5 Things That Finally Get Lifelong Jeans Riders to Switch. None of Them Is a Lecture.
Riding gear
5 Things That Finally Get Lifelong Jeans Riders to Switch. None of Them Is a Lecture.
About half of the riders who buy RoadArmor rode in jeans before. Here's what finally changed their minds, in their own words.
Every rider in jeans has heard the speech. "Dress for the slide, not the ride." The crash videos. The buddy who won't drop it.
It almost never works. Riders who've worn jeans for 30 years have heard every warning there is, and they're still in jeans.
So what actually gets them to switch? When we asked the riders who did, the same five things kept coming up.
1Someone at home asked
The push that works almost never comes from a stranger. It comes from a wife, a sister, a son. Not an argument. Just someone who wants you around for a lot longer.
My sister made me feel guilty and wanted me to be protected. She sent me you guys.
RoadArmor buyer, 61
My wife said full gear or quit.
RoadArmor buyer, 57
2Another rider said it
Riders listen to riders. When your riding buddies start showing up in real pants, your jeans start to look different.
A lot of our HOG guys are buying riding pants.
RoadArmor buyer, 82
Last club ride a fellow rider had mentioned my Levi's got to go lol
RoadArmor buyer
3They found pants that don't look like gear
This is the big one. Most riders didn't skip riding pants because of the armor. They skipped them because riding pants looked like a racing suit, and you had to change out of them when you got there.
RoadArmor look like plain cargo pants. Ride to breakfast, church or work and walk right in.
Didn't like the racing look, these don't look like those.
RoadArmor buyer, 71
Did not even know that there was gear without the bulky look. I always felt like a robot haha
Parker L.
4They could try them with nothing to lose
Buying riding pants online is a gamble. Will they fit? Will they be too hot? That's why every pair of RoadArmor comes with a sixty-day refund. Ride in them. If they're not for you, send them back.
The guarantee removes risk, plain and simple.
RoadArmor buyer, 55
I am 70 years old and I've spent my life avoiding polyester, but they're armored and there was a sale, and I took a chance. [...] And wow, these pants are comfortable
Jeff S.
5They want a lot more years on the bike
Some riders said it straight. It isn't fear. They just want to keep riding for a long time.
80 years old riding since 14. Figured time to quit riding but decided to buy these and try to ride a few more years!
RoadArmor buyer, 80
So what are RoadArmor?
EKON RoadArmor are stretch cargo pants with CE Level 2 armor at the knees and hips. You pull them on like any other pants, and nobody can tell you're wearing armor.
- CE Level 2 armor at the knees and hips (EN 1621-1), the higher of the two levels
- The knee armor slides out of a zip pocket, and the free hip pads lift out
- Zip vents on both thighs
- Ankle zips that open over your boots
- Four-way stretch, so they move with you on and off the bike
- Men's and women's, XXS to 5XL
Here's what a few riders who switched wrote:
Ditched the jeans over some roadarmor pants and believe it or not it was the best decision of my life.
Maddox F., 72I will never ride in regular jeans again!
Ken M.
Fair questions
- Are they hot?
- They're a light stretch shell, not heavy denim or leather, and the thigh vents unzip at a red light. Kimberley K. wrote: "Lightweight in 104 degree ride last week, comfortable."
- Will they keep me dry?
- They're water-repellent. They shed a passing shower. For a day of steady rain, bring your rain gear.
- What's certified?
- The armor at the knees and hips. It's rated CE Level 2 under EN 1621-1, the higher of the two levels. The pants themselves aren't certified.
- What if they don't fit?
- Check the size chart before you order. If they're still not right, the sixty-day refund covers you.
Half price right now, with a free belt and a free neck gaiter.
And a sixty-day refund. If they're not the most comfortable riding pants you've ever owned, send them back and get your full money back. No questions asked. Plus a one-year warranty.
Check your sizeOpens the RoadArmor page, where you pick your size and color.
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Riders who film for EKON, in their own words.
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Word for word from customer reviews
My riding experience has always been in jeans, for many miles over many years. When I saw these EKON pants I was skeptical. [...] I tried them out on a very warm 600 mile day. They were light, cool, comfortable, and never stuck to me like jeans would've in the heat.
Wally H.Rode a 600-mile day in themI ordered a pair of their pants and tried them on and wow they were comfortable as could be. [...] Also felt better about not wearing Levi's because we all know they're not gonna hold up...
Mike F.Oroville, CaliforniaI have purchased motorcycle pants before from other companies and have never been completely satisfied. [...] The fit, the pockets, the length, the comfort…. all just right. When I started getting questions from my riding buddies about EKONs, I knew I had the right pair.
Gregory S.Ready for a second pairAs a former MSF instructor, we recommended to our students the importance of safety gear/attire. [...] These pants are the best I've experienced in my many years of riding. [...] Still riding at 70.
Charles W.Former rider safety instructorWe rode for 4236 miles over 16 days. We saw temperatures as hot as 103° and lows in the 50's. [...] My pants are black and not one time did they get hot from the sun. [...] On day 3 of our trip I ordered another pair and had them waiting when we got home.
Kris4,236 miles in 16 daysThe 2 pair of pants I got, fit PERFECT and are so comfortable i wanna wear them everyday. I have already told and shoen other people I ride with.
Joe A.Bought two pairsWe are sometimes reserved about spending money on something that we can't try out first especially when it is ordered online. [...] they look really great and they are some of the most comfortable pants that I have ever owned.
J.C.Wasn't sure about ordering onlineThank you for the most comfortable riding pants i have owned to date.
Vicki M.Women's pantsP.S. If someone at home has been asking you to get out of your jeans, this is the easy way to say yes. Try a pair for sixty days.