How is the effectiveness of EVOQE motorcycle jeans armour tested?

It is common knowledge among bikers that the two things that save your skin on the road are protective motorcycle clothing and body armour. Of these two, the latter is focused towards preventing injury from impact. Impact is the moment your body touches the hard asphalt. A number of factors determine the intensity of the fall including the weight of the biker and the relative speed at which they fall.

Depending upon the intensity, impact can be highly injurious.  This is why companies such as EVOQE ensure that their motorcycle jeans armour is tested and certified according to set standards. In this case the standard refers to the CE (Conformité Européene or Certified European) EN (European Norm) 1621-1:2012. The numbers 1621 refer to the armour being specialized for motorbike riding purpose. The “1” refers to the area the armour protects (everywhere but the back) and 2012 is the year the standard was last updated.  

CE EN 1621-1:2012 Test Method

This test method is specifically used for motorbike jeans armour worn on limbs and joints. The test apparatus includes a 50 mm radius anvil mounted on a load cell. The anvil is connected to the base through a high speed force transducer that is used to measure the impact. The second piece of apparatus is an 80 mm-40 mm striking face or impactor weighing 5 kg.

The sample piece of armour is placed on the anvil and the impactor is dropped on it. The height of the drop is adjusted so that the impact speed is 4.47 m/s. This creates energy of about 50 joules. The force transmitted through the armour to the anvil is recorded via the force transducer.

To pass the test, the maximum value of force transmitted to the anvil should be no less than 35 kN. Other than that, any single value must not exceed 50 kN. The armour’s performance differs in high and low temperatures, and humid conditions. Several other tests are undertaken to ensure the armour delivers.

EVOQE Motorcycle Jeans’ Certified Armour

As an up and coming moto-garment company, EVOQE dedicates great time and attention to the quality of its products. As such, all knee and hip protectors used in EVOQE Motorcycle Jeans are CE Level 2 certified, which offer highest level of impact protection for riders.

Additionally, the armour is removable and can be taken out via an inside pocket of motorcycle Kevlar jeans with a hidden zipper. Soft armour is used which does not feel uncomfortable and sits snugly on either the knee cap or hip joint.

Forcefield Armour in EVOQE Motorcycle Jeans

Forcefield is one of the most reputable body armour manufacturing companies worldwide. It is the winner of many awards based on the quality and performance of its products. It claims to be “the world’s highest performing and comfortable body armor” manufacturers. Indeed, Forcefield soft armour pads are some of the best in the market.

Forcefield knee and hip protectors have a number of features that differentiate it from competition. First, they are CE EN 1621-1 Level 2 certified. When tested, armours that transmit lower energy are more effective. When submitted to the EN 1621-2 test, Forcefield body armours transmit as low as 10 kN of force, making them highly reliable. 

The Forcefield Isolator 2 Upgrade Armour used in EVOQE Xplore, Tourx, Gladiax Relaxed Motorcycle Kevlar Jeans is made with exclusive Dri-M technology. It also comes with RPT (Repeat Performance Technology). They are breathable, absorptive and mould to the riders contour.  The lightweight body armour range disperses energy evenly over the surface.

Overall, Forcefield armours tick all the boxes: comfort, performance, minimalistic design, and quality. In the EVOQE collection, a large number of protective jeans use Forcefield knee and hip protectors. These include the Tourx Motorcycle Kevlar Slim Fit Jeans and the Xplore NS Motorcycle Kevlar Jeans. 

To take a closer look at EVOQE products, visit www.evoqe.co.uk

EVOQE Women: The Liberte Kevlar Motorcycle Jeans for Women

The EVOQE Women’s Liberte Series with the original Liberte and Liberte Nite is a fitting option for women on two wheels to use in touring, commuting between home and work and even simply running an errand. They have a smooth and comfortable construct and are made even better with the addition of quality protective Kevlar fabric.

The trendy Liberte Women’s motorcycle jeans are made with stretchable denim fabric. The corrugated stretch panels at knee and back account for the comfortable grooves that let the rider move around in the jeans. The leg wear is not rigid but flexible. The front whiskers design gives Liberte the stylish boost it needs. Furthermore, the jeans have tapered leg bottoms for a classic look.

Women can testify the frustration of not having jeans pockets big enough to fir their stuff in them on the go. The Liberte jeans come with sizeable front and back pockets so that you can take all your essentials with you; keys, money, cards- you name it.

Another common problem with motorcycle jeans is particularly concerned with the heat of friction caused during sliding in a road crash. The rivets that are used to hold the armour or protective material in place heat up and end up causing small, yet painful burns to the rider. Liberte jeans along with a number of other EVOQE jeans have no rivets.

From a technical point of view, the Liberte Womens’ Motorcycle Kevlar Jeans are made with three layers of fabric. While the outer layer is 12 oz strong stretchable denim and the inner most is that of high quality cotton, it is the middle layer that holds the most important. All EVOQE jeans including Liberte are reinforced with original DuPont Kevlar. The 100% (undiluted) Kevlar lining lies between the denim and cotton and is responsible for protecting the rider against tear and abrasion.

