The Rise of Kevlar®-Lined Motorcycle Cargo Pants: Style Meets Slide Protection

• The best men's motorcycle cargo pants: Argon Phaze Cargo Pants
• The best women's motorcycle cargo pants: Bull-It Women's Coyote Jeans

Regular riders have long faced an awkward choice between arriving safely in bulky, Power Ranger-style riding pants, or risking skin in jeans just to look normal once they get off the bike.

At Bikebiz our team of riders have lived this struggle, walking into meetings in squeaky leathers and stiff touring trousers. It's easier to explain when you work at a bike shop, but it's still not the done thing, nor the most comfortable.

Enter motorcycle cargo pants. These aren't your standard pants with extra pockets. They fuse everyday functionality with high-speed safety, and look and feel as good out of the saddle as they do in it.

In this guide, we'll walk you through your motorcycle cargo pant options, and how they compare to the other ride-ready slacks on the market.

What makes modern motorcycle cargo pants safe?

It is easy to look at a pair of bike trousers and assume they're just heavy-duty cotton – but your standard hardware-store cargos have nothing on these beasts. The best integrate an aramid lining (like Kevlar® or Cordura) to give the pants incredible levels of tear and abrasion resistance.

Quality motorcycle cargo pants share a few key features:

• Aramid fibre lining: Hidden in the impact protection zones in the knees, thighs and tush, this layer provides the necessary slide time rating (the go-to measure for abrasion resistance) to keep you safe during a tumble.
• CE-rated impact armour: Removable hip protectors and CE Level 2 knee armour absorb the force of a fall. Look for adjustable armour pockets to ensure the pads sit precisely where they should.
• Burst-resistant construction: Unlike fashion jeans, motorcycle cargo pants typically use triple-stitched seams and an abrasion-resistant canvas to ensure the garment stays together under the huge friction forces of a slide.
• High-tenacity fibres: Many modern cargos weave materials like Cordura directly into the outer shell, creating a single-layer protective fabric that is surprisingly light and breathable – ideal for the Sydney summer.

Choosing your style: cargo vs. leather vs. textile

Selecting the right leg protection is about balancing the stride with the potential slide. Some riders enjoy the track and don't mind looking like they've just stepped off the podium at Phillip Island (fair). For others, riding is just a way to get from A to B, and they want to grab a flat white without turning heads.

Let's break down your options to find out which is right for you.

Cargo motorcycle pants

Beyond the hidden safety tech mentioned above, cargos are all about the storage factor. Secure tactical utility pockets let you take your phone, wallet, keys and garage remote with you – a level of convenience that traditional slacks simply lack. If you're looking for the ultimate in commuter-friendly gear, this is it.

Cargos are great for:

• Daily commuters and off-bike socialisers.
• Low-to-medium speed urban riding.
• Those looking for handy, functional storage.

Road leather pants

No riding pants offer more protection than road leathers, which are great for the track and the highway. But they aren't known for their comfort or style off the bike, and can have you walking like a robot. They may be overkill for low speed city commutes, particularly on hot and humid summer afternoons.

Leathers are great for:

• Track days and high-performance weekend riding.
• Maximum abrasion resistance if there's potential for a high-speed spill.
• Riders who prefer a traditional, tight-fitting race feel.

Road textile pants

Many road textile pants are designed as over-pants that you can slip on and off as you need, making them a handy option for touring. Others lean more streetstyle, designed as a daily garment that you can wear in or out of the saddle, but that lack the extra cargo pockets.

Textiles are great for:

• Long-distance adventure touring and heavy rain.
• Riders who want a pair of pants they can wear all year round.
• Maximum weather protection in unpredictable conditions.

Comparison table

Tailored for the road: women's motorcycle cargo pants

Good news: the days of 'shrink it and pink it' – where female riders had to settle for redesigned men's gear – are well and truly over. Manufacturers have finally realised that women want riding pants with a casual aesthetic that actually fit (who would've thought!).

