The Armor Guide. What goes where, and why.
CE Level 1 or Level 2? D3O or SAS-TEC? Shoulder, elbow, back, hip, knee? The decisions every rider has to make, explained without marketing voice.
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 — armor and lining are two different jobs.
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.
Two standards. One real trade-off.
Both levels are certified under the same standard. The difference is how much impact force gets through to your body.
The minimum standard. Allows up to 18 kN of impact force to transmit through to the rider's body. Lighter, thinner, more comfortable.
The higher standard. Transmits only 9 kN of impact — half of Level 1. More material, more weight, more protection in a serious crash.
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.
Every piece, mapped.
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.
| Garment | Shoulders | Elbows | Back | Hips | Knees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moto Jacket | — | — | |||
| Riding Jeans | — | — | — | ||
| Denim Vest | — | — | Optional | — | — |
| Riding Pants | — | — | — |
NEW Riding Pants row added — this category (Cordura-reinforced adventure/dual-sport pants) sells alongside jeans, jackets, and vests but was missing from the original table. Pocket positions are inferred from the jeans line; confirm against the specific pant's product page before publishing.
One pocket shape. Several brands that fit it.
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.
| Brand | Level Available | Fits Pocket | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D3O | L1, L2 | ✓ | Industry standard. Softens at body temperature. |
| 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 the CE stamp. |
For custom or unlisted 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 |
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 — the shoulder piece sits closer to the collarbone without gapping at the edge, and the back piece narrows through the waist instead of running straight. We recommend looking at it: it typically costs $5–10 more and fits dramatically better than the unisex default.
Set your expectations right.
-
01
It doesn't protect against abrasion — that's the Kevlar lining's job. See test reports →
-
02
It doesn't expire on a fixed schedule, but D3O degrades after a major impact and should be replaced.
-
03
It doesn't make a $40 cotton jacket safe. Armor plus unrated fabric is still unsafe.
-
04
It doesn't replace a helmet, gloves, or proper boots.
We don't resell armor — we want you to buy from the source. D3O, SAS-TEC, and Knox all sell direct from their own websites. Or any moto retailer (RevZilla, FortNine, J&P Cycles) carries them.
Before you buy armor.
Do Denimotto jeans, jackets, and vests come with armor included?
It varies by product. Some pieces ship with CE Level 1 armor pre-installed; others are armor-ready, meaning the pocket is sewn in but you choose and insert your own Level 1 or Level 2 armor separately. Every product page states which one applies.
Can I put Level 2 armor in a pocket sized for Level 1?
Usually yes, since Level 2 armor from D3O, SAS-TEC, and Knox is designed to fit the same standard CE pocket dimensions as Level 1 — it just runs slightly thicker. Check the pocket dimensions table above against your specific armor's spec sheet before buying, especially at the shoulder and elbow where pockets run tighter.
Does CE armor expire?
Not on a fixed calendar schedule. But foam-based armor like D3O can lose its impact-absorbing properties after a single major impact, even if it looks undamaged. Manufacturers generally recommend replacement after any hard crash, not on a yearly basis.
Is armor a substitute for Kevlar or aramid lining?
No — they protect against two different things. Armor absorbs impact force at joints during a fall. Aramid or Kevlar lining resists abrasion if you slide across pavement. A jacket with armor but no abrasion-rated fabric will still shred in a slide; the two systems work together, not as substitutes.
Which armor brand should I buy?
Brand matters less than fit and CE level. D3O, SAS-TEC, Knox, and Forcefield all meet the same EN 1621-1 standard at a given level and fit our pockets equally well — the differences are in material feel, temperature response, and price, not in whether the armor works.
The rest of the workshop.
Test Reports
Independent lab abrasion data, by product. Full PDFs available on request.
READ → SizingThe Sizing Guide
How to size for the riding position. Where armor pockets land when fit is right.
READ → SafetyThe Safety Guide
The gear hierarchy. Where armor fits in the bigger protection picture.
READ →Ready to shop armor-ready denim?
Every certified piece in the catalog has a CE-standard pocket built in — pick your category and start from there.