7 Best Motorcycle Jeans That Will Actually Save Your Skin

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Motorcycle jeans have come a long way in recent years. Today's options look better, fit better, and protect better than ever before: You've officially run out of excuses to ride in street clothes. 

Look, we get it: Showing up to a social gathering in full riding gear isn't ideal. It's heavy, it's bulky, and more often than not, it looks anything but casual.

The same used to be true for motorcycle jeans, but lucky for us riders, the times have truly changed. Armor has become much thinner and more flexible, and the outlandishly baggy fits and whiskered washes of yesteryear are no longer the norm. 

"Photo credit: Daniese"

In fact the right pair of motorcycle jeans is virtually indistinguishable from your favorite off-the-bike denim nowadays.

They look just as good, fit just as good, and work just as well sliding across the pavement as they do sliding up to the bar for a round of post-ride drinks. 

The sky is the limit nowadays with some pairs offering as much as AAA+ certified protection, which means you can look good on and off the bike without the guilt trip of riding in street clothes. Sound good to you?

Here's how to sniff out your next pair. 

Our Motorcycle Jeans Quick List: 

What to Look For in Motorcycle Jeans

So what should you look for when shopping for a modern pair of riding jeans?

We have a few specific criteria we look for when choosing a pair ourselves, so here's what we recommend focusing on to ensure you're buying a quality garment.

Safety Certification

Ask anyone who's ever crashed their bike wearing jeans and they'll tell you: It doesn't matter how thick, expensive, or well-made they are, casual jeans or even heavy-duty work wear aren't going to save your hide from asphalt. 

That's because they're missing a few crucial elements. Chief among those are abrasion-resistant fabric, burst-resistant stitching, and impact-absorbing armor.

"Look for any variation of this logo to see if your jeans are CE-certified"

It takes a combination of all three elements to achieve a CE safety certification, which is why we generally consider CE ratings to be the gold standard when evaluating a garment's two-wheel worthiness. 

CE ratings for motorcycle pants come in three tiers, all of which represent their effectiveness for motorcycle crashes at a given speed.

The first tier, level A, means a pair of motorcycle jeans will protect you at speeds up to about 30 mph, which is generally considered the "urban/around town" rating for safety gear. 

From there the speeds increase, with AA rated motorcycle jeans handling speeds up to just over 40 mph, and AAA rated jeans protecting up to around 75 mph.

"Gone are the days where being well protected means looking like a hall monitor. With today's tech, we are seeing some stylish cuts with serious safety baked in."

We'll also note that AAA rated garmets may also be protective at higher speeds as well, but for testing purposes, 75mph is the top speed motorcycle jeans are subjected to. 

Lastly, we'll also note that not all motorcycle jeans carry CE certification, and that's not necessarily a deal breaker.

For garments like the popular Klim K Fifty 1 jeans, you'll find no CE rating present, although the pants are undoubtedly built to impressively high standards. 

Because Klim doesn't sell these pants in European markets, they aren't required to subject them to CE testing regulations to sell them as protective apparel.

These tests are costly to manufacturers, so while Klim didn't shell out the $$$ to have their jeans tested, we have no doubt they'd pass with flying colors. 

Single v. Double Layer Construction

Another common feature to look out for in any pair of motorcycle jeans is whether they're made up of a single layer of fabric or rely on a second protective layer to achieve their abrasion resistance. Both styles have their pros and cons, so let's touch on each briefly. 

Single layer motorcycle jeans are generally considered the more premium option of the two as they weave abrasion resistant materials like Kevlar and Dyneema directly into the denim itself.

"As an example: left is an unlined cotton/nylon fabric. Center: unlined cotton/polyethylene blend. And then the right is a lined cotton/polyethylene blend"

Many riders prefer this as it reduces bulk for a more streamlined look and feel, but this advanced fabric is often more expensive than double-layer designs as well, so you'll want to bear that in mind. 

Double layer motorcycle jeans, on the other hand, take a more simplified approach of using denim on the outside and then reinforcing slide-prone zones like the seat and knees of the garment with more abrasion resistant fabric.

Sometimes these designs are more bulky, less breathable, and require more unsightly exposed seams than single-layer construction, but there are always exceptions to the rule as you'll see below.

Armor

Last but not least, a quick word about armor. Most moto-denim nowadays features pockets for CE-rated armor in both the knees and hips of the garment.

Our favorite options come with armor already installed in both areas, but at minimum, we want to have the option to add armor later in any pair we're considering. 

"Not all armor is created equal"

We'll also note that the type of armor included in your jeans makes a huge difference both in safety and comfort.

Modern motorcycle armor like SAS-TECH or Alpinestar's BioFlex is both incredibly thin and flexible while still offering CE certified protection from impacts.

We always prefer to see motorcycle jeans with CE-2 rated armor installed, but CE-1 armor is better than nothing and is typically sufficient for around-town use. 

Our Top Picks for Motorcycle Jeans 

Keeping those things in mind, we've selected seven of our favorite pairs of jeans currently on the market.

