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The best motorcycle armored shorts for street riders are the Knox Action Pro MK2, which add removable CE armor at the hip, thigh and tailbone under any pair of pants. For off-road riding, the Leatt 3DF 5.0 covers the most area, and the Fly Racing CE Barricade is the best value with certified hip protection.
Quick picks
-
Best for street riding
Knox Action Pro MK2 Unisex Armored Shorts
- Armor
- Removable Micro-Lock hip, thigh, tailbone
- Certification
- EN17092-6 Class C garment
- Price
- $$$
-
Best coverage
- Armor
- Hip, thigh and coccyx plates
- Certification
- Hip CE EN 1621-1
- Price
- $$$
-
Best value
Fly Racing CE Barricade Impact Shorts
- Armor
- Rheon AIS hip, EVA padding
- Certification
- Hip CE EN1621-1 Level 1
- Price
- $$
-
Best for off-road
- Armor
- 3DF hip, upper hip, thigh, tailbone
- Certification
- Hip CE EN1621-1 Level 1
- Price
- $$$$
- Best for hot dual-sport rides: Klim Tactical Shorts
Armored shorts, also called protective or impact shorts, are a base layer with pads at the hips and tailbone, two areas that hit the ground in a lot of low-side and off-road falls. They fill the gap when your riding pants or jeans only have knee armor. We compared current RevZilla listings on armor coverage, certification, fabric and fit. Throttle Buff is a research site, so these picks come from manufacturer specs and listings, not our own testing.
Motorcycle armored shorts compared
| Shorts | Best for | Armor | Certification | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knox Action Pro MK2 Unisex Armored Shorts | Best for street riding | Removable Micro-Lock hip, thigh, tailbone | EN17092-6 Class C garment | $$$ |
| Dainese Hard Shorts E1 | Best coverage | Hip, thigh and coccyx plates | Hip CE EN 1621-1 | $$$ |
| Fly Racing CE Barricade Impact Shorts | Best value | Rheon AIS hip, EVA padding | Hip CE EN1621-1 Level 1 | $$ |
| Leatt 3DF 5.0 Impact Shorts | Best for off-road | 3DF hip, upper hip, thigh, tailbone | Hip CE EN1621-1 Level 1 | $$$$ |
| Klim Tactical Shorts | Best for hot dual-sport rides | Perforated Poron XRD foam | No CE rating listed | $$$$ |
Price tiers: $$ is under $100, $$$ is $100 to $149, $$$$ is $150 and up. Prices are RevZilla listings, November 2026.
Best motorcycle armored shorts: 5 picks
1. Knox Action Pro MK2 Armored Shorts: best for street riding
The Knox Action Pro MK2 shorts are the most street-friendly pick here. They are built from DuPont Sorona Agile stretch fabric with four-way stretch mesh on the outside and stretch mesh inside, so they sit flat under riding jeans or textile pants. Removable CE-approved Micro-Lock Compact armor covers the hip, thigh and coccyx, and the whole garment is approved to EN17092-6 as a Class C garment. A drawcord waistband and silicone grip strips stop the legs riding up. Knox also markets them for cycling on their own.
Pick them if your riding jeans have knee armor but no hip pockets, which is common on cheaper denim.
Pros
- Low profile under street pants
- Removable CE armor at hip, thigh and tailbone
- Whole garment rated to EN17092-6
Cons
- Higher price than dirt-focused shorts
- Thin armor, not a replacement for a full suit
2. Dainese Hard Shorts E1: best hip and tailbone coverage
Dainese designed the Hard Shorts E1 as a base layer to wear under casual clothes, Kevlar jeans or off-road gear. Pro-Shape soft hip protectors are certified to CE EN 1621-1, perforated polypropylene plates with Crash Absorb cover the thighs, and a polypropylene and polyethylene sandwich plate protects the coccyx. Soft inserts sit at the sides and buttocks, and the chassis is breathable elastic mesh.
Fit is the catch. RevZilla customers report they run small and recommend going up two sizes, so check the size chart against your waist and hips before ordering.
