Riding gear

Every Rider Knows Jeans Won't Hold Up. So Why Do So Many of Us Still Ride in Them?

It isn't stubbornness, and it isn't because nobody told you. It's a quick bit of math you do every time you walk out to the bike. Here's why the jeans keep winning, and what finally changes it.

It's a nice morning. You put on your helmet, zip up the jacket, pull on your gloves and boots. Then you look down at your jeans, think about it for a second, and ride off anyway.

If that's you, you're in good company. Ask around and you'll hear the same thing over and over: "I know. I should." Most riders in jeans aren't clueless about it. They know denim won't do much if they go down.

I know that jeans are not adequate protection if I were to go down.

A rider, 55

So if everybody knows, why do the jeans keep winning?

It's not a decision. It's a sum.

Nobody decides once to ride in jeans. You decide every time you walk out to the bike. And every time, you do a quick sum in your head.

• It's hot out. Heavy riding pants on a hot day? No thanks.
• It's a short ride. Ten minutes to the store. By the time you're geared up, you could be there and back.
• You have to walk in somewhere. The diner, the office, church. Riding pants mean you show up dressed like a racer, or change in a restroom.

Add it up and the jeans win. Not because you don't care. Because on this ride, real pants are more trouble than they seem worth.

The one piece that's always missing

Here's the strange part. The riders who skip the pants don't skip the rest.

Helmet, jacket, gloves, boots. Plenty of riders own all four. In one big survey of Texas riders, almost 9 in 10 wore boots. Only about 1 in 3 wore riding pants.

Why the legs? Because pants are the only piece of gear you can't take off at the door. Your jacket hangs on the back of a chair. Your helmet sits on the seat. Riding pants stay on all day, or they come off in a restroom stall.

Pants are just inconvenient [...] but every other piece of gear can easily fit into your life.

One rider

So the riding pants stay home. Plenty of riders even own a pair they almost never wear.

Why the lectures never worked

You've heard them all. "Dress for the slide, not the ride." The crash videos. The guy at the dealership who won't let it go.

None of it changes the sum. It's still hot. The ride is still short. You still have to walk into the diner.

More warnings can't fix that, because you already know. What you need is a pair of pants that wins the sum.

What would that pair look like?

Ask riders what would get them out of jeans and they don't ask for a scarier video. They describe a pair of pants:

• Looks like normal pants, not a racing suit
• Pulls on in the morning like your jeans
• Nothing to change when you get there
• Doesn't cook you on a warm day
• Real armor where it counts

Just make some jeans or pants that work for the journey and the destination.

One rider

That's exactly what EKON RoadArmor pants are.

RoadArmor: armor at the knees and hips, in pants that pass for plain cargo pants

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.

So the sum flips. Warm day? Unzip the vents on your thighs at the first red light. Short ride? They're already on. The diner? Walk straight in.

• 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

About half of the riders who buy RoadArmor rode in jeans before. Here's what a few of them wrote:

Also felt better about not wearing Levi's because we all know they're not gonna hold up...

Mike F.

I have ridden for many years in jeans, as most of us do.

Gregory B.

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.

Fall Riding Sale

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 size

Opens the RoadArmor page, where you pick your size and color.

Hear it from riders

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Mark S."I kept making an exception for my bottom half."

Scott J."We all know we should be wearing riding leathers."

Henrique B."They just look like regular cargo pants."

Nick C."Probably the best riding pants I've ever owned."

Riders who film for EKON, in their own words.

More from riders

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 them

As 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 instructor

We 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 days

I love these pants! The fit and finish are First Quality and are very comfortable. [...] I will never ride in regular jeans again!

Ken M.First pair of riding pants

I thought that Ekon pants would be scam to be honest. [...] they 100% delivered what they promised. Great pants, comfortable, great pads that do NOT move around.

Nathan W.Rides in the Texas heat

As an owner of several pairs of motorcycle pants I can say I am very happy with my new Ekon pants. They fit nice and are very comfortable. They are not near as heavy and hot as others I own!

Jeff K.Owns several pairs of riding pants

We 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 online

Just tried them out riding 360 miles. [...] The pants are more comfortable and a lot easier to use.

Marty G.360-mile first ride

Check your size

P.S. If you've ridden in jeans for years, you don't need another lecture. You need a pair of pants you'll actually put on. Try RoadArmor for sixty days and see.