Impact liner shorts

[Nomad1]

Anybody use impact liner shorts? If so what ones & your thoughts on them. I currently am running two pairs of Zoic premium impact liners. Would like to find a pair of the ultras in size large.

 

[Tubby G]

I’ve been using the 7mesh foundation boxers:

Men's Foundation BIke Boxer Brief - Men's Bike Underwear | 7mesh | 7mesh

A slim, padded bike boxer brief, designed to cushion under casual clothes or baggies for quick comfort wherever the day takes you.

7mesh.com

I like them as the chamois isn’t too large so you don’t feel like you’re wearing a soiled nappy!

 

[Zimmerframe]

I use impact shorts. Have never tried the Zoic's.

Have tried quite a few others though.

My main goto are the Leatt's 3.0's and 5.0's The 5's don't really offer much more than the 3.0's for the price difference. The 4.0's have an inbuilt chamois - though I found this always sat in the wrong place so never wore them. Have extensively crash tested these and the padding works well. Often leaving perfect padding marks with bruising showing where the armour was and wasn't !

Whilst the Zoic's look pretty good on coverage area, I can't decide if they're not a bit short in the leg/coverage area down the thigh. It also seems impossible to find out anything about the type of foam used and how effective it is.

Keep meaning to try the 7idp flex shorts to see what their armour is like and the Troy Lee 7605's - but I always get peed off with troy lee's protection images as they're CGi'd so you can't tell what you're getting and after a few purchases which don't remotely resemble the images (including other troy lee impact shorts) I can't be bothered getting stung again.

 

[Mikerb]

Leatt

 

[Nomad1]

I’ve been using the 7mesh foundation boxers:

Men's Foundation BIke Boxer Brief - Men's Bike Underwear | 7mesh | 7mesh

A slim, padded bike boxer brief, designed to cushion under casual clothes or baggies for quick comfort wherever the day takes you.

7mesh.com

I like them as the chamois isn’t too large so you don’t feel like you’re wearing a soiled nappy!

those aren't impact liners

 

[Tubby G]

those aren't impact liners

Misread sorry

I use Bliss impact liners for downhill days. Comfortable, but can’t comment on their effectiveness as luckily have t crashed whilst wearing them yet

 

[Nomad1]

Leatt

I'll have to check those out any feedback on fit comfort and such? I haven't had the Zoic impact long but have had there premium liners for a while and found them to work well.

 

[Evolution Stu]

Endure MT500s for me, work perfectly over my "runderwear" (That brand solved all chaffing issues) and have had them a couple of years now and like them so much i bought a second pair for long trips where i might want to change them out.
I do around 4 -6000ft of descent a week and hit the ground every month or so on steep techie stuff and have no complaints about these shorts.

Endura UK

Men's MT500 Protector Undershorts II - Black

www.endurasport.com

 

[Mikerb]

I'll have to check those out any feedback on fit comfort and such? I haven't had the Zoic impact long but have had there premium liners for a while and found them to work well.

mine are the Leatt 4 with the integrated padded seat. I always wear them over Under Armour compression shorts. The armour is on the hip and thigh, not very obtrusive but very effective. I have had mine quite a few years now and the only "wear" has been the elasticated waistband which has stretched...............my wife shortened it for me so still wearing them for rocky ground or new territory. For softer terrain/familiar trails, I use G Form padded shorts. Protection is more limited in scope and size but they are lighter than the Leatts and very comfortable.

 

[Nomad1]

I ordered a pair of leatt 3.0 to try out but it looks like
they don't have a chamois which to me doesn't make sense. So i am going to look at the 4.0

 

[Zimmerframe]

I ordered a pair of leatt 3.0 to try out but it looks like
they don't have a chamois which to me doesn't make sense. So i am going to look at the 4.0

My main goto are the Leatt's 3.0's and 5.0's The 5's don't really offer much more than the 3.0's for the price difference. The 4.0's have an inbuilt chamois - though I found this always sat in the wrong place so never wore them.

I also go "commando" in them (don't wear anything with them). Unlike many others they're comfortable like that and don't chafe. Less layers, less heat - if you like to go for it. If you just plod, then you'll be fine.

 

[Downhillr]

Endure MT500s for me, work perfectly over my "runderwear" (That brand solved all chaffing issues) and have had them a couple of years now and like them so much i bought a second pair for long trips where i might want to change them out.
I do around 4 -6000ft of descent a week and hit the ground every month or so on steep techie stuff and have no complaints about these shorts.

