As of 1999, Giali ( http://www.giali.com - Note: ONE "L", not two) are manufacturing a range of protective, reinforced and padded jeans, but at the time of writing, I have no specific details as to whether the Giali stuff is any good. I guess the "techy" and care & repair stuff about armoured denim is still going to be of some use, so that is left below (remember, the specific comments refer to Shoshoni jeans, and not the Giali stuff (yet)).
Giali UK can be reached at:Impact protection is good. Abrasion can't be as good as leather, despite the eulogies. In my personal opinion.
Extra thick denim, double layered on vulnerable bits. Protek body armour over the knees (non-removable) and hips (removable). The armour is dual density but one hip piece has separated into its components after numerous washes (easily fixed with glue). I now have a 1 inch rip below the right knee, but no scratches on my leg so they did their job. BTW, there's no Kevlar or leather or owt like that. Just Protek. Price is £46.95 (cheaper than my girlfriend's 501s).
They can be a bit heavy to walk around in, especially in summer, and they won't be putting Calvin Klein out of business in the fashion stakes. That said, I never wear anything less than these when riding.
You can work the knee pads out if you do it carefully. There are some stretchy elastic bits on either side for this. Careful with what glue you use on the pads - they can dissolve. Shoshoni says they use bostik without any problems on the pads. Make sure they're not loose and that your kneepads are covering your knees in the right place when you're on your bike (when you walk around they are a bit lower).
> They can be a bit heavy to walk around in, especially in summer,
I never sweated in them when riding in the hot summer, but yeah, walking in them can get sweaty in the crotch. Fortunately, mine have finally ripped just behind the reinforced crotch piece, so I am now well ventilated there. The next pair I get I'm going to put a *thin* layer of araldite on at that place which should stop it fraying there. At least, that trick works on my cycling jeans.
xxx PJ
I cannot let your "maximum protection" feature on the protective qualities of various garments go unchallenged. I certainly agree good quality leather cannot be equaled for protection under many circumstances. I cannot agree with your writing off denim as virtually useless protective wear. I recently came off my motor cycle at around 40mph while wearing a pair of Shoshoni jeans, which contain Pro-Tek armour under a double layer of heavy duty denim. (at knees and hips - PJ) Despite sliding for some 60 yards over both the usual shard and shellgrip, I walked away without a scratch or bruise. Undoubtedly the armour played its part in protecting me from serious injury, but the jeans themselves were almost unscathed, except for two small rips around the knee and the thigh. Don't be so quick to dismiss denim. It's still great as an all round garment and can provide cost-effective protection when used with body armour.
Simon Evans, Sutton, Surrey