Single-layer motorcycle jeans vs Kevlar motorcycle jeans

This is another one of those videos that will only be of interest to some people. Certainly, I would imagine that most Motolegends customers will already know the difference between these two types of motorcycle jean construction. But not everybody is so enlightened, so we are putting this piece out to explain the difference to those who might still be a little confused. To continue reading our full, written review, click here - www.motolegend...
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[@jamiedolleryify]

After watching this and reading the comments I just ordered myself a pair of HOOD Jean's. They are good value good protection and are AAA so have passed all the tests as have the other brands. I'll take my chances with them being warm, this doesn't bother me for the few weeks a year we get very hot weather. Thanks for letting me know about HOOD was going to buy Rokker but at nearly twice the price I saved myself some money.

[@axelfiraxa]

I have owned my K7 for the past 3 years and am still impressed by them. The warmth thing, well, shorts are always preferable in 34 plus celsius, and a beer. Better than any "adventure" pant, the jeans are venting everywhere anyway so despite them being slightly thicker than single layer they are fine while on the move. I have a pair of A* Bryce Gtx pants as well as a Modeka Tourrider leather pant and can confirm the Hood K7 "vents" better than either.

[@impoppa9647]

Seems there is a bit of glossing over in the video of the ratings A, AA and AAA when it comes to the different jeans shown. I care less about the fashion and more about the factual protection offered by the jeans I buy. Its a bit sad and very unprofessional Chris has felt the need to drag a family owned UK company into a pissing contest he has with another YT channel about jeans and their safety vs. style weight. Chris you owe Hood Jeans an apology. (no I don't own a pair of their jeans and no I don't have any ties to Hood) How about just being the bigger man and saying: we sell X-brand jeans, they meet X-safety ratings and have following features we like. There is no need to drag in products you don't sell and or try and slag someone else video. Instead give us just the facts ONLY about the products you DO sell. From there smart people will do their own comparison and research.

[@shamuso1596]

I have had lined jeans, and now single layered jeans. It's down to this for me, if younthink errr can't face putting them on its too much hassle and too warm and younput on the old levis instead, it's that ride things go wrong. The new jeans especially the rokkers, I see the levis next to rokkers single layer jeans and will put either on and go for a night in pub. Point is they are some much more comfortable. Layered jeans are like wearing plaster casts in comparison.

[@thebrowns5337]

​@@shamuso1596even so ML have, in my opinion, gone out of their way to slag off Hood. Ironically they even use a picture of Trump...while acting just like him. It's unproffesional, uncalled for and literally unbelievable.

[@johngibbin1416]

This thread appears to be descending in to complete nonsense. The claim that Hood Kevlar jeans are so thick you can hardly walk in them is ridiculous, I have a pair and they are fine both on and off the bike, they are also the most comfortable motorcycle jeans I have ever owned. As for what Bennett’s know about Motorcycle clothing is not worth knowing, I think I would rather trust somebody who does not have a vested interest in the products they review and actually do have the items tested, than some random chap in a hat who declares themselves to be the most serious player in the field, with the intention of selling expensive products by relying on spurious claims from the manufacturers, without actually doing any tests or research. As such, please keep your posts accurate and honest, I do realise you want to promote the products you sell, but don’t resort to degrading products you don’t sell and other people’s unbiased reviews, by spreading disinformation.

[@The-Splat]

Well said, John 👍

[@Motolegends]

