The Best Motorcycle Riding Jeans For 2023
We’d Know: We’ve Hands-On Tested 2500+ Pieces Of Riding Gear Since 2000
Our picks are based on pants that offer the best blend of safety/performance, function/features, and price.
Last updated October 2023 by Devan Martel.
About Our Recommendations
Founded in 2000, our team at wBW has collectively tested more than 2,500 helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, accessories, and more. We do not fluff reviews. A riders safety is heavily dictated by how they ride and what they wear while doing so. Our goal is to help riders make informed decisions about the gear they invest in to protect themselves.
wBW is funded by our audience. Our recommendations and reviews may contain affiliate links that earn us a small comission if you make a purchase after clicking them. This is the primary way we fund our website and pay our review team (and comes at no additional cost to you). We disclose our relationship with brands or manufacturers for transparency. For more information about our extensive review process, see our review policies.
A Brief Guide To Buying Motorcycle Riding Jeans
Every person has a slightly different size and shape, as well as their own idea of how a great pair of jeans should fit and feel. In addition, there are those riders who choose to make a fashion statement with a certain shade of blue or even a completely different color.
But the one must-have for all riders is that the jeans need to include safety features in a very inconspicuous manner.
The level of protection for a pair of riding jeans is a very personal decision. There are some riders who just want that extra layer of Kevlar in case they go down, while others want the entire complement of safety gear including hip and knee armor.
Our riding jeans evaluations address the durability, function, and overall safety features of the jeans. Knowing that critical information, riders can then apply their personal taste in cut, fit, and fashion statement to select the best riding jeans to meet their own needs.
– Chase
Best Entry Level Riding Jeans
Priced under $200.
Scorpion EXO Covert Pro
Price: $159.95
Where to Buy: RevZilla | Amazon | J&P Cycles
Why?
A step above many other brands at this price point and an upgrade over the standard Scorpion Coverts, the Kevlar lining is what will literally protect your ass. The Cordura/denim outer shell is 4 times more abrasion resistant than regular denim, but with enough friction, it will burn through.
The 250 GSM DuPont™ Kevlar® material is resistant to tearing and provides a protective barrier for the skin against whatever surface a rider could find themselves sliding along. See our full review on the Scorpion Covert Pro jeans here.
Key Specs
• Premium soft feel
• Great-looking 5-pocket design
• Mesh lining offers comfort and airflow
• Void of all rivets or sharp paint scratching bits
• Accurate sizing
Protection & Safety
• Cordura® 373 GSM exterior offers excellent abrasion resistance
• Heavy 250 GSM DuPont™ Kevlar® lining from knee to waist adds protection
• NightViz® 3M® Scotchlite™ reflective material at rear inner cuff provides increased nighttime visibility
Although these pants don’t come equipped with knee and hip armor, the kevlar construction should still provide great protection in the event you take a skid along the pavement. If you are interested in adding knee and hip armoring to the pants, you can buy them for a combined price of around $55 USD and throw them in when needed.
REAX 267 Jeans
Price: $199
Where to Buy: RevZilla | J&P Cycles
Why?
Newly released for the 2021 riding season, the 267 jeans use a brand new blended fabric that includes super-strong Dyneema. This produces a lightweight, but extremely durable, slim-fit riding jean that also incorporates SAS-TEC CE level II armor in the knees.
A new style of riding jean that is as high-tech as the bike you ride.
Key Specs
• Slim, straight fit riding jean
• 5 pocket design
• Single-layer 12oz denim
• Abrasion resist 68% cotton / 13% Dyneema / 10% nylon / 8% polyester / 1% Elastane blend
• Triple stitched seams in critical areas
• Reinforced belt loops
• Leather belt guide
• 6″ of reflectivity on the inner cuff
• YKK zippered front fly
• SAS-TEC CE Level 2 adjustable and vented knee armor included
• Armor ready hip pockets (armor sold separately)
• Knee armor and pocket have hook and loop fasteners for height and lateral adjustability
Protection & Safety
• EN 17092-3:2019 AA rated material means that the jeans will survive a slide at 30 MPH long enough to fully protect the legs, although the seams may split and minor road rash might occur
• SAS-TEC CE II armor is the same type used in competition powersports
• Available hip armor pockets allow you to add even more protection to your jeans
Street & Steel Oakland Jeans
Price: Up to $149
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Perfect for riders looking for a bit of a more tapered fit. The tailoring toes the line between a boot cut and straight-cut jeans for a slimmer look. The heat and tear resistant fabric protects your legs from abrasion as the included knee protection protects from impact.
