Tag Archives: jeans

Pando Moto update Steel Black jeans

Lithuanian motorcycle clothing company Pando Moto have updated their Steel Black 02 single-layer riding jeans for men and women which are claimed to be tougher and blacker.

We reviewed the Steel Black 9 jeans last year, but the new 02 version has updated the Dyneema technology to make them tougher.

Dyneema is a Dutch invention which blends the abrasion-resistant material into a single-layer denim that meets CE standards for protection without the need for a separate layer.

Updates also give the pants an even darker sheen inside and out.

They say their 13oz single-layer stretch denim has 25% Dyneema and is CE approved personal protection equipment under EN 17092, level AA (speed 70km/h) safety.

Steel BlackPando Moto Steel Black riding jeans

They are also more expensive than the Steel Black 9 ($A470) at $590 and come in a small array of sizes from 29” waist to 34.Pando Moto Steel Black riding jeans

Using the same updates, and Moto has released a version for women called Kissaki DYN 01 with the same slim-fit design and same price. They also come in five sizes from 27W to 34.Pando Moto Steel Black riding jeans

Both come with SAS-TEC Triple flex armour knee and hip armour.

Safety

The benefits of single-layer protective jeans is that they are lighter while still having abrasion protection.

That makes them better for urban riding and more comfortable when you get off the bike to visit your favourite restaurant.

However, single-layer protective material does sacrifice some protection as explained in our article quoting Dr Chris Hurren, a research scientist at Deakin University in Geelong where he and his laboratory work on protective motorcycle clothing.

It is worth noting that in another article, Chris points out that urban and country riders need different levels of abrasion, impact and seam-bursting protection in their riding gear.

He explains the differences in this video from MotoCAP, the world’s first safety and comfort ratings system for motorcycle clothing which launched on 18 September 2018.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Duel: Double Vs single-layer denim

With summer just around the corner, riders will be considering riding pants and may be wondering whether traditional double-layer protection is better than the new single-layer materials.

Traditional double-layer jeans and riding pants have a separate layer of protective material, usually Kevlar, and sometimes even a third layer of mesh to “wick” the sweat away and protect against the scratchy material.

More recent double-layer designs have done away with the mesh as the protective layer has become more soft and breathable.

However, double-layer pants can be quite heavy and hot in summer.

Single-layer pants promise to be lighter and cooler. They have the protective fabric woven into the material so there is no need for a separate layer of protection or mesh.

Which is best?

I have tested both types and you can read my reviews by typing “jeans” or “pants”  in the search field at the top of this page.

For a more scientific answer, I contacted Dr Chris Hurren, a research scientist at Deakin University in Geelong where he and his laboratory work on protective motorcycle clothing.

MotoCAP senior researcher Dr Chris Hurren award single layer
Chris Hurren and his Honda GB400

He also worked with Dr Liz de Rome and others to produce the protocol that is used by MotoCAP for their testing regime.

Dr Hurren has written a series of four articles for Motorbike Writer on the new European clothing standard which you can start reading by clicking here.

Verdict: Single Vs double layer

This is the unedited verdict from Dr Hurren:

From the testing conducted by MotoCAP on ‘Protective Denim’ products, the best performance has been in multi-layer products where a separate protective liner is present inside the jeans.

The most important part to protect in a pair of pants is the Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas (defined in EN13595-1:2002).

Motocap Motorcycle clothing rating system launched testing

The abrasion time results for each of the abrasion risk areas are reported for each garment in the MotoCAP garment five-page test report.

This table shows the abrasion time in seconds for the protective material in the high-risk zone along with the amount of coverage for that zone of the protective layer.

Manufacturer Product Protective layer abrasion time Zone 1/2 coverage
Multi-layer protection
RST T125 Standard Aramid 1.12 70
RST Vintage 1.17 85
DriRider Rapid 1.27 100
Rjays Reinforced Original Cut 1.34 95
PMJ Rider Jeans 1.83 50
Bull’it SP120 Lite Heritage Easy 2.03 100
Resurgence Indigo sport 2.46 100
Triumph Pure Riding 2.63 100
Bull’it Covert Blue Straight 3.64 100
Draggin Jeans Cargo 3.71 100
Triumph Hero Riding 3.74 100
Rev’it Lombard 4.04 90
Harley Davidson Genuine Performance Riding 4.08 100
Bull’it SR6 Oil Skin 17 Straight 4.72 100
Draggin Jeans Next Gen Seamless 7.77 100
Draggin Jeans Twista 7.86 100
Neo Jeans Kevlar Men’s Stretch 0.74 100
Single-layer protection
BMW City Denim Trousers 0.41 100
Levis 501 Normal Denim Jeans 0.56 100
Resurgence New Wave 0.92 100
Saint Model 2 1.51 100

All of the products achieving over two seconds of abrasion time were multi-layer products. Two seconds of abrasion time would equate to approximately 16 metres of sliding distance on chip seal.

