Commuting to work on two wheels is the best way to start your day, but it often forces you to choose between safety and looking professional once you arrive. Since 1997, we have helped riders find a way to stay protected without track-day discomfort or sweat-stained work clothes.
If you choose the wrong gear, you might find yourself skipping your protection on a hot Tuesday morning because it's too bulky or makes you sweat. This is a dangerous trade-off because even a small low-speed tumble can lead to a painful injury or a broken bone that keeps you off the bike for months.
Commute smart since 1997 – stay cool, professional, and protected with impact armor hidden under your work clothes.
Let's look at how you can wear high-quality impact protection under your everyday work clothes while staying cool and comfortable.
Top Recommendations for New Bohn Riders
All-Season Armored Pants
These are the perfect starting point for any commuter who wears jeans or chinos to the office. They use a soft, stretchy Lycra™ fabric that feels like a high-end base layer but holds CE-Level 2 SAS-TEC armor snugly against your body. They fit easily under most regular-cut pants, so you can walk into a meeting without anyone knowing you're wearing heavy-duty protection on your hips, knees, shins, and tailbone.
Cool Air Armored Shirt
If your commute involves hot weather or high humidity, this shirt is a lifesaver. It's made from a wide-mesh fabric that lets the wind blow right through to your skin, yet it houses CE-Level 2 SAS-TEC armor in the back, shoulders, and elbows. You can wear it under a light jacket or even a long-sleeve work shirt, and you'll stay much cooler than you would in a heavy, traditional motorcycle jacket.
3 Truths About Motorcycle Gear (That Might Surprise You)
1. The First Hit Is the Real Danger
Most people talk about "sliding" down the road, but in a typical city commute, the impact is what usually causes the most damage. Falling over at a stoplight or getting bumped at an intersection creates a hard "thud" that breaks bones. While sliding is scary, managing the energy of that first hard hit with quality armor is what keeps you out of the hospital.
2. Baggy Gear Can't Protect You
If your armor is floating around inside a loose jacket or baggy overpants, it probably won't be there when you hit the ground. For armor to work, it must stay between your bones and the pavement during a crash. A snug, body-close fit ensures that your SAS-TEC armor stays exactly where it needs to be, rather than rotating out of the way when you need it most.
3. If It Isn't Comfortable, You Won't Wear It
Safety gear only works if you actually have it on your body when the accident happens. Many riders leave their heavy, stiff gear at home when it gets hot or if they're just going a few miles to work. When your gear is breathable, lightweight, and fits like a second skin, you're much more likely to wear it every single time you twist the throttle.
Why 'Invisible' Protection Works for the Commute
Invisible protection works especially well for daily commuting because it removes the biggest friction point: changing clothes. Most riders don’t want to carry extra gear or spend time in an office bathroom dealing with bulky riding pants. With low-profile armor worn underneath, you can ride protected and walk straight into work without disruption.
Bohn gear is designed to disappear under your everyday outfit. Thin, flexible fabric paired with SAS-TEC armor lets you wear standard jeans, work chinos, windbreakers, or business-casual jackets on top, while the impact protection stays hidden. This means you can dress for your job and still ride with confidence.
Ride protected, walk straight into work. Low-profile SAS-TEC armor disappears under everyday clothes – no outfit changes needed.
Heat and humidity are another major concern for commuters. Cool Air mesh maximizes airflow, allowing sweat to evaporate quickly and helping regulate body temperature, so you stay cool and comfortable even in stop-and-go traffic.
The Technology Behind the Comfort
We use SAS-TEC viscoelastic foam for our armor pieces, a material that is soft and flexible while riding, allowing it to move naturally with your body without feeling stiff or restrictive. When a sudden impact occurs, the molecules lock together to absorb energy and mitigate injury, delivering protection exactly when you need it.
We believe in superior coverage, not just the basics. Our armored pants protect the hips (femur joint), knees, shins, thighs, and tailbone, while our armored shirts feature the longest arm protectors in the industry. The elbow and forearm armor measures a massive 5 × 12 inches, offering coverage that most motorcycle jackets simply can’t match.
