The single most common question we hear before someone buys a replacement or upgrade armor set is: "will this actually fit my jacket?" Armor pockets vary quite a bit between brands and jacket styles, so a few minutes of measuring before you order saves a return later. Here's how to do it properly.

Step 1: Find your jacket's armor pockets

Most riding jackets and pants have internal mesh or fabric pockets sewn into the lining at the shoulders, elbows, back, hips, and knees, usually closed with a hook-and-loop flap or a zipper. Open each pocket and check whether factory armor is already installed — some jackets ship with basic foam and expect you to upgrade to CE-rated inserts.

Step 2: Measure the pocket, not just the armor you're replacing

If you're upgrading (not just replacing like-for-like), measure the pocket opening itself rather than relying on the old pad's size — pockets are sometimes cut slightly larger than the factory armor to allow for aftermarket inserts. Measure:

• Length and width of the flat pocket opening
• Depth of the pocket (how far it extends into the lining)
• Curvature — shoulder and elbow pockets are usually contoured, back and hip pockets are flatter

Step 3: Compare against the product photos and description

Every armor set on our site lists which pieces are included (for example, our 5-piece back, shoulder & elbow set versus the jacket & pants combo set that adds thigh and knee coverage). Use the product photos to compare pad shape and proportions against your own pocket measurements before ordering — CE armor shapes are fairly standardized by body area, but exact contouring varies by manufacturer.

Step 4: When in doubt, size up on coverage, not down on protection

If a pocket seems tight for a Level 2 pad (which is often slightly thicker than Level 1 for the same protection area), don't compromise by forcing in a pad that doesn't sit flat — armor that's folded, bunched, or riding out of position won't protect you the way it's designed to. If you're unsure, our CE armor glossary explains the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 thickness and protection if you're deciding between the two.

Quick Pre-Order Checklist

• Confirmed which body areas your jacket/pants have armor pockets for
• Measured pocket length, width, and depth
• Compared measurements against the product's included pieces and photos
• Decided on CE Level 1 vs Level 2 based on fit and protection needs

Shop CE Level 2 armor sets: Browse the full collection