Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 review | Abrasion resistant armoured baselayer

Date reviewed: March 2025 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £249 | www.adventurespec.com

UK-based Adventure Spec has long been known for its very well-respected off-road and adventure riding kit, focussing on wearable gear for the extremes of riding in some of the harshest environments… well beyond my abilities. But thanks to the protective performance of the Supershirt 2.0 on review here, it offers as much potential to a road rider as it does to someone tackling the Trans European Trail. I’ve been wearing it on my 2019 BMW R1250GS, Zontes ZT350-T and 1999 Kawasaki ZX-6R to find out how practical it can really be…

Pros & Cons

Worn over the top of my jeans, you can see how long the Supershirt 2.0 is

Construction and fit

Weighing just 1,538g on my scales for this size large with the optional chest and back armour fitted (959g with only the shoulders and elbows), the Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 – which is made in Bulgaria – is designed to be worn on its own or as a base-layer with other kit.

Extremely stretchy and figure-hugging, it’s made of a combination of Nylon 6/6 (a heat and wear-resistant material) and High Density Polyethylene (UHDPE), which is a thermoplastic polymer used in many abrasion-resistant garments, and similar to Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) seen in some other kit.

Thanks to its lack of bulk, the Supershirt 2.0 is very suited to being worn under other clothing, feeling little thicker than many ‘normal’ baselayers, but with limb protection built in – I’ve found it can work great with my old wind-proof Mountain Hard Wear soft shell, so while Adventure Spec offers some excellent mid and outer layers (like the shower-proof Linesman and water-proof Gravel Jacket), the abrasion resistance that this base-layer provides gives you far more options, depending on where and how you’re riding (remembering that non-motorcycle gear might not have the length that’s needed in the arms when riding).

Here’s the Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 under my softshell top and MotoAirBag M1

Of course, the Supershirt 2.0 can also be worn on its own with a pair of jeans for instance, but another option is combining it with an airbag. Although airflow will be reduced, many of the best airbags (like the MotoAirBag M1 shown here) have 3D mesh inside that gives space for air to move around, still keeping you cool and potentially making for an excellent level of protectionduring hot summer riding.

The Supershirt 2.0 doesn’t have any loops to attach it to a belt, but it is fairly long, so it can be tucked into your trousers to better reduce the chances of it pulling up during a slide when worn on its own. Compared to some of the other abrasion-resistant base layers on the market, this well-considered length really does make the Adventure Spec stand out.

A neat extra is the lightweight anodised aluminium whistle that’s attached (removable if you want), which is within easy reach of your mouth if things go pear-shaped. In a stroke of design genius, the end of the whistle is also a Schrader valve core extractor.

Protection & Certification

The Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 is certified to level AA for abrasion resistance, seam strength and tear strength. This is the mid-ground for kit under the current certification standards, and quite common now in a lot of good textile gear.

The main body of the Supershirt 2.0 is single-layer for maximum comfort and breathability, with the key impact areas of the elbows and shoulders carrying a second layer above the armour, which doesn't add noticeably to the bulk at all.

In addition to this, Adventure Spec supplies Level 2 (the highest) Type B (the larger size template) armour at the elbows and shoulders. Importantly, this is held in place well by the snug fit of the Supershirt 2.0, though I would say that the elbow armour has a slight tendency to twist upwards on my arm a little in use. Not to the extent that my elbows become unprotected, but it just shifts about a centimetre up.

I’ve tried with different armour from Smooth Ways and D3O, but they all shift a touch, and the Adventure Spec protectors – which are made by RZ-Labs – have superb ventilation to minimise any heat build-up or clamminess under them.

Adventure Spec crash demo

Watch the promotional video of the Supershirt 2.0

Also available is a Level 2 back protector for an additional £30, which is good value compared to some aftermarket proctors, and is extremely well ventilated, but keep in mind that it’s rated CB, or ‘Central Back’ only. Despite being the same size and shape as the D3O Viper Full Back (FB) protector for instance, the taper at the edges reduces the potential protective performance outside of the most important spinal area.

I’m not a big fan of this type of grid design, which meets the certification requirements but doesn’t have any material that spreads impact energy across your flesh beyond the narrow ridges. The limb protectors a little more comfortable under load than the back protector.

A chest protector is also available for £24, and while this is Level 1 only, that’s typical of most inserts as Level 2 requires an additional penetration test to be passed for this position. Currently, D3O’s racing protector is the only Level 2 passive protector that I’m aware of.

The Supershirt 2.0’s chest plate is a foam-type protector that has less ventilation than the others, though it is also rated to T+ and T-, meaning it’s been tested to maintain its protective performance up to +40°C and down to -10°C.

From April 21 2018, all new motorcycle clothing is deemed to be Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). To meet this legislation, it must be tested to a recognised standard. For more information on the new laws, click here.

Pockets

There are no pockets at all on the Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0, which while adding to the unobtrusive base-layer style, does reduce convenience when worn on its own.

