Making my own Kevlar Jeans

[Guest]

Hope I'm not asking an absolute stupid question - BUT - I'm gonna ask it anyway!

My current Draggin Jeans are HUGE! and I'm sure if I did come off, I would slid out of them! (I don't like belts)

So my question the outside of the jeans, apart from being treated with a water reisitant coating are they general normal jeans? My thought being, can you take the kevlar out of these and put it in a 'normal' pair of jeans and still have pretty much the same kinda protection?

I can't afford another pair after just recently buying my first flat.

Hope this ain't too blonde!

[spafe2302]

In theory yes, assuming you get similar thickness material in your new better fitting jeans. however you will have to double stitch it minimum (i'm going straight of the bat assuming you know how to do this to a very good standard). next I would then go over then and treble and probably quadrouple stitch them so the kevlar cannot move around in the jeans.

NOWS THE PROBLEM. you've also got to go over the rest of the entire set of jeans, and AT LEAST double stitch these. this will mean the jeans wont then fall apart at seams in the event of an off. Overall I think its very possible, although likely to be time consuming. It will also require you to be willing to see this through (stopping half way ruins 2 pairs of jeans and any re-sale value) and be pretty competant at stitching.

If you do go ahead with this idea then good luck.

[Jimmi_929RR]

I don't know for sure, but i think they are pretty much standard jeans (heavy weight mind) with the kevlar as a lining so theoretically yes (it's the kevlar that will protect you afterall). The only downside i can think of is that the stitching will probably be re-inforced and heavy duty and will you be able to copy that with a needle & thread?

However, my sewing experience: I sewed a press-stud on a jacket pocket once so i'm probably talking rubbish

Edit: ^ beaten to it!

[Guest]

Very good point! I'll talk to my dress maker and see what she suggests!

It may not be worth it in the end! I'd prefer my skin intact and I suppose you'll never know with making them yourself!

Thanks for the input though!

[spafe2302]

Well you could always ebay these ones then grab soem more at a show or somesuch that fit you better, prob shrink the costs down a lot, beyond that not relaly any otehr advice I could hazard at.

Dress maker!! how fancy

[Guest]

I need one! I'm 4ft8 so EVERYTHING has to be altered!

[Ingah]

Can a sewing needle even penetrate kevlar to stitch it?

[archiec]

I doubt it would be worth it Ruthie, an awfull lot of work and if your paying someone else to do it even more expensive, I got Hood jeans (google it ) as recomended on here somewhere, they do ladies jeans too and offer a shortening service as well, as for not liking belts get a pair of braces, there is a guy on bay of e that does good heavy duty ones ( I got them from him at a show ) and they hold my jeans up good

[Guest akey]

Sewing the kevlar wont be a problem as it will pass between the weave of the material, however cutting it will be something else, when I worked with Kevlar material on aircraft we needed special scissors called Kevlar Shears to get through the stuff.

You can get kevlar long johns to wear under normal jeans, there is a thread about it on here somewhere.

[DeeJ]

You can cut kevlar fabric with a good pair of tin snips. I suggest Stanley left hand cut as they have the tightest gap.

[Guest]

Sewing the kevlar wont be a problem as it will pass between the weave of the material, however cutting it will be something else, when I worked with Kevlar material on aircraft we needed special scissors called Kevlar Shears to get through the stuff.

You can get kevlar long johns to wear under normal jeans, there is a thread about it on here somewhere.

 

Thank you guys! Appreciate it!

Long johns, Hmmmm so you can literally where what you want over the top - i.e cheap jeans, (I'm not talking - just a pair of tights, apart from looking a wally....... ) I'll do a search

[Guest]

Hi I found the link, question is I've looked everywhere on the net to find out the level of Draggin Jeans, as on the search I found a link to a cheaper brand who list the cut level, but to be able to compare them to draggin I need to know the cut level and I can't find it anywhere.

Any ideas?

Thank you

[Guest akey]

Rufhie, I have actually spoken to the tech team at the company in that link.

They do 2 sets, one is pure kevlar and will provide good protection but not equivilent to leathers or good textiles. However for nearly twice the price they do a Dynema and Kevlar mix, which has at least the same if not better protection than Draggin Jeans and probably somewhere equal to textile stuff in terms of pure abrasion resistance.

Most Draggin Jeans use a Dynema and Kevlar mix, but what mixture is not released.

Cheaper Bike jeans tend to use just Kevlar (mine included) as its far cheaper (Dynema is hard to make).

I am seariously looking at getting some of these long johns to wear under MX kit on my road bike in summer.

Jeans themselves offer very little protection but with a kevlar or mixed lining they work very well, but its the kevlar and stiching that make this work. Therefore a set of long johns under normal jeans should be fine, although you might want to consider adding some pads (I wear knox knee pads under my kevlar jeans most of the time anyway).

Hope that helps.

Oh good tip DeeJ I will keep that in mind mate

[Guest]

Ah thanks for that, appreciate it! In his email he mentioned the ones they have advertised are level 2 but they can do upto level 5. He said level 2 were eqvilant to draggin, but never mention the dynema!

I would be tempted to go for the level 2, but do i just take his word for it as them being just as good as draggin!

