The best motorcycle airbag vests | A critical layer of upper body safety in the event of an accident
Motorcycle airbag vests – also called an airvests – are an added layer of safety designed to protect critical upper body regions such as the spine, chest, neck, and abdomen. It activates in under a second and will absorb and distribute the force of any impact energy, as well as cushion you before you hit the tarmac or any other form of resistance that could cause damage.
When touring in Europe a few years back, a friend was knocked off his bike and broke most of his ribs. After many operations and lots of rehab he was back on his motorcycle a couple of years later, but with the added protection of an airbag vest, at the insistence of his wife. After witnessing the accident and its consequences, I bought my airbag vest at Motorcycle Live in Birmingham that same year. I’ve worn it on every ride since, both locally and abroad.
Related: Best motorcycle crash protection
There are two types of airbag vests: electronic and tethered. The electronically activated type will deploy when it detects that an impact or a fall is happening. The tethered version will deploy when the lanyard that connects the airbag to the bike becomes untethered by an impact or a fall. Both versions will activate in a fraction of a second.
Modern airbag vests are lightweight and easy to wear over existing motorcycle jackets, making them practical for daily use. Some come in Hi-Vis colours which increases your visibility to other road users. This could help avoid an incident in the first place.
Here are motorcycle airbags we’ve tried and tested:
"The first airbag jacket I ever tried was so heavy that I wore it twice and returned it. But Helite’s e-Turtle 2 couldn’t be more different.
"You just slip it over the top of your jacket and do up the clips, press the ‘on’ button three times to get the green light – and go. You don’t need a back protector either, as a Level 2 one is integrated into the vest.
"It doesn’t require a tether or any other systems – although you can add their fork sensor pack (you can pair up to five with one jacket), which halves the reaction time, and protects you in static/sub-12mph crashes, such as getting hit from behind at the lights. The vest can deploy numerous times (in 0.094s) provided no damage is done to the 28-litre bladder, all you need to do is replace the gas canister (£20- £23), which is so simple that you can do it at the roadside.
"It has a four-year warranty, and only needs servicing every two years, while the bladder has a lifetime warranty. It lasts about 25 hours per charge.
"I wear it on every journey – as do many police, blood bikers and other professionals. Superb."
Using essentially the same hardware (vest, airbag, Level-2 back protector) as the original Turtle 2, this version uses an electronic trigger to determine when an accident is taking place and deploy the airbag. It uses sensors built into the vest itself as well as one mounted to the bike to ensure coverage even when the bike is hit by other traffic when stationary, for example. Like the mechanical version, it sits over the top of the rider's jacket.
Pros
- Huge versatility
- Light
- Comfortable
- Covers upper body
Cons
- Price - quite expensive
- Some may prefer an integrated garment
| Type | Over-jacket vest |
| Deployment | Electronic sensors |
"Pro Series is the catch-all moniker for RST’s top-of-the-line textiles and heading up the touring section is this Paragon 6 Airbag jacket, packed with technology from French safety specialists In&motion. Although it comes with the inflation unit and bag built in, the control unit – called the In&box – has to be acquired separately, either by lease at £12 per month or £399 outright.
"It sounds like a faff, but actually makes sense, as the unit is subject to continuous updates from user generated data, downloaded directly from In&motion over wi-fi via an intuitive app. Once fully charged, the In&box should have a battery life of 30 hours – I top it up once a week, which easily covers the daily commute plus a few miles for smiles.
"The jacket itself is constructed from ballistic reinforced MaxTex, a tough polyester weave that earns it an AA CE certification. This outer layer has been treated with a hydrophobic coating to act as a first line of defence in the wet and it’s pretty effective, causing water droplets to just bead up and roll off.
"Although it holds up well in showers, prolonged heavy rain can cause it to ‘wet out’ – which is when the Sinaqua inner membrane comes into play. This layer has so far proved impregnable to damp.
"It’s breathable too, so you don’t suffer that ‘boil in the bag’ feeling. The ‘quick dry’ inner mesh lining takes care of comfort, whilst a removable thermal layer helps keep things toasty in winter.
"There’s a detachable ‘throat coat’ to seal the gap between collar and helmet, an absolute godsend when the wind chill’s down to zero. In summer, effective airflow can be achieved via an array of zippable vents both front and rear.