Endura UK

Men's MT500 Protector Undershorts II - Black

www.endurasport.com

I bought a pair of these and returned since the 3D0 armor isn’t removable for laundering.
I had email discussions with Endura and pointed out (with mfg web link) their response was to quote back the link’s comment NOT to launder… so I return as not cleaning between riding would be pretty gross. Too bad since I use the RaceFace 3D0 arm & knee pads where its removable.

 

[Downhillr]

I bought a pair of these and returned since the 3D0 armor isn’t removable for laundering.
I had email discussions with Endura and pointed out (with mfg web link) their response was to quote back the link’s comment NOT to launder… so I return as not cleaning between riding would be pretty gross. Too bad since I use the RaceFace 3D0 arm & knee pads where its removable.

Forgot to include link…

Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question about D3O? Take a look at the list of our frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions, get in touch with us.

www.d3o.com

 

[Evolution Stu]

I bought a pair of these and returned since the 3D0 armor isn’t removable for laundering.
I had email discussions with Endura and pointed out (with mfg web link) their response was to quote back the link’s comment NOT to launder… so I return as not cleaning between riding would be pretty gross. Too bad since I use the RaceFace 3D0 arm & knee pads where it’s removable.

I’ve been cold washing mine since I bought them. I know now that the effectiveness may be reduced but it’s an area that doesn’t take much impact anyway and it’s still a nice thick D30 pad on my thigh just where I want it to protect the flesh.

Been fine for years, certainly can’t detect any difference in the material.

Be interesting to read some technical paper on what happens to the material actually.

**edit**
Just researched and found you can’t wash them. Marvellous. Lol.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Oh?
I’ve been washing mine since I bought them. Why can’t you launder them? Something to do with the D30?

If you put them on a hand wash/gentle - without anything like shoes in there too ... it should in theory be ok. Ultimately D3O breaks down with the multiple impacts/flexing during washing.

I've pretty much weened off D3O or any of the reactive armours/non-newtonian (though still use some) as they seem to be unpredictable and have a generally short shelf life - approx 2 years - so in my mind that's just wasteful.

In whack tests - some don't react at all (reacting in squashed banana's or great pain) and I've had some just go really stiff like concrete and then crumbly later.

Not sure what the pads are in the Leatt shorts. They just seem to be a semi rigid foam which so far has stayed the same since new and have been washed extensively ! I should do some tests on the older ones compared to the newer ones really.

 

[Evolution Stu]

If you put them on a hand wash/gentle - without anything like shoes in there too ... it should in theory be ok. Ultimately D3O breaks down with the multiple impacts/flexing during washing.

I've pretty much weened off D3O or any of the reactive armours/non-newtonian (though still use some) as they seem to be unpredictable and have a generally short shelf life - approx 2 years - so in my mind that's just wasteful.

In whack tests - some don't react at all (reacting in squashed banana's or great pain) and I've had some just go really stiff like concrete and then crumbly later.

Not sure what the pads are in the Leatt shorts. They just seem to be a semi rigid foam which so far has stayed the same since new and have been washed extensively ! I should do some tests on the older ones compared to the newer ones really.

Interesting, thanks.
All my stuff is about 2 years old now. 🫤

 

[Andy__C]

Just swill my endura D3O's around in a bucket with some water and washing liquid every now and again..... seems to be fine 3 years in.

The colour that the water goes is super filthy so sometimes I end up changing the water and then a final cold water rinse

 

[Nomad1]

anybody try the Evoc crash pants pad?

 

[Nomad1]

If you put them on a hand wash/gentle - without anything like shoes in there too ... it should in theory be ok. Ultimately D3O breaks down with the multiple impacts/flexing during washing.

I've pretty much weened off D3O or any of the reactive armours/non-newtonian (though still use some) as they seem to be unpredictable and have a generally short shelf life - approx 2 years - so in my mind that's just wasteful.

In whack tests - some don't react at all (reacting in squashed banana's or great pain) and I've had some just go really stiff like concrete and then crumbly later.

Not sure what the pads are in the Leatt shorts. They just seem to be a semi rigid foam which so far has stayed the same since new and have been washed extensively ! I should do some tests on the older ones compared to the newer ones really.

yes overtime the protection would wear out but not being able to wash a garment in some form or another with a mild detergent or cleaner just isn't practical.

 

[Nomad1]

Leatt

Speaking of them I just received my body tee Airflex Steath in XL. By the way if you normally wear a large tee shirt your going want to size up. It looks like it going be good bit of kit. I'll report back my thoughts after a bit of use be it seem to fit well.

