Review: Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor

Raising the bar in protection

By Genevieve Schmitt, Editor

Protective jeans are all the rage! Now more than ever we’re seeing companies making denim motorcycle riding pants for women and men that are lined with abrasion resistant fabrics like Kevlar, Dupont’s brand name for its aramid fibers. (Aramid fibers are a class of heat resistant and strong synthetic fibers, according to Wikipedia.)

Some even go so far as allowing the wearer to add optional armor. Sliders Bella jeans is one such jean, not only incorporating abrasion resistant material in a comfortable stretchy fit, but it also has the option to add armor in the knee area. And when the armor is in place it’s inconspicuous.

Review Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor
Sliders Bella jeans have a relaxed fit so they move with you and are not constricting when riding a motorcycle. You can hardly tell there’s armor in the knees. I’m also wearing the Joe Rocket Cleo 2.0 mesh jacket reviewed here; and riding a Ducati Monster 696 reviewed here.
Review Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor front
From the front, you can’t tell the knee armor is in place. You can hardly feel it either! The jeans fall mid-waist, so not too high and not too low. I appreciate this kind of coverage when riding a motorcycle.

Review Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor backside
The details and lines are simple on the Sliders Bella jeans. They’re boot cut and come in three lengths, short, regular and tall. I have a 30-inch inseam and am wearing the long, which is 32 inches.

The denim is high quality with just enough stretch in it so the jeans are comfortable when moving around. The denim has been stone washed so there is a slight fade, as well as being soft and easy to wear. While the material feels sturdy, it’s not stiff.

Review Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor back interior
The backside of the Sliders Bella jeans has Kevlar sewn into the seat area and down the back of the legs to just above the knee.

Review Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor front interior
The front of the jeans has Kevlar panels sewn into the hip and knee areas (as seen in the next photo), but they’re covered by a nylon mesh fabric, which is soft against the skin. The knee armor is removable as seen here.

Review Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor illustration
Here’s where the Kevlar panels are placed in the front of the Slider Bella jeans.

Unlike other Kevlar lined jeans I have worn and tested, the Slider’s have a soft nylon mesh fabric lining down the front that covers the seams of the Kevlar and the seams of the armor pockets, which otherwise could irritate the skin.

Review Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor knee pad
The knee armor is the soft and pliable kind, and is CE-approved so it meets the highest standards for protection. It can be inserted into one of three different positions at the knee to accommodate a wide variety of leg lengths. What a smart feature!

Review Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor label
The jeans are traditionally styled with five pockets, a button closure and zipper fly, and one leather identifying label at the waist.

Sliders Bella jeans are sold exclusively from Competition Accessories, an online retailer of motorcycle gear and accessories. You cant find them anywhere else. The jeans sell for $84.99, which is less than comparable jeans; and the knee armor is sold separately for $11.99. Once I put the knee armor in, I had no reason to take it out.

Review Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor Ducati
I like knowing my legs are completely protected, yet I’m wearing jeans on my motorcycle! I’ve added a little sass to my outfit with the Icon Catwalk gloves reviewed here.

As far as sizing, I’m used to wearing tight form-fitting jeans so it was actually refreshing to wear pants with a relaxed fit that had some “give” to them. Sizes range from 2 to 18 and sizing is true, so order the same size you would with your regular jeans. However, if you want the jeans to fit tighter, the website recommends ordering one or two sizes smaller. In the end, I did not size down and ordered my regular size.

Visit Compacc.com for more information and to purchase.

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Review: Kevlar Lined Jeans with Amazing Style
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17 thoughts on Review: Sliders Bella Jeans With Kevlar and Armor

  1. I love these jeans! You do have to buy a size smaller than you normally wear though. They are very comfortable on long distance rides. They may be a little bit warmer than regular jeans, but that is a price I will gladly pay for protection in case I ever go down. I highly recommend them!

  2. First of all: I LOVE Genevieve and her amazing website that is one-of-a-kind and simply rocks it all the time!I recently went to my city’s largest motorcycle apparel store to search for denim riding jeans. I did not want leather for summer riding. My waist is well defined and smaller than my hips but I have abundant hips. I do not have a boy body. I am somewhat curvy and love female-defining gear. Here’s what I found:The color of the jeans was the first disappointment. I am interested in Indigo black – not washed out denim or some creepy yellowish-pale blue acid washed textile.I had to go up several sizes to get the jeans over my hips so I looked like a gangsta and the waist was so big I’d need a rope to tether it so I could keep the pants on. I’m thinking they’d fall down if I crashed (God forbid).I liked the Kevlar inserts because they’re discreet and I didn’t look like I was riding to football practice plus they’re more flexible for bending and mounting up.Today jeans can be made with a spandex or similar synthetic denim blend that allows the material to expand and contract (think NYDJ or Miracle Jeans, etc.) so why is it rocket science to design a jean for women (with or without large hips) that is figure enhancing and not “I borrowed my biker boyfriend’s jeans.”Still looking and open to suggestions.

