Take the heat out of road rash
'Super' fabrics give bikers more confidence and protection against abrasion
If you've walked away from a crash at the circuit, you would probably swear by your abused leather suit.
Leather's excellent ability to resist abrasion makes it the ideal "second skin".
But in our hot climate, wearing full leather for the daily commute can be a recipe for heat stroke.
Kevlar-lined jeans, introduced in the market more than 15 years ago, became the solution, providing practical protection against road rash. Although pricey, such jeans are light and can resist impact abrasion for up to 7 seconds.
But some of today's "super" fabrics - like Pekev Technology used in the jeans by Resurgence Gear that you see above - raise the bar even higher.
The Pekev lining inside the jeans is able to withstand 23.2 seconds of abuse, as cited in an impact abrasion resistance test conducted by TUV, a standards testing facility, in 2013.
In a same test conducted in January, a 1.3mm leather panel lasted 14.12 seconds before a hole was made.
The test is compulsory for motorcycle protective clothing like jackets, trousers and racing suits before the apparel is given a Level 2 CE certification.
Sure, you can argue that 23.2 secs is "overkill" as most slides in road crashes last only a few seconds.
But in the dog-eat-dog world of personal safety equipment for bikers, such impressive numbers add confidence.
While this pair of motorcycle jeans may look similar to other jeans, it is a different story inside it.
The lining covers vulnerable areas like the buttocks, shins, knees and the front of the thighs.
Small pockets on the hips and knees allow the addition of CE-approved pads, which come free.
STYLE AND CUT
Resurgence jeans, locally distributed by Ban Hock Hin, come in a number of contemporary styles and cuts to fit your riding boots.
Mr Rex Tan from Ban Hock Hin says: "Looking at Resurgence's line of apparel, I would like to think their concept is actually 'Fashion with Protection'.
"They are able to achieve this simply because of all the strengths of Pekev."
These strengths are outlined in Resurgence Gear's website - Pekev is 15 times stronger than carbon steel and over 200 per cent stronger than Kevlar, and will resist abrasive forces and cuts, among other claims.
RESISTANCE
Described as the new kid on the block and boasting the "highest abrasion resistance", Resurgence jeans address the shortcomings of traditional aramid fibres like Kevlar.
Pekev is resistant to washing, sunlight, moisture, bleach and detergents, claims Resurgence Gear, which is based in Canada.
This means that you can wash your Resurgence jeans, knowing that its protective qualities will not degrade.
What I liked about the Resurgence jeans is that it doesn't scream "biker".
The design is modern yet discreet. There is no tell-tale stitching for knee or hip pads.
As a result, the jeans don't make me look like RoboCop - so the jeans can be worn for most casual or work settings.
The jeans' stretch qualities allow for comfort and ease of movement while riding. The overall weight of the jeans is about 1.1kg.
When worn at home, the jeans feel a little warmer than non-biking denim.
But when riding, the breathable Pekev lining allows cool air to circulate inside.
Resurgence jeans $250
Get an 18 per cent discount during Ban Hock Hin's Chinese New Year promotion, until March 5. www.bhh.com.sg
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