82 | AUGUST 2015

PRODUCT TEST RIDING JEANS

Draggin Holeshot £259.99

Price includes CE-certified knee and hip armour

CE tested? Yes, Level 2

Sizes 28-44 (all with 34in inside leg)

Colours Blue

www.thekeycollection.co.uk

These are straight-leg, mid-rise, rigid denim jeans

that have passed CE Level 2 with a 7.45-second

abrasion result. They have a nice, reassuring feel

to them, but that’s been achieved in part by a

full-length lining that makes them bulky in the thigh

and hips. To put that in context, they’re more bulky

than the bulkiest Resurgence jeans but less so

than the RoadSkins.

The Knox armour is a nice fit and remains in

place whether you’re on or off the bike. When

you’re walking around in the jeans they’re very

comfortable and feel almost quilted inside, with

Draggin’s own Roomoto lining used effectively

to help prevent sweat. For a less bulky Draggin

option, albeit at the expense of some protection,

consider the Twista.

Scores Comfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/5

Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/10

Practicality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/5

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Resurgence Voyager £240

Price includes CE-certified knee and hip armour

CE tested? Yes, Level 2

Sizes 30-44 (all have 32.5in seam)

Colours Black, navy, light blue, vintage brown

www.resurgencegear.net

These join the Bull-it Veloce and Draggin Holeshot

as protective jeans rated to CE Level 2, with an

abrasion result of 10.83 seconds from their Pekev

fabric. Where they differ to both the others is the

fit and tailoring. While still more bulky than regular

jeans, the Voyagers disguise it well, and in the

vintage brown colour offer a stylish alternative

to regular blue denim.

That said, the pronounced Knox hip protection is

unflattering – though easily removed when you’re

off the bike. Velcro boots straps are an annoyance,

as they are on the Bull-it Veloce, but the

combination of safety, style and comfort wins them

a RiDE Recommended triangle and makes them the

pick of the full, CE-approved protective jeans

currently available.

ScoresComfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/5

Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/10

Practicality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/5

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

These people know how to put jeans together

Knox armour unobtrusive on and off the bike

Velcro boot straps: a necessary CE evil

Quality mesh lining gives a quilted feel