Looking for a pair of motorcycle riding jeans? Want something that will literally protect your ass while not costing an arm and leg? The RHOK Gen3 motorcycling jeans are one of the internet’s best-kept secrets. In this RHOK jeans review, I’ll walk you through why you should consider owning the jeans and if they are the right fit (pun intended) for you.
Key points
- High protection: 13-ounce stretch denim, huge amounts of DuPont kevlar lining and removable CE-rated hip and knee armour make these jeans one of the most well-protected on the market.
- Stylish: Traditional straight-cut design with a vintage wash, brass rivets and YKK zippers give these jeans timeless in look and finish.
- Comfortable: Intelligent placement of stretch panels around the waist area makes these kevlar jeans a dream to wear while riding…as long as you don’t ride in a hot climate region.
- Value for money: For the amount of Kevlar lining used and included CE-rated armour, it’s hard to find better value for money motorcycling jeans for the price.
First Impressions
I purchased a black denim pair in size 32 with a 34″ inseam about 6 months ago. Since purchasing them, I’ve worn them for at least 1,500 road kilometres. The main reason why I purchased them is I wanted a pair of street pants that didn’t skimp on protection.
The RHOK Gen3s are made of 13-ounce stretch denim with a huge amount of DuPont kevlar lining. You also get a set of CE-rated removable hip and knee armour to boot.
Overall, the jeans are built like a tank. However, due to the material thickness and large kevlar lining, airflow is poor and they do trap heat. For me, they are too hot to wear during summertime.
Construction
The Gen3 RHOK jeans are made of 13-ounce stretch denim which is some of the thickest denim you can get for bike jeans. This is great if protection is high on your pecking order. However, the downside of such thick material is the lack of airflow and heat build-up. If you ride in a hot climate then you should consider purchasing textile pants instead.
On the inside, you’ll find a large single piece of DuPont kevlar material that lines the majority of the jean. I’ve yet to find motorcycle jean that makes such generous use of kevlar lining. Most jeans that I’ve come across only make sparing use of kevlar lining to save cost.
To help bolster strength, the jeans are triple stitched in major impact point areas, such as the hips. This is unlike other bike jeans that are usually double stitched at best.
High-strength YKK zippers are used on the fly and single key pocket. After six months of use, I haven’t had a single issue with the zippers.
Finally, there are brass buttons and rivets fasted to the top of the fly and pocket area, further increasing strength. I personally would prefer an alternative material or design used here as they can scratch the paintwork on your motorcycle’s fuel tank.
Comfort
Overall, I’ve found the jeans fairly comfortable to wear. The main reason why I bought these jeans is I wanted high protection for the street without wearing leathers. My favourite part about these jeans is the stretch panel just below the rear waistline. I can move in and out of a full race tuck on my KTM RC 390 without any impediment to my range of motion.
One of the downsides of wearing thick jeans with kevlar lining is the lack of airflow. I live in Queensland so wearing these in summer is a form of mild torture — so much so that I’ll be purchasing a set of textile pants specifically for riding on hot days. However, if you ride in a cold climate region, the lack of airflow and cooling may be a welcome feature.
Another gripe I have with the jeans is the velcro on the knee pads. I’ve found that you need to line up the knee pad velcro strips perfectly with the knee pocket’s velcro connectors. If you don’t, the velcro teeth will push through the material and rub up against your skin. This is a minor issue but it can become frustrating when it happens during the middle of a long ride.
Knee and hip protection
One of the biggest selling points of the RHOK Gen3 jeans is they come with removable CE-rated knee and hip protection.
The hip armour is about half an inch in thickness and is made out of a material that moulds to your body. On the other hand, the knee armour is made out of three components that are connected via an elastane material. This allows for greater mobility when fitted.
The hip armour is held in place via special pockets on the inside of the jean. The knee armour is held within zippable pockets that are lined with velcro.
Styling
Aside from the safety and construction, one of the biggest features that drew me to the RHOK kevlar jeans is the styling. The black jeans have a slightly faded vintage look to them which is a nice touch.
The front knee armour section has been stylishly integrated into the overall design, giving the jeans a tough look. Stitching and logo placement is discreet which adds to the overall tough street look.
Cut
Overall, the jeans are cut like a standard pair of straight-leg street jeans. I’ve found the waist area slightly more generous when compared to other street jeans that I own. However, since the jeans have a slight stretch in them, they will shrink after washing. After a couple of washes, I found the waist to fit just right.
The crouch and seat areas sit about average. They are not too low or not too high. This is what you want while riding a bike as high crouch jeans quickly become uncomfortable.
Pockets
The RHOK Gen3 jeans have the standard five pockets construction. Two in the front, two in the rear and a zippable coin pocket on your right side. The rear pockets are regular sized however the front pockets are deep, allowing you to keep your items well tucked away when riding.
The pockets are double stitched with the front pockets having small brass rivets fitted to each corner. Stitching on my black set is colour matched to the denim which helps add to the tough street look.
Size and Fit
You can get the jeans in sizes 28 to 42. I’m a size 32 and I find they fit like a regular straight-cut pair. You should be safe to purchase the same size as you would with regular jeans. Being 6ft tall, the 34″ inseam was a bit too long for me, meaning that I need to tuck the slack into my boots or the ends would drag on the ground. In hindsight, a 33″ or 32″ inseam would have fit me better.
Riding with the RHOK Gen3 Jeans
RHOK has tailored the design of these jeans to suit the needs of even the most disconcerting motorcyclists. Unlike some motorcycle jeans that function exactly the same as your old pair of Levi’s, the RHOK Gen3 feels amazing to ride in.
Once you are up to speed, the lack of airflow from the kevlar lining quickly becomes less of a problem. The range of motion and mobility is overall excellent – I can move in and out of the full tuck position without any issues or discomfort.
I’ve had no issues fitting my Alpinestars Fastback 3s and SMX boots over the jeans either. Overall, you won’t be disappointed with how the jeans feel while on your motorcycle.
Sizing chart
Where to buy
The best place to buy RHOK Gen3 jeans is eBay. The price is $109 AUD inc tax plus $20 shipping. For what you get for that price, it’s an extremely good buy.
One thing to note is you can only purchase RHOK gear online, so make sure you pay special attention to the sizing charts.
If they don’t have your size and colour combination available, send them a message. That’s what I did when they were out of stock of black ones in size 32. The company kindly added a pair they had left over so I could purchase it.
RHOK Gen3 Kevlar Motorcycle Jeans
The RHOK Gen3 kevlar jeans offer superior protection while still being affordable. Comfortable and stylish, the product has already been proven to save many riders from nasty road rash.
Product SKU: ZM01-BLK-32-34
Product Brand: RHOK
Product Currency: AUD
Product Price: 130
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.5
RHOK Jeans Review Conclusion
So there you have it – that’s my comprehensive review of the Gen3 RHOK jeans.
Do you own them? If so, what do you think of them?
Let me know by leaving a comment below.
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