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There is no off-season for back protectors, you should keep your body safe in winter as well as in summer! You probably won’t see that any downhill or enduro bikers going down the trails without protectors like helm, and knee/elbow pads. But also the “usual folks” – mountainbikers and trail bikers should wear some form of protection. Because what is more important than keeping your head and the rest of your body safe?
Below you can find out more info about bike protectors and the appropriate equipment which will help you when it comes to crashes – so you can walk away without any injuries. The following topics you’ll find in our protection guide:
- What are bike protectors and pads good for?
- No safety standards for testing bike protectors
- What are bike protectors made of?
• Materials used for soft bike protectors
• Materials used for hard shell bike protectors - Types of protectors
• Bike backpack with a back protector
• Body armor bike vest
• Protector shirt with body armor
• Full body armor protector jacket
• Knee and elbow protectors
• Bike gloves - How to take care of your protectors to keep them fresh and extend their lifespan
what are bike protectors and pads good for?
Mountainbike protectors should protect your body during falls and crashes. This impact which could harm your body, is absorbed and spread through a larger area on your body to diminish it’s consequences. The “effective protection area” of your protectors keeps any pointy or sharp objects from scratching your skin. Body armor such as protection jacket and vests have one additional function – to keep your spine more stabilized.
no safety standards for testing bike protectors
Unlike backprotectors for winter sports, protectors for mountainbiking have no safety norm. Until now all back and knee/elbow protectorsfor biking are proofed according to the motorcycle-norm EN 1621-0, which is valid since June 2014. This test measures the energy of the impact which reaches the human body through the protector. The smaller the value, the better the protector.
The norm differs between two protection levels:
- Protection level 1: In case of five impacts on the protectors, the average value cannot be more than 18kN and no single strike can exceed the value of 24kN.
- Protection level 2: The residual force should not exceed the value of 9kN on average and a single impact must not be higher than 24kN.
what are bike protectors made of?
Depending on the characteristics of the materials we can distinguish between soft and hard-padded protectors.
Well protected without great restrictions – Soft protectors
Soft bike protectors are made out of light and very flexible materials. They are often used by mountain and trail bikers, as well as by downhill and enduro riders. The high levels of protection are accompanied by high freedom of movement and ability to adjust to your body.
Soft protectors are made out of polymer foams such as polyurethane (PU) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which are put together in layers to achieve lighter weight. Foam materials increase its flexibility according to the increased temperature coming out of rider’s body. When you take your protectors off they will bend back to its original shape. Something similar happens once you crash, the foam materials will change its structure and therefore absorb the impact. After a while the protectors will get back to it’s original structure again.
Another material used for bike protectors is polystyrene (PS) which has to be exchanged after a crash. This material stays soft during lighter crashes and minimal contact with ground. Once the impact increases the material stiffens and therefore quickly absorbs heavier impact.
Optimum protection for steep descents – Hardshell protectors
Hard-shell protectors are made out of hard and less elastic plastics – polypropylene (PP) or polycarbonate (PC) – these materials won’t absorb as much energy or won’t cushion as much impacts as soft protectors. The upside of these materials is that they are very hard to penetrate; therefore they offer a great protection from pointy and sharp objects such as rocks and stones. Hard shell protectors are generally heavier than soft protectors.
For example a hard shell knee protector allows more direct impact on your knee an only offers a proper protection once there is a thicker foam layer. Hard protectors are mainly used by downhill bikers, since they mostly ride downhill in bike parks in much higher speed – the probability of a heavier impact during a crash is bigger. There you might rather go for a tad heavier protectors which are sturdy enough to protect you from sneaky stones in bike park trails.
types of protectors
Storage space including protection – backpacks with protectors
Backpacks including a backprotector became a standard in the mountainbike industry. Apart from protecting your back, it is also super convenient as an additional storage space for your bike gloves, hydration pack and other smaller things – and you know mountainbikers usually need to carry around a lot of small equipment for emergencies, such as flat tire. Many bike backpacks also offer you the possibility to attach your helmet and other protectors. Such bags weight around 1300 gram. Backpack with back protector protects an stabilizes your back and simultaneously offers a convinient storage.
Light and flexible protection – Protector vests
Protection vests offer an integrated back protector, which is usually made out of two layers. These vests offer some additional functions such as insulation or protection against wind. They won’t protect your arms, but are easy to pack up.
Protected but comfortable – Protection shirts
The protection shirt has two major perks – it is comfortable to wear and it adjusts according to your body’s shape. You can wear it as a first layer and throw a bike jersey over it. You won’t find any hard shell protectors in a protection vests, but it is popular to add some extra soft protectors pads on the shoulders, elbow and chest area. These shirts have slim fit, to lean tight against your skin and some additional silicone strips on the lower seam, which prevents the shirt from pulling up. The used material is quick-drying and very breathable.
