You know that feeling when you're standing in your garage, staring at your heavy riding gear while the thermometer hits 90℉? You want to be safe, but the thought of sweating through another stoplight makes you reach for just your jeans. I get it. We've been riding for decades and at Bohn Body Armor, we’ve had the solution to this problem for over 25 years.
Most riders think they have to choose between looking like a Power Ranger and being comfortable, but that’s a false choice.
Serious protection that doesn't compromise your style—Bohn armored pants work invisibly under any jeans or riding pants you already own.
If you are looking for the best armored pants to keep you protected without overheating or cramping your style, here are my top recommendations from our lineup:
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For Hot & Humid Weather: Cool-Air Mesh Armored Riding Pants. These are our best-sellers for a reason—they flow air like a screen door while keeping CE-Level 2 armor locked in place.
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For Year-Round Riding: All-Season Armored Riding Pants. Made from a soft, stretchy Lycra™, these are perfect for warm to mild days or layering under heavier pants in the fall.
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For Cold Weather: Winter Thermal Armored Riding Pants. These add about 10–15℉ of warmth to your ride, helping you extend your season without bulky overpants.
3 Truths About Motorcycle Pants (That Might Surprise You)
Before we talk about specs, I want to share a few things about motorcycle protection that might go against what you've heard in forums or group rides.
1. The Washing Machine Dilemma
Here's something nobody tells you at the dealership: most integrated armored pants can't handle a normal wash cycle. The armor pockets degrade, the abrasion resistant lining gets stiff, and you end up with gear that smells like a gym bag after a few summer rides.
You have two choices: wear dirty, smelly gear, or risk destroying expensive pants in the wash.
With our armored base layers, you pop out the pads in 60 seconds, throw the shell in with your regular laundry, and you're done. Your gear stays fresh, and the armor stays intact.
2. Loose armor is almost as bad as no armor.
If you wear loose-fitting jeans with armor in the pockets, check where that knee pad sits when you are in a riding position. Now imagine hitting the pavement. In many loose garments, the armor rotates away from the joint upon impact. Our “body-close” fit isn’t just for comfort; it ensures the armor is exactly where it needs to be when you hit the ground.
Fixed, body-hugging Bohn armor stays locked in place, delivering true impact protection and letting you wear any outer pants you choose.
3. One Pair of Pants Can't Do Everything
Let's say you buy $300 Kevlar® riding jeans with built-in armor. They're great for your weekend ride. But what about:
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Your commute to the office where you need to look professional?
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A casual dinner where motorcycle pants would stand out?
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Winter rides where those jeans alone won't keep you warm?
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When you want to wear cargo pants or another color of jeans?
What most people do is they end up buying multiple pairs of expensive motorcycle-specific pants for different riding conditions. Or worse, you skip the armor entirely because it's not practical for that situation.
By separating your impact protection (the armor) from your abrasion protection (whatever pants you're wearing), you get one set of armor that works under your work slacks, your jeans, your heavy winter pants—whatever the situation demands.
The 9-Zone Protection System
When we designed our armored pants, we didn't just want to meet the minimum standard. Most competitors give you knee pads and maybe hip pads. We believe your lower body needs more comprehensive coverage.
From knee to tailbone: every Bohn pant comes loaded with CE-Level 2 SAS-TEC armor and multi-zone padding for unmatched lower-body protection.
1) Hips (Zones 1 & 2)
Your hips are one of the most common impact points in a low-side crash. Bohn includes left and right CE-Level 2 SAS-TEC hip armor positioned to cover the femoral joint effectively.
Why it matters: Because these pants fit like a base layer, the armor stays snug against your hips instead of sagging or rotating like it often does in traditional riding pants.
2) Outer Thighs (Zones 3 & 4)
Most riding pants completely ignore the thigh area. Bohn adds dedicated outer-thigh padding on both legs to help absorb side impacts.
Why it matters: This cushioning helps reduce injury if the bike lands on you or during a tumble.
Note: These pads are not CE-rated simply because no CE rating category exists for thigh armor, but they provide meaningful impact cushioning.
3) Upper Knee Coverage (Zones 5 & 6)
Instead of a small knee cup, Bohn uses large, extended SAS-TEC armor that covers far more surface area around the knee.
Why it matters: Knees are often the first point of contact in a crash — larger coverage means fewer unprotected strike zones.
The tech: CE-Level 2 viscoelastic armor that stays flexible while riding and firms instantly on impact.
4) Lower Knee & Shin Coverage (Zones 7 & 8)
The protection doesn’t stop at the knee. The armor extends downward to cover the shin, an area most brands leave exposed.
Why it matters: Foot pegs, road debris, and bike contact don’t just damage knees — they destroy shins. This added coverage helps protect both.
