The second version of the Bowtex Elite Shirt Men is still unlike most motorcycle gear you’ve seen before. Bowtex designed the Elite Shirt Men V2 CE AAA to be worn either on its own or as a protective base layer under (any) other clothing. This shirt delivers AAA-level protection, which is an impressive feat!
Its outstanding qualities haven’t gone unnoticed by a number of (lady) stunt riders either. Bowtex is clearly on the rise, both in reputation and style. Designed in Belgium and produced in Europe, Bowtex was born when a group of motorcyclists couldn’t find the lightweight, practical, versatile, and high-quality protective clothing they were looking for. They wanted a shirt that could offer the same level of protection as a leather race suit – and they made it happen.
That’s no exaggeration: a leather race suit is typically the first thing you think of when aiming for AAA certification. Yet, the Elite Shirt Men V2 CE AAA easily meets the same standard. Remarkable, especially considering this second-generation model weighs just 1,000 grams. The secret lies in the material.
The Elite fabric, developed exclusively by Bowtex in collaboration with Dyneema®, is unique and 100% manufactured in Germany. It has excellent thermal conductivity, making it soft and cool against the skin for maximum wearing comfort. It is also highly resistant to chemicals, UV exposure, cuts, and abrasion, ensuring long-lasting durability. The deep black colour won’t fade quickly either. Dyneema® is produced using a patented gel-spinning process, where the fibres are stretched, heated, elongated, and cooled, resulting in a material 15 times stronger than steel. The café racer enthusiasts behind Bowtex have been known to drag their products behind their motorcycle on a rope to test their gear’s wear and tear-resistance – though it’s an independent lab that officially certifies it.
Wearing this under a regular jacket is perfectly fine. In the first version, that seemed like the logical choice, but this V2 is clearly designed to be worn as a standalone piece. The Bowtex branding, zip pullers with the logo, and a handy storage pocket make it obvious that this shirt is ready to be worn on its own. But the choice is yours – wear it however you feel comfortable. Either way, you’re getting top-level certification in the most discreet and lightweight package imaginable. Wear-resistance is unquestionable, comfort is excellent, and breathability is sufficient. The only downside? It’s not waterproof – but that’s easily managed with a waterproof shell if needed.
We’ll admit – it takes some getting used to. Most motorcyclists either layer up or prefer to feel as much wind as possible. This is something different: a single layer that does it all. The SAS-TEC® Level 2 impact protection on the shoulders and elbows is flexible and ultra-light, offering more than a pyjama feel but not much more. Chest and back protection are optional add-ons. From a practical standpoint, it excels as well: belt loops allow you to secure it to your Bowtex motorcycle trousers, and the extended back section keeps everything properly covered.
This is complete motorcycle gear. High-tech. Comfortable. Versatile. Cooler than Kevlar. Something you could wear every single day. Over a year, that works out to just over a euro per day – for the protection level of a motorcycle race suit.