The Saint single-layered product performed the best of the single layered products reported on so far.

Saint Unbreakable Technical Black Denim Slim Fit Jeans
Saint Unbreakable Technical Black Denim Slim Fit Jeans

All three single-layer products fall towards the bottom of the multi-layered product performance levels.

I have also included the test results for a normal pair of Levis 501 non-protective jeans for reference against the single-layer products.

Textile Vs denim

I have done a similar comparison for protective textile pants and the multi-layer products again perform better than the single.

Where the multilayer includes a foam of some type and more than one layer of protective textile, the abrasion times go up. Where a leather patch is used, the abrasion time is also improved.

With almost all protective textile pants, improvement is generally only done in the knee area with the risk in the side of the leg and bottom overlooked. This is not the same for denim.

For the single-layer textile pants, the higher performing times of one-second-plus are generally achieved by 1000+ denier polyester or nylon woven textile. Products around the 600 denier range typically get 0.4-0.6 seconds.

Almost all of the protective denims (single and multi) perform well when compared to protective textile pants.

Comfort

As for the comfort ratings of gear tested by MotoCAP, the term has been changed to “breathability”.

Dr Hurren explains why:

There has been a lot of feedback from riders on the use of the word comfort. The solitary word comfort can mean many different things to different people. Many were misconstruing it with tactile comfort (tightness, fit, flexibility, skin feel) which is of course different for each person and next to impossible to quantify.

Breathability is felt to better reflect the dimension that is measured for MotoCAP. The concept of a breathable membrane in a jacket is well known within the rider community. It is hoped that the adoption of breathability will cause less confusion and will better convey the suitability of a garment for hot weather use.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Bull-It jeans help win enterprise award

UK protective clothing company, Covec Limited, parent company of Bull-it Jeans, has received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise recognising their export success.

The company exports to 14 different countries in Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand.

Company founder Keith Bloxsome says they made their first container sale to Australia, quickly followed by New Zealand in 2012.

Covec developed their protective textile material by re-engineering inflexible liquid crystal polymer to achieve abrasion resistance, weather-proofing, low thermal conductivity and improved strength.

Covec’s material is used in sportswear, military clothing and their motorcycle clothing brand, Bull-it, which makes jeans, leggings and jackets.

It is also licensed to a variety of global brands including Triumph Motorcycles, Rokker of Switzerland, KLIM USA, RevZilla, IXS and The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club.

Bull-it Jeans win enterprise awardBulliIt Fury Jeggings

In Australia, the internationally recognised MotoCAP testing facility has so far only tested Bull-It’s jeggings which received a full five stars for comfort but only half a star for safety.

It should be noted that the other leggings tested from Draggin and Oxford also rated half a star for safety.

Enterprise

In the past six years, Covec increased overseas sales by 587% with exports making up 53%.

This has been recognised with the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Continuous Growth in Overseas Sales.

Keith says the achievement comes despite a weak British Pound, Brexit turmoil and ever-toughening CE safety regulations.

Bull-it Jeans win enterprise awardBull-it Jeans

 “R&D has always been at the fore,” Keith says.

“Covec, through its personal protection equipment brand Bull-it, was the first motorcycle denim jean in the world to achieve CE Level II back in 2013, in itself a great team effort.

“This put us in a unique position with our exclusive materials giving our fantastic distributor and dealer network more safety and sales tools to do the job.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Pando Moto Dyneema versus Cordura rider jeans

(Pando Moto jeans review by contributor James Wawne)

Is it worth the extra expense to get the single-layer Dyneema jeans from Pando Moto over their Cordura jeans with Kevlar patches?

We think so.

Dyneema is a Dutch invention which blends the abrasion-resistant material into a single-layer denim that meets the toughest CE standards for protection without the need for a separate layer.

The fabric is claimed to provide the same protection as leather (about 3.7 seconds of abrasion resistance), and will keep you cooler and more comfortable; but it is typically a bit more expensive.

Comparison

The Pando Moto Karl Desert EL Cordura/Kevlar jeans we tested last month are mid(ish) priced at €249 (about $A405, £210, $US275).

Pando Moto jeans
Pando Moto Karl Desert EL Cordura/Kevlar jeans

Their Steel Black 9 slim-fit Dyneema jeans are slightly more expensive at €289 (about $A470, $US320, £248).

As a Brit, currently feeling the Aussie summer heat, I believe that the Steel Black jeans are worth the extra money for the ‘cool-comfort-factor’ alone! They really are very comfortable indeed. 

Safety

I felt more comfortable knowing that there are no zones without protection as the Dyneema is woven throughout the jeans fabric.

I could ride with more focus as there was no distraction which can come from uncomfortable gear.

