Motorcycle Hoodies: Are Armored and Kevlar® Hoodies Safe?
In short: A motorcycle hoodie is only protective if the complete garment is certified to EN 17092, ideally class AA or AAA, with impact protectors at shoulders and elbows. Terms like “armored” or “Kevlar®” alone say nothing about the whole garment. Our Wellington Hooded Sweater and Richmond Hooded Jacket are both certified to class AAA.
Motorcycle hoodies are everywhere: in city traffic, at bike nights, on summer evening rides. They look like regular hoodies, and that is the appeal. But how much protection is actually in an armored hoodie or a Kevlar® hoodie? Here is what to look for before you trust one on the road.
Is a regular hoodie enough?
No. A regular cotton or fleece hoodie has no abrasion-resistant layer and no impact protectors. In a slide it wears through quickly, and it does nothing to soften the impact on shoulders and elbows. It is fine for walking to the bike, not for riding it.
What makes a motorcycle hoodie protective?
- An abrasion-resistant layer, either a protective lining or a protective fibre built into the fabric. Many hoodies use aramid (Kevlar®) panels; ours use PEKEV®, a UHMWPE-based fibre.
- Impact protectors at shoulders and elbows, ideally Level 2 under EN 1621-1, and a pocket for a back protector.
- Coverage where it matters. A protective panel only on the shoulders still leaves the rest of the hoodie as regular fabric.
- A riding fit. Longer at the back, sleeves that stay long when you reach for the bars, and cuffs that keep the sleeve from riding up.
Armored hoodie vs Kevlar® hoodie vs CE-certified hoodie
These terms are often used as if they meant the same thing. They don't.
- "Armored" usually means the hoodie has pockets with impact protectors. That says nothing about the fabric.
- "Kevlar®" means there is aramid somewhere in the garment. It does not say how much, where, or how well the whole hoodie performs.
- "CE-certified to EN 17092" is the one claim that covers the complete garment: fabric, seams, closures, fit and protectors are tested together. Class AA or AAA is what you want for a hoodie you ride in. We explain the classes in CE AA vs AAA Explained.
If a hoodie only says "armored" or "with Kevlar®" and gives no EN 17092 class, ask why.
Are motorcycle hoodies safe?
A hoodie certified to class AAA meets the highest abrasion requirement of the standard for motorcycle garments, the same class as many textile riding jackets. What it doesn't have is weather protection: no waterproof membrane, no wind barrier. That makes it a great choice for dry, mild to warm days and for riding in town, and a poor one for a cold, wet highway ride.
Our two hooded options
| Wellington Hooded Sweater | Richmond Hooded Jacket | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Classic hoodie | Jacket with a fleece hood |
| Fabric | High-tenacity Nylon 6.6 with cotton fleece, extra PEKEV® lining in impact zones | Single-layer PEKEV® Ultra Lite, cotton/nylon outer, reinforced impact zones |
| CE class (EN 17092) | AAA | AAA |
| Armour | RE ZRO® Flat Level 2, shoulders & elbows, back protector pocket | D3O® Ghost Level 1, shoulders, elbows & back |
| Best for | Warm-weather rides, commuting | Everyday riding with a cleaner jacket look |
The Wellington Hooded Motorcycle Sweater is your favourite hoodie, CE AAA certified, breathable and relaxed. It runs larger than a standard jacket, so choose your size by chest measurement.
The Richmond Hooded Motorcycle Jacket is for riders who want a hood but a more structured look: single-layer PEKEV® Ultra Lite with an extended rear cut for coverage on the bike.
Prefer a collar to a hood? The Kingston Motorcycle Shirt works the same way, as an overshirt.
Sizing and layering tips
- Try it on in the riding position: arms forward, back bent. The sleeves should still cover your wrists and the back should cover your waistband.
- Protectors only work where they sit. If the elbow armour slides down your forearm, the fit is too loose.
- Leave room for a thin base layer, but not for a thick sweater underneath.
- Add a back protector. Both hoodies have a pocket for one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a hoodie protect against road rash?
A certified motorcycle hoodie can. A regular hoodie can't. The difference is the abrasion-resistant layer and the EN 17092 test of the whole garment.
Are armored hoodies good for motorcycle riding?
Armour alone only covers the impact. Look for armour plus a certified abrasion-resistant fabric, ideally EN 17092 class AA or AAA.
How do you wash a motorcycle hoodie?
Remove the protectors, wash on a gentle cycle at max. 30°C / 86°F, and lay flat or hang to dry. With PEKEV®, the protection does not wash out.
The bottom line
A motorcycle hoodie is only as good as its weakest part. Look for a complete EN 17092 certification, armour at shoulders and elbows, and a fit that keeps everything in place. Then enjoy the ride, and the coffee stop after.
