?  what kinds of abrasions did you have?

I crashed while wearing my AGV Kevlar jeans last year.  The jeans held up very well, with a couple small tears in the denim that my daughter repaired for me.  The Kevlar reinforcements all held up fine.  I had one small red spot on my knee, probably like Lcarlson had, but believe it would have been much worse with regular jeans.

On the other hand, I've crashed on the track a couple times while wearing my leather racing pants and it felt like I fell into a pile of feathers.  Those pants are perforated, and when I'm moving they may be a little cooler than the reinforced jeans.  Plus, if I want to look silly in public, they're great!

[Cool Runnings]

Thanks, checking out AGV Kevlar jeans now.

Looking for a compromise during Sturgis bike week. Would be nice to just throw on some jeans, do some riding and make the usual tourist stops without changing gear. Sturgis is normally HOT, HOT HOT... 

[Rusnak_322]

I have two pair of Kevlar jeans, one is Icon, don't know what the other is.
They are not hotter then jeans when off the bike, it is just that the Kevlar is a good wind block. I don't notice it on my Monster since I don't have a lot of wind protection on the bike, but my wife complains when she rides her 1098.

I have a pair of mesh pants and honestly I have only worn them a hand full of times. They look kinda goofy and even in upper 90 degree humid weather, I am not that bothered by the jeans. 

[Demar]

I wear the Diamond Gusset Defenders as well.  I do not find them any hotter than any thing else I wear.  Of course I live in a hot humid area and am used to it.

I use DG Defenders also. They aren't much heavier than normal jeans. I also have a pair of Draggin jeans I don't wear because they are very heavy and I think too hot for summer riding.

[Triple Jim]

Thanks, checking out AGV Kevlar jeans now.

Looking for a compromise during Sturgis bike week. Would be nice to just throw on some jeans, do some riding and make the usual tourist stops without changing gear. Sturgis is normally HOT, HOT HOT... 

In really hot weather, like our eastern summers, if I have an outdoor event to ride to like the Bull City Rumble, I wear a pair of lightweight shorts under my AGV jeans, and take a pair of sneakers.  Then when I get there, I strip in front of everyone, scaring the children and old ladies until they see I have pants underneath, put on the sneakers, and I'm cool for the afternoon.  I can't imagine walking around in the hot summer sun in long pants of any type.

[Cool Runnings]

I use DG Defenders also. They aren't much heavier than normal jeans. I also have a pair of Draggin jeans I don't wear because they are very heavy and I think too hot for summer riding.

Thanks, checking into Defender Motorcycle Jeans. 

[Lcarlson]

Another good option is the Aerostich Protekt riding jeans. They employe heavy ballistic nylon protective material rather than Kevlar, and include zippered OUTER pockets for optional TF3 armor in the knees.

[drw916]

I've been meaning to get something, but kevlar jeans didn't do it for me.  So today, after reading this post I ordered a set of Bohn Armored Pant liners.  Allows me to wear them under jeans, or my Aerostich Darien pants.  I'll take the knee armor out of the Aerostich.

They supposedly keep the armor in place better.

I'm not 100% sure these will do the trick, but it's worth a try.

[Sheepdog]

Which of the 5.11 cargo pants are you referring to? There are several in their line.

Thanks

5.11 Tactical Series, part no. 74251. These were my uniform pants when I was a federal agent.

[kingoffleece]

Since I got my Bohn I feel naked without them.  They really are invisible.  The summer weight ones are really great.

I use them with KLIM pants also as the factory armor supplied does not stay in place at all.  I removed it right away.

[xander18]

Revzilla has some good breakdowns of available Kevlar jeans. Draggin' Jeans were the first I heard of but I believe the format has been improved upon since then by others.

However, there's a set in my size for $30 on the local CL that I'll pick up next time I'm in the area. So hopefully I'll have a firsthand review in the next week or so.

[kingoffleece]

You'll like them-they work.  A bit heavy, though.  What I did not like is the way the armor attached.  I never could get the knee pads where I needed them on the bike.  If that was ok then they were out of position off the motorcycle.

The Bohn solution solved all that.

I work a concert series I book every Tues during the summer and as such ride my bike there and back.  I'm on my feet for 6 or so hours and the Diamond Gausset/Bohn system works quite well for that scenario.

The Draggin product is well made IMO and sure appears that it will provide the abrasion protection a rider may need.

[Nic in Western NYS]

Knock on wood I haven't put them to the test but my Draggin Jeans have held up well over the past 10 years or so. 

[krglorioso]

Thanks, kingoffleece, for your favorable comment re Bohn armored pants.  I hemmed and hawed about paying around $170 for them and finally convinced myself they would be fine under khaki trousers for summer wear.  For many years I never have ridden without Joe Rocket heavy nylon pants with armor, but they are mighty hot in summer and not all that comfortable when stopped for lunch.  My Bohn trousers are set to arrive this Thursday and I hoping they live up to my expectations.

Ralph. 

[kingoffleece]

Very good.  I started with the "solid" pants and then got a pair of them in the mesh, which I use much more than the original pair.
If I remember I used my AMA card for a promo price-but it may have been another offer-I can't remember.

At any rate, when I use jeans they fit the bill quite well.  I'll be pleased if it works out for you as it has for me.

[Mr Revhead]

Draggins are too damn hot for our summers, let alone really hot places! I find Bull It's better, but come in weird sizing