Mesh? Leather? Why not both? Joe Rocket’s Reactor 3.0 jacket is made from a combination of Free Air mesh and 1.2mm leather, and it even includes a removable windproof liner for cooler temps. The Reactor 3.0 includes CE-approved shoulder and elbow armor, a back pad and fitment adjusters at the waist, wrists and forearms, and it uses heavy-duty YKK zippers. It’s available in Black, Red/Black and Blue/Black in men’s sizes S-3XL for $239.99.
Bohn Body Armor Cool-Air Mesh Armored Shirt and Pants.
As our feature “Level Up!” makes clear, an important part of preparing for a motorcycle ride is wearing abrasion-resistant apparel with protective armor covering critical impact areas like elbows, shoulders, knees and back. Some motorcycle apparel has removable armor built in and some, like jeans or jackets that put more emphasis on style than protection, may not.
For more than 20 years Bohn Body Armor has been manufacturing protective under-apparel for motorcyclists. Bohn’s long-sleeved shirts, pants and shorts are made of stretchy material designed to be worn over a T-shirt and underwear or other base layer, with a snug fit so the armor stays in place. I tested the lightweight Cool-Air Mesh armored shirt and pants, which are designed for warm weather, but Bohn also makes All-Season and Performance-Thermal versions. Bohn says its armored shirts can be worn alone and its armored pants can be worn under regular jeans, but since its garments offer no abrasion resistance we strongly recommend wearing Bohn Body Armor under dedicated motorcycle apparel that won’t easily tear or wear through upon impact.
Bohn Body Armor offers several advantages over the armor that may have come with your jacket, pants or suit. Except for the back protector (a large foam pad with a stiffer section along the spine), all of the armored protectors in Bohn’s apparel are CE Level 1 certified. Also, in the shirt, the elbow protectors extend down to cover much of the forearms, and in the pants, the knee protectors cover much of the shins. And the pants come with CE-approved hip, tailbone and thigh protectors, which are rarely included in riding pants. Each protector fits in a dedicated sleeve within the garment; just make sure the edge of the protector is tucked into the small pocket near the opening of the sleeve so it will stay in place. With the protectors removed, the garments can be thrown in the washing machine to freshen them up.
The Bohn Cool-Air Mesh shirt zips up the front and is easy to put on and take off, like a light, form-fitting jacket. The pants slide on and off like a base layer, and there is a small zipper up the back of the calf to open the cuff so it more easily goes over the foot. I’ve worn the shirt and pants during commutes and daily rides, under a Joe Rocket leather jacket and Spidi riding jeans, and during two long, hot days on the Indian FTR 1200 press launch (read the review here), which included a couple hours of very active off-road riding. Once I put the Bohn gear on, I immediately forgot I was wearing it; the four-way stretch fabric allows complete freedom of movement.
Retail pricing for Bohn’s Cool-Air Mesh shirt is $163 and pants is $173, and both are available in men’s and women’s sizes, S-XXL. All of Bohn’s garments are made in the U.S.A., and the company offers free U.S. shipping as well as a 90-day money-back guarantee.
For more information, call (888) 922-9269 or visit bohnarmor.com.
Our riding apparelserves two major functions: it protects us from abrasion (sliding along the ground) and impact (hitting the ground or other objects), but in order to accomplish both missions it also needs to be constructed with the right materials and it must fit properly. All of the apparel that we test here at Rider is made by companies that specialize in motorcycle gear, and is made with abrasion-resistant materials like leather or Cordura (nylon), Kevlar (aramid) and other thick synthetic fibers, and it typically comes with basic armor at a minimum: shoulders and elbows for jackets, knees for pants.
Sometimes, however, we may find that the fit is just a little off – sleeves are too baggy so the elbow armor moves out of place, or knee armor sits too high or too low – or we’d like to add the extra insurance of a back protector or hip and chest armor. And sometimes we love the apparel itself, but we want to “level up” our protection and comfort by upgrading the armor, say from CE level 1 to level 2.
Hang on, what exactly does “CE level 1 or 2” mean? CE is the abbreviation for Conformité Européenne, or European Conformity, and the CE mark, which can be found on everything from electronics to toys, indicates that the product is in compliance with the relevant European Union legislation for health, safety and environmental protection standards. It’s similar to the DOT sticker on your helmet or the FCC label on your iPhone.
As these two back protectors, both made by D3O, show, CE level 1 armor (top) is thinner and lighter than level 2 (bottom), but it also is less protective.
