Body armour

[Easy-X]

Got gifted some nice Kevlar jeans - none of your aramid knock-off shite* Didn't come with an armour pieces but it has pockets for knees and hips.

Knee pieces seem essential but what are ppl's opinions on the worth of hip armour?

I get the Level 1 vs Level 2 differences but how are ppl finding this:

https://images.esellerpro.com/2189/I/487/890/sm5232-Motorcycle-Armour-Set-Elbow-1.jpg

versus this style:

https://images.esellerpro.com/2189/I/636/183/smscale17925-OB130-Oxford-Dynamic-Level-2-Shoulder-Protectors-Pair-1600-3.jpg

Hips I doubt it matters but is the latter "mesh-type" better on the knees?

*As in actual licensed Kevlar
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[rpsmith79]

I tried some of those "latter mesh" types in my kevlar jeans, but as they are flat and not shaped/formed, i found them forever twisting round and never really sitting over my knee, so would be next to useless in the event of an accident

Though different jeans may have different pockets, but mine are fairly slim fitting Bull-it jeans, with pretty tight fitting pockets, and that still didn't hold them where i would have liked them

The D3O shaped ones however, are pretty much always sitting right over my knee caps, though do look a bit bulkier when off the bike

What i will say though, is i have the mesh type ones in my jacket (Engine Hawk) and they are bloody amazing, so thin and pliable you can barely tell they are even there

In fact, it was when i upgraded from the initial Level 1 (supplied with the jacket) to Level 2 armour, that i had the spare ones to try in my jeans
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Current Bike: Honda CG125 ES4 // Honda CB600FS Hornet // Triumph Street Triple R

[Easy-X]

Haha! I think that's what I have "Ballistic Jeans" yeah... okay

That was I was thinking regards to knee shape. Might have the flatter lattice/mesh for hips and shaped for knees
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[ThunderGuts]

I used the D30 type stuff (it's not actually that brand, but the same tech) and it pretty malleable. I had to sew the pouches for the knee pads up to hold the knee pads in place though, but it wasn't arduous and I've only done it once and it's sorted now. I have hip armour in; never notice it, on or off the bike, apart from when it's really hot and I get a sweat patch under each one. Small price to pay I figure for a bit of extra protection.
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TG.

[Easy-X]

In the end it was tricky to find out the sizes of the various pieces even directly from the manufacturer websites! A few stitches to stop things rotating is a good idea though

Anyhoo, hip and knee set ordered.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[ThunderGuts]

[BRUN]

the mesh type as you call them, are far more comfortable, in my experience, most are only level 1 protection but SAS-TEC make some level 2, and D30 have just brought out level 2 versions of their ghost armour

[Easy-X]

Yes, the Level 2 SAS-TEC is what I went for. Just turned up and I'd have to say it's funny stuff, bit hard to describe Definitely suits slim fit type clothing - skinny jeans, "lumberjack shirt" jackets.

But now I'm being a bit thick: is it the rubber or fabric side that's meant to point outwards?
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Easy-X]

NVM, fabric side points out to the world

Initial observations: hip armour - 100% this (or the Level 1 D30 Ghost) is what you should be using, almost unnoticeable. Knees - very comfortable but the armour is actually too thin. As it shifts about there's a potential to roll up at the bottom. Some stitching or buying the velcro version would sort this.

I could see some clothing having this sort of armour stitched in permanently in the future, I'm certainly a convert.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[ThunderGuts]

Yeah I never notice the hip armour. As mentioned previously, the "pockets" for the knee armour always seem to big. I'm a bit sceptical velcro would hold it in place effectively, hence why I just sewed it in. When I washed my jeans for the first time it meant I couldn't remove the knee armour but I figured it's got wet before when I've been caught out in the rain so it shouldn't matter too much.

I rate armour at least as important as abrasion resistance; if you come off on the road, you're more likely to hit something rather than come to a stop on the road through friction alone.

I wish manufacturers would put the aramaid/kevlar tech into textile jackets; they can make jeans that are completely CE level 2 throughout, but pretty much all textile jackets are CE level 1, if rated at all. Surely it wouldn't be that difficult?!
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TG.

[MCN]

[c_dug]

[ThunderGuts]