    1. Hi Shirl,First, thanks for kind and humbling words about Women Riders Now. It is comments like yours that I get almost daily from readers that keeps me going when the daily grind of running an online magazine gets me down. Great feedback on the jeans. We will continue to review Kevlar-lined jeans as we find them. Be sure to check the Q/A section from our gear expert Joanne Donn, as we will continue to post helpful information there as well. And of course, I assume you’re subscribing to our monthly newsletter so you’re the first to know when we post a new story. Thanks for your enthusiasm and support.

  3. I have a pair of the Sliders Bella jeans, and they are comfortable. But I’m 5 feet 7 inches and I like my jeans longer. The other riding jeans I have come in long.

  4. I have two pair of Draggin Jeans and these are the only pants I wear when riding. They are very comfortable and I get lots of compliments on them. They are a bit pricey but to me worth every penny. I have ridden in very hot temps and they can be a bit warm when standing still, but on the plus side the Kevlar keeps the heat off my legs from the motor when riding.

  5. I’m 5 feet 9 inches tall with a 34-inch inseam. Exactly how is a 32-inch inseam considered “long?”

    1. I know. In most “consumer” jeans you buy at a department store, 34 inches is the length of the jeans labeled long. According to the sizing chart for Competition Accessories, the Sliders Bella jeans list long as 32 inches, regular is 30 inches, and short is 28 inches. If you have any further questions on sizing, contact the company directly. You may need to look into the Sliders 4.0 Motorcycle Riding jeans by the same company, which have 33, 34 and 35.5-inch inseams

  6. I settled on these after trying several pairs of jeans. I am average height and weight and do have legs and hips, and these have a relaxed fit in both areas. To address previous questions, they sit just a bit below my natural waist (I am short waisted) but they are not low-rise like so many pairs of armored jeans that I tried (don’t want to look like a plumber going down the road), nor do they fall so high that they cut into my ribs when I sit. And, they have a bit of spandex in them…fabulous! I like my gear to move with me. My only complaint would be that because they are a lot heavier than regular jeans, they are warm. This is not a problem when the temps are lower, but once it gets into the high 80s with high humidity like we have in the summer here, it makes a difference.

  7. My husband has Kevlar made jeans, but no knee armor. He likes his and I’m thinking I’ll try these.* Maria – I like my jeans fitted at a natural waist as well. Try “Not Your Daughter Jeans.” Originally found them at Dillards. I find the style I like, then order them online when on sale. First pair of jeans I found in a very long time that didn’t ride below the navel.

  8. I want my jeans to fit over the waist (just dated myself)! Do you know of any jeans like these that fit over the waist, like we wore them years ago? Thanks!

    1. I can’t think of any that are cut that way. The designers of these abrasion resistant jeans need to appeal to a large variety of riders so they can’t risk making a jean that is not trendy or in line with modern day styles. If we come across anything, we’ll let you know. We’ll also reach out to readers to see if they know of any brands.

  9. They are too high waisted for me and my family. We are all short waisted. Would sit up passed my ribs and be uncomfortable and restricting.

  10. Jeans look good on model. Would like more info on shrinking/stretching.

    1. These jeans felt and acted like other jeans I have that are made of “stretch denim.” Wearing them a few times, they become stretched out in the knees and seat area. Washing and then drying them in the dryer shrinks them slightly, but no more than any other pair of stretch denim jeans.I remove my jeans from the dryer when they are slightly damp and then hang them to finish drying. I then iron all my jeans to stretch them back out to their original shape.

  11. I have been looking for some new jeans to wear when riding on days I don’t want to wear leathers, so this was great article. Thanks. BUT…I want to know where you got your boots! I love what I can see of them. Thanks.

    1. The boots I’m wearing are Harley-Davidson combat style boots, but they are no longer offered. The closest boots I could find that’s similar in style that is offered now are the Sydney Performance Boots, now available on Harley-Davidson’s website.

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