These are some of the most protective, comfortable, and handsome britches around, and you can't go wrong with any of them. 

1. Pando Moto Boss DYN 01 Riding Jeans

If you don't mind spending the money on a thoroughly premium product, the Moto Boss DYN01 may be the most impressive pair of motorcycle jeans on the market.

At over $300, they certainly ain't cheap, but one look at their spec sheet and you'll know exactly where your money's going.

"With the Moto Boss, no shortcuts were taken"

For instance, the Moto Boss jeans are the only pair on our list with a full AAA safety rating, which is typically reserved for top-tier touring gear.

Pando archives this using a combination of Dyneema reinforcement panels, SAS-TEC knee and hip armor, and triple-stiched seams. 

We also love that despite their multi-layered construction, these jeans run much cooler than you'd expect.

Pando even includes a mesh "CoolMax" liner above the knees to aid with airflow, and the impact is significant. 

Pros:

• Knee and hip armor included

• Stretch Cordura with a CoolMax liner

• Industry-leading AAA safety certification

Cons:

• Expensive

• Polarizing back pockets

CHECK PRICE:

Pando Moto Boss DYN01

REVZILLA 

2. Alpinestars Copper V3 Motorcycle Jeans

Alpinestars' Copper V3 jeans are the latest member of AStars' "Copper" family of motorcycle jeans. They replace the popular Copper V2 with an updated fit (no more super skinny ankles) and a cleaner look (dark blue and black washes only).  

We're fans of the V3 for both their clean lines and motorcycle-specific fit. There's a pre-cut bend in the knees for added comfort on the bike, as well as a taller waist and longer legs to keep both your butt crack and your ankles out of sight when you're riding. 

"Alpinestars are a good shout"

As for safety, Alpinestars backs the Copper V3 with Aramid fiber slide protection the knees and hips. Knee armor comes standard courtesy of AStar's outstanding Nucleon Flex level 1 inserts, while hip armor can be added separately if desired. 

All things considered, the V3 is a comfortable pair of pants with enough protection for your average commuter and low-profile style that works just about anywhere.

Personally, we think they'd be a lot more appealing if they were closer to $200 rather than $250, but anyway you look at it, the Copper V3 is a high-quality garment from a brand you can trust. 

Pros:

• Updated fit adds comfort, loses the tight ankles

• Stylish and low profile

• Knee armor is super thin and flexible

Cons:

• Bit pricey

• CE A rating feels low for the asking price

CHECK PRICE:

Alpinestars Copper V3 Motorcycle Jeans

REVZILLA | AMAZON 

3. Street and Steel Oakland Jeans

Everything you need, nothing you don't. That's the core concept behind Street and Steel's Oakland motorcycle jeans, and when it comes to budget-friendly riding gear, these bad boys are tough to beat. 

"Budget-friendly option with decent protection"

As recession-proof as Costco hotdogs, the Oakland jeans have retailed for $150 for as long as we can remember, and they've always punched well above their weight too.

The full seat, knees, and hips of the Oaklands are backed with Aramid fiber, which is more than we can say for some jeans at twice the price. 

"Riding comfy in these jeans!"

You'll also get knee armor included as standard, and while there's no CE certification on offer for the Oakland jeans (they're primarily sold here in the States), we'd wager they'll go toe-to-toe with just about anything else out there. 

As for complaints, we dig the Oakland's relaxed/straight fit but the back pockets look a little small and a little low to us. That may just be personal preference, but for $150 it's a problem we're willing to overlook regardless. 

Pros:

• Super affordable

• Above average protection

• Stretchy material and comfortable fit

Cons:

• No hip armor pockets

• Back pockets seem small

CHECK PRICE:

Street and Steel Oakland Jeans

REVZILLA

4. Rev'it Philly 3 Motorcycle Jeans

Rev'it's Philly 3 riding jeans are our favorite pick for folks who prefer a looser/more relaxed fit over the slimmer and/or tapered options that dominate the marketplace today.

The cut is roomy from top to bottom, and the denim itself is blended with 2% elastane for added stretch/comfort. 

We're also fans of the Philly 3 because Rev'it includes their thin and flexible "Seesmart" armor in both the knees and hips.

Between that and the heavyweight Cordura-infused denim, there's enough protection here to earn these motorcycle jeans an above-average CE AA safety rating. 

"Seesmart tech keeps you safe!"

As if that weren't enough, Rev'it also builds the Philly 3 using their "safety seam" technology, which combines triple-stitched external seams with an additional hidden "internal" seam for maximum burst protection in a slide. 

It's also worth noting that while these pants clearly fit on the looser side, Rev'it thought ahead and designed the Philly's knee armor pockets with built-in adjustability.

This ensures the armor sits where you need it on your body when you're in the riding position despite the somewhat loose and flowing nature of the Philly's relaxed fit. 

Although the loose fit won't be everyone's cup of tea, we don't really have any complaints with these motorcycle jeans. They aren't the cheapest option out there, but the AA rating and extra features are worth paying for. 