There are standards in place for all kinds of products, but the three relevant for motorcycle armor are EN1621-1 (which covers armor for the limbs, hips, shoulders and tail bone), EN1621-2 (back/spine) and EN1621-3 (chest). The standards are updated from time to time, and the relevant date is appended to the code, for example EN1621-1:2012 for limb armor, last updated in 2012.
To qualify for CE approval, armor must pass a test: a 5 kg weight is dropped with the force of 50 joules (approx. 37 lb-ft) onto the armor nine times, and the amount of force transmitted is measured. The less force that is transmitted, the more protective the armor, as you can see in the current standards:
EN1621-1:2012 (Limbs, Hips, Shoulders)
Level 1 – Average transmitted force of <35 kN; no single impact can be >50 kN Level 2 – Average transmitted force of <20 kN; no single impact can be >30 kN
EN1621-2:2014 (Back)
Level 1 – Average transmitted force of <18 kN; no single impact can be >24 kN Level 2 – Average transmitted force of <9 kN; no single impact can be >12 kN
EN1621-3:2017 (Chest)
Level 1 – Average transmitted force of <18 kN; no single impact can be >24 kN Level 2 – Average transmitted force of <9 kN; no single impact can be >15 kN
Some manufacturers go beyond impact protection to also certify their armor for temperature (extreme heat or cold).
Since we aren’t subject to EU regulations, some American apparel companies – but not all – use armor that’s described as “CE level 1,” but isn’t actually tested and certified. In these cases, it’s hard to know if what you’re buying has been independently tested, if it carries an outdated certification or if it’s just foam.
How to read an official CE label.
The best way to know for sure is to look for the CE label as shown in the graphic above. If your armor doesn’t have a CE label, even if it’s stamped “CE,” there’s simply no way to know if it’s been properly tested and certified.
As Matthew Dawson of Forcefield Body Armour explains, “Anything that carries the correct labeling must be tested and certified. Anything that doesn’t, cannot be classified as a CE motorcycle protective impact product. Any brand with the correct marking and labeling should be able to produce that certification on request.”
Most casual street riding and touring apparel includes shoulder, elbow and knee armor, possibly with a foam back pad and hip pads; some products step it up with a back protector and hip armor. Racing or high-end sport riding gear often includes CE level 2 armor throughout, but even then back armor is usually optional. Some jackets don’t come with any armor at all, but there are pockets for it to be added.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that, like the EPS liner in your helmet, armor breaks down and degrades over time, so a good rule of thumb is to replace it every five years or so.
Non-CE-certified stock armor is often made of inexpensive materials like stiff foam and lacks ventilation holes. And remember, even if it’s stamped “CE,” if there is no official label there’s no way to know if it’s been properly tested to the current standards.
In all of these cases, you might decide to “level up” your armor with lightweight, comfortable CE-approved products from a dedicated aftermarket manufacturer like Forcefield or D3O. These companies offer shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and back armor that is CE-approved to levels 1 and 2, and certified for temperatures from -10 to +40 degrees Celsius (14 F to 104 F).
Which level you choose is entirely at your discretion, and depends not just on how robust you want your protection but also comfort and fit. For example, you might prefer thinner, less bulky level 1 armor for your casual, street-oriented leather jacket, while your heavy-duty touring suit will comfortably accept thicker level 2 pieces. But either way the replacement armor will likely be more protective and more comfortable than the stock armor.
When installing it, be sure the pocket seals close securely (most use hook-and-loop fasteners) and that the armor sits where it’s supposed to. The easiest way to make sure aftermarket armor will fit is to measure the stock armor’s length and width; the replacement should be that size or just a bit smaller.
Make sure your upgrade armor fits properly; D3O’s smaller Type A protector fit in my jacket’s shoulder pocket (left), but the larger Type B protector was too large (right). Measure your stock armor before you order replacements, and if necessary call or email the retailer to get the new armor’s dimensions. Properly fitted, the hook-and-loop will close securely and the armor won’t move around inside the pocket.
That said, sometimes replacement armor will be difficult or impossible to fit into the pockets of your apparel, and this is especially common with back protectors. It seems there are as many back protector pocket shapes as there are jacket styles, so if you’re having trouble finding one that fits your jacket – or you’re looking for even better protection – strap-on back armor might be your best option. Options range from a simple spine protector to one with an integrated kidney belt to a complete torso armor package that also protects your chest and ribs.
