Bowtex Elite Review: The only motorcycle gear we need?

The Bowtex Elite shirt and leggings are hands-down the most comfortable and flexible motorcycle gear I’ve ever worn. Yet, they don’t sacrifice on safety at all - in fact, they’ve earned an equal safety rating to much more expensive leather race suits. Given that I can wear any pair of jeans and any jacket over top of these, they’re perfect for city and warm weather riding. No more need for bulky specialized motorcycle jackets and pants!
Pick up the Bowtex Elite set below
Shirt: bowtex.store/e...
Pants: bowtex.store/e...
Fresh Off the Bike is a series where I review motorcycle and travel gear right after I get off the bike - these are my raw impressions, delivered directly to you. I hope you find them valuable.

[@Bepissmall]

CE AAA rating for garments is 4 seconds of slide at 120kph (about 75mph). These are the minimums, and manufacturers are not required to state how long their garments survive other than their basic rating. Leathers will always be more protective but the fact that something so thin achieved a AAA rating at all is incredible

[@JayemEss58]

Agreed, most leathers will offer better/longer protection when sliding across the asphalt at higher speeds, unless it's thin like lambskin leather. The EN 17092-2:2020 standard that stipulates the abrasion and impact requirements for the CE AAA class of PPE motorcycle garments has been established correctly, as sliding at 120 km/h or 75 mph across asphalt, even when wet, you'll come to a standstill in less than 4 seconds.

[@r.williamcomm7693]

If you think that stuff is great you should see the panty hose that I wear in place of a helmet. I can slide on asphalt on my face and head at 130 mph while wearing it & still have an open casket funeral.

[@ariesmarsexpress]

CE ratings for motorcycle gear can be a bit misleading. While a higher rating generally means better protection, it doesn't tell the whole story. Take motorcycle boots, for example. The highest CE rating (Level 2, 2, 2, 2) covers height, abrasion resistance, impact cut resistance, and transverse rigidity. But even with this top rating, some boots, like my Forma ADV Tourers, fail miserably in real-world scenarios. I can easily crush the ankle area and bend them completely in half! ...with my bare hands. This shows that CE ratings have limitations. Boots with the same rating can offer vastly different levels of protection. My Alpinestars Tech 7s, also CE Level 2, 2, 2, 2, are far more rigid and protective. ...I couldn't bend them if I tried and I have tried. So, while CE ratings are a good starting point, it's crucial to do your own research and consider real-world performance. Don't just rely on the numbers! I would not use this Bowtex for anything except perhaps a first layer under my Aerostich R3. It has only slightly more value than any other moisture wicking garment. Having said that and having ridden in Asia, even just wearing this would be a major step up for many who frequently wear only an open faced helmet and nothing else, so there is that.

[@r.williamcomm7693]

Agree 100%. Looks like a cool product and I'm sure there will be excellent applications but let's remember that bike crashes are still the world's most brutal physics labs. If ppl think that Bowtex is great they should see the panty hose that I wear in place of a helmet. I can slide on asphalt on my face and head at 130 mph while wearing it & still have an open casket funeral.

[@JayemEss58]

Exellent review, Evan! I agree that Bowtex CA AAA-rated shirt and leggings are a godsend for riders in hot climates or who prefer riding in their casual clothes because they don't want to look like a Power Ranger. I'm a convert too, as the airflow through the Dyneema mesh fabric is incredible. As for the stretch of the elastic waistband of the leggings, I'm bigger than you and I had been wearing these leggings on my journeys in Portugal, Thailand, and Vietnam before I passed them on to you. But your observation is on point, the newer versions come with a drawstring. Like you, I wear them as my only pants when city riding in Thailand. On my adventure/off-road trips, I wear the Bowtex leggings under the Mosko Moto Kiger Mesh Pants when it's hot (maximum airflow) or under my Mosko Moto Surveyor Pants in cooler temperatures, reassured that I have maximum impact and abrasion protection while enjoying the airflow and breathability. Cheers!

[@TheItalianZone]

How does this compare to the urbane?

[@EvanMeetsRoad]

The Urbane is CE AA rated so not as abrasion resistant as the Bowtex. However Knox also has the Honister, which is CE AAA rated and looks similar to the Bowtex. Personally I haven't had a chance to test these yet, but I imagine very similar.

[@viktors1]

Thanks for the review. Ive been looking in to base layers but somehow ended up getting moto jeans. On the topic of pockets - Ive seen some riders use leg pouches. Might be a good idea as they dont intervene with sitting or getting up on the bike. Ive used to have hip bag that I put on the side. Maybe as they are a base layer on your next vid you could touch the subject of washing. Is there any limitations or how do they hold up after that.

[@EvanMeetsRoad]

I wore moto jeans on a US cross country trip and they were okay, although very hot in the deserts and mid-summer. I wish I had BowTex back then, as they are FAR more comfortable with a simple thin pair of jeans worn over. Also agree with you on bags, I used to wear a fanny pack (usually across my chest) and found it more convenient than pockets for accessing things when I stopped - especially because the riding position makes getting in to a jeans front pocket like cracking the vault at Fort Knox. Washing is a great point I completely forgot to mention, I will include that in future videos. This set has seemed to hold up very well in my experience. @JayemEss58 was the previous owner - he may have a better idea.

[@carnse736]

Hey mate, where'd you hear there was a "version 3" coming and got a time frame? Im looking at grabbbimg a shirt but might wait for a new version

[@EvanMeetsRoad]

As far as I know it's still a ways away, probably not for 12 months. I'm waiting for a prototype and haven't seen that yet. I've also tried PandoMoto's leggings and really like them as well, similarly comfortable. Their latest version has a drawstring and zippers at the ankles making them easier to get in and out of. I will make a video on those soon.

[@SimplicityForGood]

@@EvanMeetsRoad but they do not work flr frqctions

[@EvanMeetsRoad]

@@SimplicityForGood what do you mean?

[@SimplicityForGood]

@@EvanMeetsRoad if you fly off these will not protect you for real. You still break all your legs and muscles…

[@EvanMeetsRoad]

@@SimplicityForGood Motorcycling is a dangerous sport. No amount of motorcycle gear will change that. Though an airbag is a huge step up!