Buying body armour to wear green laning is a sensible idea and a sound investment. You will always hear some people saying that you don’t need it, but everyone thinks that until something happens and then you wish you had it.
My advice is not to wait because you never know how bad the fall is going to be. In some cases body armour may even save you from the worst case scenario, and that doesn’t bare thinking about! But don’t worry here you are going to find my top picks for the best body armour for green laning.
In a hurry? My favourite green laning body armour is the Leatt 5.5 Armour, check out the latest prices on Amazon here.
Having good protection is vital when Green Laning, you wouldn’t dream of not wearing a helmet (not to mention it would be illegal), and 90% of people wear proper boots for green laning, but body armour can sometimes get overlooked.
Decent certified body armour is going to give you vital protection in some critical areas, including the chest and kidneys.
All of the products in this article are certified to the correct standard so you can rest easy knowing they are capable of doing the job they are designed to do.
My Body Armour Top Picks
Overall Best: Leatt 5.5 Body Protector
Leatt takes the top spot on this one, a really nice piece of kit offering a fully certified high level of protection and ability to add on a neck brace. Also not to heavy.
Best Budget Option: Alpinestars Bionic Protection Jacket
Quality brand offering a good level of protection at a very fair price. Highly breathable material with custom fitting options to give you a perfect fit. Compatible with the Bionic neck support.
What To Consider When Buying Body Armour
Your choice of body armour can make or break your green laning experience, everyone will be slightly different in their wants and needs so here are some things to consider when you are hunting for the right choice.
Fit
Generally speaking you are going to want to step it up a size to allow for the fact you will have other things on underneath. Getting armour that fits you well will mean you enjoy your time on the trails as well as getting the protection you need.
Many products will come with adjustment straps to accommodate most people so if you are not average in shape or size then it’s perhaps something to look out for so you have some flexability in this area.
Certification
As I mentioned earlier, all of the items listed in this article are certified, but should you choose something that I haven’t mentioned then be sure to check it is.
Buying body armour that meets CE certification means it has been tested to ensure it meets saftey and performance standards recognised across Europe. Any serious manufacturer will likely strive to meet these requirements. It is usually the cheap or imported products that maybe missing them.
When talking protection for body armour the CE cert is split into 2 levels. Each area of protection (back, chest, limb joints) has a different standard and are tested to resist different pressures and forces. They have to meet minimum criteria to pass and results will then be used to allocate the level.
Level 2 certs are higher performing then level 1.
Ergonomics
This relates to how a product fits and interacts with the human body. For example if the body armour has elbow joints, do they fit and move as they should without restricting or hindering your natural movement?
Well designed body armour should fit you well and allow for easy movement. For the best ergonomically designed, you wont even feel like you have it on.
Weight
The weight of body armour is going to vary greatly, if only for the fact that some suits will be offering alot more features and protection than others. But also the materials they are made from and the quality of the build will contribute towards the total weight.
From a riders perspective, the lighter the better, as long as you are still getting the level of protection you require.
Clunky and weighty armour is going to cause early fatigue and you discomfort on your ride.
Protection Level
Similar to the weight section above, different armour will be offering varying levels of protection. For example basic designs may not have any kidney protection and this maybe ok for you if you decide you will buy a seperate kidney belt.
On the other hand less expensive materials may not only be heavier but maybe not as efficient in the protection they offer. Modern technologies allow for use of some materials with remarkable properties, offering light and comfortable pads that do very well at absorbing shock.
Neck brace compatible
This is a seperate component to the body armour, but can be bought together. Just worth noting that if you aren’t in the market for both then does the body armour you are looking to buy allow for neck brace integration for if you decide to add one down the line.
For example the Leatt 5.5 simply has fixings inplace should you decide to use the kit with a neck brace, where as others may not offer this so you would perhaps be without a neck brace option for your armour.
The 4 Best Body Armour Kits For Green Laning: The Reviews
1. Leatt 3DF Airfit
This a great piece of kit, super breathable and CE certified with level 2 on the front and back plates and level 1 for the shoulder and elbow pads.
It’s light and fits well under a riding jersey as well as allowing you to fit a Leatt neckbrace if you wanted to add one.
The design is simple, with the rider putting it on as you would a jacket that zips up, but still you are getting decent protection.
Leatt are a well known brand that generate a good selection of protection products and I feel they have created a great addition to the range.
What We Like
- Removeable Back plate, elbow pads and shoulder pads
- Low profile
- Adjustable straps around the mid so you can tighten the fit to feel snug and sturdy.
2. Alpinestars Bionic Tech V2
This is the big brother (version 2) to the Budget Pick I listed above and well worth the investment if you are looking for top notch body armour.
Alpinestars has you covered in all areas with the Bionic Tech V2, including the kidneys, and all of that protection in a super well fitting product. They have made their protected areas from a mesh type vetilated system which allows for cooling whilst giving great protection…and of course it’s CE certified.
Plenty of adjustment on the front to give you the perfect fit using strap and buckles which also enable you to completely remove the front chest plate. This is also required (or part removal) to get the kit on and off as it has a central zip like a jacket running under the chest plate.
What We Like
- Height adjustable kidney belt
- Chest plate if made of sections to fit around the rider
- Plenty of additional padding around the torso area
- Longer elbow padding which covers some of the lower arm.
3. Alpinestars Bionic Protection Jacket
Rated as my best budget option and popular among many, this is brilliant value and could be an ideal first buy if you are new to body armour.
It is similar to the Bionic Tech V2 in the areas that are protected although the chest plate is a little smaller, which is made up of a left a right section stitched into the jacket with a zip running down the center.
Elbows, Shoulders, Back, Chest and Kidneys are all protected with chest being certified at level 2 and the other areas level 1.
Main differences betwee the tech v2 and this: This doesnt have the extra padding sections between the main protection areas, in my opinoion
What We Like
- Great value for money
- Kidney Belt included
- Decent adjustment options
- Neckbrace compatible
4. Leatt 5.5 Body Protector
Plenty of protection going on with this piece of kit, the Leatt 5.5 provides maximum coverage. Level 1 shoulder and elbows and level 2 back and chest armour. It also gives you level 1 plates that cover the ribs from the back, under the arm and extending round to the front.
The kidney belt included is height adjustable (and removable) which combined with the stretchy mess fabric gives the rider the best possible fit. The lower arms zip off too, create a short sleeve option.
The hard plastic protection plates are mounted on their 3df foam for comfort. Also compatible with the Leatt neck brace.
This is my top pick! Check out the latest price on Amazon
What I Like
- Great amount and level of protection
- Airmesh Moisture Wicking Material as the base for comfort
- Customisable options
- Neck Brace Intergration
Top Tip: Buy the best armour your budget can afford.
This was the tip given to me and I believe it’s a good one. You should consider your protection a high priority. Generally speaking the difference in price is usually worth paying if it offers you a greater justified protection. You will appreicate it when that bad fall happens.
Until next time…