It is hard to imagine modern riding without a good pair of motorcycle jeans. You grab them for a quick spin around town, wear them to work, and keep them on when grabbing a drink with friends.

They look and feel like standard casual denim, but they carry protective tech built right into them. Because they look just like normal jeans, people tend to wash them like normal jeans. But high heat, harsh washing powder, and direct sun kill the protective qualities of aramid fibers faster than miles on the road ever will.
In Part 3 of Gear Care 101, we go over the practical guidelines for keeping your riding jeans clean without sacrificing the protection.

Armor out and turn them inside out
Before your jeans touch any water, take out the knee and hip armor. Leaving protectors in the wash bends them out of shape, wears down the stitching, and can tear the internal mesh. Once the armor is out, pull the jeans completely inside out. This keeps the denim color from fading and protects the outer finish. It also prevents metal buttons, rivets, and zippers from snagging the fabric or beating against the safety stitching during the spin cycle.

riding jeans need to look casual at the bar, but work like armor on the road

Keep the heat down
Aramid fibers hate high temperatures and strong chemicals. Always check the care label for the right temperature and stick to a gentle cycle. Skip aggressive powders, bleach, and heavy stain removers completely. A simple, mild liquid detergent does the job. Hot water and harsh bleach break down the synthetic fibers over time, which cuts down the tear resistance.

The tumble dryer ban
Never throw motorcycle jeans into a tumble dryer. The heat in a dryer shrinks the denim unevenly and degrades the heat-sensitive protective fibers. Take them out of the machine and let them dry on a rack. Do not bake them in direct sunlight either, because UV rays weaken aramid over time. Air drying takes a bit longer, but your jeans will stay safe and fit properly.

Next up in Gear Care 101, Part 4, we look after boots, base layers, and dealing with sweat and smells. Thanks for reading along, and check out our Rusty Stitches jeans if your pair is due for an upgrade!

Author: Arthur Renkema