When you have a "powersports" vehicle with some real actual power, the desire to get it into the air just seems to come naturally. And when we say into the air, we mean wheels or treads off the ground, spinning freely, spitting mud or snow. Whether you actually get airtime or not, half the fun is trying.
But what goes up must inevitably come down. And if you're like us, bouncing back to earth can be equally as entertaining. But it can be risky. Even with advanced multilink suspensions that many ATVs and UTVs have, it's easy enough to lose balance and control of the vehicle during normal riding conditions - causing you to fall off or flip the whole vehicle over. This goes for snowmobiles too, because white powder can hide lots of perils that lurk below the surface.
So if you're going to have fun, you need to be prepared. Those who use their powersports vehicles to get around a farm or for other work purposes don't get a pass from danger either, because even familiar terrain can change after a storm or catch you off guard at any moment.
When your body hits something hard at a bad angle, even at low speeds, potential catastrophic events such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, broken, ribs, lower disc fractures, internal bleeding, and other abdominal issues can occur.
Expert riders and doctors alike say that if you'll be spending time on a powersports vehicle, the best way to protect yourself against those kind of unfortunate injuries is to wear helmets along with chest and back protection.
In this article, we'll focus on the chest and back protection gear ("armored vests") that surround and protect your torso. And even if you're lucky enough never to take a spill, these vests serve as an effective shield against painful flying rocks and other debris.
About Armored Vests
Chest and back protection pieces feature an outer shell made from hard polymers or even Kevlar for racing applications. Within the hard shell casing, you may find a honeycomb mesh made of aluminum or other crushable materials for impact absorption. Like the outside of your helmet, these armored pieces are rigid yet capable of flexing to disburse impact energy across their surface in a crash. Inner layers of impact-absorbing foam against your skin are designed to dampen the shock transmitted by the outer shell - ideally so little or no impact harshness is felt. Removable pieces for your shoulders may or may not be available.
Kevlar, patented by the DuPont Corporation, is a woven composite material used in bulletproof vests worn by law enforcement agents. These vests offer the highest possible level of protection against cracking or coming apart under extreme conditions.
"Armored vests" feature front and back pieces to protect both sides of the torso, while "chest protectors" and "back protectors" cover only one side. Regardless of what you prefer, you'll notice some of each style feature narrower shapes and are described as "roost deflectors". Roost deflectors are a good choice if you prefer a less restrictive design that allows a wider range of comfortable arm movement.
Certifications
A "CE" certification on any vest means it has met European reinforced apparel certification rules for riding a motorcycle on any public roadway in Europe. While CE certifications aren't usually required for powersports use in the U.S., they are usually required on American racetracks. Typically, CE certified vests are made of Kevlar.
Features
To ensure armored vests are able to deliver on their safety promises, adjustable straps located in waist, shoulder, and back areas allow the wearer to create an ideal fit that's snug without being uncomfortably tight. This way, front and/or back sections are positioned right where they need to be for protection because the vest has not shifted around or flown off completely.
For convenience, many vests come with integrated storage pockets in their front or rear sections - an ideal spot to keep a smartphone that's paired to a Bluetooth-capable helmet or earpiece. Other vests feature storage pouches that can be used as canteens to store water or other beverages.
Flexibility
Armored vests are also designed to increase comfort and convenience. For example, they may be equipped with specially angled ventilation channels that direct moving air under the vest to keep you cool during warmer months. Some vests are designed with multiple sections that pivot and flex with your body as you move - ideal for greater comfort under more physically demanding circumstances (think riding an ATV or snowmobile).
Front vests designed to flex will include a center pivot bolt so that upper and lower panels can move independently of one another. Rear vests that "articulate" with the spinal column are constructed with a number of independently-hinged sections that flex with you as you lean left and right. This keeps protection at a high level without being nearly as restrictive.
Armored Vests We Offer
Front And Rear Protection
If you're interested in full protection for both sides of your body, visit our armored vests section. There, you'll find stylish hard-shell vests with (and without) integrated guards for shoulder and elbow areas.
You can also visit this section for a selection of "slim fit" soft shell vests designed to be worn underneath other garments. While their protection level doesn't match that of hard shell vests, they do provide an extra layer of padding along with excellent abrasion resistance. These also add comfort if you plan to wear a neck brace. Some recommended examples include the EVS Sports Comp Vest, Tekrider Tekvest FreeStyle Protection Adult Vest, and Atlas Brace Guardian Lite Body Protection.
For junior riders, the Answer Racing PeeWee Roost Deflector and HRP Sports Flak Jak 1000LT Youth Chest Protector are just several of the choices available in small sizes to accommodate children under age 10.
For snowmobile riding or racing, EVS Sports' SV1 Race Vest has some great safety features. An ignition kill tether attachment automatically cuts the motor if you fall off. Plus, an integrated "avalanche rescue system" chip allows rescuers to home in on the vest's exact location.
One-Sided Protection
If you'd prefer a slimmer vest, we've got a selection of chest protectors that focus on front protection, and we've got back protectors that cover just the rear of your torso. To clarify, chest protectors usually include some kind of covering for your back area - even though it won't be as thick as a standard armored vest. For those who would rather have a chest protector without a back section, we do offer the EVS Sports Revo 4 Roost Deflector. We've also got snug-fitting base layer garments made from breathable, perforated combinations of spandex, nylon, and die-cut foam sections.
If you prefer protection for just your backside, we've got you covered with a good selection of articulating back protectors - starting with the Dainese urethane BAP D1 Back Protector for best value. The Dainese Manis 55-T Back Protection gives you full-length back protection without any shoulder straps. And for those who appreciate the higher strength of CE2 racing certifications, check out the Dainese Wave Air Back Protection and Dainese Manis D1 Back Protection back vests to name a couple.
If you need extra back support because of pain, the Point 65 Sweden adjustable Waist Belt focuses on protection and comfort for the lower back area. You may also want to check out our selection of kidney belts as well.
Once you're equipped with the right armor pieces, you can truly enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're well protected against the unexpected. You may also want to check out armored jackets, neck braces, elbow/wrist protection pieces, shoulder pads, armored pants, and much more. And if you have any questions, we'll be happy to answer your calls seven days a week!