[motorcycle.com] - Best Motorcycle Back and Chest Protectors

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Crashing sucks, but getting hurt because you weren’t wearing the right gear stings just a little bit more. You all know to wear your helmets, jackets, pants, gloves, and boots – but what are you wearing under all that? If you’re not wearing at least a back protector then you’re missing out on a relatively inexpensive piece of kit that can make a big difference. Add in a chest protector, and you have two components that can further absorb some of the impact energy of hitting the ground before your body does.*

If you aren’t familiar, back and chest protectors are basically plastic exoskeletons with multi-density, impact-absorbing padding. Back protectors look similar to an armadillo’s shell, with numerous layers that articulate with the movement of your back, but also are difficult to hyperextend or bend backward. Chest protectors are basically trapezoidal pads that rest between your jacket and chest.****

Here, we’ve compiled a list of back and chest protectors you might want to consider before your next ride. While these products are highly rated, they are just a sample of what’s out there. Before we begin, it’s worth mentioning that, if you have the means, we recommend wearing an airbag vest instead of a back and chest protector. The level of protection from an airbag is far superior. We made an airbag buyer’s guide to show you what options are currently on the market if you’re interested. Can’t pop for an airbag right now? No problem. Here’s the next best thing.

Table of Contents

• Alpinestars Nucleon KR-3 Back Protector
• Forcefield Back Protector Pro L2 EVO
• REV'IT! Slingshot Back Protector
• Dainese Wave D1 Air Back Protector
• Spidi Warrior Chest Protector
• Alpinestars Nucleon KR-Cell CiR Chest Protector
• Forcefield Elite Chest Protector
• Leatt Airflex Chest Protector

Alpinestars Nucleon KR-3 Back Protector

While Alpinestars is considered one of the leaders in the airbag game, it hasn’t forgotten about back protectors either, and the Nucleon KR-3 is among the company’s best. The KR-3 is highly flexible and breathable thanks to its honeycomb construction that allows air to flow through it. But there’s also a hard shell backed with viscoelastic PU foam to help protect. Nucleon PU foam on the central spine offers first-rate impact absorption, while horizontal flex grooves allow the piece to move with your range of motion. As an added bonus, there are also adjustable rib protectors to help deflect impact energy to your sides. For added comfort, the shoulder straps can also be removed so they don’t get tangled under your riding gear – a nice, underrated touch.


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Forcefield Back Protector Pro L2 EVO

The Forcefield Pro L2K Evo is a back protector over ten years in the making. The sleek, slim, and low-profile back protector fits into your riding jacket without any obstruction, and it’s breathable to get some airflow back there when you’re sweaty. Constructed using Kevlar thread for strength and durability, the NitrexEvo shock-absorbing material is designed to be soft and comfortable yet provide maximum protection when you need it, even after multiple hits. The internal construction features multiple layers that are stitched and perforated in such a way that allows only limited movement – this movement follows the natural range of the human back, but also the pumping motion allows air to pass through for better ventilation. Complete with adjustable shoulder and waist straps, the Pro L2K Evo can mold to virtually any body type.


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REV'IT! Slingshot Back Protector

The Rev’It! Slingshot back protector is a little different. It uses a harness system to envelope the CE level 2 RV-style back protector. This harness is comfortable and breathable with a built-in kidney belt with off-road use in mind. 3D mesh helps reduce heat and sweat, and the back protector itself is removable for cleaning purposes. Unlike some other back protectors, the harness of the Slingshot features a sternum strap to keep everything in place up stairs. It also makes for a good companion under dirt gear, street gear, or with Rev’It’s Slingshot riding gear, made specifically without a back protector so you can add this one in.


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Dainese Wave D1 Air Back Protector

Dainese were the inventors of the back protector, so it’s only right to include the company here. The Wave D1 Air back protector has the classic shape that’s not too dissimilar from the original back protector Dainese introduced several decades ago to help protect its grand prix racers. Homologated to EN 1621.2 Standard Level 2, this back protector has rigid external corrugated plates for better impact energy distribution and a lightweight core made of aluminum honeycomb and Crash Absorb, a special visco-elastic, water repellant rubber that has excellent shape retention and energy absorption properties to make it both comfortable to wear and highly protective in a crash. Shoulder and waist straps allow for a tailored fit, or you can remove them both if you just want to insert the back protector by itself.


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Spidi Warrior Chest Protector

Moving on to chest protectors, the Spidi Warrior is a good representation of what to expect. Shaped appropriately to protect the rider’s sternum, the Warrior is composed of three layers of square block structures designed to distribute the shock of an impact evenly. The junctions are designed to allow very flexible movement – so much so that the Warrior chest protector can easily fold for storage purposes. With a thickness of 15mm and weighing in at 140g (4.9 oz), it’s light and compact protection.


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Alpinestars Nucleon KR-Cell CiR Chest Protector

At the top of this list is an Alpinestars Nucleon back protector. Here is the companion Nucleon KR-Cell CiR chest protector – the company’s highest performing impact armor for the chest. Flexible and breathable, it’s meant to be worn between a jacket or suit and the rider’s body, or placed into dedicated pockets on select apparel. The microstructure of the protector, with its honeycomb design, allows for maximum impact absorption as well as breathability and comfort. Contoured to a rider’s shape, the mesh lining on the inside is soft against the skin. Certified to CE level 2.


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Forcefield Elite Chest Protector

We couldn’t include a Forcefield back protector without also including the Forcefield Elite chest protector. Designed to be as thin as reasonably possible, this slim design is breathable and yet soft enough to curve around the body. The Forcefield Nitrex Evo armor distributes crash energy throughout the protector and is meant to withstand numerous hits. Adjustable straps help tailor the fit to the individual wearer.


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Leatt Airflex Chest Protector

Known for its neck braces in the dirt world, Leatt also makes other protective gear like this Airflex chest protector. The slim and ergonomic design is also lightweight and very well vented. You’ll find an I-Mesh impact protector in the chest, but you’ll also get back protection via Leatt’s AirFlex soft impact gel. The multi-layer, multi-plate articulating design allows the rider to move naturally, and of course, the BraceOn system is ready to accept Leatt’s neck brace, if you desire to wear it.


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FAQ

Are back protectors worth it?

Absolutely. With the caveat that no amount of gear can prevent serious injuries 100% of the time, a back protector is cheap insurance to give yourself the best chance of reducing the amount of injuries to your back and spine in a crash.

What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 back protectors?

It boils down to how much impact force a protector can take.*Level 1 protectors can only transmit a maximum force below 18kN. Level 2 protectors can only transmit a maximum force below 9kN. Like golf, the lower the number, the better.

Are chest protectors worth it?

See the answer to the back protectors above. If you only have the means for one or the other, then go for the back protector. But chest protectors are worth it if you can afford it. Not only do they distribute impact energy in a crash, but even if you don’t fall down, they are underrated in protecting your chest from rocks and debris that can fly up from bikes and cars in front of you.

Related Reading

Best Motorcycle Airbag Jackets

MO Tested: REV’IT! Proteus Armored Jacket Review

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