Motorcycle pants should be a key part of any biker's gear. To make sure you stay safe and comfortable on your bike, no matter what type of riding you’re doing, picking the right pair is essential.
Motorcycle pants can really enhance the riding experience. Specifically designed for bikers, they can tackle the challenges of temperature, comfort, and safety all in one garment. Just as you’re highly unlikely to get on your motorcycle without your helmet or jacket, motorcycle pants should be a standard part of your kit to increase your level of protection.
Finding the right motorcycle pants doesn’t just help riders stay safe, but keeps them comfortable as they ride. To help riders find the right pair, here are some key features to look out for when choosing motorcycle pants.
Motorcycle pants are specifically designed to handle the unique challenges of motorcycling. They offer more protection, comfort, flexibility and safety than casual pants which aren’t designed for riding.
Pants can be specifically designed for a number of purposes, including track racing, motocross, off-roading, touring and daily commuting. There are motorcycle pants to suit every need, body type, and style, and featuring varying levels of impact protection.
Motorcycle pants can be categorized by the type of material used to make them:
Although these are the main categories of motorcycle pants that are available, there is a huge variety when it comes to the quality, level of protection and comfort that each pair offers. As well as thinking about the features you want from your pants, it’s important to check the specifications of each pair and ideally try them on to make sure they fit well before you buy.
The main reason for wearing motorcycle pants is the extra protection that they offer riders in the case of a fall or accident. Compared to normal pants, motorcycle pants are built to resist the abrasion and impact risk that comes with the territory. Riders who choose high-quality materials, and wear a minimum of CE or UKCA Level 1 impact protection such as that offered by D3O, are less likely to suffer major injuries during a crash.
Consider what kind of riding you’re doing. If you just use your bike to commute to work, you might prefer lightweight impact protection that acts in a ‘fit-and-forget’ capacity. D3O® Ghost™ armor is the most flexible impact protection available without any compromise on safety.
Bikers looking to head off-road or onto a track might prefer to choose from D3O’s LP range. The breathable knee and hip pads offer Level 1 or Level 2 impact protection (LP1 and LP2 Pro respectively), and are tested and trusted in the harshest conditions.
Motorcycle pants usually come with impact protection pads included or pockets to host these, offering the option to swap or upgrade the protection type or level.
Created with riders in mind, motorcycle pants put safety first, closely followed by comfort and practicality. Safety features, such as the inclusion of impact protection and hard-wearing materials, work best when paired with comfort aspects such as stretch panels, moisture-wicking fabric, or mesh layers. It’s important that riders aren’t distracted by sweat or uncomfortable seams when riding as this can also lead to accidents.
When you’re looking for your ideal motorcycle pants, there are plenty of features you need to consider, including:
As well as looking at the features, the best way to find your ideal motorcycle pants is to try them on. This is the only real way you can see if the fit and material are comfortable enough for you to move and ride freely. After all, motorcycle pants should keep you feeling good, protected and improve your riding experience.