Armored Riding Shorts and Hip Protection: Do You Need Them?
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Armored riding shorts are padded shorts worn under your pants, with armor at the hips and often the tailbone. They make the most sense if your riding pants have no hip armor, if you ride in jeans or ordinary pants, or if you want hip coverage that stays in place when you change pants. If your riding pants already include hip armor you are happy with, you may not need them. No gear prevents injury, and what any armor does depends on the product, so judge each pair by the maker's description.
Most riders think first about knee, elbow and back armor. Hips and tailbone are the gap that often gets overlooked. For the better-known pieces, see our knee and elbow armor guide.
What armored shorts are
Armored shorts, sometimes called padded or protective shorts, are close-fitting shorts with pockets or built-in pads. The usual layout has pads over each hip and a pad at the tailbone, and some add thigh coverage. They are worn under your riding pants, jeans or overpants and look like cycling or compression shorts.
Designs vary. Some use removable armor that fits into pockets, others have the padding sewn in. Some are lightly padded and aimed at comfort, others carry more armor. The maker's description should say what the armor is made of and what, if anything, it was tested to.
Do you need them? Start with your pants
| What you wear on the bike | Hip protection | Armored shorts may help if... |
|---|---|---|
| Riding pants with hip armor | Check the armor is present and fits | The armor is thin, missing or shifts |
| Riding pants with empty hip pockets | Pockets exist but no armor | You prefer shorts to buying inserts |
| Riding jeans | Varies by pair; check the description | The jeans have no hip armor |
| Ordinary jeans or work pants | None | You commute in street clothes |
| One-piece or two-piece suit | Often built in; check | You want a second layer or different coverage |
Start by checking what your pants include. Many riding pants have pockets for hip armor, and some come with it fitted. Our riding pants guide and jeans vs textile pants guide cover this. If you can add inserts to pants you already own, that may be simpler than shorts.
What to look for
- Coverage. Check which areas have pads: hips, tailbone, upper thigh. Coverage differs between products.
- Armor type. Foam, viscoelastic and hard-shell pads each have different feel and bulk. Read the maker's description.
- Stated standard. Some armor lists a rating. Our CE armor guide explains what these ratings mean, and the maker should say what the armor was tested to. If there is no such statement, do not assume one.
- Fit. Shorts should sit snug so the pads stay over the hips. Check the size chart, since too loose a pair lets the pads slide.
- Comfort. Look for breathable fabric and flat seams to avoid chafing on longer rides.
- Removable armor. Pads that come out make washing easier. Follow the care label.
A quick fit check
Put the shorts on and move through a riding position: sit, lean forward, put one foot on the ground and then the other. The pads should stay over the hips and tailbone and not ride up, pinch or bunch. Walk around for a few minutes to see whether the seams rub. If the pads shift when you move, the size or style is wrong. Check the return policy before you wear them outside.
Armored riding shorts
Check the size chart, the coverage areas and any rating the maker states, and read the return policy.
Who tends to get the most from them
Commuters in street clothes. If you ride in ordinary pants or jeans with no hip armor, shorts are an easy way to add padding without changing your outer layer. They suit people who do not want to carry or change into riding pants.
Warm-weather riders. Summer riding pants and mesh gear can be light on padding, and shorts let you add hip coverage under a lighter outer layer. Check the breathability.
Riders with pants that have no pockets. If you cannot add inserts to your current pants, shorts are a workaround.
New riders building a kit. Our new rider gear guide covers priorities. Hip padding is worth considering, but helmet, gloves, jacket and boots usually come first.
Riders who already have well-fitted riding pants with hip armor may gain less. Spend the money on the part of the kit that is missing.
Comfort, heat and daily use
Any extra layer adds warmth, and padded shorts under pants are no exception. Mesh panels help, and the lighter models are meant for summer. Our summer riding guide has ideas for staying comfortable. Long rides test the seams and padding, so try them on a short ride first.
Think about the daily routine too. If you commute and then walk into an office, padded shorts under work pants are less visible than a bulky overpant, and many commuters like that. If you stop often, check how easy the shorts are to take off and put back on.
Alternatives and add-ons
- Hip armor inserts for pants with pockets, which place padding without an extra layer.
- Riding pants with built-in armor, where the whole system is designed to fit together.
- Armored base layers that combine upper-body armor. Our armored shirts guide covers these.
- Back protectors, which cover the spine. The back protector guide has more.
If you ride at a track day, check the organizer's gear rules before you buy, because requirements differ.
Hip armor inserts for motorcycle pants
Check that the shape and size suit the hip pockets in your pants, as pockets differ.
Be realistic about what armor does
Armor is padding designed to cover part of the body, and what it does depends on the product, how it fits and what happens in a fall. It cannot prevent injury, and a pair of shorts that shifts out of place does little. Judge each product from the maker's description, and avoid assuming that more padding is automatically better, since bulk can reduce comfort and fit.
Hip and tailbone padding is one piece of a riding kit that also includes a helmet, gloves, boots, a jacket and pants. Think about what you ride, how far and how fast, and build your kit around that. A rider who does short, slow trips has different needs from one who covers long highway distances. If you are unsure, a local riding gear shop that lets you try shorts on over your usual pants can save you a return, and the staff can show you how different pads feel.
Motorcycle riding pants
Check the armor included and the size chart, and compare with adding shorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need armored shorts if my pants have hip armor?
Possibly not. If the armor is present and fits properly, shorts may be unnecessary. If it shifts, is thin or is missing, shorts or better inserts may help.
Are armored riding shorts comfortable in summer?
They add a layer, so choose breathable fabric and flat seams. Try them on a short ride before a long one.
What is the difference between shorts and hip inserts?
Shorts hold the pads against your body under any pants. Inserts go into pockets in pants that have them. Which is better depends on your pants and your preference.
Do armored shorts protect the tailbone?
Many designs include a tailbone pad, but coverage differs by product. Check the maker's description for the exact areas and the stated armor rating.
How do I wash armored riding shorts?
Follow the care label. If the armor is removable, take it out first, and avoid cleaners the maker does not recommend.
Sources and verification
This guide is general buying advice and does not rely on outside data. It describes how armored shorts and hip armor typically work in a riding kit.
No protection, certification or performance claim is made about any armor or garment. Check the maker's description for the armor material, coverage and any stated rating, the size chart for fit, and the care label for washing.