No rider should be without a pair...

[Jane Honda]

Check out:

http://www.dragginjeans.com/Images/nav_LOGO2.gif (http://www.dragginjeans.com)

http://www.dragginjeans.com

Draggin' Jeans are lined with Kevlar®. Kevlar® is one of the toughest, strongest materials in existence and is used for a variety of applications that require high strength-to-weight ratios (bullet-proof vests, aerospace construction, driver’s helmets, etc.). Five times stronger than steel yet soft and pliable, Kevlar® fabric lines the knees and seat of our jeans, providing superior protection where the motorcycle rider most needs it.
http://www.dragginjeans.com/Images/home2.jpg

http://www.dragginjeans.com/Images/jeans.jpg

[chadWTB]

Mike,

Good topic, an issue I think about a lot, and thus this long post. I am personally into riding with the best and maximum amount of protection that is appropriate for weather conditions and social circumstances. At this point I’ve spent way too much money trying to find the best gear but as of last week I pretty much have the ideal gear dialed in for all the varying weather conditions.

So last week I picked up a mesh jacket & pant set made by Olympia that has super high build quality and will sure to be cool for our 90 to 100 degree summer days. I know, a bit hard to believe on this cold June day but by July things will be cooking!

The Olympia model is called Airglide 2 and it is made of a light colored grey Cordura (not heat absorbing black) with solid panels in the places that count and mesh everywhere else. It looks to be the best stuff unless you want to send $700 and get into the top of the line European gear such as Rev’It or Rakku. I am really excited to find such good quality gear. Now I need to sell my extra Joe Rocket and AGV stuff.

I finally settled on Alpinstars perforated Track leather pants and perforated Stage leather jacket for moderate temps or more serious rides. I spent the better part of two days while vacationing in San Diego this past winter checking out and trying on just about every leather brand. The Dainese leathers are truly amazing but the price is out of control and the Alpinestars just about matches their quality but the Alpinestars design accommodates a wider range of uses.

Okay so now the social gear. Jackets are no problem, one can get away with wearing either the Olympia or Alpinestars jackets but the pants couldn’t be goofier. There’s no way I’m going into a restaurant or attending a business lunch with mesh or leather pants.

Last month I ordered a pair of Alpinestars jeans that have discreet integrated knee armor and a sewn-in abrasion resistant liner. For $99 I was not impressed at all. With some serious luck (not something to rely on during an accident) the armor might happen to be near the knee, but that would be unlikely because it was way to loose. The liner was a joke and the fit was way to baggy for riding.

So I’ve been meaning to give Draggin Jeans a try. How do they fit? And what do you think about the possibility of sewing in some extra replacement armor at the knees and hips? I just don’t see the point of riding without the protection if it can be had without too much of a hassle, right?

[Jane Honda]

Chad, Great and informative post! I couldn't agree more about protection. I personally feel that you have to do everything you can to give your self a chance in an accident, and have often given riding safety gear to new riders just to see them riding im more than shorts and flipflops.

I have also spent more money than I should have over the years trying out diffrent gear, and have found some great affordable gear, and some really crummy uncomfortable and over priced gear. I have my leathers for track or more serious riding in the twisty's, but just for riding to work or social gatherings, I wouldn't ride in anything but Draggin' jeans. I have been wearing them for the last 10 years now, and have luckly never had the oppertunity to "Test them" in a real accident situation. But I do know the owners of the company really well, and one of my best friends works at Fast Company, which is the company that invented and sells them in North Carolina. I've actually spent alot of time in the store and working with the owners at motorcycle events in their booth selling the product, and on SEVERAL occaisons had a rider come in for a new pair with a story about how the pair they were replacing literally "Saved their ass". We actually had one guy that came in the store for a new pair, because two days prior, he was riding his bike down the interstate at about 70 mph at night, and hit a large tractor-trailor battery that had fallen out of the back of a truck. Apparently that was an instant launch off the bike once the front tire hit the battery, and he found himself "Testing them out". At 70 miles per hour, you can only immagin how far he slid down the highway. And he was bruised from the impact, but not a scratch otherwise. I've heard several similar stories over the years, and have also seen what it looks like in similar accidents and only having levi's to protect the unfortunate rider. I'm not going to get gory, but it was really painful looking.
As far as comfort level; I have spent years in them. ridden and worked in them all day long and they are as comfortable as normal jeans. The wonderful thing about kevlar is that it doesn't retain heat, so even on sweltering hot days in the humid North Carolina summers, I was as comfortable in Draggin' Jeans as I would be otherwise, and maybe more so.
You asked about armor being added. They actually sell CE quality knee armor that velcro's into the knee area of the jeans. It's a nice addition, and extra safety and security for a longer ride, and then can be removed and stored once you arrive at your destination.
They have several styles to choose from. I personally prefer the "Relaxed Fit" which offers the kevlar protection in the seat and completely around the leg from well above the knee to the lower shin, almost ankle. So if you do go down and the pant leg twisted, you'd still be protected. They have womens styles as well, so no excuses for the ladies not to be just as protected.
So to sum it up, Great looking, awesome people to deal with, made in america (no out-sourceing there), comfortable all day wear, excellant protection, optional removable CE approved armor, and the fact that I could probably get anyone interested in them into a pair for about half the normal cost for a pair of "Factory Seconds" (Which just means a thread was pulled somewhere usually). They are just great protection and great jeans.
As a side note, There are quite a few companies around that offer a similar product, but Draggin' Jeans are copyrighted. I have seen and tried the other similar products, and I wouldn't trust my life or skin to them.
I know on their site they dont show a good picture of what they look like inside, so I will take a quick photo of mine turned inside-out so you can have a better idea of what they're like.
I know I've been long winded here, and I hope it answered your questions, and I hope it's something others can use.

