Biker pants play a crucial role in your protective gear. It's important to understand the various factors that impact the selection of the right pants for you. Here are three key aspects to consider when purchasing motorcycle pants:
Abrasion and tear resistance
Different materials perform differently under different kinds of abrasion tests. For instance, under the Taber Test, materials are tested for how strong they are by grinding on them using a machine until they get worn through.
Denim pants proved to be the weakest among the bunch, withstanding only 168 to 225 revolutions. Kevlar comes in the middle with 506 revolutions. Competition-weight leather is the strongest of them all with 2,600 revolutions.
The materials used in the test were:
- Competition-weight leather: 2,600 revolutions
- Ballistic nylon (1050 denier): 817 revolutions
- Fashion-weight leather: 750 revolutions
- Lightweight leather: 564 revolutions
- Cordura nylon (type 440): 559 revolutions
- Kevlar 29 (aramid-style 713): 506 revolutions
- New denim: 225 revolutions
- 2-Year-old denim: 168 revolutions
However, abrasion-resistance cannot be measured by material alone. The stitching must also be at least just as strong as the material itself, or the whole thing could come apart in one slide.
Textile vs. leather
While both materials hold up impeccably in a crash, they have different strengths and weaknesses. Whichever is the perfect material for you mainly depends on what kind of riding you do and what features you consider as crucial. These features are value, maintenance, comfort, weather, and protection.
While textile pants are perfect for humid climates, leather pants provide solid protection from cold weather and moisture. So make sure you do your research first before settling.
The importance of fit
Fit is the most significant part of a pair of motorcycle pants — they must be a perfect fit for you. And it goes without saying that you must make sure to get pants that actually fit you well. Ill-fitting motorcycle pants won’t be of much help if they keep shifting around when you get into a crash. This is because the protective knee pads and armor won’t be able to do its job since they’d also be moving around. Avoid the temptation of using the size of your regular jeans and get that tape measure out.
And there you have it — the 3 most important factors to consider when choosing a pair of biker pants. It can become a struggle to find the right one, but once you do, it could make a ton of difference in your riding experience. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below!
