Back protector inserts in touring/commuting textile jackets

[Iminquarantine]

Half my bike stuff seems to have worn out at once, including my jacket.

I just bought a Bering jacket which came with shoulder and elbow amour, but not a back protector. No problem I thought, I have a back protector from the old jacket which is about 50cm long. Unf I didn't check the pocket size on the new Bering jacket before I bought it and it looks like it is sized for a short back protector. I've managed to shoehorn in a smaller back protector which I found in the depths of the cupboard but now I'm wondering if it provides enough protection being shorter. It only goes down to about the same level as where my ribs are on the front, it it doesn't cover my lower back.


I guess I could sew a bigger mesh pocket for a bigger back protector for cheap, or I could buy a gillet with a built in bigger back protector for about £100, or I could just leave it with the smaller protector in.



Was wondering:
- Do you use a back protector in your jacket?
- How big is it?
- Do they actually do anything if you crash?

[Aaron702]

My jacket has a pocket for one but I never bought one to put in. Personally I don't see how a piece of foam would prevent a spine injury. The amount of force required to the relative protection of a foam pad is massive. Take that with a pinch of salt though because I've never fell on my back (touch wood).

[MotorsportTom]

For the price of a back protector insert you can buy a good secondhand full length back protector.

I'm really happy with the knox back protector (Aegis?). They regularly come up between 30-60quid
Just worth working out the size for you as they have different amounts of plates for your size.

Appreciate its not directly an answer to your question but your money is better off spent that way imo

[V8RX7]

I wear a separate back protector (forcefield)

Any jacket one simply doesn't (can't) come down far enough

Admittedly anything is better than nothing and if you hit something hard enough, nothing will help you but it's all about improving your chances v cost v inconvenience

[Iminquarantine]

I like the idea of buying a sleeveless gillet which has a full length back protector and some chest foam. I'd like one with either a lower level (CE Level 1) of protection or where I can insert my own (low level of protection) armour. Although more protection is better if you crash, I think it restricts movement and makes you more uncomfortable over a long day, so you are more likely to crash. Level 1 seems like a good compromise to me. Esp if the L1 armour actually covers more of my back.

[Krikkit]

Aaron702 said:

My jacket has a pocket for one but I never bought one to put in. Personally I don't see how a piece of foam would prevent a spine injury. The amount of force required to the relative protection of a foam pad is massive. Take that with a pinch of salt though because I've never fell on my back (touch wood).

Reducing injury (particularly to brittle structures) is about reducing the acceleration experienced in an impact - your helmet has a polystyrene interior because it'll cushion your head by slowing the acceleration.

Back protectors do exactly the same thing - the foam won't stop it hurting, but it might turn a 500g/s rate of acceleration into a 50g/s acceleration.

[Stuart Fordyce]

Iminquarantine said:

Half my bike stuff seems to have worn out at once, including my jacket.

I just bought a Bering jacket which came with shoulder and elbow amour, but not a back protector. No problem I thought, I have a back protector from the old jacket which is about 50cm long. Unf I didn't check the pocket size on the new Bering jacket before I bought it and it looks like it is sized for a short back protector. I've managed to shoehorn in a smaller back protector which I found in the depths of the cupboard but now I'm wondering if it provides enough protection being shorter. It only goes down to about the same level as where my ribs are on the front, it it doesn't cover my lower back.


I guess I could sew a bigger mesh pocket for a bigger back protector for cheap, or I could buy a gillet with a built in bigger back protector for about £100, or I could just leave it with the smaller protector in.



Was wondering:
- Do you use a back protector in your jacket?
- How big is it?
- Do they actually do anything if you crash?

Never crashed in it but I have a Forcefield vest which is full length and zips up the front. Also has some chest protection too. Plus, I can wear it under my leathers as well, so far more versatile than a back protector inset. I'd suggest one of them instead.

[V8RX7]

Krikkit said:

Reducing injury (particularly to brittle structures) is about reducing the acceleration experienced in an impact - your helmet has a polystyrene interior because it'll cushion your head by slowing the acceleration.

