Spiny subject: Best motorcycle back protectors for road and trackdays

We constantly talk about protective kit and how it is available for every condition, every journey and every style of bike. And one of the most important areas after a crash helmet to protect your head is a back protector.

It should go without saying that protecting your back – specifically your spine and the spinal column – is key and while many jackets will either come with a back protector or have provision for one, many people prefer to wear a standalone item underneath their jacket.

There are various reasons for this, each person is individual – they may prefer the fit of a wearable back protector, they may not like the shape or size of the integral version in their jacket, and they may want better protection than is available from the manufacturer.

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Like all forms of armour in motorcycle clothing, wearable back protectors are rated for safety, with a CE rating of either Level-1 or Level-2 and also like all armour, Level-2 is the higher of the two ratings.

Unless, of course, you opt for an airbag, which in addition to protecting your spine, will also help support your neck and torso in the event of an accident and will include back protection, though they are more cumbersome than a wearable back protector.

Back protectors now required on most UK trackdays

As of March 31, 2022, back protectors are compulsory on all Motorsport Vision Trackdays – an upgrade from previously ‘strongly recommending’ them. This includes events at Donington, Cadwell and Oulton Parks, plus Snetterton, Brands and Bedford Autodrome.

MSVT say you must use a protector that covers the majority of the spine, that is fit for purpose, and can be integrated into your jacket or standalone.

Here are some of our favourite back protectors.

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