I wanted to like the RIPPL Impact Shorts. Really. But the weird sizing and painfully slow shipping make them tough to recommend.
I tested them against some of the best impact shorts out there. Here’s how they stacked up and why I’m sticking with Demon or Bodyprox (sorry Rippl).
Full Review
RIPPL kept popping up in our feed and we figured it was time to see what the deal was.
We ordered a pair directly from their site and waited. And waited. By the time they finally landed, we were already dubious. But we still gave them a fair shot.
We wore them for a few days of regular riding – groomers, a couple park laps, and a handful of small drops – just to see how they actually felt under normal use. We’d actually just finished up testing a dozen other crash pants, so the timing was perfect.
Here’s our unfiltered thoughts.
1. Fit and Sizing
This is where things started to go sideways. We carefully sized according to RIPPL’s size chart – but the actual fit was weird. The waistband felt loose, while the padding sections were oddly tight and didn’t sit where they should. I had to pull them up super high.
I could have written this off as just my own weird proportions, but Jess had the same experience.
2. Comfort
Not terrible, but not great either. They’re low profile, but I could feel the individual padding “lumps” every time I sat on the chairlift.. These didn’t break in much after a few laps either.
Compared to something like the Bodyprox, which pretty much disappears once you’re riding, these stayed very noticeable.
3. Protection
The padding is fine for casual use but falls way short of what you get with the Demon Flexforce.
It’s noticeably thin in crucial spots like the tailbone and the foam didn’t absorb hits as well as we’d hoped.
On the plus side, it doesn’t feel overly bulky, which some riders might like.
4. Build Quality
The materials feel cheap – more like a budget Amazon special than a $60+ piece of gear. After just a few sessions, we noticed some wear and it wouldn’t surprise us if these started coming apart after a few weeks of regular riding. I’ll keep riding them and report back.
5. Shipping and Experience
This part really bugged us. The shipping was ridiculously slow and we got zero updates along the way. Tracking updated on the day it was delivered, but that was it.
There’s no “fast delivery” option either (at least not in America).
We paid for the only available option (6-9 days) and received it in around 2-weeks. By todays standards, that’s slow.
The package also seemed to come directly from China, which was a bit unexpected!
6. Pros & Cons
What Users Say
RIPPL’s own site has some positive reviews, but dig a little deeper and it’s a mixed bag. Several other riders have complained about weird sizing, with one reviewer having to “order XXXL just to fit a 34-inch waist.”
Others experienced similarly slow shipping, with orders taking weeks and no tracking updates.
One Reddit user even claimed they found the exact same shorts listed on Alibaba for $5. Whether that’s true or not, the lack of transparency and long shipping times make RIPPL hard to recommend.
Better Alternatives
If you want serious protection and can stretch the budget, the Demon Flexforce X V6 is hard to beat. It’s got their D3O panels, extended tailbone padding and a comfortable design. It’s bulkier and costs more than most, but if you’re riding park or taking heavy hits, it’s the one I’d pick.
- Triple D3O + XRD padding for tailbone, hips, and butt
- TPS comfort system + extra plush foam
- Ventilated Lycra/mesh for breathability
- Extended lower back protection
- X-Connect compatible with Demon tops
Final Thoughts
RIPPL Impact Shorts aren’t the worst, but they’re hard to recommend. The sizing feels off, the padding isn’t great in spots and the shipping is painfully slow.
If you want something that feels solid and protective, the Demon Flexforce X V6 is worth paying more for. If you just need a cheaper backup, Bodyprox still beats RIPPL by a mile.
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