I read the same thing about the Kevlar reinforced jeans, BUT I have seen how they hold up in the real world and they are a far sight better than plain jeans. (Draggin) Recently they have extended the regions where they locate the Kevlar a bit and from first hand experience they do their job pretty well. I look at the draggin jeans much like I look at the Phoenix stuff Joe Rocket has been peddling. They are a hell of a lot better than the jeans and t-shirt we normally ride in but yes they are a compromise. Absolutely. If you want REAL protection in a crash leathers are the ONLY way to go, (OK OK maybe a Roadcrafter suit from Aerostitch) nothing else out there comes close. But, when your sitting in traffic in 95deg weather, with 90 percent humidity tell me leathers are not that hot. You all know I am a safety beeyootch, but sometimes you got to have that balance of practicality and function. I'd feel like a proper tool running to Best Buy to buy a couple DVDs in full leathers, but in a well armored jacket, riding boots, gloves, helmet and jeans, I can pull off just a little bit of a normal look when I am just running errands. So for playing around town, just cruising I am thinking Draggin jeans and a Joe rocket might be the way to go...
Also, in those tests of fabric durability they literally slammed the test piece onto a belt sander and held it there until it wore through. Real world results can vary wildly and folks I have seen hit the ground rarely slide for more than 20-30 feet in one position, generally they ten to flop around some which distributes the abrasions over a wider area. And the Draggin jeans feature Kevlar stitching throughout so unlike the unlucky butt burned bro up above, the draggin jeans should be able to withstand the impact and abrasion without tearing. Leather is the king, but at least there are some decent alternatives...
Rev