The Demon Flexforce X V6 D3O/XRD Impact Shorts are hyped as some of the best crash protection out there.
But I don’t trust hype. So I paid my $100 (ouch) and waited patiently for their arrival.
I’m sitting in them as we speak (don’t ask).
But do they live up to their reputation for skiers and snowboarders?
Will they save your butt when things go sideways?
Let’s find out.
Update: The V7 has now landed. It keeps everything I liked about the V6 while adding A.I. Plush Padding, the updated T.P.S. V2 insert and the new C.B.I.S. system to better keep the padding in place. First impressions are seriously good, but I want more time on them before rewriting this review. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the V7 if that’s the version available.
Full Review
I spent a good few months riding in the Demon Flexforce X V6 D3O Impact Shorts before drafting this review. I threw them on for everything, big drops, awkward landings and a few park sessions where I knew I’d be testing my limits. I wanted to see how they’d hold up to some particularly tasty falls. Think icy side hits, tailbone landings and crashes that leave you questioning your life choices.
I wore them all day, layered under different pants and took a couple of low-speed falls just to see how they’d handle it. And because life loves a good test, I ended up slamming a few times harder than expected.
Here’s what I found.
1. Comfort & Fit
First off, these Demon Flexforce X V6 D3O Impact Shorts are surprisingly comfortable. They fit snug but not tight, so you don’t feel restricted. I wore them all day, and honestly kind of forgot I had them on. There’s no weird pinching or shifting around the waistband and they stayed in place even after a few rough crashes. The material is breathable and stretchy, so you don’t feel like you’re wearing a brick wall.
The biggest win for comfort is the T.P.S. (Total Padding System). The removable insert gives you the flexibility to adjust the padding depending on the kind of day you’re having. Want more protection? Add a little more padding. Want to keep it light? Take it out. Definitely nice to have that level of customisation. I mostly left it installed because it worked well enough that I never really felt the need to mess with it.
That said, budget options like Bodyprox are potentially a little more comfortable for all-day wear, but you’re sacrificing a lot of protection. The Demon Flexforce X V6 strikes a good balance between comfort and solid protection, especially with that removable padding.
2. Protection
As for protection, these shorts are pretty great. They’re loaded with D3O T6 padding, including a specially upgraded tailbone pad and the new Quad Padding. You can definitely feel the difference compared to cheaper shorts.
I took a few tough tailbone landings and the impact felt way less harsh than I expected. The hips and thighs also got a nice boost with plush foam padding, making awkward sideways falls a bit easier to shake off.
Comparing these to Bodyprox and other reputed impact shorts, there’s a noticeable difference. Bodyprox is a solid budget pick, but the level of padding and the technology in the Demon Flexforce X V6 is just next level.
And don’t even get me started on the ever-popular “Rippl impact shorts“. They’re ridiculously flimsy compared to these. Social media can’t always be trusted!
3. Durability
After a few weeks of testing, these shorts still feel solid. The material hasn’t worn down and the padding is still in top form. Admittedly, the colors have slightly faded, but who cares. The D3O and XRD layers have held up after some rough falls.
If you’re like me and prefer gear that stands up to consistent use, these are a worthy investment (or at least they have been so far).
Update July 2026: After a few more months they’re still holding up really well. I’ll update this review if that changes, but so far I’ve got no complaints.
4. Bonus Features
I should also point out that these have got X-Connect Technology, a nice feature if you’re using other Demon gear.
You can connect the top and bottom for an entirely gap-free setup.
I’ve only recently tried this myself as I don’t normally wear top-half protection, but the system was freaking solid. If you want ultimate crash protection, consider grabbing the Demon Flexforce V6 Impact Top too (reviewed here).
5. Pros & Cons
Who These are For
These are for riders who actually push themselves. If you’re learning new tricks, riding icy pistes, spending time in the park or just know you hit the deck more often than you’d like, you’ll appreciate the extra protection. They’re also great if you’ve had a previous tailbone or hip injury and don’t fancy repeating the experience.
Who These Are NOT For
If you’re mostly cruising groomers and rarely take hard falls, these are probably more protection than you need. They’re also one of the more expensive impact shorts on the market.
If you still want a premium pair but prefer something lighter and less bulky, I’d look at the Demon Zero RF. You lose some protection, but they’re a better choice for riders who prioritise comfort over maximum padding. If you’re simply trying to save money, something like the Bodyprox. offers surprisingly good value, just don’t expect the same level of protection or features.
Final Thoughts
I’ve ridden a lot of impact shorts over the years and the Demon Flexforce X V6 D3O Impact Shorts are still the ones I’d buy again. They’re comfortable enough that I actually wear them all day, and the protection has already saved me from a few painful tailbone slams.
They’re not cheap, and casual riders probably don’t need this much protection. But if you ride regularly, push yourself or simply value your hips and tailbone, I think they’re money well spent.
I Crash-Tested the Top Impact Shorts
Falling hurts. These shorts don’t. I crash-tested the most popular impact shorts to find out which ones are actually worth wearing.
Hi Michael & Jess
1. Would these [Demon Flexforce X V6 D3O/ XRD Men’s Impact Shorts] save my hips from a hard fall, on rocks from my Electric Bike ?
2. Would they be comfortable, on the Bike?
3. Are they bearable, in the Summer?
And last, But Not, least; Would they ship it, to Romania?
Looking forward to hear (see) from you
Cheers
Gheorghe (George Stan)
P.S. Last year I took a hard fall on my left hip. I was lucky because I only cracked a bit my hip socket. Nothing worst than that, but even so, it cost me 8 weeks in bed, on my back Only. I don’t wish that to any one in the world. And Definitely I Don’t wish to repeat it.
Hey Gheorghe!
Sorry to hear about the fall – been there – injuries suck!
I’ve worn mine mountain biking all summer, pretty solid.
1. Definitely takes the sting out of most falls, but… to fully save your hips during high speed falls on rocks is a big ask. I’ve tried supposedly “bombproof” ones with hard plastic outer-coating and they are potentially slightly better in that circumstance… but they tend to dig into your hip/thigh pretty badly and I ended up avoiding wearing them. The demon strike the beter middle ground for me – comfortable, flexible and still very protective. Way better than any of the Amazon offerings.
2. Yep, comfortable. Takes a little getting use to but then you’ll forget they’re there.
3. Reasonably breathable but still an extra layer. You’ll sweat a bit more, but better than another injury!
As for shipping, I think it’s worldwide, but I’m not 100% – sorry. Worth checking the site or reaching out to them.
Hope that helps?
Mike
Hi Micael& Jess, thank you very much for the report. Very informative. Can you tell me something about the sizes? Does M tend to be small or large? Often the size information isn’t very accurate, and I think you have a little more experience here and can help me decide which size I should choose. I wear size 32 inch jeans. Thank you very much for the information and best regards, Klaus
Hi Klaus,
Glad the write up helped. They fit more like compression shorts than regular underwear, so the waistband can feel tight if you are near the upper end of a size. Medium technically tops out around 31 inches, and Large starts at 32. I’m around 33-34 and the large is pretty much spot on – but still feels snug. I’d imagine the Large is the safer pick for you, especially if you plan to layer with thermals etc. Medium would probably still work but will feel tighter and probably more noticeable when you ride. Let me know how you get on! Hope that helps and enjoy the season out there. Mike