Women's Riding Jeans That Look And Feel Great On And Off The Motorcycle

REV'IT! Madison 2 jeans are stylish urban moto denim.

Rev'it! Madison 2 JeansJulia LaPalme

Before riding jeans became more mainstream over the past five to 10 years, my first pair consisted of my favorite Levi's worn over separate knee/shin guards. No Cordura, no Kevlar, no hip padding. Not the safest gear choice, but it revealed the desire to have riding gear that didn't scream "I ride a motorcycle!" while running in-town errands on two wheels.

Luckily, there are plenty of options to fill that category today, including Rev'It!'s Madison 2 Jeans, which I've been trying out over the past few months. Cut just like my favorite pair of jeans, the Madisons use a five-pocket design, with front and rear pockets deep enough to make them usable (unlike many women's jeans, in and out of the motorcycling world).

The contour in the seat and waist area fits my curves well enough, with minimal waist gap. A mid-rise waistband that sits right at the top of my hip bone makes these jeans plenty comfortable, without feeling like high-rise ’80s-retro jeans, or low-rise plumbers’-crack enablers. Narrow straight-cut pant legs are just wide enough to go over slim-fitting riding boots or shoes, without too much fabric to fold over and tuck into more relaxed-fitting riding boots. Plus the cuffs roll up to reveal a strip of reflective material, adding extra nighttime visibility.

"Hip armor being optional is a small bummer, but otherwise these are comfortable, protective riding jeans."

Cordura denim provides road-rash resistance (which, thankfully, I’ve yet to test); and a Coolmax element helps regulate temperature on 80- and 90-degree days. With just a hint of stretch, the 12.5-ounce denim feels thick enough to be protective, but the slightly stiff quality of the front panel in the hip crease is a little bothersome in the riding position. Otherwise the fabric is comfortable enough for long rides or walking around. The CE Level 1 Seesmart knee armor is made of a flexible array of rubbery hexagonal cells; the pliabile, low-profile, breathable design makes them much more comfortable than other knee armor. While this makes me wonder if it’s as protective as more rigid options, it’s certainly more discreet. No robo-cop knees here!

Available in Medium Blue and Dark Gray Used, in waist sizes from 24 to 34, the Madison 2 Jeans go for $190 (plus $20 for hip armor). That puts them in the upper/middle price range compared to other women’s riding jeans. Considering the fit and features, the Madison 2 Jeans are a smart buy, and I’m happy to keep my Levi’s for non-riding days.

Rev'it! Madison 2 Jeans
Price: $190
Contact: revitsport.com
MC Grade: A
Summary: Hip armor being optional is a small bummer, but otherwise these are comfortable, protective riding jeans.