Key Specs
• 12oz stretch denim riding jeans
• Seamless knee design
• 5 pocket design
• Traditional denim blend with elastane for added range of motion
• Fits between a boot cut and regular cut jeans
• Tailored leg reduces snags and buffeting when riding
Protection & Safety
• Heat and tear resistant aramid-reinforced seat, hips and knees
• Removable and adjustable CE knee protection included
Best Mid-Range Riding Jeans
Priced $200 - $325.
Klim K Fifty 2
Price: Up to $320
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Impact protection, abrasion resistance and hard-to-beat style are what makes up the Klim K Fifty 2 Riding Jeans. Much like their predecessor, the Fifty 1 Jeans, the Fifty 2 jeans heavy-duty Cordura denim is backed by DuPont Kevlar panels.
D30 EVO Knee and Hip armor are included in your purchase, alongside a Poron XRDA pad at the tailbone. The armor is discreet and virtually unnoticeable to the unsuspecting eye.
The jeans have a straight-leg cut/relaxed fit. It’s been noted by some that the waist/hips may run large, so be sure to double-check your measurements before ordering. If you’re in between sizes, order the smaller size.
Key Specs
• Relaxed/Straight Fit
• Size down if inbetween sizes
• Available in black, stealth blue, and dark blue
• Cordura denim/nylon cotton blend
• Stone washed finish with whisker treatment
• Flat-felled seams
• YKK zipper
• Klim details and trim
• Discreet armor included in your purchase
Protection & Safety
• D3O EVO knee and hip armor
• Adjustable knee armor pocket
• Reinforced interior DuPont™ Kevlar® panels
• Poron XRDA tailbone pad
REV’IT! Moto 2 Jeans
Price: Up to $240
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
The REV'IT! Moto 2 Jeans are a stylish option that with the exception of the stretch panels, you wouldn’t know are moto jeans. The included CE armor in the hips and knees make this a great choice for style and protection.
Key Specs
• Outer Shell: Cordura denim
• Protection: Seesmart CE level 1 protection at knees and hips
• Fit: tapered fit
• Features: zipper fly front closure, comfort seat, triple-needle stitching, safety stitching
• Pockets: five pockets
Protection & Safety
• Tucked inside these sleeper riding jeans are The SEESMART CE-level 1 RV36-L1-A knee armor at the knees SEESMART™ CE-level 1 Hip Protectors
• Certified according to the EN 17092 Standard, published in 2020 and has achieved AA rating.
• Reflective material at the turn up of the hem
REV’IT! Philly 3 Jeans
Price: Up to $230
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
The REV'IT! Moto 2 Jeans are a stylish option that with the exception of the stretch panels, you wouldn’t know are moto jeans. The included CE armor in the hips and knees make this a great choice for style and protection.
Key Specs
• Relaxed/Loose fit jeans
• Available in two different blue washes
• Outer Shell: Cordura denim
• Composition: 64% Cotton, 22% Polyethylene, 12% Polyamide, 2% Elastane
• Features: Triple needle stitching
• Pockets: Five pockets
Protection & Safety
• Adjustable Seesmart CE level 1 protection at knee and hip
Best High-End Riding Jeans
Priced over $325+.
Rokker Rokkertech Tapered Slim LE Jeans
Price: Up to $400
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
Not only have they made out Best Motorcycle Riding Jeans List, but The Rokker Rokkertech Tapered Slim Jeans have also earned their spot on RevZilla as the top-rated and staff favorite pair of riding jeans.
Available in black and blue, these jeans are as stylish as they are durable. If you prefer a slim, designer-style jean over a baggy fit, these are the riding jeans for you.
D30 Ghost knee and hip impact armor is included in your purchase that fits perfectly into the height-adjustable armor pockets. The denim is comprised of enough elastane to provide you with up to 25% elasticity for unbeatable comfort.
As if that wasn’t enough, these jeans ship in a classy black canvas bag with a free Rokker T-shirt. Bonus!
