I purchased a pair of these pants recently and had the unfortunate luck to put them to the test. I was riding along @60mph on the interstate when suddenly everyone was braking. I hit my brakes, the rear wheel locked up, fishtailed, and threw me to the ground. Skidding along the pavement at 60mph, I can tell you that the knee and hip armor absorbed the impact and the rest of the pants stayed together very well, much better than what denim pants would have done. I think the waterproof aspect of these pants may have now been compromised, but that is just the excuse I will use to go ahead and order another pair.
What could have been a terrible accident with a destroyed knee and hips and thighs turned to roadrash hamburger, instead left me with only a slight scraped area on my forearm and a banged up shoulder, but hips and knees and all the walking bits are fine. I know there are more expensive pants out there and maybe they are even more amazing, but these pants saved my precious skin and I am going to buy a replacement pair.