"Airbag aside, the Paragon 6 makes a great touring jacket, but combined with safety tech that has been a proven lifesaver at the top level of motorsport, it offers additional peace of mind – and at a surprisingly affordable price."
British brand RST has taken the decision to integrate airbag technology into a range of its products. While this means that you can't swap an airbag vest from one garment to another, it does mean that the airbag is integral to the garment and should result in a far more comfortable prospect.
Pros
- Packed with safety technology
- Battery life is 30 hours
- Tough construction
- AA certified
Cons
- The control unit has to be leased or purchased outright
| Type | Integrated |
| Deployment | Electronic sensors |
"What makes this airbag vest so appealing is the simple fact it’s so easy to wear. Unlike bulky first-generation airbag tech, it’s so light I never think twice about slipping it on for every ride.
"Just stick it on under any jacket with enough wiggle room to give the airbag the space it needs to go off and you’re all set. It incorporates a conventional back protector, which gives you a sense of security on the bike and neatly contained within is the ECU and gas canister it needs for inflation.
"Because you’re basically wearing a (very comfortable) fabric- covered plastic life jacket, there’s little airflow, but I’ve never overheated even on 30-degree days. It charges via a USB and links to an app, where you can quickly set it for road or racetrack use. It has to go back to A-stars to reset."
Alpinestars's Tech-Air 5 system uses an airbag-enabled vest that can be worn under any jacket and combined with matching jackets or race suits from the Italian company. Apparently offering twice the protection of normal armour, the airbag itself can inflate in 25milliseconds once a crash is detected. Fully self-contained, it is heavy but offers reassurance with its status displayed on panels on corresponding clothing.
Pros
- Easy to wear
- Very light
- Fits comfortably under a regular jacket
- Back protector included
Cons
- Very little airflow under vest
- To reset, it as to go back to Alpinestars
| Type | Under-jacket vest |
| Deployment | Electronic sensors |
"Uniquely, this electronically triggered vest is fully CE-approved as an airbag for both the chest and the back. It fits comfortably beneath a regular riding jacket but, despite a mesh- style outer as well as a clever breathable airbag bladder, the Smart Jacket can feel a little warm on hot days.
"Once activated, the vest communicates its status via a coloured LED on the chest and also vibrations, which I prefer to the lights only or lights/sound warnings of other vests. Unlike other electronic airbags that only arm above a pre-set speed, the Smart Jacket protects when the bike’s at a standstill, for example queuing in traffic or at the lights where riders can be rear-ended, as the vest detects the bike’s engine vibrations.
"It charges via a USB and takes four hours to power from empty, with a full battery providing 26 hours of riding time. Compared to other vests, the Smart Jacket appears expensive, and it costs £219 to reset after an inflation, but there’s no additional subscription required and you get a free service every three years."
The Dainese vest has been designed to be worn by anyone under any jacket. It offers protection equivalent to seven back protectors, according to the company, and has been created to allow the body to continue to breathe in use - a common complaint of airbag clothing. Sensors monitor the conditions and know when to deploy the airbag, which inflates in milliseconds.
Pros
- Fits comfortably under a regular jacket
- Airbag bladder is breathable
- Vest will communicate its status via LED lights and vibrations
- Protective at low speeds or even at a standstill
Cons
- Can feel a bit warm on hot days
- Expensive to buy and to reset after activation
| Type | Under-jacket vest |
| Deployment | Electronic sensors |
"Klim have worked with In&Motion on this standalone vest where you buy the airbag part then lease the electronic box for around £100 a year. The little box is removable to charge (riding time 24 hours) and for software updates, while the inflator can be replaced at home three times before going back to the factory in France.
"The material is stretchy, so it’s comfortable although it is bulkier than a CE Level 2 back protector. Coverage is good but doesn’t extend to the arms. Off-road mode is an additional £20 per year."
