Gear Review Time!
TL,DR: Ladies, HURRY! Worse for Wear is sadly closing, and is selling their remaining stock for half off. Check their site for available sizes, and buy now to get a great deal and GREAT riding jeans!
I first heard about Worse for Wear jeans when my local coffee shop (Two Stroke, and they’re awesome. Check ‘em out if you find yourself in Portland.) announced last December that they were hosting a Worse for Wear pop-up shop. I’d been on a quest for the perfect protective riding jeans as an alternative to my Aerostich for riding to brunch, and thought I’d take a look. I had the chance to meet Laura, the owner, in person and try on jeans! Laura took the time to take some measurements and what customizations to make my jeans fit me like a protective glove. My husband surprised me by offering to buy them as my Christmas present, so long as I promised to forget what my present was for a few weeks. I chose the Crosstown 4.0 Slim Riding Jeans (also available in a Curvy cut) in indigo, and just needed some nipping in at the waist and a little length taken off.
On to the protective particulars, which I’ve grabbed from the Worse for Wear site:
The jeans are made in the USA of either Armalith 2.0 or Armalith 4.0 fabric, which is a heavy abrasion-resistant fabric. The jeans also ship with SAS-TEC CE Level 2 knee armor and CE Level 1 hip armor. Yes, that armor is included in the price! The Armalith 4.0 fabric offers 4 seconds of abrasion resistance, but it’s also lightweight and breathable. In an extra safety-conscious touch, Worse for Wear doesn’t use rivets – those can heat up during a slide. Instead, stress points have reinforced stitching.
Ok, but what are they like to wear?
I really wanted riding jeans that looked like…jeans. Not like jeans with obvious armor pocket stitching or other giveaways. These fit the bill amazingly – no telltale pocket seams, and no crazy hip or knee bulges to give away the protection under the denim. They’re higher waisted than I normally buy jeans, but as you can see in the photo, that means your assets are actually….covered. Huge plus. When I first got mine, they were stiff. Really stiff. I was a little worried about how they’d break in, and it’s taken me a handful of rides to start to feel comfortable in them. Because they just look like jeans, I can actually wear them to work and spend the day in them – doing that a couple of times has really helped the break in. They’re getting just the right amount of give in the right places (butt, knees) without stretching out like fashion jeans tend to. I know I’m going to get years of wear out of these, so when I heard that Worse for Wear is closing up, I rushed to get a second pair in black, also custom tailored based on the measurements that Laura had on file for me.
I’ve worn my jeans when it’s been about 50 degrees out, and as hot as nearly 80 so far. They do breathe (I got just a bit chilly when it was 50 degrees) well. I was really comfortable when it was hot out. I do notice the engine heat on my left calf a little more than I do when I’m in my Aerostich, but that’s predominately at stops. Once I’m moving, the airflow dissipates the heat nicely. I won’t wear these if it’s likely to rain, but that’s because I really don’t like getting wet, and jeans just soak up water.
A huge two thumbs up to my husband for an awesome Christmas gift, and to Worse for Wear for doing what I don’t think anyone else out there is really doing – making great looking and highly protective riding jeans for women of so many sizes.