Five of the best... motorcycle trousers for short legs

Only one of the first 25 reviewers docked a star from these slim-fitting denim jeans, which are lined at the seat, hips and knees with genuine Kevlar abrasion-resistant material. There’s knee armour to the basic Level 1 of CE, which is height-adjustable to get the right coverage, and pockets for optional hip armour (add £15-£20). They’re available in blue or black and waist sizes 30in-44in, with all those sizes having 30in as the short leg option. Overall, they meet the basic A grade within the CE safety standard.

The first 12 customers to review Oxford’s waterproof textile jeans all gave perfect marks and these trousers then picked up 10 further five-star ratings for an overall average of 4.8 from 27 reviews. The jeans use Oxford’s Dry2Dry membrane, which is laminated to the nylon outer shell for better waterproofing and faster drying. It also means opening the zip vents lets a lot of air through (remember to close them in the rain, though). The short leg option is for 30in inside legs, and that is the same across the whole range of waist sizes.

These riding denims have amassed a huge number of reviews and a very creditable average rating of 4.8 from the first 121 owners to leave a score. Riders particularly like the comfort, the subtlety of the design (no stitching around the knees to signal you’re wearing bike jeans) and the comfort of the armour. Those protectors also meet the higher Level 2 of the CE impact tests. The knee armour is height-adjustable, which particularly helps on the short leg option. Our data, and comments from reviewers, suggest sizing is generous and you may want to order a size smaller than you’d normally take. The Tactical Icon jeans are single-layer denims that pass CE safety tests at AA, the middle of three levels.

After a mighty 106 riders reviewed these adventure-touring textile jeans, they collected an average rating of 4.8. They’re the matching trousers for RST’s popular adventure jacket and they have a combined thermal/waterproof liner that can be taken out in one piece. They’re laden with vents for strong airflow and have knee armour that meets the higher Level 2 within CE. Waist sizes range from 30in to 44in and all of them have a short leg that’s 30in. They also have a respected Recommended tag from product magazine RiDE.

Oxford’s textile trousers have a removable waterproof and thermal liner, making them flexible for a wide range of conditions, especially when riding in high temperatures. They have large vent panels on the thighs to further boost their effectiveness in hot weather. Braces help keep them up when off the bike and prevent a gap appearing between the trousers and jacket. An average rating of 4.8 from the first 37 reviews shows a good level of satisfaction, and those who bought a short-leg option describe them as working well for them. The Continental jeans pass the CE safety tests at level A, the most basic of the three pass levels.