Full disclosure: I have never owned a pair of cargo pants; they’re just not my style. However, I have been quite happy with Roadskin motorcycle jeans, so when they put out a pair of Cargo motorcycle trousers, I was more than happy to lift my personal cargo pants boycott to check them out.
Motorcycle jeans have been around for a while, and Roadskin has been pushing the envelope on protection. The British company’s Taranis Elite motorcycle jeans earn the CE Class AAA protection and durability rating, the highest standard for motorcycle pants. Roadskin successfully combined style, comfort, and protection in one pair of pants. Besides the fact that they’re on the warm side in the summer and the fly lays funny, the Taranis Elite jeans are perfect at their sub-$200/pair price point. The Roadskin Cargo motorcycle trousers (as the Brits call them) continue the commitment to protection with comfort.
Roadskin backs down the protection level a step for the Cargo trousers compared to the Taranis Elite jeans. With a CE Class AA rating, the Roadskin Cargo trousers are designed for medium-level duty—not high-performance, but more than simply urban use. The trousers are bolstered by top-notch CE Level 2 armor in the hips and knees. Pants without impact protection can score no higher than Class B in the CE hierarchy.
So, while you aren’t looking at the very highest level of protection, the Roadskin Cargo trousers are superior to pants without a CE rating because you have an objective standard that has been met. Apparel lacking CE ratings falls into the “trust me” category with the makers.
Okay, so we have established that the Roadskin Cargo motorcycle trousers are safe to wear when riding. The additional good news is that they’re also impressively comfortable, as long as the thermometer behaves at the high end.
The Roadskin Cargo trousers use a cotton (98 percent) and spandex (2 percent) blend for the outer layer. While that doesn’t sound like a lot of stretch, there’s enough for a good feel, and it enhances the fit. The inner protective layer is Kevlar (60 percent) and polyester (40 percent). Along with the cut, my average build is accommodated and flattered. The Cargo trousers look and feel good.
On various bikes, the Roadskin Cargo trousers are transparent to wear, though they are warm and a bit heavy—inevitable side effects of the protection level. They don’t draw attention away from you when you’re riding, and they move effortlessly with you—spandex matters, even when it’s two percent. I often go without thigh impact protection on pants. However, the Cargo’s thigh protection is unobtrusive, as is the knee protection, which I consider uncompromisingly essential—kinda funny considering I used to confidently wear Levi’s 501s years ago.
Walking around, they’re comfortable enough that I don’t have to pull them off as soon as I finish my ride. They look good when you go into a café, which is always important, and the fly lays flat. Although Roadskin claims the Cargo trousers will stretch over most street boots, I didn’t find that to be the case. Consider these tuck-in boots pants, except with low-rise boots or riding shoes.
Given the name Cargo, they’re seriously about carrying stuff, such as a smartphone, wallet, keys, and maybe a fob.
Starting with the cargo pockets on the lower thighs, which make these cargo pants, they aren’t quite as roomy or secure as I would like. Each thigh pocket measures six-by-six inches, with a flap that uses a hook-and-loop closure.
With a battery case installed, my iPhone 12 Mini fits, though not with much room to spare. If I had a 12 Pro Max, which measures 6.33 inches high, with a battery case, it wouldn’t fit. The current iPhone 16 Pro Max is 0.11 inches taller, which doesn’t help. Also, with the tight fit, the hook-and-loop, despite being strong, doesn’t engender a lot of confidence. Fortunately, the hook-and-loop never came loose when riding. I’d prefer an inner zipper to fully secure the contents. My wallet, keys, and fobs are all fine in the thigh pockets.
The slash pockets in the front below the waist are also a curious choice. With the slash dropping so low, what would be very deep and secure pockets are compromised. I put my keys and a fob in the pockets, but I always felt a touch uneasy. Again, I never had a problem, though I was careful about how I used them. I prefer a traditional curved inset pocket, which would enhance the practicality of the pockets. There is no watch pocket, which is not an issue.
I really don’t use the rear patch pockets on riding jeans. I don’t want anything falling out, and they can make sitting less comfortable. Still, if you want to put a folded piece of paper in the rear pockets—maybe you picked up a flyer—they’re good for that. Roadskin ups the game by adding a flap over the pocket with its robust hook-and-loop. While I’m still not going to put my wallet or anything I can’t afford to lose in the rear pockets, these patch pockets are as good as you’re going to get, as a zipper isn’t practical in the back.
If you like the look of cargo jeans, the Roadskin Cargo motorcycle trousers get the job done. They are as stylish as cargo pants can be, and they offer an elevated level of protection against abrasion and impact. The cargo-carrying aspect of the trousers could use some enhancement. Though I still don’t consider myself a champion of cargo pants, I like wearing the Roadskin Cargo motorcycle trousers as a change of pace, especially when it’s cool out—under 70 degrees for this spoiled second-generation Southern Californian.
Static photography by Nic de Sena
Action photography by Marco Campelli and Nic de Sena
Roadskin Cargo Motorcycle Trousers Fast Facts
- Sizes: Waist, 30-42 (even sizes); length, 30-34 (even sizes)
- Certifications: CE Class AA rating for abrasion
- Protection: CE Level 2 armor for hips and knees
- Colors: Black; Olive
Roadskin Cargo Motorcycle Trousers Price: $165 MSRP
