And no, I'm not talking about rainbow chaps. This thread is for people to post about non-motorcycle specific pants they've found or used for riding. The reason? Sometimes I just want to wear normal looking pants to run to the store, or the pub, without getting all one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. So lets keep the AGTATT discussion out of this please. Ill start with what I've found. Jeans made with a denim-cordura blend (BMW uses this for a pair of their jeans). 4 times as abrasion resistant as plain denim: Eddie Bauer Uprising Jeans. Cordura-Denim with gusseted crotch and articulated knees. I ordered a pair of these and will report back when they arrive. $80 http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/p...43193&catPath=&viewAll=n&pg=1&cmPathInfo=T319 SWRVE Regular Trim Fit Jeans. Cordura-Denim. $100 http://swrve.myshopify.com/products/regular-trim-fit-jeans Blaklader Heavy Work Pants. Cotton poly fabric with 1000 d cordura knees and seat. Pockets for knee pads / armor. $90 http://www.blaklader.com/us/product...380-heavy-worker-pants-black/khakiblack-2399/ And my personal favorites, of which I've also ordered a pair. Dragon Slayer Advance Wildland Pant. Made of 60% Dupont Kevalr, 40% Dupont Nomex. Gusseted crotch, articulated knees. These pants ought to be bombproof and look like regular cargo pants. National Firefighter Corp has these on 20% discount if ordered before March 15th. $160 with discount. http://www.nationalfirefighter.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_299_325&products_id=5398 Anybody have any other suggestions?
I know that Carhartt makes a few pants with Cordura such as: http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/...ryId=10931&top_category=15056&quickView=false I haven't used those specifically, but I have used double knee/front pants from both Carhartt and Dickie's. Several of the double knee pants have knee pad pockets too. Available waterproof and insulated too!
I currently use the Carhart double front loggers. I got a hold of some really thick leather and cut it to fit in the double front pocket. I also completely coated them in Sno Seal, kinda of like Filson oil skin waxed canvas. I've been riding in these for about a year. Downside is limited abrasion protection for my butt.
Good starting point. Of the one's you put forward I think Dragon Slayer fits best the concept while giving best of protection. However they don't come cheap, well into the regular ball park. Most shops have discounts as the new season stock comes in. Another idea is adding knee protectors to your regular pants. There are hip protectors too, if you want to go the extra mile.
Good thread. I have been looking for new pants also. I have been looking at tactical pants, ems and police type. Some of these have kevlar knees and water resistant fabric. I wear knee pads when I ride but am concerned about abraision resistance of the fabric- I don't want it to melt if I slide across asphalt. LL Bean has some nice waterproof upland hunting pants that may work as well. Probably a heavier fabric but lacking the cargo pockets I like. I may stop by Bass Pro tomorrow and see what they have.
Years back, when strapped for cash, I wore "upland game" hunting jeans from Cabela's. They are regular blue jeans, but with 500 diener cordura "chaps" sewn on to the legs, up to above mid thigh. They are made for hunters who have to stride through rough, thorny brush. $29.95 as I remember. They fit just like regular jeans, because they are. They were wind & water "resistant" (good for light shower, took about 20 min. to soak through) ; not as good as Goretex but better than cotton. Of course no armor, & my buttocks & gentlemanly bits were totally unprotected, but what do you want for $29.95? They should provide at least some abrasion resistance. I still wear them occasionally still, on really hot day rides, but I wear knee & hip armor underneath now. I've grown a little wiser & slightly more prosperous over the years. I think they're still in the catalog & still a better riding choice than cut-offs & flip flops if your young & broke.
Filson oil finish tin cloth pants... Leather jeans Aerostichs Darien pants. Carrhearts don't crash very well.
When I use my bike like that I wear a pair of inexpensive mx knee/protectors and pair of sidi boots that are lower profile than most. I wear them under carhardt's and it only takes a moment tp put the pads on. If I'm riding very far I pull on my troy lee 7705 underwear before getting dressed, they offer some protection for a fall and a lot of comfort factor.