Bowtex has created the Elite CE Level AAA to exist on its own or to wear underneath (any type of) clothing. This doesn’t even have to be motorcycle clothing. It’s perfectly okay to wear this under regular pants, jeans or chinos. The choice is yours. Do whatever feels easy, comfortable and whatever you feel like doing. Bowtex makes sure that it is safe.
This is the absolute crème de la crème. The AAA-certification is usually reserved for leather motorcycle suits and motorbike pants. We can’t emphasise enough how rare it is to have AAA for – in comparison – an ultrathin piece of textile like this.
The reason is clear: this ‘textile’ is more than just that. The Bowtex Elite consists of 32% Dyneema® and 68% High Density Polyamide. Fortified flat lock seams with a 12.9N/mm resistance keep everything together. Extremely solid and yet superlight and ventilated, with thermal properties. More flexible and minimalistic compared to the Essential. Indeed, we are noticing a clear upward trend here.
We wouldn’t put on shorts over them but it’s possible and it’s allowed. Appearance-wise, we prefer a ‘clean’ look, or even better, the Elite as undergarment. Some have compared the Bowtex collection to pyjama bottoms or described them as leggings, but the Elite ties comfort to unprecedented safety, that’s for sure. The people who founded Bowtex occasionally tie a rope to the back of their motorcycles to check how tear-resistant their products really are. Although it’s the independent lab that bears the certification responsibility.
Anyway, the Elite CE Level AAA is a versatile addition to your gear; as a protective underlayer as well as when used autonomously. There’s no doubting the wear-resistance. Nor the comfort. The X-Panel 3D-construction allows a lot of range of movement. There’s plenty of breathability. Waterproofness there is not. That is something to consider. But that’s actually the only thing. You just wear your rain pants over them to be safe on the road. Something makes us assume you’ll even be more comfortable skiing down the slopes when wearing this underneath your ski suit. No problem at all.
The base of these motorcycle pants/pyjama bottoms/leggings/sweatpants is 100% Dupont™ Kevlar®. Covered by Dyneema® and High Density Polyamide, in a black that’s colourfast. The result is a tight-fitting, delicious piece of motorbike clothing. We’ll admit that they need some getting used to. Especially when you wear the Elite as solo – but full-blown – motorbike pants, it feels like you’re forgetting something for a second.
Not at all. It’s all in your head. Motorcycle riders wear either many layers or want to feel as much riding wind as possible. This is neither. One layer that includes everything. This is something new. The SAS-TEC® TRIPLEFLEX-impact protection is flexible and ultralight. A little more substantial than pyjama bottoms but not that much more – with regard to feel, that is. These motorcycle pants come standard with hip and knee protectors.
They are light, flexible, easy and well-finished. Stretch material in the waist and on the ankles and the option to use an additional loop underneath your heel; it’s just like putting on pants.
You don’t need anything else on a hot day. On all other days, you do whatever you feel like doing. Jeans over them. Something else. Everything is possible. It’s perfectly fine to wear this all day long. Simply wash it at 30° every now and again and air dry. Not in direct sunlight. Don’t forget to take out the protectors first.
The price tag? This is complete motorcycle gear. High-tech. Comfortable. Versatile. Something to wear every day. After a year, this comes down to less than one euro a day.
Bowtex – Belgian, designed locally and produced in Europe – grew from a need that emerged from motorbike riders themselves, after which they decided to create what they needed. Not a bad premise for decent motorbike clothing; this Elite by Bowtex is certainly that.
