Update May 28, 2012: About a year after this story posted, Fox Racing, the parent company of Shift Racing, decided to discontinue manufacturing the Shift Racing line. These products are no longer available. You may be able to find closeouts from an online retailer or eBay.
Im starting to feel naked these days, naked wearing my regular blue jeans, that is, when riding my motorcycle. As I add up more time and miles my desire to ride while wearing armored gear from head to toe is becoming stronger. I think it has something to do with feeling our mortality more as we age.
That said, when I hear about armored riding jeans for women, Im interested. Shift makes the Silhouette, a thick denim jean cut for the female figure. It has panels on the inside of the hip, thigh, knee, butt and crotch areas that are reinforced with 100 percent Kevlar. Kevlar is an abrasion resistant material used in a lot of motorcycle riding outer gear.
While riding in 90-plus-degree heat, the jeans did seem a bit fabric heavy, but at that temperature any jeans will feel warm. The Silhouettes have a nice shape—theyre aptly named—and run true to size. I wear a size 4. Sometimes with jeans, I find the waist too big, but the hips fit right. The Shift jeans fit me just right in both areas.
My thighs and calves are thinner than most women so I found the size 4 to be a baggy in the legs as you can in the photos above. However in the studio shot below, you can see the jeans really accent a more average size figure. Sizing goes from 0 to 12.
I asked a Shift representative if the company was going to offer plus sizes because based on feedback I get from women riders, the larger sizes seem to be quite popular. I was told that Shift is still growing its brand and it takes time to expand its offerings. The womens line is doing very well so the company hopes to offer more sizes and products in the future. Im impressed with Shifts first attempt at a womens riding jean. Its right on the money.
The jeans held up well in the wash as you would expect quality jeans to do. I put them in the dryer but took them out damp to line dry the rest of the way and ironed them like I do all my jeans. Im wearing the dark indigo color. Also comes in light indigo. Cost is $119.95, a fair price for a high quality Kevlar lined jean that should protect your hide in the event of crash. You can order them online at ShiftRacing.com.
I chose to test the Shifts Viper leather jacket because I wanted the broken-in vintage look of this black leather. It looks more broken-in in the photo on Shifts Web site. I will just have to wear it a lot to give it that worn look.
The most notable quality with this jacket is that it looks fashionable but has CE-approved armor in the shoulders and elbows so its protective. The shoulder and elbow pads are the stiffer kind of armor and removable if you want. Ill leave them in as there is plenty of room to move around in this jacket so the armor doesnt restrict movement like Ive experienced with other armored jackets. By the way, no back armor (spine protector) and no spot to insert if I wanted.
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Air definitely flows in at that open part of the jacket near the collar, so when riding in cooler temps you might like a neck gator to block drafts. Note that there is a snap-able loop on the waist inside the jacket that can connect to the Silhouette pants.
Sizing runs XS to L, and is true to size as I ordered my normal jacket size of medium and the jacket fit just right all over. Comes in this black color, and an all-over white version.
While the Viper is low on creature comforts (only two pockets—outside on front; no zippered venting, no wrist gauntlets, no lined collar), the good leather, fun “different” styling, and quality armor make this a no frills performance oriented jacket thats stylish enough to wear off the bike as well.
Price is $349.95. Too high? Depends on the price you put on protective gear. The Viper has a nice balance of protection and style. You can order online at ShiftRacing.com.
I have owned a pair of the Shift Silhouette riding jeans since your first review and they are by far my favorites as far as looking great and having a girly-look with totally what’s considered “guy sliding protection.” As soon as I wore them on a long ride to NOLA and back to middle Florida, I tried to order another pair—larger for, well, now. (I’m 65 years old and parts shift and get larger so I wanted a pair waiting for me.)They had stopped making them and no one online was selling a larger than size 10—all were 2 or 4. I wish they had continued the Silhouette. They fit me like their model photo and were really great for off-the-bike good looks and comfort. So I now own a couple pairs of the women’s Sliders with the mesh-lining. They are very comfortable with the stretch, which does indeed permit you to order a size down. (At least I still wear the size 8 long at 5 feet 7 inches, 150 pounds.) The mesh makes them so much cooler in Florida heat because of the straight leg that I can get wind up while highway riding with feet up on the “Martha Guards” (crash bars/engine guards). They are not as beautifully “girly” as the Shift Silhouettes, but they are protective, comfortable, and still look fine when off the bike. I use the knee armor without discomfort, but would like pockets for hip and pelvis/spine pads to stick in there when riding.I am not ready to move to a sidecar bike yet, so would like more protection for potential slides or impacts.
I would love to get me a pair of those jeans, but I could not find the inseam on their Web site. Do you know if they carry long inseam (34 inch or more)? Tall girls want to look good and protected too.
The Sillouette has a 33.5 inch inseam.
I love the idea of protection and not bulk! I wear now what I call Michelin Man attire!
Thanks for the review and showing the pictures of the jeans. Seeing them on you gave me a good idea of my own fit. Reminded me that I had wanted to purchase the Silhouette jeans back in March. Ordered them in my normal size 8, dark indigo, they fit wonderful. I was worried about them being to tight in the thighs, snug, but fit and feel good. Rise is mid/low so they are fashionable without being to low for a 50-year-old woman.Even wore them on a 120 mile ride in 90+ degrees. Not any warmer than my normal everyday jeans, except I was wishing for the lighter denim blue.
That jacket is HOT! Love it.
Look like great products! I clicked on the Web site though and could not find these products. Only women’s t-shirts! Web site not very helpful. I did find them on eBay.
You need to click on Products, then Street, then Women’s. You’ll find all the riding gear there.
I’m so glad to see that there are Kevlar Jeans from Shift which look stylish and are protective. The new fabrics are wonderful. In the heat of summer, 90 degrees I will not ride without my mesh/armor jacket. People think I am crazy, but it actually keeps me cool and hydrated, saves my skin from the sun and bug stings (I wound up in the ER with an infection from a bug bite which happened the minute I took my jacket off while on my bike!) and is fashion friendly. I think it’s crazy not to wear protection. Road rash and worse is not fun. Plus, a girl has to be in style!
JINXY! Just this past weekend I went to my local Competition Cycles to try on a Shift product, their mesh jacket with CE rated armor. The small fit good, but the medium I bet would be more comfy. Here in Florida, the leather doesn’t work all the time – to dang hot! Love the info on the shift jeans. I do wear Joe Rocket riding pants with armor on the 600-800 hauling azz days, but like jeans for my “sightseeing” riding days. Will look into these – thanks.PS – Nice meeting you at the Motor Maids convention in Cody. Hope you enjoyed the Motor Maids!