Dirt Bike Chest Protectors. Dirt biking is an extreme sport built on adrenaline, where opponents are riding close. It is an event made to watch on the edge of your seat. Chest protectors are worth mentioning in this regard as it enhances the airflow and ventilation. It reduces chafing and friction. Besides this, it is also useful in decreasing the risks of secondary injuries.
The dirt bike chest protectors play an integral role in absorbing the high-level effect from the ground and the bike. It is beneficial in decreasing the low-level effect from the regular roost and debris. The chest protectors offer extensive protection against the flying debris on the back, sides, and front parts of the body. It also protects against bruising, scrapes, and broken bones during the crash. With the majority of a person’s organs located in the chest region, it is a place that requires protection. We have created this expert guide to provide you a complete overview of the best dirt bike chest protectors.
Do Pro Dirt Bike Riders Wear Chest Protectors?
For the most part, many professional dirt bike racers do wear chest protection. While racers believe that having the extra gear on will slow them down, technology has provided more lightweight options. These are becoming more and more popular as many who ride know how bulky equipment can limit them. If one has raced enough to reach the professional level, they have wrecked at some point in their careers. It does not take too many blows to the chest region to persuade you to add protection to this area.
Watching events today, it may be hard to tell if the racers are wearing anything at all. Rest assured, most of your favorite racers are protecting themselves at all costs to make sure they can keep competing. So while it may seem temporarily uncomfortable and some worry it covers up their new jerseys, it is much more important to protect what’s keeping them alive!
What Is The Best Dirt Bike Chest Protector?
Wearing any protection is better than nothing, but some options are better than others. The right chest protector should be able to not limit movement too much while still providing as much protection as possible.
There is a wide assortment of brands that stand out of the ordinary to provide top-quality dirt bikes, chest protectors. They boast of form-fitting designs along with the ventilation parts with assuring reliability and convenience while obstructing the capabilities of riding.
Fox Racing has always been prevalent in the racing world. No surprise that the Fox Racing R3 Chest Protector is a common piece of equipment used. It provides protection to the chest, back, and upper arms from flying debris as well as a potential wreck. It does not add much weight and is snug enough to be worn under most jerseys.
Another great chest protector is the Leatt 5.5 Pro Chest Protector. They are on the higher end of protection from the company and provide good protection to both front and back. These chest protectors can contour to the body and can be worn under jerseys. With 41 ventilation slots, they provide maximum cooling while riding. The Leatt 5.5 Pro Chest Protector is made with high-density foam to protect in the instance of an impact.
Troy Lee Designs made the Shock Doctor CP5900 Chest Protector contoured close to the body where the rider will barely notice while wearing it. This equipment still provides ample protection to the chest, back, ribs and collarbone while keeping a lightweight form.
How Should Chest Protectors For Dirt Bike Fit?
The chest protector protects the back and chest perfectly. It will help if you keep in mind that it will not protect the hands and shoulder, as the full-body armor. You should take the prerequisite notice if the chest protector is covering the back and chest completely.
Apart from this, you should be keeping the chest protectors lower part between the ribcage’s bottom and the belly button. As you wear the device, if you are breathing properly and it does not seem tight anymore, it assures that the chest protector fits you properly.
Watch the video below to see how a chest protector for dirt biking should be utilized.
How Do I Choose A Chest Protector?
If you want to find the proper size protector, you should take measurements from the neck’s base to the waist’s top in inches. The specific length is going to be the size of the chest protectors. It is the equal distance from the throat’s bottom to the naval.
The recommended length for chest protectors are:
- 17 inches for adults
- 15 inches for intermediate adults
- 13 inches for youth
- 12 inches for junior youth
What Is The Difference Between A Roost Deflector And A Chest Protector?
A common misconception of protective equipment is that a roost deflector and chest protector are the same. It is imperative to note this as a roost deflector will not provide the same protection and confusing this could lead to serious injury in the case of an accident. Roost is the dirt and rocks that are kicked up from a bike, typically another rider, and will hit you in the chest and stomach regions.
Roost deflectors prevent cuts and bruises to the body from this debris, along with hitting branches and trees when riding through wooded areas. They are of lighter foam material, which will not give one enough protection in the case of a serious crash. One of the biggest differences is in the way of quality certifications of the equipment. A good chest protector needs to have a CE certification for impact protection while the roost deflector does not.
Do You Wear A Chest Protector Over A Jersey?
One of the biggest complaints of early chest protectors is that they are too heavy and bulky and limit a rider’s ability to move. While protection is the main component, comfort is also very important to make sure that riders will continue to want to wear their equipment. Many manufacturers listened to these complaints and have adjusted their products accordingly. With the advancements made in impact-resistant foams and the technology of plastics, chest protectors feel like they are barely noticeable while riding.
Nearly all chest protectors can be worn over the jersey, but many can contour to the body and can be worn under the jersey. Many professional riders may prefer this as it provides them the protection they need while not covering many of the logos for the sponsor that helps them.
Are Chest Protectors Worth It?
If you want to opt for trail riding, then it is recommended to opt for a motocross chest protector for buckling the body armor. So, it offers protection to the vital organs of the body. It will help if you remember that the chest protector contributes to the riding gear’s vital part. Giving serious thought to safety, you should choose the chest protector during trail riding.
What Knee Braces Do Pro Motocross Riders Wear?
Another vital piece of protective equipment for Motocross is a knee brace. The knees are constantly put at a strain throughout the course of a race, so having that extra support will help prevent injuries both acutely and over time. While many beginners may choose to go with knee pads, they do not provide nearly as much support as a brace. Pads help fall to prevent excess injury from impact; braces are going to enhance that protection by adding support to the knee joint as well.
- The Leatt 3DF Hybrid EXT is made with high-density foam along with a hard shell to protect the knees. It is CE certified to protect against impacts and has a Moisture Control addition to keep you cool while riding.
- Mobius Products X8 knee brace provides a customizable fit to keep comfort and protection at the forefront. The Mobius style may seem a little bulky, but their lightweight build features added comfort to all body types.
- Another great option is the Pod Unisex-Adult K4 knee brace. They look more similar to common “athletic” knee braces in the form of adjustments and wear while still protecting rides. The Pod style also provides more lateral support than other motocross knee braces.
Other Protective Equipment
Advancements in technology have greatly aided in the prevention of major injuries found in present-day Motocross racing. While chest protection has been an emphasis due to the vital organs it protects, there are other areas of importance. Just as important to chest protection is finding a properly fitting helmet and goggles.
While seeming obvious, knowledge of how a helmet should fit can actually increase the risk for an injury to the head or neck. Goggles are vital to protect the eyes from roost and other environmental hazards as well. Hand and footgear are another big part of the Motocross outfit as they are in constant use during races. Many amateur and professional racers will also opt for a neck brace for additional stability and protection.
In Conclusion
While these have just been a few points of emphasis on the subject of Motocross safety, there are several other options available. It is best to do research based on skill level and age or body size to find a product that fits best and falls within the desired price range. Making sure you understand the pros and cons of different options and what will be best for you individually can help increase comfort as well.
As any rider will tell you, it’s not if you get hurt but when. Especially early on in your riding years you probably remember wrecking more than usual. With experience comes increased knowledge, but this can also cause carelessness. There is a reason that they call a wreck or fall an accident. It is in the best interest to take necessary precautions for when you do get faced with a sticky situation you are putting yourself in the best position possible. Keeping yourself protected will keep you on track.
If you want to learn more about the best gear for dirt bike riding, read the following articles: Dirt Bike Gear and Dirt Bike Jerseys.