Specifically designed for adventure riding, the Ai-1 from Klim is another airbag vest powered by In&motion. It features specialised D3O armour on top of the airbag protection; a level 2 vented back protector, and level 1 vented chest protector, for an added layer of protection. It'll work underneath your regular jacket, as long as it's not too tight fitting, and the compressed gas inflator can be replaced yourself for up to three inflation cycles. It only ways 1.7kg too, which means it shouldn't hold you back out when you're going hard on the trails.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Material is stretchy
- Fits underneath your regular kacket
Cons
- Doesn't extend to arms
- Off-road mode is an extra cost
| Type | Under-jacket vest |
| Deployment | Electronic sensors |
"I bought my Turtle 2 after a friend had a major accident while we were touring in Europe a number of years back. That put the heebie jeebies in me and I've worn my airbag on every ride since, both at home and abroad. It took a bit of getting used to since it is tethered to the bike by a lanyard, which I have to remember to attach every single time I ride. If I do forget then I will stop at the earliest opportunity and clip it on. The electronic version wasn't yet invented in these early days of airbag technology, but this original version is just as good as it was on day one. Except it eventually gets dirty and when I sent it back to Helite for a servicing they didn't do a very good job of cleaning it.
"I decided to get the Hi-Viz version since the open road is full of twats who don't look out for other road users - like the one who knocked my friend off his bike and nearly killed him. I know the airbag works because I've tipped over a couple of times and it has activated, which is a surreal experience. It deflates by itself after a short while. The gas canisters are easy to replace, but they are quite expensive. I always carry a spare."
One of, if not the, first airbag vests on the market, the Helite Turtle 2 is designed to fit over the rider's jacket but is also showerproof, so it can also be used over leathers or race suits. It uses a lanyard that fixes to both the bike and the airbag, and when triggered it inflates in less the 0.1 of a second. In addition to protecting the neck, spine, and thorax, it also includes a Level-2 back protector built in.
Pros
- Protects vital upper body organs and musculoskeletal areas
- Increases visibility on the road
- Gas cannister is easy to change if needed
Cons
- Tethered to bike so have to remember to clip on before riding off
- Can get dirty after a while
| Type | Over-jacket vest |
| Deployment | Lanyard |
Airbag vests we were less impressed with (three stars or less)
"The Airscud Flex is Tucano Urbano’s latest airbag-ready jacket, and is designed with dual use in mind: it can be worn over lightweight clothing for protection while riding in the city, or alternatively you can wear it underneath a looser-fitting jacket to add airbag protection to your existing outfit just as long as it doesn’t already have a back protector.
"Tucano Urbano say there’s “no problem with sizing: if you wear an L, get an L”. I would counter this claim, because I do wear an L, and my Airscud Flex is a rather tight-fitting XL. Somewhat fortuitously I’ve also been testing a larger-sized RST leather jacket, and the two things work well together, but the Flex won’t go under my other jacket: a tighter-designed Spada. I also look a little Bibendum-esque wearing it under my RST. The fit itself is pleasingly well managed, with no annoying extra fabric bunching up. It’s well vented and has elasticated hips and shoulders. The zip and safety popper on the front feel robust. You can barely feel the back protector as a result.
"From a safety perspective, the Flex is a – which means it’s been designed to offer impact protection only for the areas covered by the impact protector (in this case the back) and has been designed to be worn alongside other CE-rated safety clothing to enhance protection. It offers no abrasion resistance. And then of course it features the appcontrolled In&Motion airbag system we’ve come to know quite well over the years, making the whole proposition quite a lot more expensive. This is subscription-based, costing £12 a month (or £400 to buy the box outright), and has a few handy features wrapped into its slick smartphone application.
"This version has an automatic emergency calling function that can detect a crash and call for help. It also has an unlimited warranty and its software can be updated over the air. Overall, this feels like an expensive solution when compared with full airbag jackets, many of which are available for less money with better protection and the same airbag, but it does allow you to add the tech to existing kit without buying a whole new wardrobe."
Read Gareth's full Tucano Urbano review
Pros
- Fits well with quality materials
- Well vented and fairly practical
- Clever airbag technology solution
Cons
- Expensive to buy (subscription more expensive still)
- Back protector only – no other protection
- Looks bulky under jacket
| Construction | Two-fabric outer shell, polyester mesh |
| Type | Gillet-style airbag jacket |
| CE Rating | CE level 1 back protector, class C oversuit |
| Armour | Back protector |
- Polyester mesh on chest and back for ventilation and lightness
- Polyester mechanical stretch on hips and shoulders
- 3D mesh lining
- Integrated In&motion airbag system
- CE certified EN 1621-2 back protector
- Rear access zips to In&box, the In&motion operating system
- Softshell collar for greater comfort
- Safety lock button on collar
- Central zip with double scratch-proof tank protector flap
- Elastic side panels
- Two zipped front pockets and one inside pocket with button
- Drawstring at hem for improved fit
- Reflective prints for improved rider visibility
It’s the Italian brand’s first airbag vest aimed at commuters and everyday road riders, designed to be worn over the top of a jacket rather than underneath, as is the case with the rest of the Tech-Air range. I’ve spent significant time in most of the major electronic airbag vests and have to say, the Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 Stella Airbag Vest is the most comfortable and best fitting. The vest itself is tailored and features accordion stretch panels at the sides so that it easily fits over the top of a regular jacket without neither being too tight nor too baggy.
