Armored Motorcycle Base Layers: Which Class Fits You?

In midsummer you don't want a thick suit, but you don't want to ride without protection either. That is exactly what armored motorcycle base layers are for: tight protective underwear you wear under normal clothes, or on its own in the heat. It looks like a sports shirt or a pair of leggings, but it is made of abrasion-resistant fabric and has pockets for armor. This overview shows what classes A, AA and AAA mean for a piece like this and how Pando Moto, Bowtex, Rev'it, Knox and other brands differ.

Key takeaways

• A base layer with a class under EN 17092 is protective clothing. Normal sports or thermal underwear has no such class.
• As a rough guide: A for short city rides, AA for country roads and tours, AAA for fast and sporty riding.
• The class applies to the garment. The armor is tested separately and has its own level.
• Among the brands checked, prices are mostly between 190 and 400 euros per piece. Knox is cheaper, with £119.99 for the shirt.

What is an armored motorcycle base layer?

A base layer is the layer directly on your skin or over your T-shirt. Normal functional underwear wicks away sweat and keeps you warm or cool depending on the model, but it doesn't protect you in a crash. A protective base layer combines both: the fabric withstands sliding over asphalt, and pockets at the shoulders, elbows, hips or knees hold armor.

The tight cut has a practical reason. The armor stays where it belongs instead of shifting around in a loose jacket. That is why a base layer should fit like a second skin. Many brands also advertise that you can wear it under jeans or a hoodie without anyone noticing.

What do A, AA and AAA mean for underwear?

The letters come from the European standard EN 17092. The more A's, the higher the requirements for abrasion resistance, seams and tear strength in the lab test.

• A: basic protection for short distances and low speeds.
• AA: higher requirements, meant for country roads and tours.
• AAA: the highest class, meant for fast and sporty riding.
• B and C: add-ons. B only tests abrasion protection, C only tests impact protection from armor. A class C piece does not replace a base layer with A, AA or AAA.

Two things are easy to overlook. First, the class says nothing about the level of the armor. That is printed separately on the armor itself (EN 1621, Level 1 or 2). Second, a lab test is not a promise for a real crash. What that means is explained in the article Why even AAA jackets fail in a crash. You can find the classes in detail in A, AA and AAA in motorcycle clothing.

Whether a piece is tested, you can see on the label inside the garment: CE mark, the EN 17092 reference and the class.

The brands at a glance

The table shows the pieces rated under EN 17092 according to the manufacturer's site, as of 30 September 2026. Prices are the manufacturers' prices including VAT and can change.

What sets the brands apart

Pando Moto has the widest range: shirt, leggings and a women's bodysuit, in AA or AAA depending on the model. The fabric is called Balistex and, according to the manufacturer, is 65% UHMWPE, a very tear-resistant synthetic fiber. The SHELL UH 03 comes with shoulder and elbow armor (SAS-TEC TripleFlex, Level 1), and a back protector costs 49 € extra. The SKIN UH AAA comes with Level 2 hip and knee armor. Pando also offers a lifetime replacement program for gear damaged in a crash (conditions apply).

Bowtex splits things cleanly into two lines. The Optimal pieces are AA and cost less, the Elite pieces are AAA with Dyneema fabric and Level 2 armor. A back protector is optional on the Elite Shirt.

Rev'it makes the Nucleus more of a slim armored jacket than classic underwear. In return, Level 2 shoulder, elbow and back armor is already included, plus a Level 1 chest protector. The class is AA, and the fabric is an airy 3D mesh.

Knox goes for class A with the Action Pro series. That suits the city, and the shirt and trousers are cheap. The trousers also protect the thighs and tailbone, and the armor can be taken out for washing. Knox gives a five-year warranty on registered armor. If you want more, Knox also has an AAA piece with the Honister MK2.

Held shows with the Exosafe Vest 2 where the difference to class C lies: the vest only offers impact protection for the back and therefore does not replace a base layer with abrasion protection.

John Doe, Dainese and Alpinestars: For the John Doe XTM Baselayer trousers, retailers list AA (women's) and AAA (Pro women's). No class was to be found on the manufacturer's site, so check the label. Dainese and Alpinestars have underwear and armor pieces, but no base layer with a stated EN 17092 class on the manufacturers' sites.

Which class fits you?

• City and short trips: Class A is often enough, for example the Knox Action Pro. With AA you are better covered.
• Country roads, tours, summer: AA is the usual middle ground, for example SHELL UH 03, Bowtex Optimal or Rev'it Nucleus.
• Fast and sporty: AAA is worth it here, such as SKIN UH AAA, Bowtex Elite or Knox Honister MK2.

If you wear the base layer on its own, its class is the protection you have. Under a tested jacket or trousers, it mainly holds the armor firmly in place. Think about your back too: the Knox Action Pro Shirt and Rev'it Nucleus come with a back protector, while on the Pando SHELL UH 03 and Bowtex Elite it is optional.

What to check before you buy

• Check the label: CE, EN 17092 and the class must be inside the garment. If they are missing, it isn't certified protective clothing.
• Manufacturer site instead of retailer text: Retailers sometimes list different classes. One shop listed the Knox Action Pro Trousers as AA, while Knox itself says class A. Even on manufacturer sites, the class and the speed rating don't always match. The label is what counts.
• Clarify the armor: Which areas are covered, what level does it have, and is the back protector included in the price?
• Fit: The base layer should fit snugly without pinching. Follow the manufacturer's size chart.
• Care: Take the armor out before washing. For the SKIN UH AAA, Pando recommends hand washing in cold water. More in Washing and caring for motorcycle clothing.
• Compare prices: The range is wide. Look at what is included in the price before you compare pieces.

Summary

An armored motorcycle base layer makes hot weather bearable without giving up protection. What matters is the class on the label, not the marketing text: A for the city, AA for tours, AAA for high speeds. Pando Moto and Bowtex cover AA and AAA, Rev'it delivers a complete package in AA with the Nucleus, and Knox sticks to A and is cheap.

If you are planning your budget for the whole kit, Motorcycle gear explained: what is really worth it? helps you set priorities.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• SHELL UH 03 Baselayer (Pando Moto)
• SKIN UH AAA Leggings (Pando Moto)
• Elite Shirt Men V2 (Bowtex)
• Optimal Shirt Men (Bowtex)
• Nucleus armored vest (REV'IT!)
• Action Pro Unisex Trousers (Knox)
• Men's Action Pro Shirt (Knox)
• Men's Honister Armoured Shirt MK2 (Knox)
• CE certification and protection classes (Held)

As of September 2026. Prices and classes can change.