MO Tested: Massive Riding Jeans Buyer's Guide – Part 4

Motorcycle.com Staff
by Motorcycle.com Staff

Motorcycle.com puts 34 pairs of riding jeans through the paces to see what sets each one apart from the others.

If the Google machine dropped you directly on this page without seeing the introduction to MO’s Massive Riding Jeans Buyer’s Guide, and you are confused as to what’s going on, you should click here to read the introduction and the full listing of jeans. If you’re the adventurous type who just wants to jump to our individual reviews of 34 pairs of jeans, the Table of Contents below will only give you a direct link to jeans on this page. So, we still recommend that you go to the introduction. There’s a lot of good info to cover.

MO Tested: Massive Riding Jeans Buyer’s Guide – Introduction

Table of Contents

Spidi Furious Pro

Reviewer: Evans Brasfield MSRP: $220 Construction and Key Features: With the main chassis constructed of 13-oz. Cordura cotton for breathable abrasion protection, the Furious Pro jeans come with Warrior Lite Armor Level 1 knee and hip armor. Slim cut with accordion stretch panels above the knees and stretch panels in the crotch. Five pocket design. Jeans are prEN17092-3:2017 Class AA certified. Available Sizes: US waist 28-40 in. Size Tested: 36 in. True to Size?: No, a tad on the snug side at the waist Armor Included: Knee, Hip Armor Type: Warrior Lite Level 1 knee and hip armor Available Colors: Black/Blue, Black, Blue, Blue Used Medium Care Instructions: Hand wash below 104 F. Do not bleach. Do not wring. Line dry. Iron at 230 F max.

When wearing the Spidi Furious Pro jeans, you won’t be mistaken for wearing street jeans. These are unmistakably techinical riding gear. From the slim, leg-hugging fit to the knee accordion panels to the stretchy crotch to the Spidi logo on the outside of each thigh, the Furious pro mean riding business. The fit on the legs and waist is snug but slightly stretchy. This is great for eliminating leg flap and keeping you flexible on the bike, but once you’re off the bike, the jeans feel like technical riding gear. The fabric is slightly stiff and feels like it will take some time to break in completely. However, the lack of internal protective layers means that the jeans breath a little better, garnering Spidi’s highest level claim of transpiration, the ability to allow sweat to evaporate. The 34-in. inseam places these jeans on the longer side, but those who, like myself, don’t like to fold up jeans will find that they bunch nicely around the boot. A good choice at a reasonable price for all this protection.

Spidi J-Tracker

Reviewer: Evans Brasfield MSRP: $220 Construction and Key Features: Constructed with a slim fit out of a Cordura/cotton blend. Elasticised fabric for comfortable fit. Warrior Lite knee armor easily removable via exterior zipper. Pocket for optional hip armor. Available in long and short versions that are +/- 3.9 in. Available Sizes: US waist 28-42 in. Size Tested: 36 in. True to Size?: Yes Armor Included: Knee Armor Type: Warrior Lite Knee Armor Level 1, Warrior Lite Hip Armor Available Colors: Black, Blue Used Medium, Blue Used Dark Care Instructions: Hand wash below 100 F. No bleach. Line dry. Do not wring. Do not dry clean. Iron at 230 F maximum.

If it weren’t for the knee armor, I’d swear I was wearing a pair of my old, broken-in jeans. That’s not to say the armor is uncomfortable. It is soft and flexible and easily removable through an external zipper. The construction of the crotch keeps them from binding, despite the slim fit.

The 34-in. inseam is a little long for my 32-in. legs. There is a horizontal loop in the center of the rear belt loops for attaching to a jacket to keep it from riding up. The airflow through the fabric is better than most riding jeans. I really like these jeans a lot for day-to-day riding.

Spidi J&Dyneema Eco/3D Slim

Reviewer: Evans Brasfield MSRP: $360 Construction and Key Features: These slim-fitting jeans are constructed of 60% Dyneema, 38% Cotton, and 2% Elastane in a single fabric layer, which Spidi claims makes for the company's most breathable jeans.The knees and upper thighs have a mesh liner for comfort, and the included knee armor has an adjustable hook-and-loop mount. Included hip armor fits in pockets. Five-pocket design with rear loop for attaching to a jacket to prevent it from riding up. Available Sizes: US waist 28-40 in. Size Tested: 36 in. True to Size?: Yes Armor Included: Knee, Hip Armor Type: Included Available Colors: Black, Dark Blue Used Care Instructions: Hand wash below 100 F. No bleach. Line dry. Do not wring. Do not dry clean. Iron at 230 F maximum.

The Spidi J&Dyneema have the feel of new, unwashed denim, though they do have a slight stretch. Although the jeans are stiffer than the J-Trackers, they are quite comfortable, and with the jet black color, they could almost pass as dress jeans. The construction of the crotch keeps them from binding, despite the slim fit. Airflow is good, so they don’t retain heat.

The knee armor is comfortable and offers plenty of height adjustment to accomodate different length legs. Additionally, the knee armor extends down the shin more than on some jeans. Great feeling jeans, and they should be at this price.