These jeans are also cooler than the pair I previously tested and well suited for warmer climate riding, I am not sure how they would perform on a cold day in London (most days) but it would be possible to wear them over some thermals if that was an issue. Pando Moto Dyneema versus Cordura rider jeans

I tested them in 30-35 degrees and they were very comfortable. They are quite light and feel just like a regular pair of jeans even when combined with the CE-approved hip and knee armour*.

*The armour is noticeable for the first 5 minutes or so when you first put them on, but when they are warmed up by you body heat, they become softer and barely noticeable.

The hip inserts don’t have velcro at the top of the pocket to keep them in place like the other jeans – below.Pando Moto Dyneema versus Cordura rider jeans

However, when wearing them, the pad is pressed against your body so it doesn’t move out of position. The only a minor issue when you take them off as they can fall out which is annoying.

Another safety feature is the reflective strips on the inside of the pants so they reflect headlights when the cuffs are turned up – as with the other pair tested – a nice innovation.

Handy pantsPando Moto Dyneema versus Cordura rider jeans

Apart from the usual jeans pockets, the Steel Black slim jeans have a small gum/key pocket which I found handy.

Another handy item is the round clip ring on the buckle to clip on your keys or hang your sunglasses from when wandering around road side cafes.

StylingPando Moto Dyneema versus Cordura rider jeans

I’m reasonably slim and the jeans fit well, if you are more of a pie eater then they might not fit as size range is limited for the larger waist owner (max 36 inches).

These jeans could pass for smart casual and worn out to dinner without looking out of place.

The jeans are well made, but I did notice some white specs here and there where the Dyneema weave shows through. However, the fabric hasn’t deteriorated so it must just be part of the weave.

Pando Moto Jean Specs Quick list:

  • Classic slim fit cut
  • Dark navy color (almost black).
  • Made of single layer stretch 25% Dyneema® 13 oz (15 times stronger than steel, 1800 protection).
  • It has high heat conductivity, reflects the heat.
  • CE officially approved PPE under EN 17092, level AA (speed 70 km/h).
  • 2 position knee armor pockets.
  • KNOX® Micro Lock CE approved (EN1621-1:2012) knee armor INCLUDED.
  • Hip armor – optional (not included).
  • Reflective cuffs for safety ride.
  • Made in Europe.

About Pando Moto

Pando Moto produce a range of men and women’s jeans (and other clothing) to meet your needs – unless your waist is above 36 inches (which is as large as their range goes).

Their jeans are designed to achieve decent levels of safety, while also being comfortable and stylish.

The company was founded in Lithuania in 2011 and position themselves as a “premium motorcycle clothing brand”.

Their marketing ‘bumph’ says they “use the very latest in textile technologies with urban riding culture along with European standards EN 17092 (PROTECTION ZONING SYSTEM)”.

You can check them out and find more information on their website

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Pando Moto jeans have style and safety

(Pando Moto jeans review by contributor James Wawne)

Trying to find the right pair of jeans to ride in can be quite difficult, especially if you want to achieve decent levels of safety, comfort, and style.

Pando Moto claim to have the answer to this problem. They produce a range of men and women’s jeans (and other clothing) to meet your needs – unless your waist is above 36 inches (which is as large as their range goes).

The company was founded in Lithuania in 2011 and position themselves as a “premium motorcycle clothing brand”.

Their marketing ‘bumph’ says they “use the very latest in textile technologies with urban riding culture along with European standards EN 17092 (PROTECTION ZONING SYSTEM)”.

So we decided to put a pair of their Karl Desert EL jeans through their paces turning them inside out to look over the key features and wearing them in a number of different scenarios to see how they performed.

Pando Moto jeansPando Moto jeans

The Pando Moto jeans arrived nicely packaged along with the included SAS-TEC® knee and optional hip armour inserts.

The first thing I like to do with any jeans review once I have removed the outer packaging, is to turn the trousers inside out to have a look at what you can see.

Laying the garment on the floor I can immediately recognise the construction format as depicted on their website.Pando Moto jeans

The fabric is Cordura® stretch denim (6.6 fiber) with DuPont™ Kevlar® lining and feels good quality, the cut is sharp and finish of the seams and stitch work is excellent.

The protection pads are quickly and easily installed, secured in tailored compartments which have Velcro strips at the top to ensure that they are secured.Pando Moto jeans

With the protection panels in, these are not the lightest of single-layer jeans in market (for my size (33W34L) came in at about 1200 grams) but they were snug fitting and comfortable and didn’t feel overly heavy when on.

These jeans did not have the ‘cool’ feel of the Saint unbreakable we reviewed, but equally, I didn’t overheat on a middling UK summer’s day (25 Centigrade). Further testing in Brisbane summer temperatures will be interesting (check back for future update in November).

A minor gripe is that there are only four pockets – the small cigarette lighter/gum sub pocket is absent which is unfortunate.

