Oxford’s top of the range AAA jeans - protective as single layers and perfectly comfy off the bike?

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Oxford have been making riding jeans for years now and I’ve tested previous AA versions in the past, but these AAA ones are the current top of their range. You can get several different colours and cuts in the AAA but they all use the same Armourlite single layer tech to provide abrasion resistance.

You can still buy AA versions and save yourself £30, but I’d go for the AAA every time. If it’s the difference between buying riding jeans or risking it in a pair of Primark’s finest, then obviously go for the AA, but that’s the only reason I can see to do it as the AAA are so light and comfortable.

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Are the Oxford Original AAA’s comfortable? 5/5

When you first pull them on, the armour feels a little strange because the ‘Dynamic’ protectors will be flat as pancakes from shipping. It doesn’t take long for them to adapt to your form, though, and within a few rides you’ll forget all about them.

The Armourlite single layer denim feels no thicker or less breathable than that used in quality normal jeans and I regularly wear mine for a day in the office or to walk around an event or bike night. They breathe well in hot weather, too, I wore mine through last summer’s highest temperatures and they kept me cool and comfortable.

They also have a slight stretch built into the fabric that helps out when you’re swinging your leg over a taller bike or stretching your leg out to plant a foot when manoeuvring the bike at slow speed.

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How practical are they? 4/5

Riding jeans in general are a slightly niche product. Most can only really be used in the warm and the dry as they have no drop liner or waterproofing to speak of. As such, I couldn’t give these jeans a maximum five stars for practicality since they’re not waterproof.

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However, the single layer design, subtle armour and stretch in the fabric means they’re about as practical as riding jeans can be. You also get the standard jean pocket arrangement including the ‘lighter pocket’, which I use to stash my earplugs.

Are these good looking jeans? 5/5

As I’ve already said, the Oxford AAAs look just like normal jeans. I like the slim cut of this version (they also come in a straight leg if you are so inclined) as they don’t flap around too much on the bike.

The denim is quite a dark blue with typical gold-coloured stitching. There is an extra line of stitching at the knee and below the seat that are the only giveaways that they are protective, but you’d have to be really looking for it to notice.

What about the quality of the Oxford Original AAA jeans? 5/5

I’ve been wearing these for thousands of miles in various temperatures and across several motorbikes and they show almost no signs of wear and tear. I’ve also been caught is several downpours, but the colour has stayed put.

The zip, button and seams are all completely unstressed, too, and the garment has an overall feel of high quality.

Do these jeans offer good protection? 5/5

AAA is the highest certification that manufacturers can apply for. While it’s true that I have no way of knowing if they would perform anywhere near as well as a AAA-certified leather alternative in an actual accident, I also know that some leather trousers traditionally considered safe only meet AA.

The slim cut of the jeans means that the knee armour stays where you want it to be (over your knees) which is reassuring and not always the case for casual style protective gear.

Are they good value for money? 4/5

£179.99 isn’t exactly cheap for a niche garment like riding jeans but for AAA certified and high quality jeans like this it is in line with the market. Other brands, in fact, charge a lot more for their AAA versions.

The Roadskin Taranis Elite AAA, another pair of jeans that I wore for thousands of miles and rate very highly, are exactly the same price. There are Bull-It AAA options on offer at Sportsbike Shop for under £100 at the moment but they are priced similarly at RRP. A pair of RST x Kevlar Tech Pro jeans will cost you £10 more at RRP and they have a mesh lining which is less comfortable in hot weather

My verdict 5/5

Riding jeans are a must-have piece of summer bike kit for me and so I’ve tested plenty, including a few generations of Oxford AA and AAA options. These are certainly up there with the best in terms of comfort, I can wear them in the office all day and forget they’re not normal jeans.

The single layer design is unrestrictive but also keeps you cool, particularly walking around off the bike, but retains a AAA CE certification for peace of mind. It also has a slight stretch to it, which is great for swinging your leg over taller bikes.

The Level 2 Dynamic armour is a little stiff at first but soon adapts to your contours and becomes extremely comfortable and subtle. I don’t use the hip armour as I prefer the jeans without it.

It’s important for me that a riding jean can pass for a normal garment away from the bike and these pass that test. I like the look of them, and apart from a few subtle, tell-tale bits of stitching you wouldn’t guess they were riding jeans at all. My only real criticism is that I could do with a couple more belt loops as I get some gaping of the waistband.

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