Caring for your textile motorcycle trousers: Tips for longevity
If you have spent good money on a pair of textile motorcycle trousers, the last thing you want is to see them fall apart after a season or two. Good riding gear takes a beating on the road, and it needs a bit of attention to stay in top shape.
The good news is that looking after your trousers is not complicated. A few simple habits can keep them waterproof, protective, and comfortable for years. In this guide, we will cover everything from washing and drying to storage and reproofing.
Why proper care matters
Textile motorcycle trousers are not just ordinary clothing. They are built to protect you. Most good pairs contain CE-approved armour at the knees and hips, and the outer shell is often made from durable materials like Cordura or aramid-lined denim.
Take the Texpeed Cargo Waterproof Black Motorcycle Trousers, for example. They are made from Cordura fabric with CE-approved armour built in,priced at £59.99. That kind of construction is designed to hold up in a crash, but only if the fabric and protective materials are kept in good condition. Poor care speeds up the breakdown of the waterproof coating, weakens the fabric, and can even affect how the armour sits and performs.
Looking after your gear properly means it will be ready to protect you every time you ride.
Check the care label first
Before you wash anything, check the care label. Different trousers use different fabrics and construction methods, and what works for one pair may not be right for another.
Most textile motorcycle trousers will tell you the wash temperature, whether machine washing is safe, and whether tumble drying is allowed. Follow these instructions carefully. They are not just suggestions.
If your trousers have removable armour pads or a detachable lining, take those out before washing. The armour pads in something like the Texpeed waterproof trousers should never go in the machine. A quick wipe with a damp cloth is all they need.
How to wash your textile motorcycle trousers
Washing is the most important step in keeping your gear in good shape. Here is how to do it right.
Use a gentle, non-biological detergent. Harsh cleaning products can strip the waterproof coating and damage the fabric fibres over time. Wash on a cool setting, usually 30 degrees, unless the care label says otherwise. Never use fabric softener. It sounds harmless, but it clogs the fabric and kills the water-repellent finish.
Turn your trousers inside out before putting them in the machine. This protects the outer fabric and any reflective panels. Use a gentle spin cycle rather than a fast one. High-speed spinning puts unnecessary stress on the seams, and over time that can cause them to fray.
If your trousers are heavily soiled after a wet or muddy ride, rinse them briefly first to remove the worst of the dirt before a full wash.
Drying your trousers the right way
Once washed, how you dry your textile motorcycle trousers matters just as much as how you wash them.
Always air dry. Hang them in a well-ventilated space or outdoors in the shade. Direct sunlight for long periods can fade the colour and weaken the fabric over time, so shade is better than full sun.
Avoid tumble drying unless the care label specifically says it is safe. High heat can shrink the fabric, damage the seams, and ruin the waterproof finish. Keeping them away from radiators is also a good idea. A warm room is fine, but direct heat from a radiator or heater can cause problems.
Once your trousers are fully dry, refit the armour pads and lining. Never store them before they are completely dry. Damp gear packed away will develop mildew quickly.
Restoring the waterproof finish
A very common complaint among riders is that their textile motorcycle trousers stop keeping the rain out after a while. This usually happens because the DWR coating on the outer fabric has worn down through use and washing. The good news is that you can restore it.
After washing and drying your trousers, use a spray-on or wash-in reproofing product designed for technical fabrics. Products from brands like Nikwax or Grangers work well on motorcycle gear. Apply the spray evenly to the outer surface while the trousers are still slightly damp for best results.
Some reproofing products are activated by gentle heat. If the care label on your trousers allows it, a short tumble in the dryer on a low setting after applying the proofer can help it bond to the fabric.
For trousers like the Texpeed waterproof Cordura trousers, which are designed to handle British weather, keeping the waterproof finish in good condition makes a real difference to comfort on wet days. Reproof at least once a season, or more often if you ride through rain regularly.
Caring for the armour and lining
The CE-approved armour inside your textile motorcycle trousers is one of the most important parts of the whole garment. It needs its own care and regular checks.
After every few rides, wipe the knee and hip armour pads with a damp cloth to remove sweat and dirt. Check each pad for cracks, dents, or signs that the foam has compressed. If a pad has taken a serious impact, replace it even if it looks fine on the outside. The foam may have lost its ability to absorb energy properly.
The Texpeed aramid motorcycle jeans and protective aramid denim trousers both use CE-certified armour at the knees, priced at £49.99, That protection only works properly when the armour is in good condition and sitting correctly in its pockets. Each time you pull on your trousers, take a moment to check that the pads are in the right position.
If your trousers have a removable thermal or waterproof inner lining, wash that separately according to its own care instructions. Most linings can be hand washed and left to air dry flat.
Dealing with stains and road grime
Riding means your gear will get dirty. Oil, mud, and road grime are all part of everyday riding, and knowing how to deal with them properly will keep your trousers looking and performing well.
For oil or grease stains, blot the area gently with a cloth. Do not rub, as rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric. Apply a small amount of washing-up liquid directly to the stain and leave it for a few minutes before washing the trousers normally.
For mud, let it dry completely first. Once it is dry, brush off as much as you can with a soft brush before putting the trousers in the machine. Washing wet mud often just spreads it further into the fabric.
For tar or road residue, use a specialist textile cleaner. Avoid harsh solvents because they can damage both the outer fabric and the waterproof coating. Always test any cleaning product on a small hidden area first to make sure it does not cause discolouration.
Storing your trousers between rides
How you store your textile motorcycle trousers has a bigger effect than most riders realise. Poor storage leads to creased fabric, seized zips, and materials that degrade faster than they should.
Always store your trousers clean and fully dry. Putting damp gear away, even slightly damp, leads to mildew and unpleasant odours that are very hard to remove.
Hang them up rather than folding them. Folding puts stress on the seams and can cause permanent creases in the fabric or the armour pockets. Keep them somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight. UV light breaks down most technical fabrics over time, including Cordura and aramid blends.
Leave the zips slightly open when storing rather than fully closed. Fully closed zips under pressure can wear the zip tape and teeth faster than normal.
Zip and fastener care
The zips on your textile motorcycle trousers go through a lot. They get opened and closed in all weather, often with cold or gloved hands, and they need to work reliably every time.
Clean the zip teeth regularly with a soft brush to remove dirt and grit. Apply a small amount of zip lubricant or rub a little beeswax along the teeth to keep them running smoothly. Avoid using WD-40 on zips. It attracts dust and grit over time, which creates more problems than it solves.
Check Velcro fastenings and press studs regularly. Velcro collects fluff and lint and loses its grip when it is clogged. A stiff brush or fine-tooth comb will clear it out and restore the hold.
When to think about replacing your trousers
Even with the best care, textile motorcycle trousers will not last forever. Here are some signs that it might be time for a new pair.
If the fabric has thinned noticeably around the knees, seat, or inner thighs, the protection it offers has been compromised. If the waterproof finish no longer works even after reproofing, the outer membrane may be damaged beyond repair. Fraying seams and torn armour pockets are also clear signs that a replacement is due.
Most importantly, if your trousers have been in a crash, even a minor one, replace them. Impact can cause damage that is not visible to the eye, both to the outer fabric and to the protective inserts inside.
Texpeed offers a well-priced range of textile motorcycle trousers that are built to handle British conditions without costing a fortune. The Cordura waterproof trousers at £59.99 and the aramid-lined jeans at £49.99 pounds are solid choices for riders who want real protection at a fair price.
Caring for your textile motorcycle trousers does not take much time, but it does make a real difference. Wash them properly, reproof them regularly, store them clean and dry, and check the armour from time to time. That is honestly all it takes to keep them performing well for years.