[Guest]

Akey - I emailed them about the Dnyema last night this is the email I got back

Dear Ruth

We can produce a Level 5 Kevlar based Long Johns for £89.99 or Kevlar/Spectra Mix for £129.99. The both offer a cut level 5 however the K/S mix offer the highest level of protection against Abrasion, Tear and Heat.

The Kevlar LJ offers the same protection as the lining inside the Draggin Jeans and the K/S Mix LJ offers much better protection.

We can also manufacture jeans lined with any of the above or also with Dyneema. Please see the following costs;

Kevlar Lined Jeans £129.99

Kevlar/Spectra Jeans £169.99

Dyneema Jeans £199.99

I hope this helps

Kind Regards

Usman Mahiz LLM

[Guest]

Sorry for bringing this old post back.

I'm very interested in the Kevlar Long Johns, have you bought them?. I can't find the link of the company that makes them that you are commenting above. Can you give the link again?

I've seen this Draggin Liners, but are a bit more expensive after shipping and customs than the Dynema ones commented above.

I think they should offer more protection that kevlar jeans, that only have kevlar patches in some parts. The downside is that they look really hot. Are they really?

[Guest]

Hey, forgot about this thread, after all of that, I've only just brought the long johns. Received them monday.

Totally forgot all about that link! Hhhmmm wondering if I should have looked at that before buying the Draggin K legs!

Anyway, they are basically like jogging bottoms, but yet again I will need some taking off the length!

My only concern with going with the cheaper alternative long john is there aren't specifically for bikes, so I'd be weary as to whether they would do the job. They also don't give an idea of breathability as draggin's do which state they are suitable for warmer weather. I'll stick with the k legs for now and see how I get on. After all I've brought them for what there designed for whereas the cheaper one I'd constantly be thinking are these up to the job!

[RicKsTa]

Ruth, try and get a pair that fit you in waist but are too long. Then get some snips and cut the legs to length.. This way you only have to sew 1 section of the jeans..

ps.. Not read other posts as im a lazy sod, so if its been said, sorry.

[griff488]

I went to the bike show at the NEC last year and picked up a pair of the RST kevlar jeans for £70. What i saved paid for the entry into the show and the other half got a shoei lid for £95! Down from £190!

Worth going if you're after some gear!! Probably no use at the minute but there must be other shows on somewhere!!

[Guest]

Hey, forgot about this thread, after all of that, I've only just brought the long johns. Received them monday.

Totally forgot all about that link! Hhhmmm wondering if I should have looked at that before buying the Draggin K legs!

Anyway, they are basically like jogging bottoms, but yet again I will need some taking off the length!

My only concern with going with the cheaper alternative long john is there aren't specifically for bikes, so I'd be weary as to whether they would do the job. They also don't give an idea of breathability as draggin's do which state they are suitable for warmer weather. I'll stick with the k legs for now and see how I get on. After all I've brought them for what there designed for whereas the cheaper one I'd constantly be thinking are these up to the job!

 

Thank you Ruthie.

I guess this is what you got?: http://www.dragginjeans.com/ProductInfo ... id=DLINERS

I find it safer than the normal draggin jeans as they cover all the leg and they have those grabbers to the feet so they don't slide up. Also, if you trip with the bike you can leave the liner in the hotel if you go for a walk.

How thick is it?, I mean, could you wear it under jeans that are already a bit tight?.

Keep us updated about how hot they are, that's my main concern.

Also, they offer optional Knee and Hip armour, do the liner itself have armour pocket or do you have to have pockets in your trousers?

[Capitano]

Harking back to the original subject, yes it can be done.

My lad grew out of his first pair of Draggin's when he went to Uni and his diet changed somewhat!

The Draggin' kevlar/whatever lining strips are now in a pair of Primark jeans that were decently double stitched at the seams.

The job was done by a friend who owns a half decent sewing machine but is by no means a professional dressmaker.

[Guest]

Hey, forgot about this thread, after all of that, I've only just brought the long johns. Received them monday.

Totally forgot all about that link! Hhhmmm wondering if I should have looked at that before buying the Draggin K legs!

Anyway, they are basically like jogging bottoms, but yet again I will need some taking off the length!

My only concern with going with the cheaper alternative long john is there aren't specifically for bikes, so I'd be weary as to whether they would do the job. They also don't give an idea of breathability as draggin's do which state they are suitable for warmer weather. I'll stick with the k legs for now and see how I get on. After all I've brought them for what there designed for whereas the cheaper one I'd constantly be thinking are these up to the job!

 

Thank you Ruthie.

I guess this is what you got?: http://www.dragginjeans.com/ProductInfo ... id=DLINERS

I find it safer than the normal draggin jeans as they cover all the leg and they have those grabbers to the feet so they don't slide up. Also, if you trip with the bike you can leave the liner in the hotel if you go for a walk.

How thick is it?, I mean, could you wear it under jeans that are already a bit tight?.

Keep us updated about how hot they are, that's my main concern.

Also, they offer optional Knee and Hip armour, do the liner itself have armour pocket or do you have to have pockets in your trousers?

 

http://www.dragginjeans.net/product/k-legs

These are what I have. Still haven't wore them yet, only just getting warm enough. My dress maker is altering them this week for me and I will be trying them out with a pair of thin, tightish Jeans this weekend, I'll let you know how I get on with them. I will be adding a elastic stirup to the bottom. We'll see how it goes.