Most riders own a helmet and nothing else, because hard armour is bulky, hot and easy to leave in the car. Cased takes a different route: padded base layers — shorts, long sleeves, pants and even jeans — with CE Level 2 pads sewn into soft, stretchy fabric, worn under the clothes you already ride in. We read through the range, the brand's own claims and its store policies to work out who this kind of protection suits and what to check before ordering.
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What Cased Makes
Cased is a young brand — its own site says it was founded in 2025 by two riders, Rhett Jones and Dylan Vanek, after they could not find protective clothing they actually wanted to wear. The range is built around one idea: protection you put on like normal clothing rather than strap on like equipment. Under the mountain bike line sit padded inner shorts, short- and long-sleeve tops, inner pants, a riding jersey and riding pants. The motorcycle line adds a protective hoodie, protective jeans, a padded upper shell and knee pads. For snow there are inner protective shorts in a standard and a low-profile cut, plus ski shin guards.
Prices are listed plainly on each product page: riding shorts start around $39, the padded snow and bike shorts run $49 to $89, knee pads are $69, protective tops and inner pants are about $99 to $119, and the hoodie and jeans sit at $199. Cased also prices bundles, so a full kit of top and bottoms costs less per piece than buying each one separately.
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How the Protection Works
The pads are the part that matters, and Cased is specific about them. The brand rates its pads at CE Level 2 — the higher of the two protection levels in the European standard used for limb protectors in motorcycle gear — and says they absorb 89% of impact force. The material is described as soft and flexible while you move and hardening on impact, which is the same principle behind most modern soft armour. Placement follows where riders actually land: hips, thighs and tailbone on the shorts; shoulders, elbows, chest and back on the tops.
Two caveats keep this honest. The 89% figure is the brand's own claim rather than an independent lab number we could check, so treat it as marketing until you see a certificate. And no padded base layer replaces a helmet or, for motorcycling, a proper abrasion-rated outer layer. What these garments do well is cover the bruising, scraping, low-to-moderate falls that make up most crashes on a trail or a ski run.
Who It Suits Best
Mountain bikers are the obvious fit. Padded inner shorts are the single most useful piece for trail riding, because hips and tailbone take the most hits in a slow crash, and a pair that disappears under baggy shorts is far more likely to be worn on every ride than a hard pad set that only comes out for bike-park days. The long-sleeve top suits riders who want elbow and shoulder coverage without a rigid jacket.
Skiers and snowboarders benefit for a similar reason. Beginners on a snowboard fall on their tailbone and hips constantly, and padded shorts under snow pants make the first few days far less painful. The low-profile version exists for riders who want less bulk under slim pants. For motorcycle riders, the protective jeans and hoodie are aimed at commuting and casual riding — gear that looks like normal clothing but carries pads in the right places.
Fit and Sizing
Protective base layers only work if they fit close to the body; loose padding slides away from the spot it is meant to protect. Cased designs the range as a snug inner layer, and its own guidance is to email height, weight and waist measurements if you are unsure of a size. Our advice is the same as for any padded short: size for a firm fit at the hips and thighs, and check that the pads sit over your hip bones and tailbone when you crouch into a riding position, not just when you stand.
If you plan to wear the gear under existing clothing, measure that too. A padded inner short under slim ski pants or fitted bike shorts needs the low-profile cut; under baggy trail shorts or snow pants, the standard version is fine.
Comfort, Heat and Washing
The main reason riders skip protection is heat, so this is where a soft base layer earns its place. Cased describes its fabric as highly breathable and says the gear suits hot conditions, which matches the general experience with mesh-backed soft armour: far cooler than hard shells, though never as cool as riding with nothing. Care is simple — the brand's FAQ says machine wash cold and tumble dry low, which is a real advantage over hard pads that have to be removed and hand-cleaned.
Shipping, Returns and Exchanges
Orders ship from Cased's warehouse in Nashville, Tennessee, usually within one business day, with shipping included on orders over $250 within the contiguous US; smaller orders pay standard ground shipping at checkout. The store notes that processing can slip by one to three days during the holiday season.
Returns are more generous than average for protective gear. Every order comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee counted from delivery, and exchanges for a different size, colour or product are free with a prepaid label. Items must be unworn beyond trying on, unwashed and in original packaging with tags. Two details are easy to miss: refunds on full-price items have a $15 processing fee deducted, and items bought at a reduced price are eligible for store credit or an exchange rather than a cash refund.
Pros and Cons
What we like: protection that is genuinely wearable under normal clothing; CE Level 2 pads in the places riders actually land; one brand covering mountain biking, snow and motorcycle use; machine-washable garments; free size exchanges and a 30-day money-back window.
What to weigh: a very new brand with a short track record; the 89% impact-absorption figure is a brand claim; soft armour is not a substitute for a helmet or abrasion-rated motorcycle outerwear; refunds carry a $15 fee, and reduced-price items are store credit only.
Should You Buy Cased?
Buy Cased if you ride trails, ski or snowboard and currently wear no body protection at all because hard armour feels like too much — padded shorts alone will take the sting out of most falls, and you are far more likely to wear them. It is also a sensible choice for motorcycle commuters who want hidden protection in everyday clothes. Look elsewhere if you race downhill or ride aggressive bike-park lines that call for full hard armour, or if you need certified abrasion protection for highway riding. Start with the inner shorts, check the fit in a riding crouch, and use the free exchange if the size is wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cased protective gear certified?
Cased says its pads are rated CE Level 2, the higher of the two levels in the European standard for limb protectors, and claims they absorb 89% of impact force. Ask the brand for the certificate if certification matters for your use.
Can I wear Cased under my normal riding clothes?
Yes — the range is designed as a snug inner layer under bike shorts, snow pants or everyday clothes. Choose the low-profile shorts if you wear slim ski or bike pants over them.
What is the Cased return policy?
Thirty days from delivery with a money-back guarantee and free exchanges. Items must be unworn, unwashed and tagged; refunds on full-price items carry a $15 processing fee, and reduced-price items get store credit or an exchange.
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