For too long, women riders have had to settle for gear that was essentially just men's clothing made smaller and colored pink. Finding gear that fits a real woman's curves – from hips and chests to different leg lengths – is a struggle I have seen firsthand for over 25 years. At Bohn Body Armor, we believe your gear should work with your body, not against it.
When you wear gear that does not fit your body correctly, the armor often ends up in the wrong place or shifts away during a fall. This can lead to avoidable injuries and a lot of unnecessary stress while you are trying to enjoy your ride.
The relief of putting on a set of armor that stays exactly where it belongs allows you to focus on the road and feel confident.
We want to help you build a riding kit that makes you feel safe and comfortable without sacrificing your personal style. This article will help you understand what's available in the market and why fit matters so much.
Women deserve gear designed for their bodies, not just pink versions of men's jackets. It’s a safety issue, too: proper fit keeps armor where it needs to be to do its job.
What's Available in Women's Motorcycle Gear
When you search for women's motorcycle gear, you'll find several brands that have made efforts to address the fit problem with varying degrees of success.
All of these are good options for layering over Bohn’s body-tight armor underlayers, which I’ll get into later.
Rev’It
Rev’It offers a dedicated women’s collection with jackets like the Vigor and Eclipse, designed for narrower shoulders and wider hips. Their gear features CE armor and reinforced panels in critical areas. Riders appreciate the thoughtful attention to women’s body shapes.
Their jackets balance safety with style, making them suitable for both sport and casual riding. Fabric choices provide comfort in varying weather conditions. The cut of each jacket is carefully tailored for female riders.
Rev’It’s women’s jackets blend style, CE armor, and tailored cuts for narrower shoulders, wider hips, and all-weather comfort.
Rev’It consistently delivers quality women’s gear with a focus on protection and performance. Their designs are practical, stylish, and durable, making them suitable for riders of all levels. This combination of fit, safety, and versatility sets them apart in women’s motorcycle gear.
Alpinestars
Alpinestars created the Stella line specifically for women, including the Stella GP Plus and Stella Andes. These jackets feature adjusted patterns and CE-certified armor. The line improves fit compared to unisex options.
Alpine Stars has long been the favorite for track and sport riders, but they are also moving into street and adventure wear with strong pieces that are durable, well-ventilated, and comfortable.
Alpinestars’ Stella jackets offer women tailored fits, CE armor, and durable, ventilated designs for track or street riding.
The Stella line makes female-specific gear accessible and functional. We are happy that Alpinestars is giving women riders more options, especially across different riding styles and performance needs.
Dainese
Dainese brings Italian race engineering to women’s jackets and race suits through many of their product lines, including the popular Avro jacket. These feature female-specific cuts and high-quality CE armor.
Like Alpine Stars, Dainese also has a focus on sport and track riding. Recently, they've done a lot of great work in fitting jackets to the body through stretch panels and ergonomic designs that make riding more comfortable, especially for curvy body types.
Dainese women’s jackets combine Italian design, CE armor, and ergonomic cuts for protection, comfort, and enhanced mobility.
Dainese excels in detail, performance, and style. Their gear is durable, safe, and fashionable, making it a top choice for women who want both Italian design and functionality. Jackets can be used for track, street, or casual riding, giving a complete riding experience.
Roland Sands Design
Roland Sands Design makes women’s jackets like Maven and Bristol with a casual street style. CE armor is usually bundled in as well at the elbows and shoulders. The designs are casual, making these jackets suitable for both streetwear and riding.
Roland Sands is great for the classic or vintage cafe rider that wants a sturdy, well-built jacket that also looks very casual and fashionable. Roland Sands has really distinctive looks for these types of riders.
Roland Sands women’s jackets blend casual street style with CE armor, sturdy materials, and fashion-forward motorcycle functionality.
RSD jackets stand out for style, protection, and versatility. Riders enjoy unique designs that don’t compromise on safety. The gear is perfect for women who want a casual aesthetic without giving up quality construction or protective features.
Joe Rocket
Joe Rocket offers budget-friendly women’s options like the Atomic series. You get decent bang for the buck with armor usually included at the elbows and shoulders. Though don't expect a lot of customization, venting, or high abrasion resistance like you would get in an Alpinestars or Dainese jacket.
Joe Rocket women’s jackets like Atomic offer durable, budget-friendly protection with CE armor and practical, everyday riding design.
Joe Rocket makes safety affordable and accessible. Jackets are practical, protective, and beginner-friendly. They provide women riders with dependable gear that balances quality, affordability, and comfort for daily or casual riding.
But there’s a catch…
With all of these jackets, there is one single HUGE problem.
Unless the jacket fits very snug, like a sport jacket for the racetrack, the armor is likely to shift around in a crash, moving away from the very points you want to protect.
So why not get a sport riding jacket?
