Frequently Asked Questions

For hot-weather riding the Crave AXE2 is the most-purchased shirt in our range. It pairs a 100% DuPont Kevlar inner lining with a breathable microfiber outer and ventilation panels, so the protection sits on your skin while air flows through the shell. Most riders wear it in 25-35 C without overheating, then keep it on at the cafe stop because it looks like a regular workshirt rather than armor. If you ride mostly highway in 35 C+ heat, look at the AXE2 in the lighter cotton outers (Fox, Flame). For mixed city and weekend rides the Slim Fit AXE2 sits closer to the body and works under a denim jacket on cooler days.

Kevlar is a para-aramid fiber engineered to absorb impact and resist abrasion at speeds where cotton, polyester, or unlined denim shred in a fraction of a second. In a slide, the Kevlar layer takes the friction so your skin does not. Independent abrasion tests show that 100% DuPont Kevlar lining survives slides at 50-70 km/h on coarse asphalt with no breakthrough, while a standard cotton shirt fails in under a second. Crave shirts use a full-coverage Kevlar lining across torso, shoulders, and elbows, plus pockets for D3O CE-rated impact armor at elbows, shoulders, and back. The Kevlar handles abrasion; the armor handles impact. You need both.

The protectors we recommend (D3O Viper at the back, D3O elbow and shoulder inserts) are CE certified to EN 1621-1 (limbs) and EN 1621-2 (back). The garments themselves are sold as protective clothing with abrasion-resistant DuPont Kevlar or Armalith linings; certification of the full garment to EN 17092 is on our 2026 roadmap. We make the certification status of every component clear on each product page so riders can make informed decisions. If you need a fully homologated jacket today (for example for track days that require EN 17092 AAA), reach out and we will recommend the closest model.

Both are abrasion-resistant fibers, but they solve the problem differently. DuPont Kevlar is woven as a separate inner lining sewn behind cotton or microfiber, giving you two distinct layers - the outer for looks, the Kevlar for protection. Armalith is a single-layer fabric in which abrasion-resistant fibers are woven directly into the fabric you see, so one layer does both jobs. Armalith is lighter, cooler, and faster to dry, which is why our jeans and chinos use it. Kevlar lining is more flexible across cuts and lets us build shirts that look like regular workshirts. For shirts and jackets we use Kevlar lining; for pants and jeans we use Armalith.

Crave shirts are sized like normal workshirts, not like leather jackets. If you normally wear a Medium leather jacket with a t-shirt underneath, you usually fit a Medium AXE2 worn directly on the body. The Slim Fit cuts run one half-size tighter through the chest and waist for a closer profile. The Kevlar lining adds about 1 mm of thickness, which you do not feel after the first ride. We publish a measurements table on every product page (chest, waist, shoulder, sleeve) and also offer a fit comparison to mainstream brands like Levi's and Carhartt in the sizing guide. If you are between sizes, size up - the cotton outer relaxes about half a size after the first wash.

Yes - that is the design brief. Crave gear is built to look like everyday clothing first and protective gear second. The AXE2 reads as a workshirt, the Montana as a flannel, the city collection as casual streetwear. At the cafe stop, on the train home, or in the office, none of them look out of place. The Kevlar lining is hidden inside the shell and you do not feel it on your skin once the shirt has been worn a few times. Riders use Crave gear as their normal daily shirt and jacket - the protection is always there, even when they are not on the bike.

Machine wash cold (30-40 C) on a short cycle, all buttons and zippers fastened to protect the Kevlar weave. Use mild detergent, no bleach, no fabric softener (softener coats the Kevlar fibers and reduces abrasion resistance). Do not tumble dry - hang flat or on a rack to air dry. Iron on the cotton outer only, never directly on the Kevlar lining. Most Crave shirts handle 50-100 wash cycles before the cotton outer shows wear; the Kevlar lining typically outlasts the shell. Full instructions live at washing & care and on a tag inside every garment. If you crash in a Crave shirt, retire it - abrasion damage may not be visible but the fibers have been compromised.

Armalith is rated by its slide-distance performance under EN 13595 / EN 17092 abrasion testing. The single-layer Armalith fabric used in our jeans and chinos is independently tested to survive slides equivalent to 4-7 seconds of contact at 90 km/h on coarse asphalt without breakthrough - performance comparable to traditional double-layer Kevlar-lined jeans, in a single layer that breathes like normal denim. Armalith is what we use across the Montana, Ranger, and city collection because it gives Crave the protection of a riding pant in a garment that fits and feels like everyday jeans. CE certification of specific Armalith garments to EN 17092 is on our 2026 roadmap.

The standard cotton and microfiber Crave shirts are not waterproof - they are designed for hot-weather and three-season riding where breathability matters more than rain protection. Cotton wicks moisture and dries quickly, but in heavy rain you will get wet. For wet-weather riding we recommend layering a waterproof shell over your Crave shirt or choosing one of our heavier jackets with a treated outer. Pants in the Armalith range are water-resistant for short showers but not waterproof. If your rides routinely include heavy rain, contact us and we will recommend the right combination of base layer plus shell.

Mens shirts and jackets are stocked in XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, with selected models in XXXL. Womens shirts (Crave for Her line) run XS-XL. Pants and jeans use waist-by-length sizing in 28-38 inch waists. Every product page includes a measurements table and a model-photo set showing the shirt on different body types. If you are between sizes or need a tall fit, our customer support team can usually pull a non-stock size from the warehouse. Returns and exchanges for size changes are always free within the EU and US - see returns for details.

Leather and Crave solve the same problem with opposite trade-offs. Leather is unmatched for abrasion resistance and looks the part, but it is heavy, hot in summer, stiff out of the box, and obviously a piece of riding gear off the bike. Crave shirts and jackets give you 100% DuPont Kevlar abrasion protection in something that looks like a normal shirt, breathes in summer, and packs flat. A typical premium leather jacket weighs 2.5-3.5 kg; a Crave shirt is 0.7-1.2 kg. For city, commute, and warm-weather touring, Crave is more comfortable; for long high-speed touring or track use, a homologated leather suit is still the right tool. See the side-by-side breakdown on the compare chart.

Crave for Ride was founded in 2013 and our shirts and jackets are designed and manufactured in Europe (Poland) under our direct supervision. We control the cut, the Kevlar lining placement, and the finishing in-house rather than outsourcing to mass producers, which is why we limit our SKU range and refresh slowly. Our DuPont Kevlar is sourced directly from DuPont licensed mills, and our Armalith is sourced from the original Armalith mill in France. Full company background is at About Us.

We offer free size exchanges within the EU and US for items in original condition with tags attached, returned within 30 days of delivery. We do not accept returns on rebate, discounted, or clearance items. Returns on full-price items for refund are accepted within 14 days. Email customer support with your order number before shipping anything back so we can reserve your replacement size. Returns due to a manufacturing defect are always covered by Crave including return shipping. Full policy with addresses and prepaid label info is at returns.

Orders to the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union ship via FedEx priority and arrive in 3-4 working days from dispatch. We dispatch from our European warehouse within 1 business day of order placement on in-stock items. Orders placed before 14:00 CET on a working day generally ship the same day. You will receive a tracking number by email at dispatch. For shipping costs by region and any customs duty notes, see shipping. For express delivery requests, contact customer support before placing the order.

Yes. Crave for Ride supplies authorized retailers in 20+ countries. To apply for a wholesale account, visit become a retailer. Our wholesale department is reachable Monday to Friday and typically responds within two business days. Existing authorized retailers are listed at retailers list - if a shop near you carries Crave you can try before you buy. Press, media, and review enquiries should go to press.