Top ways to upgrade your motorcycle armour

It can sometimes be overlooked that the most important function of your riding gear is not necessarily to ward off the weather or look stylish and be comfortable on-bike – but to protect you from serious injury should the worst happen.

And of the most important features of any item of bike wear, be it leathers or textiles or designed for summer or winter, is the type and quality of armour fitted to it.

But whatever armour your favourite jacket or trousers may have come with, this can often be upgraded. Replacement, higher-spec back protectors can be inserted; the latest D3O-type armour, which is particularly light and thin while offering outstanding protection, can be inserted instead of the standard back, knee, elbow protectors for example.

Related: Knox Urbane Pro universal motorcycle armour review

Knox Micro-Lock is another high-tech armour that becomes more rigid on impact and can be retrofitted to your gear; plus you can also often fit armour to areas of your clobber – chest protectors for instance – where it might not have been fitted as standard.

But what’s out there? What different types of insertable armour are available? What do you get for your money and how much do they cost? To help you choose, here’s our pick of some of the options around.

It’s also a doddle to fit, simply slotting into the existing protector sleeve in your jacket and temptingly affordable.

Pros:

Premium brand

CE level 2 safety rating

Reasonable price

Con:

Are some cheaper offerings

What’s more, the locking action actually increases the amount of impact absorbed by the protector so reducing the energy passed through to the wearer’s body. It’s also CE certified to EN 1621-2-2012.

Pros:

Comfortable and lightweight

Smart Micro-Lock material

Range of fits and applications

Con:

Again, not the cheapest

It’s in D3O’s usual, distinctive orange colour, slots straight in as a replacement for your jacket’s standard protector and offers significantly uprated protection while maintaining comfort.

Pros:

High-tech D3O material

Respected French brand

Suitable for women’s clothing

Con:

You’ve got to like orange

They’re highly-rated, are constructed from Nitrex armour and employ Repeat Performance Technology. They’re lightweight and flexible, are CE certified to EN1621-1:1997 and come in a choice of performance levels. They’re also temptingly priced.

Pros:

Decent price

Respected company

Wide choice of types and fitments

Con:

Not as well-known as some

The Pro-Speed G2 is typical of their range in being a replacement insert type that’s universal fit (although different sizes are available), is fully CE certified to Level-2, has a pre-curved anatomical shape and is made from a combination of aluminium and polypropylene all in a stylish, ventilated design. Inserted back protector upgrades don’t get much classier (or pricier!)

Pros:

Hugely respected brand

Range of sizes

Fully certified

Con:

One of the most expensive

As with all D3O armour, they offer improved protection while remaining comfortable and lightweight, fit straight into most jackets), are distinctively orange and, at this price, they’re tempting value as well.

Pros:

Simple, quality protection upgrade

Respected German brand

Pleasingly affordable

Con:

Make sure they’re suitable for your jacket

So for those seeking additional protection, Rev’it offer these CE Level-1 protectors which can easily be inserted into a variety of their jackets (if have the correct pockets).

In the case of an impact the flexible, multi-layer PVC design absorbs and distributes energy away from the rider. They’re decent value, too.

Pros:

Simple upgrade option

Easy to fit

Reasonable price

Con:

Specific to Rev’it jackets

As before, they’re easy to fit, decently affordable and offer a significant, CE-certified, protection upgrade.

Pros:

Proven protection upgrade

Easy to fit

Comfortable and lightweight

Con:

Ensure they’re correct for your garment

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