Stellar Moto Brand Comet Commuter Jeans

Reviewer: Caitlin Maher MSRP: $395 Construction and Key Features: Classic mid-rise 5-pocket stretch skinny jean, knee and hip armor pockets (armor included) and 33.5 inseam. Available Sizes: US 24-40 Size Tested: 29 True to Size?: No, runs small. I sized up 2 sizes Armor Included: Knee, Hip Armor Type: Sas Tec Level 2 Available Colors: Eclipse (Black) Midnight (dark indigo blue) Care Instructions: Machine was cold, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low or hang to dry.

This is the first pair of moto jeans I’ve tried on where the waistband doesn’t cut in uncomfortably. While I will end up hemming the length to fit my short legs and love of lace-up boots, this pair of skinny stretch jeans fits as well as your trusty old pair of Joe’s.

The Eclipse colorway initially felt stiffer than the blue washed indigo, but after a hot days ride, they feel more than broken in.

Stellar Moto Brand Utopia Utility Pants

Reviewer: Caitlin Maher MSRP: $395 Construction and Key Features: Cropped Carpenter pant, single layer Dyneema Denim with knee and hip pockets for armor. Available Sizes: XXS-3XL Size Tested: XXS True to Size?: No, runs slightly bigger. I sized down according to the size chart. Armor Included: Knee, Hip Armor Type: Sas Tec Armor Level 2 Available Colors: Dusty White - Can be custom dyed to order, also available in Blue denim Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low heat or hang to dry.

I’ve never had a pair of moto pants turn so many heads, but here we are! Utopia Utility Pants live up to their name.. Yes, that’s a hammer loop! And more pockets than you’ll know what to do with. The single layer Dyneema is cool and smooth on the inside, and robust as your old canvas workpants on the outside.

My number 1 choice when the temperature leans toward the triple digits, and they’re roomy enough to throw a pair of leggings under when the temps dip back down. Bonus feature – They can be dyed to order, so if you’re itching for blood red or mint green riding pants, these are the golden ticket!

Trilobite Micas Urban Slim

Reviewer: John Burns MSRP: $165 Construction and Key Features: Slim but stretchy elastic denim lined with Kevlar in impact zones for abrasion resistance, and CE knee armor standard equipment. Available Sizes: Ten sizes, US waist 2832 in. - 4632 in. Size Tested: 36x 32 in. True to Size?: Yes Armor Included: Knee Armor Type: CE Level 2 Knee, Icon D3O LP2 Hip Armor Available Colors: Acid-wash Blue, Gray Care Instructions: Remove pads, machine wash, line dry

Hey, acid wash may be no longer cool in the West, but it’s never gone out in the Czech Republic, where Trilobite jeans come from. Anyway, they’re also available in a solid grey. Whatever color you choose, these are great, stretchy-comfy jeans with a high-waisted cut out back to keep drafts out. Kevlar lining is the original way of backstopping jeans, before Dyneema came along. And in these it adds almost no bulk, mostly because the Kevlar doesn’t extend past the bottom of your bottom in back, and only down to the knee on the sides.

There’s more Kevlar in front of your knees, in addition to the CE level 2 knee armor. Trilobite markets these as more for city and scooter riders. One outstanding feature is a hidden zipper under each accordion knee panel, which makes getting to/adjusting the included knee armor a snap. Super comfortable, stretchable and flexible.

Trilobite Parado

Reviewer: John Burns MSRP: $230 Construction and Key Features: Made for riding, with stretchy panels in the crotch, knees, and back like racing leathers. CE certified EN 17092 AA, with CE Level 2 protectors in hips and knees. Available Sizes: 18 sizes, US waist 3031 in. - 4631 and 3033 in. - 4633 in. Size Tested: 3432 in. True to Size?: Yes Armor Included: Knee, Hip Armor Type: CE level 2 Available Colors: Black, Rust brown, Light blue, Light grey Care Instructions: Remove armor, zip zippers, do not iron over appliques

These stretchy, form-fitting jeans moved directly to the top of my heap when they showed up 2.5 years ago, and they’re still among my favorites to wear. Sewn from a 98% cotton/2% elastane fabric, they’re even more form-fitting thanks to the accordion panels in the knees and at the back – and AFAIK these are the only jeans with an elastic crotch panel: That not only gives increased flexibility, it lets a lot of air in where you need it most. Even more airflow comes in from the long outer thigh vents when you unzip them.

For protection, we’ve got Dupont Kevlar inside the knees and seat for abrasion resistance; CE level 2 hip and knee armor are included, along with a cool embroidered Trilobite. Great jeans and solid construction.

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Motorcycle.com Staff
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2 of 3 comments
  • Some Random Guy Some Random Guy on Sep 27, 2022

    You guys each missed a loop, John, Evan. You are welcome.
    Yes, I am the type of guy who would flip a roll of toilet paper the correct way.

  • Nota Realaccount Nota Realaccount on Mar 13, 2023

    This is not a review at all. There is absolutely no critical words about any of the pants. What's even worse, there are no tests to see how the pants hold up under abrasion/crash simulation.
    Your tagline is "We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products." That is not true. This is a sales pitch for product that you make commission on. Of course it states that in the small print, but still. You should be ashamed at yourselves for pretending to "review" or "compare" these pants when it is nothing like that. I will stick with Fortnine and other independent content makers that care about what they do.

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