What do you use for your armor, boot, knee and elbow protection?
Let’s create a resource where we can share our thoughts, research, and solutions. Here’s how I approach it:
I’d say I have 3-4 configurations of protection, as a function of the type of riding I expect to do. And the configuration runs along a spectrum from fully armored, Power Ranger setup to casual, wife ride, with comfort increasing as you move from left (total ATTGAT) to right (mostly ATTGAT but less RoboCop)
Level 1: Full Dirty, Send It Kit:
Application: when I plan to ride the 500 or the 990 like a dirt bike – technical, harder = increased probability of a dirt-flavor unplanned dismount. Very small or no chance of a pavement get-off.
- Leatt 6.5 Pro Chest Protector – note the side armor. This is a super beefy chest protector
- Leatt elbow pads, worn under my jersey. They’re very comfortable but I find they slide down if work over jersey.
- Leatt (I think) padded shorts – thigh, hip, and tailbone protection
- Asteriks knee braces – I have a very old pair, with armor that extends well up my thigh into into the shin area of the boot.
- Sidi Crossfire motocross boots – hinged ankle and the entire boot can be rebuilt. Been riding dirty for 20yrs and this is my 3rd pair, purchased new last season. The between the boots and the braces, my legs are crazy armored.
- Pants - I have two pairs of Klim moto pants, one is vented mesh and the other has zippered vents. Knee braces worn under these. But for the last couple of seasons I’ve been experimenting with more multi–purpose pants, wearing the braces over the pants. I have a couple pairs of 511 tactical pants and a pair of vented hiking pants I got for a good price. I l generally like this non-moto solution because the pockets and design is much better and the pants are very comfortable for around camp, after I take off the braces and boots.
- Jersey: worn under the armor. I don’t like the contortions of getting a jersey on over this chest protector, or taking if off. I also like to be able to quickly shed the armor at a lunch stop and be comfortable.
- Jacket or rain protection: I have an older Klim goretex jacket, lightweight, that stays strapped to my Apecat, or stashed under a cargo net if I’m on a camping ride. Doubles as decent warm jacket in camp.
- Helmet: Klim FWhatever super vented and lightweight helmet. Love this thing.
Level 2: ADV touring, mix of dirt and pavement, multiday stuff
- I have an older Klim Badlands $$$$$ jacket and pants. Super robust, heavy, need a damn checklist for all of the vented zippers.
- Knees and boots: if this is a multiday ride with a high potential for knuckleheadery, I’ll wear the Astericks and Crossfires. If the jackass coefficient is lower, I’ll the knees pads that came with the pants, and a pair of Sidi ADV boots – also have a hinged ankle, but much lighter and more comfortable than the crossfires.
- Mesh jacket / pants touring option: I did the WY BDR in 2022 with Crossfires, Asterix braces, mesh Klim pants, and a mesh Klim jacket, with the lightweight Klim jacket at the ready as a rain or cold riding layer.
- Helmet: Arai XD with Sena 20
However, more and more often I find myself touring-ish in that Level 1 setup above, or some permutation of it, because it’s lighter and more comfortable than this damn $$$$ and heavy full Klim Badlands jacket and pants. That said, I know I’m giving up pavement protection.
Level 3: Casual Day / Wife Ride:
- Jacket: Klim mesh
- Pants: either Klim mesh, or 511 Tactical or hiking pants, with mtb knee pads underneath.
- Boots: Sidi adventure.
- Helmet: Arai with Sena comms to wife.
In summary, I’ve been riding a long time and have tried out many, many variations of armor this that and the other thing. I’ve learned what works for me and when, along a continuum of protection and comfort, and I’ve had time to source this stuff gradually, and used, if possible. But between my wife and I, I don’t want to even begin to do the math on our moto closets…
What do you have, use, mix and match, and why?