Key Specs
• Single layer riding jeans for unbeatable comfort
• Premium 12oz denim indigo-dyed cotton
• Tapered slim fit with zipper fly
• Stretch denim with 25% elasticity
• Breathable materials for hot weather comfort
• Rokker label on waistband and back pocket
• Rivet free design maintains paintwork
• Ships in a black canvas bag with Rokker T-shirt
Protection & Safety
• Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) construction is 15x stronger than steel
• Included D3O Ghost knee and hip impact armor
• Adjustable height armor pockets
• CE Level AA rated riding garment
Spidi J-Dyneema Jeans
Price: $360
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
The Spidi J-Dyneema Jeans are a slim-fitting option with a little stretch for comfort. They are made with a single layer, Dyneema cotton blend for abrasion resistance and are a slim-fitting pair of riding jeans in the upper price range to reap the benefits of a higher quality product. These pants come with both knee and hip armor.
Key Specs
• Slim fit with stretchy fabric
• Reinforced with abrasion-resistant Dyneema fabric
• Includes Warrior Lite knee and hip protectors
• Connection tab to attach jacket to jeans
• CE Level 1 hip and knee protectors included (adjustable knee position)
• CE approved to EN 17092-2: 2020 as a Class AAA garment
Protection & Safety
These jeans are CE approved to EN 17092-2: 2020 as a Class AAA garment. Made with 60% Dyneema, 38% Cotton, 2% Elastane
Knox Shield Spectra Jeans
Price: $329.99
Where to Buy: RevZilla
Why?
The Spectra jeans are for those riders that want a straight fit jean that will give them the highest level of protection. Using an entirely new compound of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (UHMWP), it boasts a 40% stronger abrasion resistance than Kevlar, and has fifteen times the tensile strength of equivalent steel thread. On top of it all, they’re lightweight, water-resistant, and come with microlock knee and hip armor built-in.
Key Specs
• Spectra single-layer stretch Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWP) construction
• Straight fit with tapered leg
• Medium rise
• Naturally water repellent
• Invisible armor pockets with external knee access for easy knee armor removal
• Leather Knox patch on waist
• YKK zippers
• Four deep pockets
• Removable Knox branded key loop
• Included CE certified Knox Micro-Lock knee and hip protectors
• 5-year guarantee on Micro-Lock protectors when registered
• CE approved to EN17092- 3 Class AAA as a protective riding garment
• Inseam: 33″
Protection & Safety
• EN17092- 3 Class AAA rating is the same rating that competitive powersports gear must meet or exceed
• Microlock knee and hip armor is CE certified for impact resistance
Other Best Pants Lists
See all our recommended riding gear.
What To Think About When Shopping For Motorcycle Riding Jeans
When most people think about riding a motorcycle, there are three very distinct images that come to mind. They picture the bike, the leather jacket, and the blue jeans that seem to work together like a BLT. Each one is good on its own, but together they make the perfect combination.
But unfortunately, unless a rider is wearing purpose-built riding jeans, then there is the potential for some unavoidable but really horrific injuries. And sadly, that statement is coming from someone who believes that jeans are pretty much the most perfect piece of clothing that can be worn in just about any place that is worth going.
But in all of those other activities, there is not really any chance of being projected off of a moving vehicle and sliding across the asphalt. And we all know from our childhood mishaps that tearing a hole in a pair of jeans is not really that difficult. So any sliding or even a single fall or dumping a bike is likely to total the blue jeans and the rider’s unprotected skin.
Fortunately, gear manufacturers saw that the many, many die-hard jeans wearers were not going to be converted to other textile pants or leather either. The solution was simply to provide a durable, comfortable, and casual looking pair of jeans that riders could embrace and enjoy.
The benefit for riders is that the riding jeans are made but the same companies that make the textile and leather pants and they include the same impact and abrasion protection as the other styles of riding pants. So riders can look great in jeans, be comfortabl,e and also know that they have the needed protection in the event of an accident.
Be sure to check back regularly with us here at wBW to read about our latest hands-on reviews of motorcycle cruiser boots and other great products for riders.
At WBW, “Best” Actually Means Something
Remember when you could open up a review of something, and when the publication—magazine, car show, whatever—said “best” they stood behind it? Yea, we remember, and we’re bringing it back.
Here’s how we do things:
We disclose our affiliate relationships—We make money via advertising and affiliate relationships on our website. It’s how we pay our team and invest in things like sending Jim to Italy. And Japan. And France… wait… why do we always send Jim places?
We obsessively hands-on test—We wear and ride with gear before reviewing it, and we update reviews down the line if our opinions change. We look at real-world situations because that’s the world we live in.
We’re objective—Good gear is good gear, regardless of who made it.
We’re value-focused—Why pay $500 if something for $250 is just as good? Our review scores and recommendations reflect best value. Brand only goes so far—the gear has to stand on its own.
