Tried full jacket body armor and just couldn't get on with it. I imagine the most expensive ones (POC, etc) are better, but I'm not sure I wanna spend over 300 to find out. Might just go back to a good ol fashion trusty chest protector.
I really liked the TLD Rockfight CE but it kinda has crap ratings. The front is sub ce-1 apparently, only being called a roost guard and the back 'exceeds ce-1' but is therefore clearly not ce-2. Meh. Still probably good, especially for the price, but would prefer CE-2 front and rear so long as it exists.
Right now kinda looking at these 3:
https://leatt.com/us/chest-protector-4-5.html
https://www.alpinestars.com/products/a-5-plasma-chest-protector
https://www.ion-products.com/en/us/products/ion-mtb-chest-protector-arcon-hd-pro-2025-47250-5916
Love Leatt and like the price, although not my favorite visually as well as harder to find in stock and all that.
Alpinestars looks okay but pricey.
ION looks awesome but again pricey and its kinda hard to believe its achieving CE-2 front and rear with that design. Pretty impressive. And looks the most breathable if it's technically just as protective.
(Learning stuff about the rating system as its a bit confusing. When the rating is for "2 and 3" that is for back and chest in the rating system. and then the LEVELS are only one and two, basically worse and better. So if something says EN1621-2 Level two and EN1621-3 Level one… That would be armor with a level two back piece and level one chest piece…)
by GundoSkimmer
1 Comment
I can comment on a couple of these as I decided I needed to up the protection this season, and like you I want the max CE level available, and that is 2 front & rear.
I started with the Leatt 4.5 Evo, and after trying two sizes I ultimately returned it. I can only comment on my experience, but don’t buy this if you have a smaller chest and are tall – the fit is absolutely awful, and the size chart useless & inaccurate. A huge disappointment, as on paper it was awesome and the one to buy.
In contrast the a5-plasma is impressive. Significantly lighter, very comfortable and really breathable, and it molds to the curve of your body well. Highly recommend, and I’m looking forward to using it all this season and beyond.