Time to spend some Christmas cash! One of the many things I've been looking at is getting some armor for my lower body.
I'm not sure if I'm sold on the cost of bohn body armor, so I started looking at knee/shin armor as an alternative.
Newenough.com has 3 different kinds and I wanted to know if anyone has any of these and what your thoughts are.
Alpine Reflex Knee Guards $24
Fieldsheer Armadillo Knee Armor $45
Icon Field Armor Leg $65
http://www.newenough.com/armor/all_types/

Let me know what your thoughts are.:feedback:

may sound weird but a riding buddy of mine, uses hockey armor, looks like the same thing a baseball catcher uses..cost him $5, fits nice under his jeans

I was thinking something similar as well. I am sure it would work kust as well.

I have the Olympia Airglide pants. I really like them but there isn't any padding on the butt and not much on the hips. I've crashed enough on my mtn. bike to know what sliding on my butt at speed can do. So, I cut out some pads from an ensolite camping pad that fit snugly into the rear pockets and also some that fit beneath the hip pads. They really don't show, but add a bit more protection if I go "Thump!"

Time to spend some Christmas cash! One of the many things I've been looking at is getting some armor for my lower body.
I'm not sure if I'm sold on the cost of bohn body armor, so I started looking at knee/shin armor as an alternative.
Newenough.com has 3 different kinds and I wanted to know if anyone has any of these and what your thoughts are.
Alpine Reflex Knee Guards $24
Fieldsheer Armadillo Knee Armor $45
Icon Field Armor Leg $65
http://www.newenough.com/armor/all_types/

Let me know what your thoughts are.:feedback:

I have the Icon field armor. As pads go they are good although sometimes they will slowly slip down my legs. Webbikeworld reviewed the Reflex pads and did not like them. I wear under my kevlar jeans, but... Nothing is going to protect you has well as motorcycle pants because they have the armor in the knees and hips and the abrasion resistance jeans don't have. Plus they protect your hips and ass. Check out the Olympia Air Glide 3 season over pants at www.revzilla.com (http://www.revzilla.com/product/olympia-airglide-over-pants#), they are on clearance now at $139 - very good pants for the money.

I wear the Fox knee/shin guards (which are similar to the Alpinstars) under my riding pants, in place of the furnished knee armor which came with the pants. I put the guards on before my boots go on (Oxtar Pro Comp or Sidi Discovery) with the shin portion extending down inside of the boots.

Guard straps and boots make sure that they stay in place in a get off. Not uncomfortable to me. Wears and feels like the old style (1900's) cavalry boots, but with hard outside surfaces.

Next best thing to fitted racing leathers.

Just my $.02

I have the Icon field armor. As pads go they are good although sometimes they will slowly slip down my legs. Webbikeworld reviewed the Reflex pads and did not like them. I wear under my kevlar jeans, but... Nothing is going to protect you has well as motorcycle pants because they have the armor in the knees and hips and the abrasion resistance jeans don't have. Plus they protect your hips and ass. Check out the Olympia Air Glide 3 season over pants at www.revzilla.com (http://www.revzilla.com/product/olympia-airglide-over-pants#), they are on clearance now at $139 - very good pants for the money.

Have you worn these pants in the hot weather? My concern with true motorcycle pants is that they'll be too hot in the summer and I won't wear them. I know that protection is the key, obviously that's what I'm asking questions for, but if they are too hot to wear and I don't wear them, then they're pointless to have.
I do have an Olympia Jacket (not sure what model) so olympia pants would be nice to go with.

-- Just read more about these olympia pants. they look pretty cool and review are good. I just need to not be a cheapskate and buy them...

Have you worn these pants in the hot weather? My concern with true motorcycle pants is that they'll be too hot in the summer and I won't wear them. I know that protection is the key, obviously that's what I'm asking questions for, but if they are too hot to wear and I don't wear them, then they're pointless to have.
I do have an Olympia Jacket (not sure what model) so olympia pants would be nice to go with.

-- Just read more about these olympia pants. they look pretty cool and review are good. I just need to not be a cheapskate and buy them...

These have ballistic nylon mesh inserts in non contact areas so they flow a lot of air with the insulated liner removed. I wear mine with shorts (pants not underwear) underneath in hot summer and they are cooler than wearing jeans. In cooler weather I wear jeans underneath and add the insulated liners. they have zips all the way up the side of the leg so they are easy to get on without talking your boots off. They come in a single length and are designed to be hemmed to the requred length. Because they are overpants they are easy to step in and out of next to your bike.