That’s fine if you only ride a tucked-position sportbike and you don't mind sweating, but if you're dealing with any sort of intense temperatures or you want a more relaxed, casual fit for touring or general street riding, you have a problem. This is the classic trade-off between comfort and protection.
The challenge is that all of these brands face the same fundamental problem: they're trying to build one-size-fits-most jackets and pants. A jacket sized for your chest might be too loose at the shoulders. Pants that fit your hips might be too long in the legs.
Two Approaches to Women's Motorcycle Gear
Understanding these two approaches helps you make a smarter decision about what actually works for your body type.
Approach 1: Women's Specific Jackets and Pants
Brands like Rev'It, Alpinestars Stella, Dainese, and Roland Sands Design create gear specifically cut for women's proportions. You buy a jacket or pants designed for female riders.
Pros: Designed with women in mind. Better proportions than men's gear and stylish options available.
Cons: Limited size range leaves many women out. Armor can still shift in looser-fitting casual styles and it’s expensive to buy multiple pieces.
Approach 2: Base Layer Armor System
This approach uses tight-fitting armored base layers that conform to your exact body shape, worn under any outerwear – like a jacket from one of those great brands we mentioned earlier.
Pros: Armor stays locked in place regardless of your proportions. Works with unlimited outer layers and massive size range (3XS to 5XL).
Cons: None - we’ve solved for comfort AND protection.
The fundamental difference is accommodation versus adaptation. Traditional women's gear tries to accommodate different body types with limited sizes. Base layer systems adapt to your exact shape.
Top Recommendations for New Bohn Riders
Let's look at which options you have for that base layer system from Bohn. These create a complete system that adapts to your body – and everybody.
This is Our classic piece designed to be comfortable, flexible, and cool in most weather. Made from a mix of Lycra and soft, breathable mesh, it holds CE-Level 2 SAS-TEC armor snugly against your shoulders, elbows, and back. Because it fits like a base layer, the 5 × 12 inch elbow armor stays perfectly positioned instead of sliding down to your wrist. For an even cooler ride, try the Cool-Air Mesh.
If you have struggled to find riding pants that fit your hips and waist without being too long, these are the answer. They use ventilated mesh that wicks away sweat. They feature CE-Level 2 SAS-TEC armor at hips, thighs, and tailbone, plus 5.25 × 12 inch knee and shin protector.
For riders who want extra protection without the bulk of full pants, these shorts are perfect. Made from high-quality Lycra™ mesh, they contain SAS-TEC armor for your hips and tailbone. These provide invisible protection under your regular jeans, making them perfect for commuting.
Why "Pink It and Shrink It" Fails Women Riders
For decades, the motorcycle industry has followed a lazy design rule: take a man's jacket, make it smaller, and add pink accents. This approach ignores the fact that women's bodies are shaped differently. A woman might have narrow shoulders but wider hips, or a larger chest and a very small waist.
When a jacket is just a smaller version of a man's cut, it ends up being too tight in some places and dangerously loose in others. The most dangerous part of this poor fit is armor placement. If the elbow armor is designed for a man's longer arm, it will sit on a woman's forearm or wrist instead of her elbow.
Pink and shrink ignores real curves. A snug Bohn base layer conforms to your exact shape, keeping SAS-TEC armor positioned correctly.
I've seen riders struggling with Rev'It jackets that fit their torso but have sleeves too long. Alpinestars Stella gear sized for the chest that's too loose everywhere else. Even Dainese women's gear, beautifully made as it is, can't account for the wide variation in women's body types.
By using a base layer system, you ensure that the 5 × 12 inch elbow and forearm SAS-TEC armor and the 5.25 × 12 inch knee and shin SAS-TEC armor stay exactly where they belong. This gives you freedom to wear whatever you want on top while knowing your vulnerable joints are covered.
Protecting Against the Initial Hit is Top Priority
Most people focus on the "slide" and road rash, but the first hard impact often causes the most trouble. While abrasion-resistant fabrics are important, our primary goal is to use SAS-TEC armor to absorb the energy of that first strike.
This is where even premium women's jackets from Rev'It and Alpinestars face challenges. Their reinforced fabrics protect against abrasion, but if armor shifts during that initial impact, it doesn't help your elbow or shoulder.
Loose Jackets Make for Useless Armor
Many women buy jackets a size larger to fit their chest or hips, but this creates a loose fit everywhere else. If your jacket is loose, the armor inside can rotate or shift the moment you hit the ground. For armor to work, it must stay between you and the asphalt.
This affects every women's specific jacket on the market because they all need to accommodate different body types with limited size options. It's not a flaw from Dainese or Roland Sands Design. It's a design constraint they can't escape.
When You Are Uncomfortable, You Are Less Safe
If your gear is too hot, it pinches, or it restricts your movement, you lose your focus on the road. High heat in the summer can slow your reaction times just as much as fatigue does. Using breathable, flexible materials like Lycra™ ensures you actually want to wear your gear every time you ride.
