Posted by The Tor Armoured Shirt comes with a waterproof Shell, is lightweight and super stretchy making this a comfortable Class AA approved armoured shirt, perfect for wearing all day on the bike.
The Tor has an array of pockets too which, for me, is a huge plus point and can be worn on its own or as a protective base layer, making it a great all year round jacket.
Specs
- Manufacturer: Knox
- Price: (When Tested) £399
- Made In: China
- Colour: Grey
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Review Period: August – October 2024
Knox Tor Armoured Shirt Features
The Tor comes fitted with level 2 Knox Micro-Lock Compact Armour in the elbows, shoulders and a full size back protector.
The Micro-Lock uses SMART technology and properties which keeps the armour soft to touch but locks on impact. On impact, the locking action increases the amount of impact absorbed by the back protector thus reducing the energy passed through to the back and/or limbs.
There is a velcro chest protector attachment which gives you the option of adding a chest protector if you wish.
The Tor is made from a lightweight high tenacity fabric with two-tone in-motion mesh for airflow which is cut, tear and abrasion resistant with seams that contour to your body making it super comfortable to wear and stylish too.
The Tor has all over breathability allowing this to be worn as a standalone armoured shirt or you can layer up or down, depending on the temperature.
There are four external zip pockets – one large pocket at the bottom of the back, two on the lower front pockets and one on the left side of the chest which also houses an internal cloth visor wipe.
There are two external velcro pockets which are a great size. Normally I am not a fan of velcro pockets as I am dubious about how secure the closure is but I am impressed with the strength of the velcro on the Tor, and quite happily put my phone in one of the pockets without worrying that it is going to fall out.
There are four internal pockets but these do not have zips or velcro. I do like the security belt loops of which there are two on each side so you can choose which height to have the belt going through.
The reflective zip pulls and reflective piping are designed to offer the rider better visibility at night.
I really like the adjustable rivet cuff which allows you to adjust the cuffs to suit you, giving you that perfect fit.
Knox Tor Shell Jacket
I have to say I think this Shell is a brilliant feature and comes with the Tor Armoured Shirt. The Shell is fully waterproof, with a 10K rating, is ultra thin and lightweight and packs away into itself with a micro pocket on the inside of the jacket. When packed away, I found it fitted into one of the front velcro pockets perfectly.
The Shell has a drawstring collar, elasticated cuffs and a bound elastic hem and is fully seam sealed to keep the rain out.
There is a reflective mountain print all over the Shell too to make you more visible.
The Shell is a pull over design with the drawstring to your desired length. No zips or velcro to worry about.
Knox Union Quilt (optional extra)
For me, this is a must have item to go with the Tor shirt. I do feel the cold so I found this invaluable on cooler days or coming home from bike night. The Quilt can be worn over or under the Tor and it really does make a difference when riding in the cooler weather.
The Union Quilt is made from high quality down-proof fabric on the outer and an internal lining of Thermolite Plus insulation with soft elastic cuffs, reflective zip pulls and soft silicone Knox branding.
The Union Quilt also doubles up as a smart standalone jacket when not on the bike.
Knox Tor Armoured Shirt Construction
Main Body
A combination of materials make up the outer shell with mesh areas and stretch panels making the shirt lightweight and comfortable to wear. The Tor moulds to your body shape and the stretch allows added comfort especially when riding.
The material breakdown is as follows:
Main Body:
- 95% Nylon; 5% Spandex
- 100% Polyester
- 90% Nylon; 10% Spandex
Lining:
- 88% Polyester; 12% Spandex
- 92% Nylon; 8% Spandex
- 88% Polyester; 12% Spandex
- 98% Cotton; 2% Spandex
Care Instructions
Very important for me is being able to wash the jacket. I ride all year round and find, especially in the winter months, that jackets get grubby.
Simply remove the armour from the Tor jacket and pop into the washing machine on a delicate cycle. I then just hang the jacket on the back of a chair to dry or hang on the washing line. The label says do not tumble dry. The label also says ‘low iron’ but first I would have to purchase an iron to do that 😂
It’s nice to be able to freshen up the jacket especially if you have been riding in hot weather for a few days!
Sizing
The shirt comes in a good range of sizes; XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL and 3XL. The sizing chart on the website is a good way to determine sizing: Knox Tor Sizing
Personally I think the Tor jacket is fairly true to size but went up a size when ordering as I like to be able to wear a thermal layer or two in the colder weather or a heated vest underneath as I do feel the cold.
Wearing the Union Quilt though does make a huge difference and I would say you need this. The Union Quilt also doubles as a smart standalone jacket when not on the bike too, perfect for when touring as you have one less thing to pack in your luggage.
Conclusion
I have been wearing Knox mesh jackets for a few years now but I absolutely love this jacket. The Tor is probably the most comfortable protective jacket I have worn.
The combination of stretch material and mesh fabrics not only allow for great flexibility when riding but also gives you great air flow in warm weather allowing you to keep your cool.
The ability to layer up and down means you can wear the Tor jacket all year round and then simply add layers, or not, as the seasons change.
I honestly forget after a while that I am actually wearing an armoured shirt. The Tor is lightweight even with the armour in, so when parked up and walking around I do not feel the need to take my jacket off because of its weight like I would with, say, a leather jacket which is bulky in comparison.
I recently went on a biking holiday to the Brecon Beacons (in October) and found that wearing a thermal layer, a t-shirt and the Union Quilt underneath the Tor was perfect.
The array of pockets is brilliant, especially the zipped ones for important items like passport, driving licence etc (for when touring abroad) are really useful.
You can fit the Shell jacket in one of the front velcro pockets so if you get caught in the rain, the Shell is easy to locate and pull on.
Although the Tor is a considered purchase, it really is a staple addition to your motorcycling wardrobe as it can be worn all year round. Simply layer up or down as the seasons change.
BK