The Demon FlexForce X V7 D3O/XRD Impact Shorts are hyped as some of the best crash protection out there.
But I don’t trust hype. So I bought them myself and waited impatiently for them to turn up.
I’m sitting in them as we speak (don’t ask).
I’ve already spent a lot of time riding the V6, so I know the FlexForce pretty well. The V7 keeps the same heavy-duty approach, but adds “A.I. Plush Padding”, the updated T.P.S. V2 insert and the new C.B.I.S. system to help keep everything where it should be.
But are they actually better?
Will they save your butt when things go sideways?
Let’s find out.
Full Review
I spent a good few months riding in the Demon FlexForce X V6 D3O Impact Shorts before drafting the original version of 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 them 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.
I’ve now got the V7 as well, so this review builds on that long-term V6 testing while I put the new version through the same treatment.
Here’s what I found.
1. Comfort & Fit
First off, the Demon FlexForce X impact shorts are surprisingly comfortable for something this protective. They fit snug but not tight, so you don’t feel restricted. I wore the V6 all day plenty of times and honestly kind of forgot I had them on. There was no weird pinching around the waistband, and they stayed in place even after a few rough crashes. The material is breathable and stretchy too, so you don’t feel like you’re wearing a brick wall.
The V7 feels very similar in that respect, but the fit system has been updated. You now get the T.P.S. V2 insert and C.B.I.S. cross-belt setup, which is meant to help keep the padding sitting where it should. I haven’t had enough full days in the V7 yet to say it’s definitely better, but first impressions are good.
I still like the removable padding system. Want more protection? Leave it in. Want to slim things down a bit? Take it out. I mostly left it installed on the V6 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 strikes a good balance between comfort and solid protection, especially with that removable padding.
2. Protection
As for protection, these shorts are pretty great. The V6 already used a lot of D3O, including the upgraded tailbone pad and the Quad Padding setup, and you could definitely feel the difference compared with cheaper shorts.
I took a few tough tailbone landings in them and the impact felt way less harsh than I expected. The hips and thighs also get a decent amount of extra cushioning, which takes the sting out of those awkward sideways falls.
The V7 pushes that further. You now get the updated T.P.S. V2 insert, A.I. Plush Padding and the C.B.I.S. system, which is basically there to keep the protection sitting where it should instead of shifting around. The thigh and lower-back coverage are still one of the big reasons these feel more serious than lighter crash shorts.
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 V7 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, the V6 still felt solid. The material hadn’t worn down and the padding was still in top form. Admittedly, the colors had faded slightly, but who cares. The D3O and XRD layers held up fine after some rough falls.
If you’re like me and prefer gear that stands up to consistent use, these felt like a worthy investment.
Update July 2026: After a few more months, the V6 was still holding up really well. No loose stitching, no obvious breakdown in the padding and nothing that made me question the durability.
I haven’t had the V7 long enough to make the same long-term call yet, but the construction feels just as substantial in hand. I’ll update this once I’ve put enough time into them to say properly.
4. Bonus Features
I should also point out that these have X-Connect Technology, which is pretty handy if you’re using other Demon protection.
You can connect the top and bottom for a 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 V7 Impact Top. I reviewed the previous V6 top 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 proper protection but prefer something lighter and less armoured, I’d look at the Demon Zero RF. You give up some of the heavy-duty protection and extended coverage, but they’re much easier to forget about once you’re riding (more on this below). 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.
FlexForce V7 vs Zero RF
If you’re deciding between the FlexForce V7 and the Zero RF, it really comes down to what kind of protection you want and how much bulk you’re happy to wear.
The FlexForce is the more armoured of the two. It has a more heavy-duty feel overall, with more structure and more substantial coverage around the thighs, lower back and tailbone. If you ride park, take harder falls or just want the most protective setup possible, it’s the more serious option.
The Zero RF is lighter, softer and easier to live with, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking protection. It still has proper D3O tailbone protection and decent leg padding, just in a more cushioned and less armoured package. Instead of the more segmented, heavy-duty feel of the FlexForce, the Zero RF feels simpler, softer and easier to forget about once you’re riding.
If I wanted maximum protection, I’d take the FlexForce. If I wanted the easier all-day option that still gives proper protection, I’d take the Zero RF.
What Changed From the V6?
The V7 isn’t a completely different pair of shorts. It’s more of a refinement of something that was already very good.
The biggest changes are around the padding and how everything stays in place. The V7 gets the new A.I. Plush Padding, updated T.P.S. V2 insert and C.B.I.S. system, while keeping the big thigh, hip, tailbone and lower-back coverage that made the V6 so protective.
Having both here, the V7 feels more thought-out around the waist and padding setup. The V6 already worked well for me though, so I wouldn’t bin a perfectly good pair just to upgrade.
If you’re buying new, get the V7. If you already own the V6 and like them, I wouldn’t rush to replace them.
Final Thoughts
I’ve ridden a lot of impact shorts over the years and the Flexforce is still the one I’d buy if protection was my priority. The V6 has already saved me from a few painful tailbone slams, and so far the V7 looks like a sensible improvement rather than Demon changing things for the sake of it.
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