This is one area where modern women's gear has made progress. Materials from Rev'It and Dainese are more comfortable than older gear. The base layer approach takes this further by letting you adjust your outer layer while keeping armor consistent.
The Power of Invisible Protection
Most women I talk to don't want to look like they are about to enter a motocross race every time they go to the grocery store. Traditional motorcycle gear is often bulky and stiff, making it hard to move naturally once you are off the bike. This leads some riders to skip wearing gear altogether on short trips.
Bohn's concept of invisible protection solves this problem. Because our armored shirts and pants are so thin and flexible, they disappear under your everyday clothing. You can wear your favorite pair of jeans over our Adventure Armored Pants and look like a regular person.
Invisible protection means CE-Level 2 SAS-TEC armor hidden under regular clothes. No bulky jacket required.
This flexibility is especially helpful for women who ride to work. You can wear your armored base layers under your work clothes. Our SAS-TEC armor is soft and molds to your body using your own body heat.
Sizing That Actually Includes Everyone
One of my biggest goals has been to make sure every woman can find gear that fits. We offer a massive size range from 3XS to 5XL, and we include options for Tall, Short, and Big riders. We have successfully fit riders from 4'9" all the way up to 6'10".
If you are a petite woman, you know how hard it is to find pants that don't bunch up at your ankles. If you are a plus-size rider, you know the frustration of jackets that won't zip over your chest. Our stretch-fit garments are designed to expand and contract where you need them to.
From 3XS to 5XL, including Tall and Short options – Bohn fits 4'9" to 6'10" so armor stays exactly where it should.
When you choose a size, you are also getting armor that is scaled to your needs. For our larger sizes (3XL+), we use a 6 × 9 inch shoulder SAS-TEC protector. For smaller sizes, our standard 5 × 8 inch shoulder SAS-TEC armor provides the right balance.
Why We Use SAS-TEC Armor
We have been using SAS-TEC armor for years because it is simply the best material for keeping riders safe and comfortable. It is a viscoelastic foam that stays soft and flexible while you are riding. You can bend your arms and legs freely.
However, the moment that armor feels a sudden force – like hitting the ground – it hardens instantly. This allows it to absorb the energy of the hit and helps prevent injury to your bones. Once the impact is over, it becomes soft again.
SAS-TEC armor stays soft while riding, hardens instantly on impact to absorb energy, then becomes soft again.
Because it can survive multiple crashes, you don't have to throw it away after a minor drop. As long as the armor isn't physically torn, it remains effective for up to 10 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bohn armor only for hot weather?
While our Cool-Air line is famous for its airflow in 100℉ heat, we also offer All-Season Lycra™ garments. You can wear any of our armor under winter layers or rain gear, making it a true year-round solution.
Can I really wear this under my regular jeans?
Yes! Our armored pants and shorts are designed to be very low-profile. Most modern stretch denim or relaxed-fit jeans will easily accommodate the SAS-TEC armor without making you look bulky.
How do I know if the armor is in the right place?
When you put on a Bohn shirt or pant, the snug fit should hold the armor over your joints. The elbow armor should cover your elbow and extend down your forearm. The knee armor should cover your kneecap and the top of your shin.
Is Bohn gear safe for highway speeds?
Bohn provides excellent impact protection at any speed. However, because mesh and Lycra™ have limited abrasion resistance, we recommend wearing an abrasion-resistant outer layer (like a traditional motorcycle jacket with armor removed) if you are riding at high speeds on the highway.
What is the difference between CE-Level 1 and CE-Level 2?
Both are safety ratings for impact protection. CE-Level 2 is a higher standard, meaning the armor absorbs more energy during a hit. Most of our Bohn gear comes standard with CE-Level 2 SAS-TEC armor in the most critical areas.
How long does Bohn gear last?
The SAS-TEC armor itself is rated for up to 10 years. The fabric garments are very durable, and with proper care (washing with the armor removed), they can last for many seasons of heavy riding.
Can I wear Bohn armor under Rev'It or Alpinestars women's jackets?
Absolutely! Many women wear our base layer under their favorite Rev'It, Dainese, or Alpinestars Stella jacket for the best of both worlds. You get secure armor positioning from Bohn and the stylish fit from your outer jacket.
Why is Bohn better than just buying a women's specific jacket?
Women's specific jackets often have armor that is too small or shifts around because they can't accommodate all body types with limited size ranges. Bohn gear keeps larger pieces of SAS-TEC armor (like our 5 × 12 inch elbow guards) exactly where they need to be on any body type.
Where is Bohn Body Armor made?
Our products are designed in the USA. Our headquarters is located in Mooresville, NC, and we take great pride in our customer service and the quality of our gear. We have been helping riders stay safe since 1997.
