I have a pair of the AUS Draggin jeans but I'm not happy with the fit.  I'm a big fan of the fit of Levis 501 jeans.  Does anyone know of a kevlar reinforced jean with the fit of the 501?  Or has anyone tried to retrofit 501s with kevlar? 

I like the Bubbles avatar!

I've seen people w/ decent sewing machines add kevlar panels to jeans. I'm thinking about going that route w/ a few pair of cheap sam's club jeans. I'm going to go one size bigger though to leave room for leg armor and padded compression shorts. The kevlar is great for abrasion, but not impact.

Have you checked these? I don't know anything about them other than that they were mentioned in a similar thread.

http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/html/products.html

I have Shift Lodown jeans from Motostrano myself, good jeans with room for knee protectors - very very baggy.

Quote from: monsterRS on July 26, 2009, 07:10:31 PM
I have a pair of the AUS Draggin jeans but I'm not happy with the fit.  I'm a big fan of the fit of Levis 501 jeans.  Does anyone know of a kevlar reinforced jean with the fit of the 501?  Or has anyone tried to retrofit 501s with kevlar? 

I have the same idea.  I actually bought some kevlar fabric off eBay, and it's just sitting here.  I've been wearing my bmw city pants so much that I don't really want anything else.  (I have been thinking about lining the seat with kevlar, but then I couldn't wear them in the summer.)

Here's the problem with most Kevlar jeans and trying to retrofit denim with Kevlar.  As soon as you touch the ground, those Kevlar panels that are sewn into the cotton denim will simply tear away like tissue paper, leaving your nice, pink dermis bare to the ground.  Anything that only use Kevalr panels are next to worthless.

If you must wear a jean type pant, make sure it utilizes Kevlar in the actual weave of the garment.  We do make a jean called the Fantan that is 60% Kevlar, 30% Nylon, 10% Denim.  It fits much like the 501, but they do tend to run long.  Even at 6'5", I have to cuff them.  They have the exact look of normal denim jeans, and after a short break-in, feel like them as well. 

Also keep in mind that you should be wearing supplimental armor.  Even our Fantan pants will only help with abrasion resistance.  I highly recommend wearing an armored short and knee/shin armor.  So now what you have is the hassle of putting on an armored short, strapping in knee gaurds, then slipping your jeans on oever the top.  OR, you could just wear some proper riding pants.  Unless you are completely opposed to dedicated riding pants because of the fashion, just forget about the jeans.  They are a compromise even under the best of conditions.

If you are interested in the Fantan jean, I will get some pictures for you.

Thanks Dan.  I'll look into them.  I do own Dainese leather riding pants but for short rides to the store or restaurant, hopping into those just isn't practical.  At least with kevlar jeans you have some abbrasion resistance versus regular jeans.  I also have removable armor that I wear with the jeans. 

I'll have to find some of those Dainese to try on.

Quote from: Dainesedan on July 28, 2009, 02:44:40 PM
Here's the problem with most Kevlar jeans and trying to retrofit denim with Kevlar.  As soon as you touch the ground, those Kevlar panels that are sewn into the cotton denim will simply tear away like tissue paper, leaving your nice, pink dermis bare to the ground.  Anything that only use Kevalr panels are next to worthless.

If you must wear a jean type pant, make sure it utilizes Kevlar in the actual weave of the garment.  We do make a jean called the Fantan that is 60% Kevlar, 30% Nylon, 10% Denim.  It fits much like the 501, but they do tend to run long.  Even at 6'5", I have to cuff them.  They have the exact look of normal denim jeans, and after a short break-in, feel like them as well. 

perhaps.  I have an acquaintance who did a 50mph slide on some Shift Torque jeans and came away without a scratch.  Jeans even look pretty normal.

Will they hold up in every crash?  of course not.

Quote from: Privateer on July 28, 2009, 06:16:24 PM
perhaps.  I have an acquaintance who did a 50mph slide on some Shift Torque jeans and came away without a scratch.  Jeans even look pretty normal.

Will they hold up in every crash?  of course not.

"Perhaps" is the operative word. I try not to wear things I don't know will hold up in a crash.

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Dainese_Fantan_Textile_Pants--614183.html

Quote from: NAKID on July 28, 2009, 07:33:06 PM
http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Dainese_Fantan_Textile_Pants--614183.html

They only have them in size 42 and up.

that would be metric, no?

Quote from: kopfjager on July 29, 2009, 09:12:25 AM
They only have them in size 42 and up.

Euro sizing.  Add 18 to your waist size to get you in the ballpark.

Just a side note on the Fantan.  I absolutely love mine (and have unfortunately crash tested them due to deaf, dumb and blind M3 driver), but I generally recommend you wash them in cold and hang dry them.  The dryer is verboten.  It will make the Kevlar crunch up and make the pant uncomfortable and look funny.

Quote from: Dainesedan on July 28, 2009, 02:44:40 PM

..........................

If you must wear a jean type pant, make sure it utilizes Kevlar in the actual weave of the garment.  We do make a jean called the Fantan that is 60% Kevlar, 30% Nylon, 10% Denim. 

...............................................

Kneedraggers.com say 60% cotton(denim), 34% Cordura and 6% Kevlar. You or they wrong?

Also, do you think they are baggy enough to fit knee armor under?

Quote from: stopintime on July 29, 2009, 11:57:42 AM
Kneedraggers.com say 60% cotton(denim), 34% Cordura and 6% Kevlar. You or they wrong?

Also, do you think they are baggy enough to fit knee armor under?

I'm afraid they are mistaken.  I'm not sure where they got those numbers.  And, yes, they are roomy enough for armor.