Introduction
Riding jeans are one of the smartest inventions for riders, in my opinion. They allow you to walk around in public without attracting odd stares from non-riders, which is often the case with riding pants, especially those with flashy colour options. At the same time, they offer a decent level of protection while riding, making them a win-win. One such pair is the UrbanR from Raida, which I have been using extensively over the last few months. Honestly, so far, I have more complaints than praises for them. Let me explain.
Likes
The biggest highlight of the UrbanR is how tough and premium it feels. This is largely because it is made using Armalith, often referred to as the world’s strongest denim. The fabric comprises cotton blended with aerospace-grade UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) fibres, along with a small amount of Lycra. This combination is claimed to offer a good balance of comfort and breathability, along with leather-like abrasion and tear resistance. While its real-world abrasion resistance can only be verified in a crash, the jeans certainly feel durable and extremely well built.
The UrbanR also impresses in terms of protection. It comes equipped with ESA CE Level 2 armours for both the knees and hips as standard. This is noteworthy, as most riding denims offer only knee protectors and require you to purchase hip armours separately. These armours are fairly large and chunky, which adds to the overall sense of safety.
Dislikes
Where UrbanR seriously falls short is in the design and comfort department. To begin with, the hip armours are so bulky that they make the lower half of my legs look oddly wide, which makes me feel overly conscious whenever I walk around wearing them. While I can live with that bit of mild embarrassment, what is unacceptable is that the knee armours do not stay in its designated position while riding, especially the one on the right side. This happens regardless of the armour position I use, and the jeansoffer two adjustable armour pocket positions. I am not the only one facing this issue; one of my colleagues owns the same jeans and has experienced the same problem with the knee armours shifting out of place while riding. This defeats the purpose of riding denims as the armour is supposed to appropriately cover my knees and offer protection from impacts/abrasions in an unfortunate incident.
I think the UrbanR could also benefit from a better and more functional design. These are skin-tight jeans with a narrow bottom, so they may feel restrictive for riders accustomed to loose-fit clothing. While that hasn’t been a problem for me below the waist, the fit itself is an issue. I wear a size 34, and it feels too loose around the waist. I initially tried a size 32, but that was uncomfortably tight around the thighs and knees. Additionally, the jeans do not have enough belt loops. As a result, when you tighten the waistband using a belt, parts of the waistband tend to pop out after some movement.
To Buy or Not to Buy
As is evident by now, the Raida UrbanR riding jeans are decent but come with a few caveats. The fit-related issues I’ve experienced may not apply to everyone, and riders with a different body type might find them suitable. Hence, we strongly recommend trying them on properly before making a purchase. Also, depending on the structure and thickness of your legs, the knee armours may or may not stay securely in place. You should be willing to deal with these compromises only if you specifically want something as durable and long-lasting as the Armalith fabric. Otherwise, there are plenty of alternatives available from competing brands like Viaterra and Rynox.
Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi
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