I would like to think that I am not a random chap in a cap. I work in the motorcycle clothing business, and spend my entire life talking with designers, manufacturers and distributors. I travel all over the country giving talks to advanced motorcycle groups on technical wear. Motolegends is the leading name at the technical end of the market, and so I feel this gives me some credibility. You, by contrast, are a motorcyclist with his own pair of kevlar jeans who comes across as somebody with a chip on his shoulder about people who can afford to buy more technical gear. It is your choice as to whether to believe somebody who works in the field or a company that sells insurance, albeit with a digital media presence designed to create click bait to pull in more punters. But barely a week before their video went out, I had to explain to the journalist what the Cambridge test was. I told them I had all the certificates to support my slide times, as I do. But they were too lazy to come and view them. The certificates were not mine to send out as the tests had not been commissioned by me, but I am always happy to share them on a one-to-one basis. Finally, I stand by my claim about these jeans. Clearly you are an individual of very literal persuasion. I did not mean that you could not physically put one foot in front of another with these jeans. I meant that no sentient human would willingly choose to wear them or ride in them. Try a pair on. They weigh nearly two kilos. They are, in my view, quite the most hideously uncomfortable, impractical and unpleasant trousers I have ever come across. In terms of spreading disinformation, isn’t that exactly what you are doing? You have no expertise in this field; you have no knowledge of the technology and no direct experience of the different constructions involved. Yet, for some reason, you feel that the world should be interested in your parrot-like repetition of Bennett’s ill-informed ramblings. There is a aphorism that suggests that, sometimes, an opinion is better held than expressed. Given that your opinion is founded on nothing but emotion and prejudice, you might be guided by such sage counsel.

[@The-Splat]

@@Motolegends I’m sad to read Motolegends lowering itself to call Bennetts findings “ill-informed ramblings”, whereas Bennetts reported on independent research by a leading Australian university. None of us like the idea that single-layer jeans are less protective than lined jeans. It means less sales for Motolegends (a store I value) and less comfy options for me to wear. But it would be disingenuous to ignore the emerging evidence from MotoCAP and others that single-layer jeans - using current materials - could compromise protection. With luck, new materials science will solve it in future.

[@johngibbin1416]

@@Motolegends despite your rude and wrong assumptions about my knowledge and experience of motorcycle clothing, I do not declare myself to be the leading expert in the field of motorcycle clothing as you do. However, if you were such a font of knowledge and expert about the subject, you wouldn’t need to make such ridiculous comments about products you don’t sell, such as Hood jeans and criticise other sources of information such as Bennett’s, as you have in this video and others in the past. And whilst you clearly have an unrealistic inflated opinion of your expertise, other sources of information such as Ride magazine and Adventure Bike Rider clearly show you are wrong in this case, as they have recommended Hood jeans and given them best buys status, although given your previous comments you probably would say neither of these two respected publications know anything worth knowing about the subject.

[@rjpm92]

@@Motolegends "You, by contrast, are a motorcyclist...who comes across as somebody with a chip on his shoulder about people who can afford to buy more technical gear" - A man in a hat with no ability for self evaluation it seems. Also, your opening gambit is no different to a motorcycle dealer saying "I deal in motorcycles so therefore I know what's best with the engineering and design". You're a dealer, doesn't matter what end of the market you're placed, you're a dealer. Your job is to sell...and clearly you care more about "the people who can afford to buy more technical gear"

[@mbrunskill]

I've got some Hood jeans and I'm very happy with them, they are AAA, very comfortable, and I've never been hot and sweaty wearing them. But, I am yet to try on any single layer jeans so still don't know if I'm missing out, just never felt the need to replace my Hoods.

[@stevenkraus1679]

I have hood as well and feel the protection far exceeds what single layer jeans offer. Yes they are heavier but they are not uncomfortable. Personally Ill take the added protection of the hood jeans

[@axelfiraxa]

I will just add here for non owners: Hood jeans are "heavier" but still lighter than most textile pants and actually breathe really well all throughout. As of 10°C they are fine and after 35° nothing is keeping you "cool" other than water and/or sweat

[@RFspyder007]

Hood jeans are awesome. I just bought my first pair. Customer service is excellent as well. Would like to try single layer jeans for summer however.

[@sjv6598]

Jesus man at least try to be a little less condescending.

[@gvybin]

In five year time? Ok I can live with that and I will re evaluate then. Believe me , I do not stick in the 20th century regarding motorcycle safety gear. f.e. regarding airbag technology, I do not understand that thetered airbags are still sold, but that is an enterly other subject. For a salesperson, you are quite rude in your answer to me, arent'you ? You could have noticed that just like you, me to reacted in this video and in the Bennets video that the Hood trousers are heavy. And about protection ratings, You would be surprised how deep I am into this . Anyway, Have a good evening.

[@ColonelMinecraft]

What's wrong with tethered airbags

[@gvybin]

I reacted to the Bennetts Bike Social video, bringing up the difference in weight..... I have a feeling that I triggered this reaction video ?...sadly.... First, I am just another Belgian Rider. I am a big guy ( coming in at 1m83 and 93kg) and my Hood SK11:AAA mens slim fit jeans comes in at 1613gr including all armour , NOT 1900gr. and it is slim fit not "a bag" or bad looking.And it is a quality piece Question : Did you weigh the single layer jeans also including all armour ? otherwise it is not AAA . Second, I follow you in the fact that a single layer jeans will be more comfortable to wear like a normal jeans. I have no doubt about it. if however the armour can be taken out and in easy. But I would never trust it on the highway, and nor should anyone advice in wearing single layer jeans for that purpose.( even the so called AAA single layers) Only leathers, high abrasive textiles or fully lined (yes sadly also heavier) kevlar jeans with a mesh liner have a place at highway speeds. Third : a mesh liner inside.... I would want one if I come off the bike and slide. It will seriously make a difference to your skin if the mesh will slide over the upper layers, and not the skin. Do we have single layer jeans with a mesh liner inside ? If not,I will not use them on the bike. I use the D3O ghost, as armour. It is the most breathable , lightest and flexible armour, but still... It is actually the armour that prevents me from being totally comfortable wearing my jeans of the bike all day. . I would love it if the knee armour was easier to take out ones I step of my bike, without having to take off the pants In my humble opinion, A single layer jeans (even the so called AAA) should only be used for touristic backroad trips or city traffic and it will be more comfortable to wear off the bike A fully lined and armoured double layer kevlar jeans with a mesh liner is OK on the highway and it will be heavier About styling? Both can offer what a client searches. People do not notice I am wearing a slim fit motorcycle jeans. It does stretch like my normal jeans.

[@Motolegends]

You have an opinion, but what you have is no more than that, and basing your view on a sample of one does not give you the right, or indeed any credibility, when it comes to proferring advice on what jeans can be worn in what circumstances. We have seen the results of many high-speed crashes where the rider has been wearing a pair of single-layer jeans, so your view is simply not substantiated by any facts. Nor do we need to be told what is required for a jean to be AAA classified. And, in fact, you are incorrect. Whether a jean is A, AA or AAA rated, it has to be supplied with armour. And of course our weighing of the Rokker jean included the armour. At the turn of the 20th. Century, I feel sure that there were people writing about how horses would always be stronger and more dependable than cars. Well, to defend the Kevlar jean is to put yourself on the wrong side of history and the march to create new, better and more technical products. Kevlar jeans are part of yesterday’s technology. We talk to all the leading manufacturers in this industry. None of the more technical players are developing new Kevlar jeans. Single layer is the future. In five years’ time, we will all laugh at the crudity of a lined jean. You can rail against progress, but whatever you think or write now, in a few years’ time you will be wearing a single-layer jean. They will get stronger and lighter, as the technology develops. The only way for Kevlar jeans to get stronger is to make them thicker, heavier, and hotter. And that’s not an opinion. That’s a fact!

[@aunoates6617]

Hood Jeans offer three levels of armour protection yet you say you chose the lightest most comfortable option . Isn’t that exactly the sort of choice that Chris is talking about?

[@gvybin]

@@aunoates6617 This is not about Hood, lets not distract to much from what Chris sells. But to answer , the SK11:AAA is only compatible with the D3O Ghost , not the other D3O armour types.

[@aunoates6617]

@@gvybin Yes, I know it is the only option for the slim fit jeans....that was my point...that you did not choose the most robust kit on offer because of style or comfort reasons.

[@The3osforos]

Reading the answers from Motolegends in this thread is ridiculous. The guy typing is so full of himself he thinks he is the only one to know the sole and full truth just because he has sold a bunch of products. What a joke.

[@lowman0914]

I just recently had a friend of mine lay his bike down at 110 mph and he was wearing single layer jeans, he slid for 100 yards and by the time he stopped his jeans looked like swiss cheese. He spent 3 days in the burn clinic because the road rash was so bad they had to treat them like 3rd degree burns. Just like him I ride a lot in the summer and in Alabama it gets HOT! But after seeing what kind of pain he went thru I started looking at and comparing jeans. I almost bought a pair of these single layer jeans but when I came across HOOD jeans and saw how much better they are (even know they weigh more) and the price of them I couldn't pass them up. They feel amazing and are very comfortable. Granted they are a little hotter then single layer but I feel a lot safer now. If you are going to buy a pair of single layer jeans I would say just go and buy a pair of regular jeans because the protection is about the same.

[@lostintheclouds8719]

Wow - thank you for sharing I will definitely stay away from single layer. I was considering them in addition to buying hood jeans but I don’t know how well these single layer AAA rated jeans protect. I would love to see someone do a test.

[@Jandejongjong]

Thnx man, I knew this single layer thing was a cheap sell thing. I got a full Kevlar jeans now. Bit heavy but stil oke in the summer. Better save then sorry!

[@Rob6020]

110mph says a lot.

[@404michaelnotfound]

What A rating did those jeans have? I have my eyes on the John Doe Defender single layer with AAA rating, but I am a bit hesitant

[@leea.3772]

My understanding is jeans are not for interstate or 100mph. Only a good quality leather. Jeans are for rising around town.

[@stevewalker2028]

"Ignore the safety ratings and buy these expensive single layer jeans." No, I'll stick to leather and Hood jeans. My legs are worth 1.4kg of protection, and they're very comfortable.

[@1100andFortyEight]

With regards to the different strengths of single layer jeans, the “A” rated, Rokker Rokkertech straight jean in raw denim, advertised on your website with a CE Test Slide Time of 6.39 secs, looks to be a fantastic product. However, and only said in good faith, when tested for Bennett’s on a Cambridge machine using 60 grit paper, the same A rated jean only achieved 2.01 secs. Why the disparity in results, were the test conditions significantly different, ie was one test using 120 grit paper rather than 60 grit? Many thanks.

[@zonecompact1646]

Is this an answer video to @bennetsinsurance Bennets BikeSocial?

[@stevenkraus1679]

Your stillbat risk from road burn through heat transfer and friction with single layer jeans. Still better than regular though

[@jedberliner5402]

The ultra high molecular polyethylene begins to melt at about 170 fahrenheit, the temperature of an exhaust pipe. I don't like the idea of wearing napalm. Kevlar did not melt. Personally, I'm a fan of cordura which melts at maybe 490 degrees Fahrenheit

[@Motolegends]

I have been reading nonsense like this for 20 years. I have never heard of anybody burning their UHMWPE jeans on an exhaust, nor has there actually ever been an instance cited of somebody’s jeans melting as they slide down the road. You talk about Cordura; it simply isn’t strong enough; you’ll get a two second slide time in a Cordura pant. If you want to save your skin, muscles, ligaments and so on from the effects of abrasion resistance, there’s no jean construction that’s better than one using a UHMWPE. Well, unless you want to wear a pair of Kevlar jeans so thick you can barely walk in them.

[@thegenxrider]

​@@Motolegends Sorry, but you are wrong! I have a pair of Kevlar lined cargo pants (Hood) that have racked up around 15,000kms here in South America. I have no issues walking in them or in the heat. I get that you sell single-layer jeans and it's in your own interest to defend them against kevlar lined jeans, but please don't lower yourself to comments like "so thick you can barely walk in them" which is blatantly false. Talking of false... The Bennets Social video which I assume you have seen, clearly states that single-layer jeans offer nowhere near the protection of kevlar lined jeans. Are you saying that the Bennets video and testing they had performed are false or misleading?