[chadWTB]

Mike,

I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to meet someone who also takes the safety thing seriously.

I personally enjoy the challenge of sifting through all the junk and finding the few gems out there in a riding gear market that mostly consists token gestures toward safety or merely pursues image. The image part I don’t mind, just as long as they don’t throw in safety as an afterthought to make the sale. The fact that some of this gear is sold for safety reasons and in the end may offer little in the way of protection during an actual accident is unforgivable.

It sounds like Draggin Jeans is a company worth supporting and offers a well-designed product. After hearing your experiences with Draggin Jeans I would t like to approach them about the possibility to increasing the safety/protection level of their product, maybe as an one off for me or as a deluxe model?

I design buildings, furniture and products for a living, so whenever I encounter a problem within my physical environment the designer/ problem solver goes into overdrive. It is my impression that few motorcyclists have actually reviewed the statistics on motorcycle accidents and understand the problem, so therefore don't even see a need for additional product design.

http://www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/a/91.html

Check out the above link to Motorcycle Council of NSW for some eye opening statistics on accidents. Knee injuries are the most frequent followed by lower leg, upper leg, then ankle and wrist. Head injuries are nearly tied with knee but no one should be riding without a helmet in this state. Maybe the upper body stats are so low because a lot of people wear jackets for warmth, protection, and image or may just because it is the easiest protection to take on/off.

Anyway, we need more lower body gear that is either supper easy to take off (but who wants to mock strip in public places or dirty bathrooms) or in my opinion start making pants that look casual but take safety and protection very seriously. This way more people will be in the position to choose protection because it doesn't have to compromise so many other factors.

So I would love to connect with someone at Draggin Jeans. You’ve got my personal email so if you think that would be a good idea could you set me up with a name and email/phone.

Oh, I’m also curious what other gear you’ve found that works for you. Here's a link to the Olympia Airglide 2 if anyone is interested. The BMW place ordered my size and charged exactly the price as indicated on the website.
http://www.olympiamotosports.com/airglide/airglide.htm

[Xusia]

I am also a big believer in safety gear and would be interested in a pair (or 2) of Draggin Jeans. I have often wondered how good they really are, because as you both know there is a lot of over priced crap out there.

Although I use textiles for some purposes, I haven't found anything I like better than a good - but not high priced - leather product (jacket, racing leathers, etc.). Leather is tough and it slides well. Textiles can be tough also, but they tend grab instead of slide making you tumble which increases the chance of injury (at least that's what I've heard). I went down last year (only my 2nd time in 16 years) while wearing leather. Not a scratch. And well perferated leathers are almost like they aren't even there when it comes to heat - as long as you are moving!

[v8zman]

i have a pair of the icon jeans,they are nice and comfortable

[Jane Honda]

i have a pair of the icon jeans,they are nice and comfortable
And, how are they holding up, there, man? :laughing:

[indogram]

Do any of the shops in Eugene carry these jeans?

[Jane Honda]

I dont know if any shop in eugene carrys them, but get ahold of me and maybe I can get you a discount pair shipped. :thumbup: