MX Chest Protectors
the buying guide: everything you need to know
Looking to buy a new Chest Protector? You are in the right place. Here we'll give you a comprehensive guide to all the things you need to look for when buying a chest protector.
The chest protector is there to keep your upper body protected while riding a dirt bike. It can be really annoying to suffer a needless injury that might keep you away from the track or trail.
What does it do?
Chest protectors can help prevent significant injuries but also minor bumps and bruises.
They generally offer chest & back protection, and coverage around the ribs. They protect you from roost and various debris being shot at you by other riders.
It also helps to protect you from taking a handlebar, a tree, or a rock right to the chest or ribs.
If you’re a crash-prone rider, that extra coverage might come in handy more often than not.
Different kinds of Chest Protectors
Chest protectors, sometimes also referred to as body armor or roost deflectors, come in a few different types.
The different types give you more or less coverage and are generally used in different types of riding.
Chest protector
The ones this buyer guide focuses on. It offers protection to the chest and back. Usually, you put it on by bringing it over your head, like a sweater.
Can also be called hard shell protectors, if made from plastic.
Full Chest Protector
A chest protector with extra protection over the shoulders and sometimes also the upper arms.
Roost guards / deflectors
Roost guards are most commonly used by motocross riders and this type of protection gives you light coverage over the chest and the back. Just looking at the name you get that these are foremost guards or deflectors of roost from other riders.
While there are always exceptions to the rule: roost guards are a bit more low-profile when compared to chest protectors.
Also called a soft chest protector.
Roost guards and chest protectors share a lot of similarities but there are also some differences.
Full protection jackets
These are different kinds of body armor and upper body protectors.
As the name suggests it's a jacket that you put on with a lot of protection elements. The jackets are considered a safer option compared to a roost deflector but also come with a few downsides.
More about protection jackets here!
Note: Do you wear your chest protection/roost guard on the outside of your jersey or on the inside? This is always a hot topic of debate and personal preference. Personally, I always wear a base layer, body armor/roost guard, and then my jersey on top.
What to look for in an MX Chest Protector?
To make sure these two boxes are ticked - choose a good quality brand and make sure you get the right fit.
Fit
As with all other protective equipment, you must ensure the correct fit so you are protected in the best possible way.
You want a chest protector that sits tight close to your body but doesn't restrict your movement in any way.
Some brands have special product models for women and children. These are adapted to the corresponding body shape.
Material
The typical chest protector is made of some hard shell plastic.
But soft materials are becoming more common. The soft shell ones are made out of some kind of foam, gel, PU foam, or D3O/3DF.
These materials are soft and flexible, making them fit better. But if you crash and hit the ground they harden to provide you with the best possible protection.
Locking & adjustment options
Pending on the type of protector there are different systems for closure. The most common are velcro, buckles, zipper, or adjustable straps.
The closures are usually on the sides, or shoulders, and adjust individually. If you buy a one-size protector, make sure it can be adjusted individually to your body type.
You want a protector or deflector that can be adjusted to fit your body.
Protection classes & certifications
Protective gear used in motorsports must be EN1621 certified. This certificate guarantees that the product meets a certain protection level.
There are two different levels of protection:
- Level 1 - can be compared with a protector shirt or vest.
- Level 2 - most hard plastic breastplates or protection jackets.
Level 2 offers a higher level of protection than Level 1. Make sure that your new protector has this certificate before buying.
Replacement parts & accessories
Like with other riding gear, take a look and see which spare parts that are available.
Most of the popular brands offer replacement plates made of plastic or foam, spare parts for shoulders, arms, or pads, screws, or even individual connecting parts.
Looking for the Best Chest Protectors?
We got you covered. Make sure to read this buying guide first, then head over to buy our favorites.
Chest Protector with a Neck Brace?
Yes, a chest protector can be worn together with a neck brace. As long as the neck brace sits directly against the body (over the chest, back, and shoulder).
Most chest protectors integrate with neck brace devices but not all. If you have an old chest protector that pre-dates neck protection some slight modification might be required.
If you already use a neck brace, a safe bet would be to buy a chest protector from the same brand (and even the same series).
Brands like Leatt, Atlas, Scott, etc all have series of protective gear that is specifically designed to accommodate one another.
Note: A neck brace can be worn with/over a chest protector as long as it sits correctly on the shoulder, chest, and thoracic member areas.
Chest Protector with a Hydration Pack or Backpack?
You can wear a hydration- or backpack over a chest protector.
Pending on the model it can sometimes feel a bit bulky and maybe you must make some adjustments. Make sure the straps from the hydration pack are long enough to fit over the back protector.
Another option would be to use a combination of both, a chest protector and hydration pack in one.
---> Our choice here is the Leatt 4.5 Hydra Chest Protector + Hydration + Backpack. You get their hydration system, decent storage, and protection in one!
Chest Protector Size Chart
In most cases, you'll find that body armor fitment can be decided using your chest measurement.
How to find your chest measurement:
Take the circumference of the chest, approximately 1 inch below the armpits and across your breastbone. Be sure to keep the tape measure parallel to the ground for the best accuracy.
Pro Tip: When sizing for a chest protector or roost guard, simply go with your typical T-shirt size. Most of the time that should do the trick.
Size chart
As a rough guide, use the chart and measurements in the table below.
Please keep in mind that these are only to be used as a rough guide. Measurements may vary between brands. Always check out the specific brand's size charts to find the right size.
SIZE | SMALL | MEDIUM | LARGE | x-LARGE | Xx-LARGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CHEST (cm) | 80 - 90 | 90 - 100 | 100 - 105 | 105 - 110 | 110+ |
WEIGHT (kg) | 40 - 55 | 50 - 75 | 70 - 85 | 80 - 90 | 90+ |
HEIGHT (cm) | 130 -160 | 160 - 180 | 170 - 190 | 190+ | 190+ |
Chest Protector for a Big Guy
Being a bigger guy you know that finding gear that fits can be quite the task.
You should look for brands that make protectors in XL or even XXL. Most brands have good size charts where you should be able to find measurements.
We are also built differently. You can be tall or wider, or both. If you know a brand that previously fit you well, go with that brand again.
Chest Protectors for Kids & Youth
Since you're here, you know the importance of safety when riding a dirt bike. And that translates to your kids as well (even more so since they are still growing)!
The kid's protection ranges are more or less a mirror image of the adult lineup. The majority of the chest protectors and under armor for adults are also available for kids and youth.
If you take a closer look at the big brands, you'll notice that no shortcuts are taken when it comes to the kid's ranges.
Kids sizing
Several of the kid's chest protectors are ‘One Size Fits All’. That's because they are adjustable and can be made to fit a range of sizes.
This is ideal since kids are growing, and you don't want to be replacing their armor every couple of months/years.
They can accommodate kids between the sizes of S to 2XL according to the size table below:
Header | S/M | L/XL | 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|
CHESt (CM) | 50 - 66 | 66 - 74 | 74 - 86 |
WEIGHT (KG) | 25 - 45 | 25 - 45 | 25 - 45 |
In most cases, kid's chest protector fitment can be decided using a chest measurement.
To find this measurement:
Take the circumference of the chest. Measure approximately 1″ below the armpits across your breastbone. Make sure to keep the tape measure parallel to the ground for accuracy.
Popular Chest Protector Brands
Conclusion
Whether you're an experienced rider or just starting out, investing in the right upper body protection is essential for your safety on the track.
When you're looking to buy a chest protector, it's important to consider factors such as fit, locking and adjustment options, material, and protection classes. Make sure to choose a protector that is EN1621 certified and offers the right level of protection for your needs.