The Bikebiz range of road women's pants now includes high-waisted and tapered leg fits designed specifically for the feminine form. They have all the features of men's pants – adjustable armour pockets, high-tenacity fibres – without the often baggy look of traditional male gear.

Fitment advice: the sitting rule

When you try on a normal pair of jeans or trousers, you naturally stand in front of a mirror to check the fit – if you're feeling fancy you might even do a spin. Motorcycle pants are different.

The sitting rule is the golden rule of buying any riding gear. Unless you're riding a Segway, you aren't going to be spending a huge amount of time upright in your new threads. When you try on the pants, test the feel by squatting or sitting, to ensure no annoying creases or pressure points form, and the people who drive behind you won't be tempted to swipe their credit card in your flesh-POS machine.

Better yet, if there's a bike nearby – and at Bikebiz there always is – through your leg over and see how the slacks feel in the saddle.

Other expert fitting tips:

• Ensure the knee armour sits over your patella while your legs are bent in the riding position (it often sits on your shins while you're standing, then moves into position once you're on the pegs).
• Look for features like a gusseted crotch and stretch accordion panels to prevent the fabric from pinching or bunching in inconvenient places.
• If you're opting for cargos, fill the pockets then take a seat, to make sure there's enough storage capacity and your keys won't dig into your leg.

FAQs: motorcycle cargo pants

Is "aramid" the same as Kevlar®?

Essentially, yes. Aramid is the technology, Kevlar® is the main brand that offers it and has become synonymous with it: a bit like how you might call every plaster a Band-Aid. But whether the aramid fibre lining in your motorcycle cargo pants is branded Kevlar®, Cordura or anything else, a quality pair of pants will offer the same high-end abrasion resistance required to survive a slide.

Are cargo pants as safe as leather?

If you're on the track and pushing the limiter, leather remains the gold standard for multi-slide durability. But for urban commutes, modern motorcycle cargos with a high slide time rating offer plenty of protection without the Tin-Man-from-Wizard-of-Oz look.

Can I wash my Kevlar®-lined pants in a machine?

In most cases the answer is yes, but you should always check the care instructions and follow them to a T. They'll usually tell you to remove the armour and hip pads first, then use a gentle cycle with mild detergent. You should also always air dry them in the shade, because the heat of the dryer can do funny (bad) things to the integrity of the pants.

Why do motorcycle cargo pants feel heavy?

That extra weight is due to a little thing called 'safety'. Between armour, abrasion-resistant canvas and internal protective linings, there's significantly more material here than in a standard pair of slacks – extra fibres that are rather handy if you find yourself sliding over tarmac at 100+kph.

Do the pockets flap at high speeds?

Not if they're designed well. That's a major tell between high quality and low quality motorcycle cargo pants: good tactical utility pockets feature stiff material and heavy-duty fasteners to ensure flaps stay pinned to your leg, even into headwinds on the highway.

Are motorcycle cargo pants waterproof?

Most motorcycle cargo pants prioritise airflow over waterproofing – if air can't get in, you can be soaked by sweat well before you're soaked by any rain – so they aren't designed to deal with a downpour. But some premium pants can include a durable water repellent (DWR) coating designed to bead off light sprays and morning mist.

Ride and slide in style and safety

The rise of the motorcycle cargo pant is down to a natural desire from riders to stay protected while looking good.

At Bikebiz, Sydney's #1 motorcycle dealer, we know that robot-walking into the office or cafe in your leathers can be an uncomfortable experience, both physically and mentally. A pair of riding cargos allow you to stay protected while looking good, and give you the option to strap your phone, wallet and keys to your leg.

Home to Australia's largest range of bike parts and accessories – over 30,000 products, all held in Oz – Bikebiz is your go-to destination for the widest and finest selection of urban riding apparel.

Don't choose between your skin and your style. Shop our range of motorcycle cargo pants online or visit the Bikebiz team at Parramatta or Granville for a professional fitment today.