Back protectors come in many shapes and sizes. These two CE-certified back protectors are from Forcefield (top) and Spidi (bottom, which I added to my 4Season Lady suit).
Going a step further, companies like Bohn Body Armor (check out our review here), Forcefield and Fly Racing (see image below) offer armored base layers that provide complete protection from shoulders to shins, and these can be worn under just about anything – including your favorite old (un-armored) leather jacket. Just remember the second function of our apparel: abrasion resistance. Your armor will protect you from the impact, but cotton jeans or a thin jacket will shred uselessly; layer up appropriately.
In today’s world of distracted drivers and ever more crowded roads, protecting yourself is more important than ever. Leveling up your apparel’s armor is an easy and inexpensive way to ensure you’re safe and comfortable every time you swing a leg over the saddle.
Armored base layers like this Fly Barricade keep the armor exactly where it should be and can be worn under just about anything.
Motonation’s Fuego riding jeans are an affordable alternative to wearing regular street jeans.
Kevlar-lined riding jeans are a great choice for those riders looking for something more protective than their favorite pair of Levi’s, but without the utilitarian (and bulky) look of dedicated motorcycle pants. Motonation offers two models of riding jeans, the men’s Sherpa and the women’s Fuego, both priced at an extremely affordable $99.
The Fuego jeans I tested are made of a stretchy 13.5-oz. denim with enough give to make them quite comfortable even when I’m tucked onto a sportbike, although I would’ve preferred a higher waist in the back–they gaped open and I found myself compulsively tugging my jacket down to cover my exposed back. Inside is a shin-length mesh liner with Kevlar panels at the buttocks and from just above the knee to where the liner ends at the upper shin, and a 4.5-inch strip down the outside of each thigh. I consider this minimal coverage, but the upside is that the Fuegos are cooler and more comfortable to wear than jeans with more complete Kevlar coverage.
There are pockets for optional knee and hip armor (or you can buy some from Forcefield or D3O), and the knee pockets include hook-and-loop strips to position the armor where you need it. Because of the mesh liner, there is no telltale stitching on the outside of the jeans that gives away their moto mission, and though they are slightly thicker than “street” jeans the Fuegos are comfortable enough to wear around all day (and night). Speaking of stitching, at this price point you aren’t getting seams triple-stitched with high-tensile-strength thread, which means the Fuegos might not hold together as long in a slide. Again, a potential trade-off that’s your decision to make.
As for sizing, any woman reading this knows how unpredictable women’s jeans can be, so I’ll do my best to guide you here. I typically (with an asterisk of course) wear a size 6, but in the Fuegos I’m an 8 so let’s say they run a size small. As mentioned previously, the denim is fairly stretchy which helps with fit, and sizes 6-10 are available in short, regular and long lengths (for a $99 pair of riding jeans, having three lengths to choose from is almost unheard-of). It does get complicated outside those sizes, however: size 4 comes in short and regular, 12 in regular and long, and 14 in regular only. Got that?
Bottom line is, if the Fuegos fit you and you’re OK with sacrificing a bit of abrasion protection for a cooler, more comfortable fit–and if you don’t have a lot of dough to spend–they certainly are a better choice than riding in your everyday jeans.
For more information, call (619) 401-4100 or visit motonation.com.
For more than 20 years, riders have been wearing Bohn Body Armor’s lightweight, cool and comfortable armored shirts, pants and shorts to protect them from shoulders to shins. Bohn armored apparel fits comfortably under your favorite riding clothes and keeps the armor snug and in place in case you ever need it. Men’s and women’s sizes are available from 2XS to 3XL, and Bohn offers free shipping in the U.S. (and a discounted rate for Canada and international orders).
Hit the twisties in style and protection with the FL-2 gauntlet glove by Fly Racing. This full-featured sport glove is made from supple goatskin, with aramid thread for the ultimate in burst resistance. Fit is relaxed due to its deep tunneling design, and fingers are pre-curved and the palm is reinforced. Sliders on the palm and gauntlet and knuckle protectors round out the package. The FL-2 is available in Black, Black/White/Red and Black/White for $109.95.
The Traveler shirt from Moto-Skiveez is lightweight, packable and supremely comfortable.