There’s also a third thing that you will need to be protected from and that is impact. When you go sliding down tarmac, the road offers a resistive force and works against you and your clothes resulting in possible abrasion and tear. But even before that you can get injured from the intensity of your fall. To protect against this dangerous impact, all motorcycle jeans offer protective armour. EVOQE Liberte Ladies Motorcycle Kevlar Jeans comes with a set of the very best removable CE Level 2 EN 1621-1: 2012 approved knee and hip armour. These are high quality, shock-absorbent protectors and will save you from impact injury.

Apart from all these features and additions, the Liberte series has double stitch construction so that the Kevlar does not ride up during riding leaving the lower area unprotected. They are available in waist sizes 26 "- 38" with inseam length 29" & 31”.

The EVOQE Liberte Ladies Motorcycle Kevlar Jeans for Women retail for £109.99 and can be purchased on the official website www.evoqe.co.uk

Explaining Protective Motorcycle Jeans Terminology

Motorcycle Jeans reinforced with protective fabrics make part of essential gear for the modern motorbike rider. They protect you from serious harm that the harsh road can cause you in case of a crash.

If you’re a beginner looking for a good pair of Motorcycle Jeans for your first ride, understanding motorcycle Jeans terminology can be overwhelming. In this article, we break down all the difficult terms into simple, understandable explanations so that you can make an informed choice.

Before we begin, let us talk about the various component parts of a pair of motorcycle Jeans. There are three main categories to focus on. We will be explaining terms under each of these categories.

The first is the outer fabric with which the motorcycle Jeans is constructed. A lot rides upon the quality and endurance of the outer fabric so make sure you buy one which is sturdy enough to handle the crash. If outer fabric is not hard wearing and is of poor quality then it will not provide adequate support in case of fall.

Next comes the protective material. Almost all motorbike jeans used for commuting or touring have a layer of protective cloth underneath the main fabric. These protective materials are abrasion and tear resistant and offer extra protection if the main fabric tears apart.

Lastly, motorcycle pants come with armour. The important thing to focus on with armour is that it should be on par with the standard regulations of your region. If you’re living in the UK, all armour you use is required to pass the CE EN standards and tests. Armour which is not certified can be a dangerous thing as it will strip you of any impact protection in a crash and your body would take the full hit.

These are the three main things under which most motorbike jeans terminology comes.

Fabric: When it comes to fabric, there are a lot of choices out there but three of the most famous and commonly used fabrics are leather, textile and denim.

Leather:  Leather is a sturdy, firm material made by tanning animal raw hides. It is coveted for its abrasion and tear resistance but is not weather-friendly. Exposure to water can make it weaker and in hotter climates it makes the rider feel uncomfortable sure to no ventilation. It is also high maintenance and costs a lot.

Textile: Textile is made from synthetic polyester fabric like cordura. It’s a strong fabric that offers good abrasion resistance, can be washed like any other fabric, is waterproof and is cheaper than leather. However, most textiles are quite hot on warm day and bulky due to their construction.

Denim:  Denim is type of cotton fabric, distinguished due to its twill weaving procedure of production. Denim is usually used in making jeans that are used for casual wear but can also be used effectively as motorbike jeans for touring or commuting around town. Denim motorcycle jeans are reinforced with protective layers and come with knee and hip armours. They are cheaper than both textile and leather and provide good abrasion and tear resistance. The armour is used to absorb impact.

When it comes to commuting or touring, denim motorbike jeans reinforced with protective fabric are the most suitable option as they don’t look too bulky or awkward like leather or textile pants. All EVOQE motorbike jeans are made from 12 to 13 Oz heavy duty denim.

Protective Material:

Kevlar:  Kevlar is a synthetic, para-aramid known for its high tensile strength and heat resistance. It is used in ballistics, aerospace and protective clothing among other things. Kevlar is highly recommended for motorcycle protective jeans as it has high abrasion resistance. It is originally manufactured by DuPont group of industries.

Cordura: Made from a blend of different natural and synthetic fibers, Cordura is a strong material with excellent abrasion resistance. It was originally owned by DuPont but now belongs to INVISTA. Next to Kevlar, Cordura is good fabric for motorbike jeans and trousers protection.

Abrasion and Tear Resistance: Abrasion refers to the wearing away of something while tear is when something gets cut and is ripped apart. In motorcycle apparel terminology, any fabrics that do not wear away or cut easily have abrasion and tear resistance. Higher the resistance better is the material.

Motorcycle Jeans and Trousers stitching:

Sturdy construction and secure stitching of jeans and trousers is extremely important as it holds all the fabric together, thus protecting g the rider from road rash. A good and secure stitching on outer and inner seams ensures that the jeans can withstand burst strength in case of slip. This will help keep protective material like Kevlar stay in place and offer abrasion, heat and tear protection when required.  

