Bias warning: About 10 years ago, I bought a set of Air Mesh Kevlar panties from Motoport. In more than 100,000 miles of driving in every conceivable condition since then, my expectations have only been exceeded. They wear like iron and the black Kevlar doesn’t fade at all, even after thousands of hours in the sun. They are, far and wide, the sturdiest and most comfortable panties I’ve ever tested. These new ones Motoport Air Mesh Street Jeans has a lot in common with my old panties.
When first examining the garment, the impression is of the quality, the build quality and the extremely sturdy construction. They’re made with a Kevlar mesh blend on the front and a Kevlar stretch blend on the back, all stitched securely. The mesh blend material is surprisingly thick and rough to the touch. Motoport claims a tear strength of 1,260 pounds with an abrasion resistance of 1,800 cycles before failure for mesh fabric and a tear strength of 420 pounds with a abrasion resistance of 1,800 cycles for a stretch fabric, both are all well above value for the skin competition level.
Aesthetically, Air Mesh Jeans are serious business, with an almost military look. On our black test model, there are two cargo pockets, two front hand warmers and gray reflective piping on the lower legs. Inside, Air Mesh Street Jeans feature possibly the most comprehensive armor in the industry. There are hip pads, sacral pads, thigh pads, knee pads and shin pads, all in a dedicated pouch.
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There are tons of options, including a variety of colors, slings, replacement bags, cuffs, armor upgrades, and more. I upgraded to a quad-layer Quad Armor (three layers of Tri Armor is standard) and added an Aero-Tex waterproof/windproof/breathable lining and 1.5-inch reflective stripes on the calf area. These jeans are made-to-order for each rider’s measurements and preferences, with a base price of $549 plus options (see website for full list and prices).
Air Mesh street jeans are easy to put on and take off thanks to a strong 13-inch YKK zipper with thick cuffs, hidden behind the Velcro flap for a more streamlined look. The armor required a break-in period before it conformed to the shape of a rider’s body. It felt bulky at first but gradually it moved on to my lower body. After two weeks of steady walking, the pants feel like a second skin change.
The actual temperature range of Air Mesh Street Jeans is 50 to 105 degrees, the hottest temperature encountered during testing. For colder temperatures or riding in bad weather, the optional Aero-Tex lining keeps me warm and dries up to 30 degrees.
After three seasons of adventure, I have only one small hit: The inside of the bags are Kevlar mesh that has the same rough texture as the outside of the clothes. Some delicate items, like documents or smartphone touchscreens, deserve a soft lining.
Aside from that, I have no doubt that these Motoport Air Mesh Street jeans will be as reliable as my old Air Mesh panties. This is not a cheap piece, but a first-class American-made protective gear for heavy motorcyclists.
For more information, visit motoport.com.