Moto-Skiveez has made its name by creating riding shorts and tights that coddle our tushes, but its comfortable clothing line also includes two moto-oriented shirts. I slipped into the Traveler model for this review. And I do mean slip–the slinky polyester fabric lies lightly on the skin and moves with you, not against you. Stretch panels on either side enhance that freedom of movement when you’re setting up camp or doing a little post-ride yoga. The sleeves on my size small are a good length for my ape-ish arms, and sport two low-profile snap closures at the cuffs to adjust for wrist size or weather.
Snaps also close the front of the shirt, making it easier to adjust with gloved hands and emitting a satisfying rrrrriiiiipp when it’s time to shed the shirt. Two chest pockets provide handy storage, each capable of holding a passport, wallet or phone. The left one opens via a glove-friendly, self-closing magnetic catch and the more secure right pocket zips closed.
Moto-Skiveez doesn’t claim an SPF rating for the shirt, but the rip-stop weave is substantial enough that I feel safe being out in the sun in it. Flow-through vents behind the shoulders are backed with porous mesh to circulate air, and raising the collar protects your neck from the sun.
I took the Traveler on a multi-day ride along the California coast and found it to be perfect for end-of-day lounging and dinner. It was such an improvement over my usual luggage-wrinkled cotton attire that my buddies had to tolerate me singing “Sharp Dressed Man” on the way to the restaurant (though they nixed the air guitar).
The provided stuff bag is large enough to tuck the Traveler in with room to spare, and with care in packing (fold, then roll), the shirt emerges from its drawstring cocoon relatively unfazed. Hanging it up helps relieve any residual wrinkles, and it washes easily in a sink.
The Traveler lists for $60, and comes in men’s sizes S-2XL, in light gray only. If you want a shirt to slip into after a long day in the saddle–one that feels good, fits well and is easy to live with–give the Traveler a look. Who knows, you might get some looks yourself.
For more information, call (888) 819-0185 or visit motoskiveez.com.
The Samira Gore-Tex women’s jacket from iXS includes a removable teal puffy inner jacket that can be worn on its own off the bike.
Continuing to provethat it’s possible to be protected from both mishaps and the elements while still looking great, Swiss apparel manufacturer iXS’s 2019 catalog includes this attractive women’s Gore-Tex jacket, the Samira. The 3-layer waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex membrane is sewn in rather than laminated, making the Samira just a bit bulkier than a single-layer jacket might be, but the upshot is that, at $299, it’s also less expensive. It also doesn’t look like a “sensible” waterproof touring jacket with 15 pockets, which appeals to my personal taste and makes the Samira look at home on just about any type of motorcycle, from a cruiser to a sportbike.
The tailored polyamide (nylon) outer jacket includes zippered hip gussets for fit, a dual-zipper fold-over front closure that effectively seals out wind, zipper and hook-and-loop closure at the wrists and a multi-position snap at the neck. Shiny silver zippers accent the waist pockets and main closure, while inside are a cell phone pocket and a large zippered pocket. Small vents at the shoulders only flow a hint of air, with larger back vents for exhaust; because of the limited airflow the Samira is best worn as a “shoulder season” or milder weather jacket.
My favorite feature is the Samira’s quilted inner liner, which can be worn independently off the bike as a fashionable teal-colored “puffy” jacket. It has its own zippered waist, cell phone and large inner pockets and is made of a silky, durable material that won’t easily tear. Worn in combination with the outer jacket, the Samira is toasty warm and a perfect foil for those cold, damp mornings. Elemental protection: check. And mishaps? The Samira includes CE level 1-approved shoulder, elbow and back armor.
As with most iXS products we’ve tested, fit is European (read: snugly tailored), so I would advise ordering up a size if you prefer a looser fit. Sizes run from S-3XL, and you can have any color you want so long as it’s black with white accents.
For more information, see your dealer or visit moto.ixs.com.
The Trilobite Rally jacket is made of abrasion-resistant Trilobitex that looks like waxed cotton.
Before disappearing in the mass extinction at the end of the Paleozoic era about 252 million years ago, trilobites were one of the most enduring early animals, thriving in the seas for more than 300 million years. Much credit for their survival goes to the arthropod’s tough exoskeleton, which resembles an articulated motorcycle back protector.
This flexible protective shell (and more than likely a few beers) was the inspiration for the name Trilobitex, a strong denim-like material at the heart of the Trilobite premium aramid apparel line. It includes jackets, shirts, gloves and men’s and women’s riding jeans, all designed in the Czech Republic and imported to the U.S. by Motonation.
