How to Upgrade the Armor in Your Motorcycle Gear

Most motorcycle gear ships with CE Level 1 armor as standard. It meets the certification requirement, but it's not the highest protection available. If your current gear has removable armor, upgrading to CE Level 2 is often a straightforward swap that meaningfully improves your protection without replacing the whole garment.

Here's how to do it correctly.

First: Check Whether Your Armor is Removable

Not all motorcycle gear has removable armor. Before assuming you can upgrade, check:

• Look for zippered or velcro pockets at the shoulders, elbows, knees, and back
• Check the care label — it will often indicate whether armor is removable
• Check the product documentation or manufacturer's website

If the armor is sewn in rather than inserted into pockets, it cannot be upgraded without modifying the garment — which would void any CE certification.

Identify What You Have

Before buying replacement armor, identify the current armor in your garment:

• CE rating — check the label on the armor itself. It should show CE Level 1 or CE Level 2 and the relevant EN standard (EN 1621-1 for limb protectors, EN 1621-2 for back protectors)
• Size — armor comes in different sizes. Measure the current insert or note the size marked on it
• Shape — armor pockets are shaped to fit specific insert profiles. Note whether the current armor is a standard shape or a proprietary fit

What to Buy

You're looking for CE Level 2 armor in the same size and approximate shape as your current inserts. Key specifications:

• EN 1621-1 Level 2 — for shoulder and elbow armor
• EN 1621-2 Level 2 — for back protectors
• EN 1621-1 Level 2 — for knee and hip armor in motorcycle jeans

Buy from brands that clearly state the CE rating on the product — not just "CE certified" without specifying the level. Level 2 should be explicitly stated.

Fitting the New Armor

When your replacement armor arrives:

1. Remove the existing armor from the pocket
2. Compare the new armor to the old — it should be the same approximate size and shape. Some variation is acceptable; the armor should fill the pocket without folding or bunching.
3. Insert the new armor and check that it sits flat in the pocket
4. Put the garment on and check that the armor sits in the correct anatomical position — over the kneecap, over the shoulder joint, over the elbow point
5. Move through a full range of motion to confirm the armor stays in position

When Upgrading Isn't Enough

Armor upgrades improve impact protection but don't change the abrasion resistance of the garment itself. If your motorcycle jeans or jacket has low abrasion resistance — CE A or uncertified — upgrading the armor inserts won't fix that. Abrasion resistance is a property of the outer fabric, not the armor.

If you want both better impact protection and better abrasion resistance, you need a new garment. The FlexGuard® Hydro Jeans are CE AAA rated with CE Level 2 armor included — the highest tier of both standards in a single garment.

Armor Replacement Schedule

Even without a crash, armor should be inspected regularly and replaced when:

• Hard shell armor shows cracks or deformation
• Soft armor has lost its shape or resilience
• After any significant impact — armor that has absorbed a crash may be compromised even if it looks intact
• After 5–7 years of regular use — protective materials degrade over time

The Bottom Line

If your gear has removable CE Level 1 armor, upgrading to Level 2 is a worthwhile improvement that costs relatively little. Check the size, buy to the EN standard, confirm the fit, and check the anatomical position before riding. It's one of the easiest protection upgrades available.