Sweet. I will order some soon. I am tall (6'5") so I like that they have long legs!
Thanks for your feedback!

i wear these ALL the time and love them.
http://www.sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Bike.aspx?id=b8a0c6c4-60c1-44b3-83b6-a578b5b2270e&product=c2bb0970-0fce-4da7-ab02-24d753a38a62

one thing i found with pads is, you need straps above your knee to keep them up in place.

dave

Have you worn these pants in the hot weather? My concern with true motorcycle pants is that they'll be too hot in the summer and I won't wear them.

Just remember that it hurts less to sweat than to bleed. I also keep in mind what I learned from a friend's daughter who is an ICU nurse. She says that motorcyclists who end up in her care the longest are there not for broken bones or internal injuries, but for infection arising from road rash. When all the nasty crud on a road gets ground into your skin, bad things happen.

I've been wearing overpants on every ride for about 7 years now. The only time they get hot is when you are not moving. If you stop, you can always take them off.

Just remember that it hurts less to sweat than to bleed. I also keep in mind what I learned from a friend's daughter who is an ICU nurse. She says that motorcyclists who end up in her care the longest are there not for broken bones or internal injuries, but for infection arising from road rash. When all the nasty crud on a road gets ground into your skin, bad things happen.

I've been wearing overpants on every ride for about 7 years now. The only time they get hot is when you are not moving. If you stop, you can always take them off.

I am proud to say that I am now an own of proper motorcycle overpants now. They came in mid last week. Olymipa Airglide 2. Can't wait to wear them on EVERY ride. I also purchased my wife new boots, helmet and jacket and gloves. We haven't found a set of pants that fit her nice that that she likes, but we will and we'll buy them.

I have to say that since joining this site, I have learned a lot more about safety. This is a good thing. It's cool to look good, it's cooler to be equipped properly. It seems that a lot of the guys posting regularly on the forum are a bit older then me, (I'm 32) and have learned far more then I have so I am taking advice of these fine gentlemen rather then trying to argue with it as I would have when I was younger. Hell maybe that makes me "old" too. Either way, it's a good thing. Since buying my Versys I have not rode one time without my jacket, boots and helmet. (I always wore a helmet previously though) Since joining the forum I have purchased an new jacket (with armor), 2 new pair of gloves and a new set of boots. The guy I normally ride with thinks I've turned into a puss, but that's fine. We'll see who's laughing if I fall. I have had the pleasure of dumping one bike (due to being side swiped) and it friggen hurts. Don't want that again. Needless to say I hope to never test any safety equipment I have purchased, but I will be glad to have it if the opportunity arises.
There is a guy on the site named ATGATT and I had never heard that saying before joining this forum. Since the first time I read those letters ATGATT and finally figured out what they meant, I have not been able to get them out of my head. I am working on ATG, but for now, whatever I have, I wear ATT. Need a bit more money and a bit more advice on what realistic/affordable gear is.

I am all ears.

Mawson,

There is an old Latin Proverb that says:

"A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own."

Last year I layed my bike down at a low speed (about 15 MPH) and was fortunate enough to get just a sore knee for my trouble. Since then I've invested in a pair of overpants. I am now ATGATT!

It sounds like you 've got it all over me, as you're learning from others.

Keep riding, and be safe.

Monte

Mawson,

There is an old Latin Proverb that says:

"A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own."

Last year I layed my bike down at a low speed (about 15 MPH) and was fortunate enough to get just a sore knee for my trouble. Since then I've invested in a pair of overpants. I am now ATGATT!

It sounds like you 've got it all over me, as you're learning from others.

Keep riding, and be safe.

Monte
Thanks Monte. I am working on things. Got a two year old, 2 month old twins and a lovely wife that I want to be around for. Not to mention, I like being alive and whine too much when I am in pain....crashing sucks in my experience. Hopefully if there is a next time it will be less painful.

Draggin' Jeans in association With Knox armor have just released some decent Knee armor that goes under their Kevlar jeans which i have just bought and they feel fantastic. they fit like a tube sock.

http://www.dragginjeans.net/product/knee%20guard

lots of good info on the protection. Just as a note: Kevlar is puncture resistant not meant for abrasion resistance.

I wear BMW's summer pants, great hip and knee protection.
http://www.bmw-riders-gear.com/BMWRA_products.asp?page=12&mm=Apparel&c=Suits&sc=Pants&m=MC%2DRiders&r1=&md=&a1=ON&d1=ON&i1=ON&p1=1&p2=12&s1=&bplo=&bphi=

Bit spendy, but I fell off in California on a long trip in 08, only doing about 4mph and smashed my knee.

Had to go to the emergency room and get it strapped up. Then rode nearly 1000 miles with it almost straight propped on a pair of vice grips as a temporary highway peg. Even though it was over 100F, I had full gear on, except for armored pants, if I'd been wearing them, I would have avoided a trip to the ER! Now its AGATT regardless of the temp. You won't regret your purchase, just make sure you wear them, even for a 'quick' trip to the store.

Machog