Review: Furygan Jean 01

Reviewed by: Mikko Nieminen // RRP: £119.99 // Size: 36-50 // Colour: Blue denim/Black

These straight cut jeans from Furygan have the real denim look, but under the surface there’s clever stuff like Kevlar lining and D3O knee protectors.

What I like about these jeans is that just looking at them you could be excused for thinking that these are just a regular pair of fashionable denim jeans. There are no visible pockets for protectors, for example. In fact, my mates didn’t realise they were biking jeans when they first saw me wearing them. So I told them – in great detail.

The main external material is cotton to give you the old-school denim jean look and feel. To add strength, there is Kevlar lining on the bum, hips, front of the thighs and knees. Areas likely to be exposed to abrasion in a potential crash situation are reinforced with triple or quadruple stitching to avoid tearing. Ideally, I would have liked to see the Kevlar lining to cover the entire garment, but the most vulnerable areas have been covered.

On closer inspection, what gives away the true nature of these jeans is the adjustable D3O protectors that you can notice bulging slightly on the knees. The protectors can be moved up or down with Velcro adjusters to get them in the right place. Mine went down to the lowest position so when I’m off the bike they are just below my knees and don’t get in the way, but when I sit on a bike with my legs bent they ride up a bit and protect my knees.

D3O protection is brilliant: it’s flexible and ergonomic because D3O materials are soft and foamy in a relaxed state, but on sudden impact they become hard to absorb and disperse energy, before instantly returning to their flexible state. Don’t ask me how it really works on molecular level, it just does.

There’s no armour around the hips, which made me feel a little exposed, but this is quite common with riding jeans.

I’ve worn the jeans even when I haven’t been anywhere near my bike – just to go to town. All I do is take the knee protectors out and hey presto, they are a pair of perfectly normal jeans.

Overall, a very pleasant pair of jeans that works nicely both on and off the bike.

For more information about Furygan products, see: www.nevis.uk.com