Motorcycle Trousers And Riding Jeans That Actually Protect You

If you are wondering how to choose motorcycle trousers, the short answer is to start with the protection label, then the armour, then the fit on your own bike. Legs take a lot of punishment in a spill, yet trousers are often the last piece of kit riders think about. This guide explains the ratings, the main types and the checks worth doing before you buy.

There is no UK law requiring you to wear protective clothing, but GOV.UK advises that specialist motorcycle gear is highly recommended. If you are new to riding, our guide to whether you need to wear gear on a motorcycle covers the basics.

Start With The EN 17092 Label On Motorcycle Trousers

Protective riding trousers sold as personal protective equipment are tested to EN 17092, the European standard for motorcyclists’ protective garments. Look for the label inside the garment. It will show one of five classes.

• AAA is the top of the scale for abrasion resistance. Training school Phoenix Motorcycle Training describes it as aimed at the highest speeds, such as track days and fast motorway riding.
• AA is often described as the all-rounder for touring and commuting.
• A is the urban baseline, suited to lower-speed town riding.
• B gives the same abrasion protection as Class A, but without impact protectors.
• C covers impact protection only, in the areas the protectors sit, and does not provide minimum abrasion protection.

According to test house SATRA, knee and hip impact protectors are mandatory in Class AAA and AA garments, while hip protectors are optional in Class A. The standard also includes an ergonomic check: an assessor must be able to carry out the essential riding movements while wearing the garment. A simple rule of thumb is that more letters means more abrasion resistance, often with more weight and warmth to go with it.

Knee And Hip Armour And EN 1621-1 Levels

The armour inside the trousers has its own standard, EN 1621-1, for limb joint impact protectors. It has two performance levels. Level 1 protectors let a maximum of 35kN of force through to your body in the test, and Level 2 protectors let no more than 20kN through, so Level 2 is the more protective choice.

Check what is actually supplied. Many trousers come with knee armour fitted but only a pocket for hip armour, which you buy separately. Riding jeans usually carry removable knee armour in internal pockets. Phoenix Motorcycle Training puts it simply: jeans with an extra layer and padding at the knees and hips will always be better than those without.

Comfort matters as well. IAM RoadSmart makes the point that uncomfortable armour leads to fidgeting and lost concentration, so a protector you cannot feel on the move is worth more than a thicker one you keep adjusting.

Riding Jeans, Textile Or Leather Trousers?

Each type has a place, and many riders own more than one pair.

Riding Jeans

Riding jeans look like everyday denim but use tougher fibres. Ordinary denim tears easily in a fall, so a normal pair of jeans is not a substitute. There are two main constructions:

• Single-layer jeans have aramid fibre woven into the denim itself. Bennetts BikeSocial notes they are less likely to offer the same protection against shear forces as multi-layered products and are more affected by everyday wear.
• Lined jeans add an aramid layer inside, either at the knees and seat (part-lined) or across most of the leg (fully lined). Linings can make jeans warmer and bulkier.

Most riding jeans are rated A or AA. AAA jeans exist but are less common and can be hotter to wear.

Textile Trousers

Textile trousers, in fabrics such as Cordura, are lighter than leather and often more comfortable in warm weather. They can carry waterproof membranes, removable thermal liners and zip vents, which makes them a practical all-year choice for UK commuting and touring.

Leather Trousers

Leather offers excellent abrasion resistance, with full-grain leather considered the better grade. The trade-offs are weight, heat and a break-in period before they feel comfortable.

Over-Trousers And Wearing Trousers Over Jeans

Over-trousers are designed to go on over the clothes you already have on, which suits commuters who want to arrive in work clothes. Waterproof versions pull on over your normal outfit or your riding kit when rain arrives. Check the label: some are simply waterproofs, while others are certified protective garments with armour. A thin waterproof shell adds no abrasion protection on its own.

Whether you can wear full motorcycle trousers over jeans comes down to cut and size. If your trousers have a removable thermal liner, taking it out may free up room for jeans underneath, but try it before you buy, because extra bulk can push the knee armour out of place.

Waterproofing And Liners

In the UK, waterproofing is worth thinking about early. Textile trousers usually use one of two approaches.

• Drop liner: the waterproof membrane hangs inside the outer shell. Adventure Bike Rider explains that water can soak the outer fabric and pool between the layers, then find its way in around ankles and waistbands.
• Laminated membrane: the waterproof layer is bonded to the outer fabric, so water stays on the outside and the trousers dry faster. This construction is more expensive to make.

A removable thermal liner lets one pair cover spring to autumn. Vents help on hot days, although they work less well when a fixed windproof layer sits behind them. For cold-weather layering, see our winter motorcycle riding tips.

How To Choose Motorcycle Trousers That Fit On The Bike

Fit is where protection is won or lost, and it is the most important part of how to choose motorcycle trousers. Armour that slides away from the joint cannot do its job.

• Check the knee armour seated. Armour maker D3O advises checking that knee and hip protection sits in the right place when you are in your riding position, not just standing in a shop. It should cover the joint without slipping down or riding up.
• Look for adjustable armour pockets. Pockets with several height positions let you match the protector to your leg length.
• Allow for bent knees. Trousers that look slightly long standing up will pull up once you are seated, so they should still reach your boots on the bike.
• Consider your riding position. On a sports bike that tips you forward, a waist that digs in will get uncomfortable. Braces, often detachable, can help hold trousers in place on long days.
• Fasten everything. Do up adjusters and hook-and-loop straps before you ride so the armour stays put.

Sizes vary between brands, so try trousers on, ideally sitting on a bike, and bring the boots you ride in.

Connecting The Trousers To Your Jacket

Most riding trousers have a connecting zip at the back of the waist that links to a matching jacket. This helps stop the jacket riding up and leaving a gap at your back. These zips are usually designed to fit jackets from the same manufacturer, so if you already own a jacket, check the zip type and length match before you buy. Our motorcycle jacket buying guide covers the top half of the outfit, and our motorcycle boots buying guide covers what goes on your feet.

FAQ

Can I Wear Motorcycle Trousers Over Jeans?

Often, yes, if the trousers are cut with room for it or you remove the thermal liner. Over-trousers are made for exactly this. Sit on a bike to check the knee armour still lines up with your knee.

Are Riding Jeans As Good As Textile Trousers?

It depends on the rating. Compare EN 17092 classes rather than materials: a pair of AA jeans and a pair of AA textiles have passed the same class of tests, though they differ in weather protection and comfort.

Do I Need Hip Armour?

It is mandatory in Class AA and AAA garments and optional in Class A. If your trousers have empty hip pockets, adding EN 1621-1 protectors is a sensible upgrade.

What Does Level 2 Knee Armour Mean?

It passed EN 1621-1 with a lower transmitted force than Level 1, meaning less impact energy reaches your knee in the test.

Quick Checklist

• Check the EN 17092 class on the label (AAA, AA, A, B or C).
• Confirm knee armour is included and look for EN 1621-1 Level 2.
• Find out whether hip armour is fitted or needs buying separately.
• Choose jeans, textile or leather to suit how and when you ride.
• Decide on a drop liner, laminated membrane or over-trousers for rain.
• Sit on a bike to check the armour covers your knees and the length reaches your boots.
• Check the connecting zip matches your jacket.

Good trousers reduce the risk of injury, but no kit makes riding risk-free, so ride to the conditions and make yourself easy to see with our tips on being more visible on the road.

Knowing how to choose motorcycle trousers comes down to the label, the armour and the fit. For more practical motoring and home guides, visit Beyond The Garden Gates.

Kaan Rassad

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