 

[cabbynate]

I have been using these for a while and like them a lot. Saved my tail bone once from a 5 foot droop directly to my tail bone.
Fox Titan race shorts

 

[Shark58]

I use the ION Srub Amp protection shorts in the plus version. Those include a SQlab chamois. The hip crash pads are from SAS-TEC, thigh and tailbone pads are foam. The shorts can be washed at 30° C including the non removable SAS-TEC pads. Mine are three years old now and in excellent shape.

Buy MTB Protection Shorts_Plus Amp online | MTB Protections | ION Shop

ION Protection Shorts_Plus Amp » MTB protector shorts short - enduro & downhill » Order from ION ✔Free Shipping ✔10% discount ✔30-day returns

www.ion-products.com

 

[Downhillr]

Just swill my endura D3O's around in a bucket with some water and washing liquid every now and again..... seems to be fine 3 years in.

The colour that the water goes is super filthy so sometimes I end up changing the water and then a final cold water rinse

From what I’ve read its the detergents that are the break-down issue which is why RaceFace (and possibly others) design theirs to be removable D3O pads.

 

[Dax]

I’m using the Troy Lee 7605 shorts, very comfortable and seem to offer good protection. Unfortunately I can’t confirm because I was just wearing a regular under short when I went down a rock slab on my ass

 

[Nomad1]

I use impact shorts. Have never tried the Zoic's.

Have tried quite a few others though.

My main goto are the Leatt's 3.0's and 5.0's The 5's don't really offer much more than the 3.0's for the price difference. The 4.0's have an inbuilt chamois - though I found this always sat in the wrong place so never wore them. Have extensively crash tested these and the padding works well. Often leaving perfect padding marks with bruising showing where the armour was and wasn't !

Whilst the Zoic's look pretty good on coverage area, I can't decide if they're not a bit short in the leg/coverage area down the thigh. It also seems impossible to find out anything about the type of foam used and how effective it is.

Keep meaning to try the 7idp flex shorts to see what their armour is like and the Troy Lee 7605's - but I always get peed off with troy lee's protection images as they're CGi'd so you can't tell what you're getting and after a few purchases which don't remotely resemble the images (including other troy lee impact shorts) I can't be bothered getting stung again.

While I haven't tried them, yet I can see where the chamois might not be place well in the 4.0. I tried the 3.0 today while do able not having the chamois is a real negative and real doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Nomad1]

Well thought I'd give a update regarding the impact liners I've tried. All three will add some undesired heat during the summer but bearable. The Leatt's run cooler Than the Zoic's and seam to offer a bit more protection. However the Zoic's have a chamois unlike the 3.0 which leaves you with the 4.0 who's chamois while it does work some is a bit off to say the least. Also The Zoic's are a little more wash friendly. Bottom line DR. Leatt needs to fix the chamois that is a design defect again I think their protection is better but between that and them technically not being wash friendly it deters one from buying them.

 

[Zimmerframe]

What do you mean by Wash Friendly ?? I've washed my 5.0's and 3.0's hundreds of times and not had any issues - or is there a warning I've taken no notice of ?

 

[Nomad1]

What do you mean by Wash Friendly ?? I've washed my 5.0's and 3.0's hundreds of times and not had any issues - or is there a warning I've taken no notice of ?

I have been washing mine as well that being said they should make it so you can because that's kinda a loop hole.

 

[steve_sordy]

I’ve been cold washing mine since I bought them. I know now that the effectiveness may be reduced but it’s an area that doesn’t take much impact anyway and it’s still a nice thick D30 pad on my thigh just where I want it to protect the flesh.

Been fine for years, certainly can’t detect any difference in the material.

Be interesting to read some technical paper on what happens to the material actually.

**edit**
Just researched and found you can’t wash them. Marvellous. Lol.

I use Dettol anti-bacterial Laundry Cleanser, "kills 99.9% of germs", even at lower temperatures. Cost about £6.25 for 3liters. You can get it from any supermarket. I wash all my kit at 30 deg C and put 50ml of this stuff in every wash. Every now and then I wash the bike helmet in a solution of this. That's about 10p per wash.

Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser Fresh Cotton 1l | Dettol

Dettol Laundry Cleanser Fresh Cotton 1l kills 99.9% of bacteria, thus stopping odour causing bacteria at source. Effective even in cold wash.

www.dettol.co.uk

 

[Tony4wd]

My main goto are the Leatt's 3.0's and 5.0's

I don't like chamois and started using the Leatt 3 impact shorts recently - sufficiently comfortable that I don't notice them after a short time and I can drive the car with them on. I'll pick up a second pair eventually.