While selecting the right protection shirt you should watch out for high quality materials of the protection pads – some manufacturers use thin foam layers for chest protection. These pads are made for maximal wearing comfort but won’t protect you es well as protection vest or jacket. Downhill riders should rather go for hard shell protectors, protector jackets or vests with higher protection properties.
Protector shirt offer a high wearing comfort and adjust well onto your body, but won’t offer you maximal protection.
Maximum protection for the next downhill race – Protector jackets
Protector jacket is a larger piece of protection equipment, mostly used by downhill riders – but its size is justified by the maximum of protection it offers in the whole upper body area: back, shoulders, elbows and chest are strengthened with plastic pads. It is essential that the hard plastic pads are well cushioned, to avoid abrasions. You should try you protector jacket on, and see/feel if there are any spots which could cause chafing and other discomfort.
We recommend to always try on two sizes to find the perfect fit. The optimal length of the protection jacket is down to your tailbone – but not as long that it reaches the saddle while sitting on your bike. You can also find protection jackets made especially for women, they have narrower shoulder part, tighter waist and shorter sleeves.
A protection jacket guarantees a maximal safety and has hard shell protection on elbows, chest and shoulders – but can often feel bulky.
Important protection for your joints – knee and elbow protectors
Every rider knows how annoying and painful those injuries and scratches on elbows and kees are, and usually it means that you need to take some time off bike – that always sucks. Your tights, knees and calves are the most strained parts during biking, therefore you should try to protect them – but without losing much needed mobility of joints.
A well functioning knee protector should offer a large protection pad which has the same length as your knee and importantly side padding. If you are a uphill oriented mountain biker you should look for soft knee protectors – these weight around 300 – 600 grams, are small enough to store in your backpack and are easy to put on or take off and offer as much flexibility as possible.
Downhill or enduro bikers generally ride in a much higher pace in rougher terrain, with a relatively higher risk of crashing, therefore should reach after knee and elbow protectors with hard shell padding and soft shell cushioning. Knee pads with a part or full shin protection are recommended, since shin injuries are so painful and… just the worst! The downside of hardshell protectors is that if you go for a cheaper version with thin straps, those tend to slide around your leg or cut into your skin and can cause rashes or abrasions.
Our insider tip: If you have hard times putting your knee protectors on, try to rotate them by 180 degrees with the protection pad over your heel – that should make the process easier.
The VDP elbow and knee bike protection from POC is for example very flexible and has an efficient ventilation system. And thanks to its strong polyamide fibers offer high abrasion protection. The VDP material adapts very well onto your body and stiffens up during a crash.
Choose you knee protectors according to your riding style, they should be easy to put off and on and should not chaff or cut into your skin and allow you to move as flexible as possible.
For more grip and better protection against weather and falls – Gloves
Bike gloves should be a part of your basic mountainbiking equipment, together with your helm and good shoes. Good gloves offer you protection from scratches and cuts when crashing and keep your hands away from wind, cold or sun. If you are about to venture out into a thicker forrest or even just a high grass, good gloves can save you from sketchy thorns and sharp branches. Another upside of wearing gloves is a very good grip on warmer days, when your hands start to sweat and on some technical or steeper trails, you will need a good grip! In summer short gloves can help with a better ventilation and in colder temperatures long finger gloves will help you keep warm feeling in your fingertips.
If you are looking for a maximal protection, some manufacturers offer a hard shell pads on upper finger joints and upper hand. These can protect you from getting scratches or painful bruises on your hands.
Bike gloves are here to give you a good grip to hold onto your handlebars, and to protects your palms from scratches and bruises.
how to take care of your protectors to keep them fresh and extend their lifespan
It is almost inevitable that you will sweat in your protectors, so you should wash them thouroughly once in a while. Some manufactures recommend to remove the protection material before washing. Some you can handwash or machine wash on 30 degrees.
Similarly as with helmets, you should check your protector after each harder crash and exchange it – because it might not be protecting you as well next time. For example EVOC, offers a free swap once you break of bent their EVOC Liteshield protector.
We understand that sometimes protectors can get into your way while riding, but if you choose the right fit for you the additiona safety they offer are definitely worth it! So you can feel safer during your bike ride and have more fun!
You love to go biking? Learn more about the topic:
→ The buyer’s guide on mountain bikes: All you need to know
→ Mountain bike shoes and pedal systems: Everything at a glance