Trilobite’s Rally jacket jumped off the catalog page at me thanks to its traditional but stylish waxed cotton and denim look. A technical touring jacket, the Rally’s outer materials include Trilobitex in the impact and abrasion areas, which is a laminate of Dyneema denim (said to have extremely high tensile strength), a Kevlar layer for abrasion and tearing resistance and a Tri-Tex waterproof membrane.
All told Trilobitex is far stronger and more abrasion resistant than Cordura nylon but looks like denim. The rest of the jacket features waxed cotton laminated with Kevlar and a Tri-Tex membrane for good looks, durability and waterproofness, and YKK zippers are used throughout.
The Trilobite Rally jacket comes in men’s sizes S-2XL.
Backing up the Rally’s rugged shell is CE Level 2 armor in the shoulders and elbows, and there’s a pocket for an optional $79 CE Level 2 back protector. For additional warmth and water resistance, the jacket includes a zip-out Thermolite vest and zip-out Tri-Tex waterproof jacket liner that can be worn separately. With the liners out the Rally jacket is a nice weight for warm-weather riding, and large zippered vents on the chest, back and sleeves flow lots of air.
Comfort and fit are enhanced with soft-touch material on the cuffs and collar, which has a strap retainer, and adjustable waist belts and sleeve straps. Cargo capacity is immense, too, with a total of nine pockets, including a large zippered hunter’s pocket on the lower back, and interior wallet and media pockets. For conspicuity there’s a reflective Trilobite logo emblazoned across the back.
With the Tri-Tex liner zipped in the Rally jacket is thoroughly waterproof, and it takes a real gully washer to make it leak even with the liner out. I find it the perfect weight for three-season riding with mild summers, and I really like the look and fit. The Trilobite Rally jacket comes in Dark Blue/Black in men’s sizes S-2XL and goes for $319 with a one-year warranty.
For more information, call (619) 401-4100 or visit motonation.com.
The TCX Baja Gore-Tex adventure touring boots are comfortable and protective.
You can’t fake it when it comes to evaluating adventure boots. Meant for rugged riding day after day, they have to hold up to continuous abuse while remaining comfortable and protective. After two days of breaking in TCX’s Baja Gore-Tex boots around home and the office, I hopped onto my BMW F 800 GS to discover what they have to offer the adventure rider, or the street rider looking for more robust footwear. My first impression was how light these boots are while still being certified to the European motorcycle foot safety standard EN 13634:2015. The Euro size 42 (US men’s 8.5) boots tested here weigh just 4.8 pounds.
Italian company TCX is all about boots, producing everything from MotoGP racing boots to a line of everyday foot protection for motorcyclists. If you recall the Oxtar brand, it became TCX in 2005. It makes 75 percent of its boots, plus thousands of pairs of OEM branded footwear, at a boot facility in Romania, and all TCX boots and shoes are certified to EN 13634.
The Baja Gore-Tex model meets level 2 of the standard for impact abrasion and cut resistance for the upper, as well as transverse rigidity (ability of the sole to resist crosswise pressure), and meets requirements for water resistance, water absorption and slip resistance. A large shin guard dominates the protection package, but there are polyurethane inserts for the ankles, heels and toes beneath the leather.
Constructed of full-grain leather, the Baja Gore-Tex boots feature a padded elastic collar around the calf, a suede insert at the inner calf and three adjustable aluminum buckle closures. A patch of hook-and-loop closes the top. Foot comfort stems from TCX’s Comfort Fit System, whereby each boot is shaped by hand over a mold of a human foot. It must work, as I wore them for 14 hours some days without discomfort. Front and rear flex panels allow plenty of ankle movement for walking and technical riding.
My testing comprised a nine-day Utah adventure ride spanning 2,500 miles in various environments and weather. There were long freeway stretches, including a 110-degree crossing of the Mojave Desert, and miles of deep red sand. More miles of rocky downhill tested the critical boot sole/footpeg interface.
One slip off the rain-wet pegs could have spelled disaster for bike and rider, but the TCX sole stuck tight to the pegs, and several hours of standing did not cause foot pain. Rain never penetrated the Bajas, nor did the shin-deep water of a creek crossing. I gave them a hose test at home to confirm that they are waterproof.
The TCX Baja Gore-Tex boots were perfect companions on my Utah adventure, and I’m looking forward to many more rides in them. For $359.99, they are a good value in a highly protective waterproof/breathable boot. They come in black only; men’s sizes EU 38–48; US 5–13.
For more information, see your dealer or visit ridetcxboots.com.