Armour:

CE certified: All armours that are approved through the European standards CE EN 1621 are said to be CE certified. In the UK, armour that has not been approved according to these standards is not allowed to be worn by riders. Armours can be CE Level 1 or CE level 2 certified. CE level 2 are undergo more rigorous testing and offer better protection in case of impact.

Hard armour: Armour made using steel and other hard materials, usually in the form of layers and designed to fit the shape of the body part (e.g. knee) is known as hard armour. It is heavy and not very flexible.

Soft armour: Soft armour is more flexible and less bulky than hard armour. It is made using protective high density materials in innovative shapes.

EVOQE motorcycle jeans provide protection throughout riding. Our motorcycle jeans have been reinforced with Kevlar aramid fiber which offers protection from road rash. Kevlar is attached to internal seams of jeans with strong poly cotton lining which ensure Kevlar is securely positioned in its place to offer maximum protection.

Our motorbike jeans are made of superior quality materials. We use high quality strong and durable 12 Oz comfort denim fabric which is stretchy and offers great comfort during riding.

These motorbike jeans have protector pockets and Forcefield CE Level two protectors can be inserted in these hidden pockets.

These protectors come in light weight and thin width with superior protection; Forcefield development team has built these protectors to offer wonderfully soft, breathable and heat responsive materials.

EVOQE Tourx Motorbike jeans are part lined with heavy duty Kevlar at all impact areas. Kevlar coverage in these jeans is significantly more than other brand of Motorcycle jeans.

EVOQE Xplore and Estrada Motorbike Kevlar jeans are part lined jeans, however with additional feature of ribbed panels at knee and back waist for additional comfort. These are one of the most comfortable Motorcycle jeans for extended riding conditions.

Shop online EVOQE Motorbike protective jeans featuring Forcefield protectors from our website www.evoqe.co.uk

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How to Choose Correct Positioning of Knee Armour in Motorcycle Jeans?

A question that frequently crops ups among new riders concerns the correct positioning of your knee armour in motorcycle jeans. Where exactly should it be placed? Should it be a snug fit or a slightly loose one? And how will the position of the knee armour change in different positions?

Why is Knee Armour important in motorcycle jeans?

Knee armour protects your knee from getting injured. This is important not only because your knee is a joint  formed by your thigh and shin bone and is, in turn, weak, but also because its one of the high impact areas in a crash.  You’re more likely to damage your knee than any other part of your lower body.

Can you ride without knee armour? The answer is yes, you can. But doing so, you would be running the risk of serious injury to your knee. It has happened before to seasoned riders and has made the moto-garment industry more informed and driven to create protective armour. In short, knee armour is there for a reason.

Correct Positioning of Knee Armour in motorcycle jeans:

But even after getting armour, the query of its correct positioning remains. Knee armour is no good if its sits above or below your knee cap when you’re sitting down on your bike. Knee Armours are made in a cupping structure so that when you’re sitting down, the armour should cover your kneecap entirely. When you sit down your bike, your legs naturally bend and the jeans hike up a few inches. This means that when you’re standing, your knee armour might sit slightly on lower side of your knee, however it will be positioned correctly on knee once in riding position.

When you’re buying armoured motorcycle jeans its best to choose a correct length which fits you best in riding position. This is because your jeans would come to the perfect position, your ankle for example, when you sit down on your bike and you armour will fall into place.

Not all ready-made jeans sizes would be perfect for your body as each of us has a unique body structure and preferences. Moreover, you might find that a longer inseam length is slightly off on you but it’s a perfect fit for someone else with a build similar to yours. If you get jeans that are a bit too long on you, you might find that the armour is not positioned correctly in riding position and may not protect you if you fall off the bike. Your armour would instantly become worthless. It is imperative that you choose correct leg length of motorcycle jeans to ensure that knee armour is positioned correctly to protect you knee,  if your jeans is either too short or too long then you may find that knee armour is not in its right place to protect your knee.

EVOQE Tourx Kevlar Jeans

Another thing to ensure the armour stays in place during a crash is to have Velcro panels stitched into the inside of knee armour pockets, so that once you’ve sat down on the bike and the knee armour is positioned, the Velcro would keep the armour firmly in place in the pocket. EVOQE motorcycle jeans feature armour pockets which are securely stitched with outer seams and have Velcro to keep armour firmly in place. The knee armour pocket is used in jeans that come with removable armour. The EVOQE Tourx, Xplore, Urbano Motorcycle Kevlar Jean, for example, come with CE Level 2 EN approved knee armour.

With just a few simple measures, you can find the perfect sweet spot for your knee armour, all the while ensuring that it does its job and stays in place when and if you hit the pavement.

To get more information about EVOQE Motorcycle Armoured Jeans, please visit the official website at www.evoqe.co.uk