Back protectors do exactly the same thing - the foam won't stop it hurting, but it might turn a 500g/s rate of acceleration into a 50g/s acceleration.

Many protectors / pads seem to work more on the principal of dissipating a point load over a wider area with minimal padding and increased hard shell

[bogie]

Some jackets come with a foam pad them, but this is just a padded insert, not a real CE approved back protector which are not made of thin foam

I have one jacket where the back protector pocket sits quite high up, so I wear a separate lower back protector with it to give more coverage. Rukka (D30) and Held do them, in a kidney belt style. Not quite the same as full leathers with coccyx protector but not far off and feels much better for full back coverage.

[Krikkit]

V8RX7 said:

Many protectors / pads seem to work more on the principal of dissipating a point load over a wider area with minimal padding and increased hard shell

Same principle, but it's using your tissue as the deceleration media. In this case the protector can be lighter, whereas the foam is more convenient as it's easy to make it bend.

[_Neal_]

bogie said:

Some jackets come with a foam pad them, but this is just a padded insert, not a real CE approved back protector which are not made of thin foam

This - what comes with your jacket isn't a back protector if it's just a foam pad.

I've got two Rev'it jackets for commuting and switch my back protector insert (which is the Seesoft CE Level 2) between the two (when I remember). Makes the jacket fit a little closer but is light weight and seems well-designed. Goes a decent way down the back as well.

I think if I wore leathers I'd have a separate back protector vest like the Forcefield, but I have enough kit and layers to put on as it is so a built-in insert suits me.

ETA - Sportsbikeshop have the Forcefield Pro L2K on a decent offer at the moment... see here

Edited by _Neal_ on Wednesday 23 September 15:55

[Krikkit]

_Neal_ said:

bogie said:

Some jackets come with a foam pad them, but this is just a padded insert, not a real CE approved back protector which are not made of thin foam

This - what comes with your jacket isn't a back protector if it's just a foam pad.

CE level 1 can be foam - my RST jacket's inserts are all CE-marked foam.

[_Neal_]

Krikkit said:

CE level 1 can be foam - my RST jacket's inserts are all CE-marked foam.

I stand corrected - every day's a school day isn't it?

[TheThing]

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

I've got one of these. Takes two seconds to put on and take off. Dont even know its there when you are wearing it.

[bogie]

Krikkit said:

_Neal_ said:

bogie said:

Some jackets come with a foam pad them, but this is just a padded insert, not a real CE approved back protector which are not made of thin foam

This - what comes with your jacket isn't a back protector if it's just a foam pad.

CE level 1 can be foam - my RST jacket's inserts are all CE-marked foam.

You dont mean open cell squishy soft foam though like we are on about that comes in jackets as a place holder. Ive seen RST they are like a dense closed cell foam thats firm but still flexible....a bit like one I have in a Held jacket.

[Inspire]

I wouldn’t rely on the foam insert or a smaller back protector that fits into the pocket. Personally I use a separate forcefield back protector that reaches a reasonable way down my back. I don’t have any problems with movement or find it uncomfortable. in fact, it feels odd not wearing it!

Thanks Rob

[V8RX7]

_Neal_ said:

ETA - Sportsbikeshop have the Forcefield Pro L2K on a decent offer at the moment... see here

^^^ That's the one I use - don't know it's there when I'm riding.

Admitedly it does make you a bit warmer on a hot day

[Iminquarantine]

How packable are the stand alone back protectors? I like to shove everything in the bike luggage when I park it, so it would need to fit and not take up too much space.

[V8RX7]

Iminquarantine said:

How packable are the stand alone back protectors? I like to shove everything in the bike luggage when I park it, so it would need to fit and not take up too much space.

Most I've seen - not at all

[wa16]

Iminquarantine said:

How packable are the stand alone back protectors? I like to shove everything in the bike luggage when I park it, so it would need to fit and not take up too much space.

depends on the bike luggage, it won't fold in half
i just use a givi roll bag and stuff everything in that and then tie to the bike or leave it in a site office, depends where i am/what i'm doing