Pros
- Wide coverage including thigh plates
- Certified hip protectors
- Breathable mesh
Cons
- Runs about two sizes small
- Plates are less flexible than foam
3. Fly Racing CE Barricade Impact Shorts: best value
Fly Racing’s CE Barricade shorts are the cheapest certified option in this list. Hip protection uses Rheon’s Adaptive Impact System and is CE tested and certified to EN1621-1 Level 1, with thermoformed EVA foam padding elsewhere. The multi-panel fabric uses flatlock stitching, the waistband is extra wide, and there is a chamois pad for longer days in the saddle. Silicone-printed leg cuffs keep them in place.
They are aimed at dirt riding, but the low profile also works under looser street pants.
Pros
- Lowest price for CE hip armor
- Rheon AIS hip protection
- Chamois for long days
Cons
- Hip is the only certified zone
- Cut for dirt riding
4. Leatt 3DF 5.0 Impact Shorts: best for motocross and enduro
Leatt’s 3DF 5.0 shorts cover the most area of the off-road options: certified 3DF hip protection to EN1621-1 Level 1, plus upper hip, thigh and non-removable coccyx padding. The fabric is anti-odor MoistureCool with AirMesh panels, and the pre-shaped 3D cut is designed to follow the body when you stand on the pegs.
If you ride motocross or enduro and fall on your hips more than you would like, these are worth the extra money. The cheaper Leatt 3DF 3.0 drops the upper hip and tailbone padding.
Pros
- Hip, upper hip, thigh and tailbone covered
- Anti-odor wicking fabric
- Pre-shaped fit
Cons
- Expensive
- Tailbone pad is not removable
5. Klim Tactical Shorts: best for hot dual-sport rides
Klim’s Tactical Shorts are a next-to-skin armored base layer for off-road and dual-sport riders. They use perforated Poron XRD foam in the impact zones, Klim’s Aggressor cooling fabric with Brrr cooling technology, mesh pad pockets and a built-in chamois that runs up to the tailbone. Silicone at the hem helps them sit under knee brace sleeves.
Klim doesn’t list a CE rating for the padding on RevZilla, so treat these as comfort-first protection for hot trail days rather than certified hip armor.
Pros
- Built for heat
- Fits under knee brace sleeves
- Comfortable chamois
Cons
- No CE rating listed
- Most expensive pick
How to choose motorcycle armored shorts
Certification
Look for hip armor certified to EN 1621-1, the European standard for limb and joint impact protectors. Level 1 is the most common rating in shorts, and Level 2 absorbs more impact but adds thickness. A garment rating such as EN17092-6 Class C means the shorts are designed to hold armor in place under another layer, not to resist abrasion on their own. Our motorcycle armor guide explains the levels in more detail.
Street or off-road
Street riders want thin, flexible pads that disappear under riding pants or overpants. Off-road riders usually want more coverage and a chamois, and shorts that work with motocross pants and a knee brace.
Fit
The pads only work if they sit over the bone when you are seated on the bike. Measure your waist and hips, read each brand’s chart and note the sizing advice: Dainese buyers size up two sizes. Silicone leg grippers help stop the shorts from riding up.
Heat
Mesh panels and perforated foam make a real difference in summer. If you ride in heat, prioritize breathable fabric and pair the shorts with mesh gear.
FAQ
Are motorcycle armored shorts worth it?
If your pants lack hip armor, yes. They are a cheap way to add certified hip protection to jeans or textile pants you already own.
Can you wear armored shorts under jeans?
Yes. Low-profile shorts like the Knox Action Pro MK2 and Dainese Hard Shorts E1 are designed for it. Jeans still need abrasion resistance, so choose riding denim.
Is it legal to wear shorts on a motorcycle?
Most US states don’t regulate riders’ clothing beyond helmets and eye protection, but rules vary, so check your state. Shorts on their own give no abrasion protection: armored shorts go under pants, not instead of them.
Do armored shorts protect your tailbone?
Most do. Knox, Dainese and Leatt list coccyx protection. For your spine, add a back protector.
How should armored shorts fit?
Snug, like compression shorts, with the hip pads over your hip bones in the riding position.
Verdict
The Knox Action Pro MK2 are the best motorcycle armored shorts for street riders who want hip and tailbone armor under everyday pants. Choose the Dainese Hard Shorts E1 for the widest coverage, the Fly Racing CE Barricade on a budget, the Leatt 3DF 5.0 for motocross and the Klim Tactical for hot dual-sport days. Check current size charts at Dainese and Leatt before you order.
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