Protective vest: a piece of equipment you can't ride without - 4 tips for choosing the right one

Anyone who has ever attempted the impossible in the dust of the track knows this. All it takes is for your front wheel to dance in a deep rut more than is healthy, or for you to be kicked by the rebound of a jump, and suddenly you are only holding on to the air instead of the handlebars. That second in which you fly to the ground can decide the rest of your season. And this is exactly the moment when a motocross protective vest is what stands between you and a stay in the hospital.

In the following lines, we will discuss together why a protective vest is an absolute must, how modern materials work and why it is not worth saving on certification. We will also look at the specific differences between the models so that you know whether classic plastic or modern soft foam is better for you.

Source: https://marketing.acerbis.it/gallery/10052-offroad/10203-protections/204-body-armour-dna-level-2

A protective vest as a shield that will take the blows for you

A lot of people think that their body can handle it just fine. But physics is inexorable. We don't wear modern motorcycle protectors just for decoration. They have an important task, which is to break the kinetic energy of an impact before it looks under our skin to our organs. The statistics speak clearly: riders with certified torso protection have a 23% to 30% lower risk of ending up in bed with a serious injury. The key to safety is in energy dissipation. A quality vest not only spreads the impact over a larger area, but also slows it down, so the body doesn't get hit so hard and immediately.

The days when you looked like Robocop in a shell and couldn't even breathe properly are thankfully gone. Today's motocross protectors can be divided into two main groups:

If you are hesitant, try the hybrid route. Top Acerbis protectors often combine both - a solid shield in the front against stones and smart foam on the back that adapts to your every movement in the attack position.

The spine is the most sensitive part of the body and injuries to it can have fatal consequences. Therefore, a spine protector in a vest should be a standard that no train can pass through. A modern spine protector is designed to protect not only from a direct blow, but also from a dangerous range of motion (hyperflexion). When choosing, always look at the homologation and follow the EN 1621-2 certification. This European standard EN 1621-2 distinguishes between two levels:

To make sure your vest and other motocross protectors really cover your back, it's a good idea to follow these rules:

Everyone has a different style, so there is no universal advice. But here is a trick to choose depending on where you spend most of your time:

Source: https://marketing.acerbis.it/gallery/10052-offroad/10203-protections/23-galaxy-body-armour#galleryD-1

We would all like our motorcycle protectors to last us a long time, even years. But that requires a little care. Even the best motorcycle protectors start to smell over time, that's just a fact. But be careful how you wash them.

When you know you have everything you need for safety on the road, you ride differently. The fear of falling is replaced by absolute concentration on the track. A quality investment in honest protectors will always pay off in the form of peace of mind and, most importantly, health. Motocross is a tough sport, so be prepared for what comes.