The Honister Pass, situated in the UK Lake District, is one of those roads that needs to be ridden to be appreciated. Connecting Buttermere Valley with Borrowdale Valley, it twists and winds its way to a height of over 1150 feet and is rightly regarded as a piece of motorcycling Nirvana.
Being the mountain pass that is closest to Knox HQ, it was inspirational to the creation of the Class AAA rated men’s Honister Armoured Shirt.
First invented by the brand in the 1990s, Knox armoured shirts and jackets are at the very heart of the Knox collection and the Honister Armoured Shirt is the new pinnacle. Wearing a close-fitting armoured shirt is the best way to protect a rider, since the armour is comfortably held in the right place when you need it.
Making the men’s Honister Armoured Shirt was a tough development journey. It required entirely new strong mesh fabrics, since the goal was to develop the highest Class AAA breathable armoured garment that could be used for warm weather riding, aimed at female riders who require the best performance. CE Certified to EN 17092 -2:2020 Class AAA
Achieving CE approval to Class AAA is no small achievement. AAA is the highest class for a motorcycle protective garment and is usually only attained by one- and two-piece leather suits.
The protection fitted is New Micro-Lock Compact armour from Knox which uses SMART technology to keep the armour super soft to touch but it locks when impacted and delivers fantastic protection to the wearer. The locking action increases the amount of impact absorbed by the protector and reduces the energy passed through to the wearers back and/or limbs.
Micro-Lock Compact, is the most discreet and progressive protection from Knox, with advances in all key areas. Up to 60% lighter, thinner and more supple for all day comfort.
Micro-Lock Compact is engineered to move easily with the body when riding and has excellent form recovery.
A patented Flex and Adapt, side closure system, opens and closes naturally and gives uninhibited movement. The closure system also provides unbroken coverage, ensuring the rider remains protected at all times.
The Micro-Lock armour used in the Knox Honister Armoured Shirt is approved to Level 2 EN 1621-1:2012 L2 in the shoulders and elbows and the Level 2 back is Approved under EN 1621-2:2014 L2 FB. It can be complemented with an optional chest protector.
The Honister Armoured Shirt has been designed from the ground up. This includes everything, from stylish tailoring and feminine cut to the way the fabrics perform. Construction has been carefully developed to be as comfortable in the harshest of environments as it would be on a gentle spin in the country. Extra attention to detail completes the style and the AAA qualifying technical CE standard is highlighted on the jacket.
Developing new mesh fabrics which deliver the ultimate strength and resilience needed has been achieved without losing any breathability. Blending this with the hardest wearing stretch polyamide, riders can be confident in the protective qualities of the Honister Armoured Shirt in all environments.
All the zips in the Honister jackets are by YKK. There are two zipped side pockets and one zipped large back pocket. Detailing continues with discreet Knox branding on the front hem as well as on the back. The new branded badge on the sleeve comes with a reflective surround, complimented by strips which are only visible at night on the back. Thumb loops are found on the cuffs for added security, while an improved security belt loop system is fitted on the inside so that riders can secure their trousers to the jacket. Even the collar has a soft interior for comfort around the neck.
The Honister Armoured Shirt is available in no fewer than 7 sizes from 8 – 20 (XS – 3XL). It’s also part of the Knox Seasonless Collection. With this collection there is no spring, summer, autumn, or winter wear. Instead, riders have one hardworking layered ensemble. This outfit has the armoured shirt at its core. It can then be adapted to suit all weather conditions by either adding or removing layers. The Knox Seasonless Collection is adaptable, sustainable, and protective.