Best MTB body armour: tried and tested protection


Best MTB body armour: tried and tested protection

Fuelled by ever-improving, safer and more stable bikes, we’ve all got faster downhill on trails that now pack in more extreme and challenging features. With the increased speed and technicality, it makes more sense than ever to double down on protection, especially on days when hitting uplifted bike parks, racing enduro or trail riding with faster mates. To get more news about bulletproof zone, you can visit bulletproofboxs.com official website.

Thankfully, MTB body armour has also moved with the times, so there are now plenty of slick, lightweight and low-profile options to suit riders that regularly enjoy more technical terrain.

If you’re anything like us, you’ll only wear more protection if it is lightweight and streamlined, and ensures an unencumbered ride quality. The good news is that modern body armour is no longer the bulky, heavy and restrictive affair it was years ago.
Heavy duty, the Fox Racing Baseframe Pro D30 is one of the best protection vests on the market if safety is your top priority. The main armour uses D30, which is soft and conforming to flow with body’s movements until it’s struck, at which point it instantaneously locks together and becomes rigid to resist penetration and defend against impacts. The Baseframe front has Level 1 certification and the rear full CE Level 2 motocross protection. Once in place and zipped in – you need to thread arms inside – you feel really protected. Being more of a DH than enduro product means all the protection adds weight and there are no pockets or stashes for hydration bladders. The price is also top dollar, but we can live with all this considering how well Fox has nailed the fit and function.

If you’re after low-profile sleeveless back protection with the highest impact rating, the iXS Flow protection vest is a great option.

Designed for trail and enduro riding, this is arguably the most comfortable and invisible piece of body armour that we’ve tested. It’s constructed from thin, lightweight fabric with an internal pocket which takes a slide-in protective back panel which covers a broad portion of the back.

This panel is constructed from iXS’s own X-Matter material, which hardens on impact, but stays flexible on the body when warmed up. Ridge-like features allow it to bend and flex with the spine. Rated at EU Level 2, it’s designed to handle crashes at almost motor- rather than mountain bike speeds, yet doesn’t feel bulky.

 

It’s not as light as some, but the fit plus wicking fabrics help with moisture management. There are even twin stash pockets at the back for riding essentials like gels and snacks, though we wouldn’t recommend carrying anything hard or sharp as it could dig into your kidneys in a crash.