Riding Jeans: Why You’re Still Not Dressed for the Slide
Let’s be real — bagger and cruiser riders aren’t exactly famous for rocking high-performance gear. We ride in t-shirts, Vans, and denim because we want to look good, stay comfortable, and not sweat our ass off at stoplights. The gear industry, in return, hasn’t exactly busted its ass to meet us where we are.
But things are changing. With performance V-twins rising, full-face lids are creeping in. Some of us are even eyeballing real protection — minus the astronaut vibes. Enter: riding jeans.
Are they better than standard Levi’s? Usually. Are they perfect? Hell no. I’ve been testing pairs for years and while a few come close, none of them have hit that elusive sweet spot of style, comfort, and actual crash protection.
Here’s my no-BS breakdown of three recent pairs I’ve tested. What ripped. What didn’t. And whether any of them are worth your green.
REV'IT! Philly 3 Jeans
Grade: F
Pros:
Offered in medium and dark blue
Outer shell is Cordura denim
Comes with Level 1 armor in knees and hips
Cons:
Bulky, baggy, and awkward as hell
Looked so bad I returned them without even riding
Rev’It strikes again with another overhyped letdown
Verdict:
Epic fail. Don’t waste your time unless you want to look like you stole your dad’s jeans.
Sa1nt Force Straight Armored Jean (Indigo)
Grade: B-
Pros:
Clean indigo color
Ghost armor in the hips and knees
Carabiner loop + clip included (nice touch)
Doesn’t crush your nuts like Levi’s
Cons:
Heavy as a dumbbell
Leg fit is wide and boxy
Surprise stitching across the thighs screams “Hi, I’m wearing riding jeans!”
Hot AF in the summer
Verdict:
Not bad for cooler weather — but the stitched leg seams and heat retention knock it down. If you don’t care about fashion, it’s decent. If you do… keep looking.
Harley-Davidson FXRG Armalith Denim
Grade: B+
Pros:
Looks and feels like everyday jeans
Super lightweight — almost streetwear
Comfortable and true to size
Great abrasion resistance
No awkward seams or armor bulges
Coolest riding jean I’ve worn (literally)
Cons:
No armor or pockets for it — abrasion only
Weirdly cold when wet
Slightly chilly on brisk rides
Verdict:
Closest thing I’ve found to an “A” — but no armor is a dealbreaker for some. If you care more about style and comfort than crash readiness, this is your best bet. Good luck finding them though — probably discontinued by the time you finish reading this.
Final Thoughts
Riding jeans are supposed to bridge the gap between streetwear swagger and road rash insurance. Instead, most of them feel like compromise gear — not quite stylish enough, not quite protective enough, and definitely not cheap enough to justify the “meh” results.
It’s time brands stopped phoning it in. A $250 pair of jeans should do more than just not suck. They should fit right, ride right, and make you feel like a badass — not a walking afterthought. Until that unicorn pair shows up, I’ll keep testing, reviewing, and ripping the truth. And when one finally earns an A, you’ll hear it here first.
Ride hard. Look good. Demand better.
— Bagger Shawn
Founder, Steel Rippers