Pros:

• Focus on comfort

• AA safety certification

• Adjustable armor pockets put protection where you need it

Cons:

• Loose fit isn't for everyone

• Not cheap

CHECK PRICE:

Rev'it Philly 3 Jeans

REVZILLA | AMAZON 

5. Klim K Fifty 2 Motorcycle Jeans

Klim's K Fifty 1 pants might be the best selling motorcycle jeans of all time, but their baggy, bootcut fit leaves a lot to be desired in the style department. If you want Klim quality without the old man fit, we recommend checking out the Klim K Fifty 2 instead. 

We're bullish on the K Fifty 2 because it packs all the same bells and whistles of the original into a no-nonsense straight cut fit that looks great without being overly baggy or slim.

Knee, hip, and tailbone armor are still included as standard, as is the Cordura-infused construction and Kevlar-backed protection in slide-prone zones. 

"Not too loose, not too tight: Klim's K Fifty 2 handsomely splits the difference"

As was the case with the original K Fifty 1, one of the most impressive things about these riding jeans is that Klim does a great job of hiding all their extra safety features, preserving the K Fifty 2's casual look.

There isn't a single seam or stitch that looks any different than your favorite pair of five pocket jeans despite all the added armor and dual-layered material. 

As you might expect, the biggest problem with the K Fifty 2 is the asking price, which is typically about $300.

We'll also note that because these are primarily an American market item, there's no official CE certification for the K Fifty 2, although between the armor and the added Kevlar we'd guess these would qualify as either AA or AAA without a second thought. 

Pros:

• Improved fit over the original K Fifty 1

• Same uncompromising safety features as the original

• Indistinguishable from normal jeans

Cons:

• Expensive

• No CE rating (but clearly safe)

CHECK PRICE:

Klim K Fifty 2 Motorcycle Jeans

REVZILLA | AMAZON 

6. Rev'It Lewis Selvedge Jeans

This one is for all the denim-obsessed out there who like them as dark as humanly possible and only wash their jeans about once a year.

The Rev'It Lewis Selvedge are among the best-looking, least conspicuous pair of motorcycle jeans out there, having more in common with your favorite pair of Naked & Famous raw denim than your typical moto-fare. 

"For a perfect fit and style, these are simply the best"

In addition to their clean lines, dark wash, and selvedge construction, we also love these pants because they don't sacrifice on safety or comfort.

Rev'It builds these jeans with a combination of single-layer Cordura-infused denim and slim armor panels in the knee and hip, giving them a solid AA safety rating. 

They're a bit more expensive than most options out there, and they taper down fairly sharply from the knee to the ankle. This makes them one of the slimmer fits on our list, although they're by no means overly tight.

We'll also note that the single-layer material includes a decent amount of stretch, so although these are on the snug side, they don't feel constrictive on the bike.

Pros:

• Look damn good

• Single-layer construction + slim armor included

• Solid AA safety rating

Cons:

• Not the most budget-friendly

• Bit snug from the knee down

CHECK PRICE:

Rev'it Lewis Selvedge

REVZILLA 

7. Saint Engineered Motorcycle Jeans

The folks at Saint are known for one thing more than any other: They make incredibly expensive motorcycle jeans.

A pair of their flagship dual-layer "Unbreakable" denim will set you back nearly $500, and while they're arguably the most abrasion-resistant jeans on the market, they don't even include armor.

"These jeans are easy on the pocket and the eyes"

Suffice it to say we were pleasantly surprised when Saint launched their latest creation, the Engineered jean, which are both impressively protective and impressively affordable at just $200.

We've been testing the Saint Engineered for the last few months, and we're of the opinion this may be the best deal going at the moment for motorcycle jeans. The fact they've been recently reduced to just $120 a pop further solidifies that notion. 

"Armor is AA rated, but remarkably thin & light"

Single-layer construction, knee and hip armor, and a solid fit are all delivered on a budget, and the Engineered even boasts an impressive AA safety rating. 

Our only gripe with these jeans so far has been that the single-layer material isn't the most breathable and tends to run a bit hot. It is stretchy and soft to the touch, however, so for Fall-Winter riding, they're an absolute homerun. 

Pros:

• AA protection on a budget

• Thin and flexible knee and hip armor included

• Single-layer fabric with added stretch

Cons:

• Run a bit warm

• Avoid the slim cut version

CHECK PRICE:

Saint Engineered

SAINT 

Closing Thoughts on the Best Motorcycle Jeans…

Riding jeans have come a long way since we stepped into our first pair. Gone are the ludicrously baggy and overly ornamental designs of the past, and in their place is a wide variety of low-profile and highly protective garments for the decerning rider. 

In our experience, once we find a pair of motorcycle jeans we truly enjoy wearing, they quickly become our most commonly used piece of gear.

They aren't the kind of thing we'd wear on an adventure tour or a knee-dragging canyon run, but for just about every other application (running errands, commuting to work, cruising around town) they're the most convenient way to ride safely every time you get on the bike. 

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