Soft while riding, hard on impact – SAS-TEC armor with massive coverage protects more joints and lasts up to 10 years.
Additional key armor sizes include knee and shin (5.25 × 12 inches), shoulders (5 × 8 inches or 6 × 9 inches for 3XL and up), and full spine back protection. Designed to last up to 10 years before protection levels drop, this armor is a long-term investment in rider safety.
Fitting Every Rider
One of the things I'm most proud of is our size-inclusive fit. Motorcycle gear is notorious for only fitting one specific body type. We wanted to change that.
Our sizes range from 3XS all the way to 5XL. We also offer Short, Tall, and Big options to make sure the armor actually lines up with your joints. Whether you're 4'9" or 6'10", we have a fit that will work for you.
From 3XS–5XL, Short to Tall, our armor fits real riders. Stretchy Lycra™ keeps protection aligned, comfy, and secure.
If you have a lanky build, a "beer belly," or a petite frame, our gear is designed to stretch and conform to your shape. The Lycra™ and mesh fabrics provide a snug fit that keeps the armor in place without feeling restrictive.
Handling Abrasion on the Highway
A common question commuters ask is about abrasion resistance. Our armored shirts and pants are base layers designed for impact protection. They're not designed to be worn as your only layer.
For a typical city commute where speeds are lower, pairing our armored layers with a good pair of jeans provides a solid balance of safety and comfort. If your commute involves high-speed or highway stretches, we recommend wearing an abrasion-resistant outer layer.
Armor is your base. Jeans for city rides, abrasion layers for highways – layer smart for comfort and protection on every commute.
You can wear one of our lined flannels or a heavy denim jacket over your Bohn armored shirt. This "layering" approach is often much more comfortable than a single, heavy motorcycle jacket because it allows for more airflow while still letting you easily shed the outer layer as soon as you get to work.
Maintenance for the Daily Rider
Since you'll be wearing this gear every day, it needs to be easy to clean. All of our armor is removable. You can simply pop the pads out and throw the fabric shells into the washing machine.
Because the fabric is high-quality and the armor is durable, these pieces are built to last. Many of our customers wear the same Bohn gear for 10 years or more. Plus, if you have multiple fabric sets for different seasons, you can swap your one set of armor between them to save money.
Making the Right Choice for Your Commute
When you're picking out your gear, think about your specific ride:
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If you ride in a city with lots of stop-and-go traffic, focus on airflow and impact protection for your joints.
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If you have a long highway commute, ensure you have a sturdy outer layer for slide protection over your Bohn armor.
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If you ride year-round, consider getting one mesh set and one thermal set so you can swap the armor as the seasons change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear Bohn armor under regular slim-fit jeans?
Yes, the armor is so thin it will allow you to slide even the slimmest fit jeans on over them. Provided there is a small amount of stretch, we find that any jeans that you have in your closet will work just fine.
Is the armor CE-Certified?
Yes. All the armor in our shirts is CE-Level 2, which is the highest rating available. In our pants, the knees, shins, and hips are also CE-Level 2. The tailbone and thigh pads provide impact protection, but they're unrated because there's currently no specific CE category for those areas.
How do I know what size to order?
Our size chart is very accurate as long as you plan to wear the armor that comes with the garment. We recommend taking your measurements and comparing them to our chart. If you're between sizes or have a unique build, feel free to reach out to us.
Does the gear come with a warranty?
We stand behind our products and do offer a warranty – you can find the link at the bottom of our website. If you have any questions about the armor or product, feel free to contact us; our USA-based team is here to help you out.
Will I get too hot waiting at traffic lights?
Not usually. It certainly depends on the length of the light, but normally if you get a little toasty, once you hit the gas the air will cool you off in seconds. If you want the coolest fabric possible, check out our Cool Air mesh – it’s our most breathable option we offer. While no gear can stop the sun from beating down on you, the wide mesh allows every bit of a breeze to reach your skin, which helps mitigate heat much better than traditional gear.