The top of the waist is secured with a standard button/fly combo for quick access and even though these are slim fit the flex of the fabric means that the ankles can readily accommodate riding boots.

The turn-up has a reflective band which is a bonus though you might end up being called a hipster … or worse.Pando Moto jeans

One feature that I found particularly functional was the flexible ‘stretch-panels’ built into the knees and the lower back/waist.

You can really see this contracting/expanding as I straighten and bend my like on the fitting frame (Thanks to Pete at Bike Stop for letting me pose on his rig to demonstrate the performance in various riding positions).Pando Moto jeans

This flex prevents constriction and discomfort that can occur with some jeans which lack this design when in more aggressive riding positions.Pando Moto jeans

The fabrics include 12.5oz Cordura® stretch denim and feature a thick mid-layer made of DuPont™ with Kevlar® yarns lining and reinforced Kevlar® stitches.

The jeans are CE officially approved PPE under EN 17092, level AA (speed 70 km/h) and the site includes quite an entertaining demonstration of its abrasion resistance that mirrors one originally done by Australia’s Draggin’ Jeans.

The look of these jeans, paired with a rather ‘directly captioned’ T give an undeniably cool aesthetic, though that comes at a mid(ish) range price of €249 (about $A405, £220, $US275).

And so, to the closing question then: Do these jeans provide a solution to the problem of finding a blend of safety, comfort and style?

The answer to this has to be a resounding: Yes!

They are pretty good on all dimensions of evaluation  – just so long as you are 27-36 inches around your waist! 

Pando Motor Jean Specs Quick list:Pando Moto jeans

  • Made of 12.5oz Cordura® stretch denim.
  • Lining: thick interlock-knit made of DuPont™ Kevlar®.
  • CE officially approved PPE under EN 17092, level AA (speed 70 km/h).
  • Featuring Kevlar® reinforced stitches.
  • Equipped with stretch panels on knees and back.
  • Reflective cuffs for safety ride.
  • Knee armour and inner hip armour slots.
  • SAS-TEC® CE approved (EN1621-1:2012) knee armour. (included)
  • Optional: SAS-TEC Hips – EN1621-2 approved. (not included)
  • Colour: Light blue, hand-made aged style.
  • Made in Europe.

Click here for more information on CE approved clothing.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Merlin Euston jeans have clever knees

One of the best things about these stylish $219.95 Merlin Euston boot-cut riding jeans is the clever design of the internal pockets for the knee protectors.

Clever protectors

The included level 1 CE knee protectors themselves are enclosed in a separate fabric pouch and slide into the internal pocket where a long velcro strip allows you to position them over about 15cm of range.

Merlin Euston jeans have clever knee protectors
Knee protectors in pouch and pocket

Most denim, leather and textile riding pants I’ve tested don’t have any or very little adjustment in the position of the knee protector.

That is a problem because the different angle of knee bend on various bikes causes the protector to sit either too high or too low.

On a sports bike you bend your knee quite a bit and the protector can end up on top of your thigh, while on cruisers with forward controls, the protectors can droop loo low.

Merlin’s simple but clever design allows you to adjust the protector to exactly the right position for effective impact protection depending on your body and the type of bike you are riding.

For the technically minded, the level 1 CE protectors allow less than 18kN of force to be transmitted through the protector to your knee.Merlin Euston jeans have clever knee protectors

While these British-designed jeans include two internal hip pockets for extra protectors, they are not supplied.

Euston jeans are made from a blend of Cordura and Coolmax with a stitched-in lining of genuine DuPont Kevlar in the backside and from the waist down the front to below the knees.

Style and fitMerlin Euston jeans TCX X-Blend waterproof boots

These are low-rise bot-cut pants so they sit down under your gut and over your boots.

My wife reckons they look trendy and even says I’m allowed to wear them out with her.

While the kevlar lining in most riding jeans is coarse and requires a further mesh liner to prevent prickling, this kevlar weave is soft and causes no discomfort.

But like most of these jeans with multiple layers and linings they get hot above 30C, especially in slow-moving traffic.

They also feature a heavy duty zip fly, double stitching throughout and two front pockets with a smaller coin pocket in the right side which I use for my motorcycle key.Clever Merlin Euston jeans

There are also two rear pockets that are located way too low so they are almost on the backs of your legs.

They also come with a heavy duty zip accessory that you can sew on to the back of the jeans and into your favourite jacket so they zip together.

That protects you from gravel rash up the back from pants and jacket separating in a slide.

About Merlin

Australian importer Link International says the Staffordshire company is 100% owned by the family and employees.

Merlin Brand manager Ron Grant says the makers are diligent about addressing the latest European safety standards and guarantee high-quality workmanship with “almost zero” warranty claims.

He says Merlin produce the type of quality gear that is comfortable for all-day wear and doesn’t look out of place when you get off your bike.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com