CE LEVELS · ARMOR FITMENT · BUYING CHECKLIST

TEST ARMOR GUIDE.
WHAT GOES where, and
why.

CE Level 1 or Level 2? D3O or SAS-TEC? Hip, knee, elbow, back? The
decisions every rider has to make, explained without marketing voice.

THE SHORT VERSION

Denimotto pieces have pockets for armor. Armor is usually sold separately. You buy
CE Level 1 or 2 inserts based on your riding speed, slot them in, and they protect your
joints from impact. The aramid lining in the denim itself handles abrasion separately.

Most riders need: Level 1 for city riding, Level 2 for highway and track. Brand matters
less than fit — D3O, SAS-TEC, and Knox all fit our pockets equally well.

CE LEVEL 1 vs Level 2

CE LEVEL 1

EN 1621-1 • L1
The minimum standard. Allows up to 18 kN of impact force to transmit through to the rider's body. Lighter, thinner, more comfortable.
Best for: City commuting under 50mph, daily wear, first-time armor users.
$15–35 PER PAIR ~10MM THICK LIGHT WEIGHT

CE LEVEL 2

EN 1621-1 • L2
The higher standard. Transmits only 9 kN of impact — half of Level 1. More material, more weight, more protection in a serious crash.
Best for: Highway riding, track days, anyone who can feel the weight difference is worth it.
$25–60 PER PAIR ~14MM THICK MEDIUM WEIGHT

THE SIMPLE RULE

If you ride at highway speeds at all, get Level 2. The price difference is small; the
protection difference is not. Level 1 is fine for parking-lot and back-road riders.

ARMOR POCKET POSITIONS

Every Denimotto piece has armor pockets at the impact zones the data says matter.
Below is what comes with each product type, and where to add armor if you want full
protection.

Protection Table
Garment Shoulders Elbows Back Hips Knees
Moto Jacket Pocket Pocket Pocket
Riding Jeans Pocket Pocket
Denim Vest Optional

COMPATIBLE ARMOR BRANDS

Our pockets use a standard CE form factor. The following brands fit out-of-the-box
without modification. If your armor isn't on this list, measure against the dimensions
below.

Armor Compatibility Table
Brand Level Available Fits Pocket Notes
D3O L1, L2 Industry standard. Softens at body temp.
SAS-TEC L1, L2 German engineering. Slightly stiffer than D3O.
KNOX L1, L2 British brand. Excellent fit on shoulders.
FORCEFIELD L1, L2 Race-oriented. Often the choice for track days.
GENERIC CE Varies Most generic CE inserts fit. Verify CE stamp.

POCKET DIMENSIONS (FOR CUSTOM ARMOR)

If you have unusual armor or are buying a brand not listed above, our pockets accept
inserts up to:

Position Width Length Thickness
Shoulder 160mm 200mm 15mm
Elbow 160mm 220mm 15mm
Back 270mm 440mm 18mm
Hip 170mm 220mm 15mm
Knee 180mm 240mm 15mm

FOR WOMEN: A NOTE on fit

Standard CE armor is shaped for men's bone structure. D3O makes a female-specific
shoulder and back armor line with adjusted curvature that follows a woman's actual
shape. We recommend looking at it. Costs $5–10 more, fits dramatically better.

WHAT ARMOR DOESN'T DO

  1. It doesn't protect against abrasion — that's the Kevlar lining's job. See test reports.
  2. It doesn't expire on a fixed schedule, but D3O degrades after a major impact and should be replaced.
  3. It doesn't make a $40 cotton jacket safe. Armor + unrated fabric is still unsafe.
  4. It doesn't replace a helmet, gloves, or proper boots.

BUY DIRECT FROM AMROR MAUFACTURERS

We don't resell armor — we want you to buy from the source. D3O, SAS-TEC, and Knox all sell direct from their websites. Or any moto retailer (RevZilla, FortNine, J&P Cycles) carries them.