I became increasingly
aware that I was rather
under-protected in the
clothing I have been riding
in for the past twelve years
when I joined fellow British
motorcycle-traveller, Nich
Brown in Melbourne (Aus-
tralia).
Nich wears body armour
underneath his gear but, if
you’ve previously broken
your leg in sixteen places I
suppose it makes you a bit
wary ...
I looked at the leath-
er jeans I’d bought sec-
ond-hand the last time I
rode my Enfield in Aus-
tralia. No padding; no
moulded impact-absorbers.
I wore them over ordinary
jeans so that on arriving
somewhere at the end of the day, I could just take them
off and still have clean jeans on underneath. It’s been an
adequate solution to riding all these years. I didn’t really
want to change anything on this trip; I’d even brought the
same 500cc Enfield Bullet with me that I’ve been riding
all over the world for the last nineteen years and the
same soft luggage to go in the same panniers.
We were soon to be leaving for Tasmania and Flinders
Island and, feeling uneasy at my lack of protection, I
dropped in at the home of Draggin Jeans in Port Mel-
bourne. Trying on several different designs I was delight-
ed to find that there is a whole range for women which
made a pleasant change from trying to find small men’s
sizes that wouldn’t swamp me.
Liking the look of the
Twista jeans I tried them
on. Melbourne was ex-
periencing a very hot day
in amongst many, despite
thinking I would find the
good-quality denim partly
lined with Roomoto MR 7+
protective fabric too clam-
my for an Australian sum-
mer I did choose a classy
dark blue pair.
Of the wide range of
sizes, I was happy to find
they came in a UK size 10.
The fit was perfect, nei-
ther tight nor baggy. They
looked smart and flattering,
too. I kept them on whilst I
rode my Enfield back to the
house where we were stay-
ing and wore them even
when I wasn’t on the bike to
get used to them.
The quality construction is highlighted by a sturdy
metal YKK zip and a proper buttonhole and metal button
which does not undo until it is loosened, not when you
breathe out as happens with some jeans.
Melbourne, 36° Celsius, the jeans were warm but I was
surprised that they didn’t feel uncomfortable, even in
that heat. The denim is 98% cotton with 2% elastane for
stretch and the entire garment is lined with a comforta-
ble, airy mesh which is, I think, how they keep so cool.
The jeans come with knee-armour. Tim Yong, Drag-
gin’s Customer Services Manager, demonstrated that the
knee-armour is adjustable as we are all a little different
in leg length and size. Pockets inside the jeans hold the
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