[@Motolegends]

GenXrider It is typical of people who comment on social media that they say things like ‘you are wrong’ based solely on their own experience. If you had ever worn a single-layer jean you would think differently. And when one doesn’t realise that there’s a much better option out there, one tends to think that what one has is the best. Well, you need to get out more. In comparison with a single-layer jean, a kevlar jean is hot and heavy. That’s not a claim; it’s merely a physical reality. In terms of lowering myself, you need to understand that we used to sell kevlar jeans; in fact we sold tens of thousands of pairs of them. But we the discovered single-layer jeans and realised that Kevlar jeans were just so clumpy and unsophisticated in comparison. Bennetts is an insurance company. What they know about clothing is, literally, not worth knowing. Bennetts Social is little more than ‘click bait’ designed to get you to buy insurance products. They are not serious journalists intent on serious investigation. We, by contrast, are the most serious player in the field. And if I quote a slide time in any marketing, it is because I have a certificate on file substantiating the claim. This was known to Bennetts before they made their video, but they were too lazy to come and see them. I was not at liberty to send them because they were commissioned by Rokker, but I will send a copy of any certificate to any individual who writes to me asking to see one. Bennetts tested an A rated jean. The Rokker Rokkertech jean is AA rated, and I have a certificate from SATRA citing a slide time of 6.96 seconds, confirming that it has a better slide time than the Hood jean. It is also, of course, so much nicer to wear. Watch the video. What I say should not be too confusing. You can get incredibly strong single-layer jeans; you can get incredibly strong lined jeans. But single -layer jeans are simply so much nicer to ride in and walk around in. The irony here is that you are doing little more than reciting what you have heard elsewhere. That you are ;prepared to go into print and publish a view based on something you have no knowledge of or experience in typifies the kind of hysteria that is promulgated ion social media. Get a pair of good single-layer jeans. Ride in them; then do some thinking on your own behalf, and then articulate your findings. Repeating somebody else’s nonsense does not do anybody credit.

[@thegenxrider]

@@Motolegends It's nice to know that my 15,000kms of experience riding using lined kevlar jeans is basically worthless against your condescending attitude. LOL! Let's keep this simple, as apparently, I'm not very bright and cannot think for myself. Would you rather have an off at 70mph in single-layer jeans or lined kevlar jeans?​​

[@prat3647]

@@thegenxrider I think the Bennetts video is misleading, and if you look in the comments section a number of others do, some well regarded companies as well such as Knox Armour (if Bennetts haven't censored that post). I posted a comment to that effect on the Bennetts video and Bennetts deleted it on the grounds it was in some way offensive, or incited hate. Here is the comment in question that I posted on the Bennett's video. My main issue is about the sweeping statement about the "Cambridge Machine" test. To be clear, this comment was posted on the Bennetts video in response to that journalism, but I am reposting it here as Bennetts deleted it and will not allow it on their thread. "Some of your statements, whether made with the best intentions or not, are scientifically incorrect. The Cambridge machine is most certainly not a more realistic example of a bad crash on the grippiest surface. When you come off a bike and begin to slide, you immediately begin to decelerate. The rate of deceleration will be determined by the coefficient of friction of what is sliding, which in this case is the material from which the jeans are made. The Cambridge machine does not in any way take this into account, the velocity is kept constant. This is not what happens in a crash, you do not slide forever, hence your assertion that "the Cambridge machine is a more realistic example of a bad crash on the grippiest surface" is false. The Darmstadt test however, drops the jeans at a set speed, and they then decelerate until they stop, and then the damage is assessed to see if they pass. Which is far more similar to what happens in a crash. Put another way, a very weak material soaked in a highly technical lubricant could well have a better slide time on the Cambridge machine than a motorcycle jean, be that a single layer jean or a lined one. The problem we have here is that we have a journalist hungry for clicks going up against a marketeer desparate for sales, both trying to simplify a highly technical and scientific subject when it is not really appropriate to do so."

[@db21071979]

Very useful video for the newcomers, thanks a lot! i wear the Kevlar jeans in autumn/winter and single layer in spring/summer.

