Long-term test of the Alpinestars Charlie Denim motorcycle jeans

The Oscar range of motorcycle gear from Alpinestars, launched in spring 2015, is based on the strong current trend of vintage: among these garments with a retro look but with modern comfort are the Charlie Denim jeans, tested by MNC for six months. Trial.

Static: flawless!

Vintage or neo-retro: whatever name you choose, the classic revisited in a modern way (or vice versa!) is on the rise in motorcycle production. And this trend is not lost on equipment manufacturers, who see it as an excellent way to shine beyond the motorcycle universe.

This is particularly the case for the clothes in the new Oscar range from Alpinestars, whose style inspired by the 70s is likely to appeal to all lovers of pretty retro clothes, whether they are bikers or not. Worn on all types of two-wheelers by MNC for six months, the Charlie Denim jeans follow this logic with their classic and sober look.

Visually, nothing indicates that these pants combining cotton, polyester and elastane (an elastic material favorable to comfort) were originally intended for motorcycling. Its close-fitting cut - a little too much even at the thighs - and its design, as stylish as it is neat, rather evoke high-end and fashionable jeans like Diesel, Hugo Boss or Levi's.

This feeling is reinforced by the use of a quality fabric - a little rough to the touch - and inserts in genuine brown tinted leather, at the level of the label on the back and the small key ring on the back. before. The discreetly golden seams are perfectly made and are lined on the upper part of the Charlie jeans, in order to increase their resistance.

This is the case, among other things, of the seams at the level of the pockets (two at the back and three at the front, including a small "gusset" pocket) and the six belt loops. This choice is relevant since during our test, no seams frayed or relaxed.

In general, the durability is excellent. The fabric is durable and its indigo blue hue has remained as deep as day one, despite exposure to the elements and multiple machine washes.

The attention to detail also goes through the "Oscar" engraving on the rivets and the central closing button, on which also appears the number "1963" which refers to the date on which a leather specialist, Sante Mazzarolo, launched the Alpinestars brand. in Asolo, a small town located in northern Italy where the transalpine brand's headquarters are still located.

A good way for "Alpi" to recall its rich past... and to legitimize its retro Oscar range!

Dynamic: comfort but practical aspects and protection that could be improved

Pleasant to look at, the Charlie Denim jeans are a little less pleasant to the touch: their thick fabric is rather rough and is also not very breathable. In the absence of all forms of ventilation, ventilation is insufficient, as is the evacuation of perspiration when temperatures exceed 25°C. A shame for equipment rather intended to be worn in the summer...

The advantage is that the Charlie derives from it unexpected properties of insulation against the cold, sufficient in any case to face the first frosts of the late autumn.

In winter, just put on long underwear or thermal underwear to face short trips, especially in town.

But this feature is not enough to make them all-season pants: lacking a membrane or waterproof treatment, these motorcycle jeans are not waterproof, unlike the Jacob Esquad tested by MNC, for example. In addition, for lack of a raised part at the back, the lower back is cruelly exposed to drafts.

Looking to get fit this summer? Your summer fitness round-up explores how to get fit in the great outdoors while st… https://t.co/9BIVM7ghGa

— Women's Fitness mag Wed Jul 14 16:50:03 +0000 2021

In terms of comfort, its perfectible cut can cause some inconvenience: wide at the waist and much more curved at the level of the thighs, the Charlie can exert a certain pressure on the back of the legs when the ergonomics of the motorcycle forces them to be folded up strongly, like on a sports car.

The lower legs, which are very narrow and not elastic, can be annoying: putting the jeans over your motorcycle boots is not easy and even turns into a headache with bulky models, such as Touring boots whose high and thick upper requires a fairly wide trouser opening.

To facilitate the operation, Alpinestars should have installed scratched or zipped openings on the lower legs, like other jeans in its range, which are much more practical on this point, such as the Hellcat Tech Denim. MNC also regrets the absence of a zipper on at least one pocket, in order to place change or keys there without the risk of "scattering" everything on the motorcycle.

Finally, the protection of these fairly high-end pants (€179.95) appears quite light since it is essentially based on flexible shells above the knees. Although CE approved, these shells appear thin and not very enveloping: to be compared with those used by the BMW City Denim 2 (in orange in the photo below), one of the most protective jeans tested by MNC.

In addition to these shells, the height of which can be varied for better ergonomics, the Charlie Denim also has a layer containing aramid fibers on the areas most exposed in the event of a fall (buttocks and knees). Again, this textile "shell" lacks thickness to our taste and could be more developed to cover other sensitive body parts, such as the hips.

Especially since no space is provided to install additional protections at the hips, while many competing jeans now include internal pockets for this purpose.

Verdict: stylish but not functional on a motorcycle

The Charlie Denim jeans are as pleasant to look at as they are rewarding to wear. It is certainly a beautiful piece of equipment, designed and produced with care: so many significant advantages on a daily basis. It can be worn on a motorcycle, in the office and then in a restaurant, which is not always the case with other motorcycle-type products, which are often bulkier and less aesthetic.

However, the look is one thing, the functionality is another! In this case, it is clear that these Alpinestars pants make some significant concessions in areas that are essential for motorcycles and scooters: protection, comfort and practical aspects.

Showing so much lightness on these aspects is an approach that is all the more open to criticism since the Charlie Denim is far from cheap: almost 180 euros for non-waterproof jeans, without a lockable pocket and hip reinforcements, it starts to be expensive to be "trendy"...

Alpinestars Charlie Denim technical data sheet