5) Tailbone (Zone 9)
A dedicated tailbone pad protects the coccyx during backward falls.
Why it matters: Falling backward is a common reflex, and tailbone injuries are painful and slow to heal. This zone helps absorb that direct impact.
Comfort in the World (US Heat vs. European Gear)
A lot of the popular armored base layers on the market (like Pando Moto, Bowtex, or Knox) are designed in Europe. While they are excellent products, they are often built for milder, European climates.
Here in the US, we deal with 95℉ heat and 90% humidity.
That is why we built our Cool-Air Mesh fabric. It is incredibly lightweight and breathable. When you wear it under a pair of riding jeans, you actually get airflow to your skin.
Designed for 95℉ heat and 90% humidity—our Cool-Air™ mesh flows air like a screen door while keeping armor locked in place.
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The "Stickiness" Factor: Some competitors use Dyneema or thick knits that can feel sticky or scratchy against the skin when you sweat. Our Lycra™ and mesh pants are designed to either wick moisture away or move it to the outermost layer of your riding clothes.
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The Silver Lining: If you struggle with the heat, both fabric options allow you to pair your armored pants with any jeans, cargo pants or basically any pants that help you stay cool and comfortable on every ride.
The "Invisible" Fit
One of our main goals is concealability. You should be able to walk into a restaurant, office, or movie theater without looking like you just rolled off a track day.
Because our armor profile is slim (despite being CE-Level 2), it disappears under most relaxed-fit jeans or work pants.
No bulky lines, no tactical look—walk into any setting without anyone knowing you're wearing CE-Level 2 armor.
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Sizing for Every Body: We don't believe safety is just for one body type. We offer sizes from 3XS to 5XL, including Short, Tall, and Big options. Whether you are 4'9" or 6'10", we have a fit that aligns the knee armor correctly with your leg.
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The "Lanky" Solution: If you are tall and thin, finding off-the-rack riding jeans where the knee pad actually sits on your knee is a nightmare. With Bohn, the armor is attached to you, not the pants, so it's always in the right spot.
A Note on Abrasion Resistance
I want to be transparent about what our pants do and don't do. Bohn armored pants are designed primarily for impact protection.
The fabric holds the armor in place perfectly, but it is not a Kevlar®-lined abrasion garment on its own.
Complete protection strategy: Bohn handles impact forces, your outer layer (Kevlar® jeans or leather) handles abrasion.
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The Strategy: For highway riding or high-speed scenarios, we recommend wearing an abrasion-resistant layer over your Bohn pants. This could be jeans, heavy denim, or leather.
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The Burst Myth: We sometimes get asked if the pants will "burst" in a crash. In 25+ years, our customers tell us that while the fabric might tear in a slide, the armor stays securely in place, protecting the bone.
If you are a casual city rider, many find that any denim over Bohn armor offers a balance of protection and comfort they are happy with. For high-speed touring, layer up with abrasion-resistant outer gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy armor separately?
No, you do not need to buy armor separately when buying Bohn garments. All Bohn armored pants come pre-loaded with the full 7-zone armor set (Hips, Knees/Shins, Thighs, Tailbone). It is a complete system ready to ride. However, you can also buy just the armor or just the shell, in case you want multiple types of shells or extra sets when one is in the wash.
Can I wash them?
Absolutely, you can wash Bohn under layers. This is a huge advantage over traditional gear. You can remove all the armor pieces in about a minute, throw the shell in the wash with your regular clothes, and hang it to dry. No more smelly gear.
Is the armor stiff?
The armor is designed to move with you and not feel stiff at all. We use SAS-TEC viscoelastic foam, which is soft and flexible in your hands and flexes along your joints.
Will Bohn underlayers fit under skinny jeans?
Bohn armored base layer pants will fit under any jeans. If they are truly "skinny" jeans, most skinny jeans have a little stretch and this makes it easy to fit our armored pants underneath.
What if I am in between sizes?
We usually recommend sizing down Bohn products if you are between sizes. You want the garment to be snug so the armor stays in place. The fabric is very stretchy, similar to high-end athletic wear. If you’re really not sure or you’ve tried our armor before and couldn’t find the right fit, send us an email or give us a call; we’re happy to personally help.
Are Bohn pants safe for highway riding?
Bohn pants offer excellent impact protection for highway speeds (CE-Level 2). However, for highway riding, we strongly suggest wearing an abrasion-resistant outer layer (like abrasion resistant jeans or leather) over them to protect against the slide.
How long does the armor last?
Our SAS-TEC armor is designed to last 10 years before the properties that help with impact absorption begin to wane. A great investment for long-term safety.