[@alexlloyd6112]

you should watch Bennetts Bikes. They actually offer a scientific and informative video with independent results, rather than this waffle ^

[@lostintheclouds8719]

Very informative- ty. I’ve been looking for a fully lined Kevlar because I’m told that the uhmpwe material has a melt issue. I’ve been learning more about that material. It’s hard to find my inseam in a AAA rated jean. I’m 28” inseam, waist 38-40. Female but they don’t make women’s jeans this big so I have to go to men’s. But they don’t seem to make the inseam under 30 for men. I’ve been researching for weeks trying to learn about this stuff. It’s really quite a science. Some brands don’t even list their a rating - tobacco doesn’t - and though I’ve asked them they replied back not apparently knowing what that even means. And then the other issue is the knee armor not lining up. I just hope I can find something

[@pamvarnsverry2444]

Quote: Some brands don’t even list their a rating - tobacco doesn’t - and though I’ve asked them they replied back not apparently knowing what that even means. unquote. If I am correct Tobacco are an American company and only need to have their motorcycle clothing CE tested and approved if they are to be sold in Europe and the UK. There are a number of brands that offer an alteration service .

[@lostintheclouds8719]

@@pamvarnsverry2444 the only companies I have come across in America are tobacco and NBT clothing, which both do not display a CE rating on any of their gear - it’s not on their website either. I have no idea what the rating is and they won’t tell me either. The only reply they gave me was that they had basically worked really hard on their products making sure it was safe. I wish I could attach the reply to me in this photo. It was on Instagram and I can’t copy and paste.

[@edwarner3826]

Any specs on the new Rokker jean you can share?

[@Motolegends]

They are AAA and coming soon. Not much more to know, really; other than that they will be much nicer and lighter to wear than an AAA rated Kevlar jean. CP

[@andrewwallwork8297]

@@Motolegends Is coming soon likely to be before June?

[@markwilliams8655]

Unfortunately Chris has done Motolegends more harm than good in this very name calling video, Hood jeans here I come!!!

[@joelhooton2215]

Noticed you don't seem to carry John Doe single layer AAA jeans, they are the only single layer with that rating I can find here in Canada, wondering if there is a reason you don't carry them? Thanks for the video by the way!

[@Motolegends]

In the past, John Doe has made up their own, illegal CE labels. This may no longer be the case, but unfortunately this left me with the impression that this was a company I could not trust. This is why we don’t sell their jeans. CP.

[@Jandejongjong]

Sounds a bit to negative. I ride my Kevlar lined jeans on a hot day. And it’s not realy that hot?! You act like it’s realy hot. Why so overreacting?

[@LobeyD]

Yeah definitely - just a bit TOO defensive there Chris

[@RedZeshinX]

Informative and helpful as usual, good stuff to consider.

[@Vjekoslav-vf3hr]

What do u think about waterproof riding jeans? Do u sell WP jeans? I have pair of BMW. I think Held has one model too

[@Motolegends]

Waterproof jeans with a drop-liner membrane don’t work because they wet out. The only properly waterproof jean is the Rokker Revolution. There’s a new, improved Revolution coming very soon. CP

[@Vjekoslav-vf3hr]

I have problems posting the answer with web links to this two laminated wp jeans : BMW waterproof jeans (I have it) and HELD Barrier jeans .... so please ask Google before next reply

[@simonmasters2987]

So do you currently sell any AAA single layer jeans?

[@edwarner3826]

Good question. I’d like to know too.

[@Motolegends]

Yes, the PMJ Tex Pro., the Dainese Classic Regular Tex and the Spidi J&Dyneeema Evo. CP

[@monsieurmaurice3951]

Very clear. Merci!

[@kevskibiz]

Great info thank you 👍

[@peterhobbs7609]

Bang on again Chris, great content

[@zachariaszut]

So now I know. Cheers.

[@dylanrichards9984]

Great video, and very informative 👍

[@SteveW67]

Very interesting thanks Chris, Edwin jeans you're rich !!! 😂

[@Jandejongjong]

How do I block this nonsense

[@Benboy1980]

Chris responding to the Bennetts video with his usual panache. Pistols at dawn gentlemen, it’s the only way. I have every intention of buying some single layer jeans from you btw, I’ll be coming by soon 👍🏻👏🏻