Alpinestars Copper Denim Pants
Editor Score: 84.5%Aesthetics 9.0/10Protection 8.5/10 Value 8.0/10Comfort/Fit 9.25/10 Quality/Design 9.0/10 Weight 8.5/10 Options/Selection 8.0/10Innovation 7.0/10Weather Suitability 8.75/10Desirable/Cool Factor 8.5/10
Overall Score84.5/100A few years ago, riding jeans with armor were big news. Now, most of the major manufacturers are making them, and that’s good for riders who want protection but don’t want to look like Power Rangers at the office or when running their daily errands. As part of
Alpinestars City Collection, the
Copper Denim Pants continue this trend in the form of*traditionally-styled jeans with removable armor.
The jeans themselves are constructed of 13 oz. denim which coincides with much of the medium-weight denim used in standard streetwear. Underneath, the denim on the knees, hips, and seat areas are lined with Kevlar for abrasion and tear resistance. While the coverage is not as extensive as in the
Bull-It Jeans I tested last year, the primary impact points that take the most abuse in a crash appear well protected. The Alpinestars Kevlar liners float between the rider and the outer denim for a more comfortable, less restrictive fit than those with the additional layer(s) sewn on all sides to the outer fabric.
The shape of the cuts in the armor allow it to easily mold to the shape of your knee for better comfort.
The pocket is filled completely with the armor, leaving no room for adjustment. The location worked very well for me, though.
The CE-certified knee armor is comfortable and falls in the perfect location for my leg dimensions. Unlike other jeans, the armor sits*correctly on my knees regardless of whether I’m standing or in a riding position. The slight pre-curve to the jeans at the knees improves their fit by limiting the bunching of fabric behind the rider’s knees when seated – much in the same way that pre-curved gloves work on a*rider’s hands. Although the Alpinestars fact sheet and website state the knee armor’s position is adjustable, it fits snugly within its pocket, which is sewn to the layer of Kevlar with no room for adjustment, so you might want to try them on before a purchase. The fit, however, was perfect for my 32-inch inseam.
The armor stayed where it was supposed to on my knee when riding. Occasionally, after walking for a while, I had to shift the armor’s position slightly outward when getting back on the bike.
On either hip, a removable pad will help absorb some of the impact in a tip-over, but the amount of protection is not CE-certified. The pads’ placement can be adjusted by moving them fore or aft on the hook-and-loop fastener sewn into the jeans. I have worn riding jeans with much stouter armor in the hips, but I had to pay a comfort price for the additional protection. Riders will need to decide for themselves if the hip pads are enough for them.
While the Kevlar’s coverage is less than some riding jeans I’ve tested, its free-floating attachment to the denim makes it comfortable against the skin.
The classic jeans fit is comfortable, and the sizing of the size 34 jeans fits my middle-aged waist and 32-inch inseam without rising up if I’m in a sporty riding position. Unlike many pairs of riding jeans I have tested, I am barely aware of the armor on either my knees or hips – both on a bike and off. In fact, I wear them on days that I’m watching the other motojournalists ride as I take photos because it is much less painful putting my knee down in the gravel when it’s protected by armor. Beyond the additional protection provided by the Alpinestars Copper Denim Pants, they are completely unobtrusive in the real world. While I gladly profess my love of motorcycling, I’d rather do it by my actions and statements than by wearing a costume in the grocery store.
Alpinestars’ attention to detail is top-notch. Not a single stray thread was visible on the pants. The branded rivets are a nice touch.
Whether you are commuting or just running around with friends, the Alpinestars Copper Denim Pants look good on and off your bike while providing abrasion resistance in major contact points and CE-certified protection for the knees. Retailing for $229.95 in black and rinsed blue, the Copper Denim Pants are available in international sizes 28–40 online or from your local Alpinestars dealer. For more information, visit
Alpinestars.com.
Although the hip pads are not CE-approved, like the knee armor, they were comfortable when installed in the pants and will provide some shock absorption in a crash.
The pre-curved knees make for a comfortable fit on the bike.
MO Tested: Alpinestars Copper Denim Pants appeared first on
Motorcycle.com.
Click here for full story...