Of course, and particularly for the off-road market, avoiding having anything in your pockets is a wise choice in a fall, but I would have liked having at least one pocket. As I tend to wear this with an airbag though – most of which do have pockets – and riding jeans, it’s not a deal-breaker.

The whistle / valve core remover is a thoughtful addition

Fastening

Zipping up the Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 feels awkward at first as the zip runs from the left hip, across the sides of the ribs and up to the left of the neck. This makes for a very comfortable design that keeps the zip tucked safely out of the way, without making it significantly harder or slower to put on and take off.

The ends of the sleeves have thumb loops to keep the arms secure in a crash, and thanks to their design also provide a little more abrasion resistance for the bottoms of your palms.

Fit will be subjective, but I find they pull a little between my thumb and forefinger. If you choose not to use them, they leave a bit of extra spare material around the wrists but it’s not noticeable in use.

Adjustment

There’s no adjustment in the Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0, but given its extremely stretchy nature, there’s no need for it. I’m usually a size large, currently bordering on XL (but hopefully bringing that down at some point if I can beat my cake retention), and a large Supershirt 2.0 fits me perfectly. If you’re not sure of the right size for you, and can’t get to one of the shows the team’s attending (like the Adventure Bike Rider festival), the company offers up to 14 days of returns for items that haven’t been used (beyond trying them on) and have their tags still fastened, but there’s a guide here to how Adventure Spec sizing works.

Ventilation

As I sit at my desk writing up my notes while wearing the Supershirt 2.0, I’m struck by how cool the material feels against my skin. And of course, the fact that air can so easily pass through it means it’s excellent in hot weather.

It’s not a coarse-holed mesh like some but it’s very airy in hot weather, helped significantly by the design of the armour, which gives very little restriction to airflow. I also like that it does a better job of protecting your skin from UV exposure than a more open mesh design.

For hot climates when worn on its own, Adventure Spec has created an excellent piece of kit.

Warmth

As part of a layered approach to your motorcycle kit, the Supershirt 2.0 can help trap air under other, windproof kit without adding too much bulk. While of course you’ll need to check the sizes for yourself, pairing this with a down jacket or even heated vest, and a windproof outer could create a very effective winter solution.

My only caveat to that would be that layering might not suit winter commuters – in harsh winter weather I prefer to have a fully-waterproof suit that has its armour in, which I can take off easily when I reach my destination.

Waterproofing

As a baselayer, the Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 isn’t waterproof, but it’s designed to be paired with anything from a simple oversuit to a dedicated jacket designed specifically for motorcycling (without its own armour). Adventure Spec offers its own range that can be worn with it, but the choice is yours.

Cleaning

The Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 can be gently washed in the machine at 30°C with non-biological detergents, though take the armour out first and don’t use softeners. It mustn’t be tumble dried or ironed.

Three alternatives to the Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0

Advances in material technology have seen a new range of protective baselayers, each with their own advantages…

• Pando Moto Commando, £359.99 | An AAA-rated baselayer-style top, the Pando Moto has large D3O Level 2 armour at the shoulders and elbows with an optional back protector, but no opportunity for chest protection to be fitted. The MOLLE loops on the front are rather divisive, and the claims of ‘slide times’ are not something we’ll engage with but the certification achievement and good armour help justify the high price. It doesn’t have any belt loops, and while there are grippy strips along the hem, it could do with being longer to tuck into your jeans more securely. Read the full review of the Pando Moto Commando here.

• Bowtex Elite V2, £369.99 | The Bowtex Elite baselayer is another that offers the higher AAA rating of abrasion resistance, but the armour is rather small. The new V2 includes belt loops, but the back and chest protectors are optional extras and it would be good to see it longer. We haven’t yet reviewed the V2, but you can read the review of the original Bowtex Elite here.

• Knox Urbane Pro Mk3, £259.99 | While part of Knox’s ‘Seasonless’ layering system, the AA-rated Urbane Pro is rightly described as an armoured shirt, rather than a baselayer. It’s great on its own, but not quite a versatile as the Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 when it comes to wearing with other gear. Knox also makes the £379.99 AAA-rated Honister, which would be a great standalone hot-weather top if it weren’t for the uncomfortable neck design. Read the full review of the Knox Urbane Pro Mx3 here.

These are just three of many alternatives – you can find all the textiles we’ve tested here  and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through Bikesocial membership.

Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 - Verdict

A layered approach to your kit can save you money if you ride in a variety of conditions, and the Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 is an excellent example of a truly practical design.

Thanks to its Level 2 armour, superb ventilation and very lightweight design it fits under other gear more easily than some of its competitors, while also providing better coverage than others.

While there are alternatives with higher certified resistance to abrasion resistance, Adventure Spec’s focus on light weight and unobtrusive design has certainly paid off. There are now many options for layering of simply protective hot weather single layers, but the Supershirt 2.0 is well worth considering.

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