It’s a high tech and good looking piece of kit, that does away with bulky and unflattering airbag vests of old. It’s slightly lighter and slimmer-fitting than the Dainese Smart Jacket and a bit cheaper too. If you ride solely on the road and wouldn’t ever wish for track or off-road protection, and don’t want to be tied into a subscription, it could be the airbag vest for you.
Read Emma's full Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 Stella review
Pros
- High levels of protection
- Sleek
- Lightweight
Cons
- Won’t do anything if you forget to charge it
| Construction | Water-resistant fabric main body, waterproof ECU and electronics |
| Type | CE certified airbag |
| CE rating garment | Level 2 |
| Armour | Pocket for back protector (optional) |
- Fully autonomous and does not require any external connections or sensors on the motorcycle for the system to operate
- Incorporates 6 integrated sensors (3 accelerometers (1 triaxial accelerometer), and 3 gyroscopes (1 triaxial gyroscope ) to provide crash monitoring performance in a variety of dynamic riding situations, and even when stopped
- Activates automatically via the magnetic zip closure; packable design allows it to be easily stored in a backpack or under a bike’s seat when not in use
- Available in mens’ and women’s versions
- LED display on the front chest indicates status and also incorporates a haptic alert
- Bluetooth low energy (BLE 5.0) connectivity to the Tech-Air App
What is a personal airbag?
An airbag garment comprises an inflatable bladder, a means of inflating it (typically a compressed gas cartridge), a way of monitoring what the rider is doing, and detecting when an accident is taking place. This can be via a mechanical cable tethered to the bike so that when the rider leaves the bike it disconnects from the airbag vest and activates the gas canister. Or it can be an electronic system based on GPS positioning (and hence, speed), accelerometers, and gyroscopes to monitor the rider’s movement. That is compared with millions of miles-worth of data and the system knows when an accident is occurring and fires the airbag. Both versions activate in a fraction of a second.
While airbag-equipped garments can be cumbersome, many riders who use them feel it is a small price to pay for the peace of mind and added protection they offer.
How do electronically-controlled personal airbags work?
For electronically-controlled airbags, there are two pay models for the data. The method used by Alpinestars and Dainese includes the ‘brain’ for the system and ongoing upgrades within the price of the garment. However, systems using In&motion technology effectively ‘lease’ the brain to the user though they can buy it outright if they like. There’s a monthly charge but you get regular updates and can switch it on and off if you don’t ride over winter, for example.
Can a personal airbag go under my jacket?
Most clothing manufacturers produce a zip-in or clip-in vest to add to their garments using airbag technology. However, some (like RST) build the airbag into the garment when it is produced while others (Ixon and Dainese) produce standalone universal vests that can be worn under any – appropriately sized – jackets. Some (Helite) are designed to go over the external jacket and hence, won’t compromise the fit of the preferred outer jacket while the company also produces garments with the airbag built in.
How MCN tests products
At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.
Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.
If you can’t see a review against one of the motorcycle airbags on this page, it’s because we’re either testing it at the moment, or we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included as Tried and Tested if we find that they work, or we think they’d benefit our readers. Rest assured that we’ll be bringing you a review of any products we test as soon as we’ve done the miles.
Our scores explained
When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:
5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.
1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted average in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectations and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
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The Alpinestars Tech-Air 5, tried and tested by Michael Neeves
The Furygan Fury airbag vest, tried and tested by Emma Franklin
The Dainese D-Air Smart airbag vest, tried and tested by Emma Franklin
The Klim Ai-1 Rally Airbag Vest, tried and tested by Jordan Gibbons
Ixon U05 motorcycle airbag
The Helite e-Turtle 2 Airvest, tried and tested by Rich Newland
rider wearing motorcycle airbag vest on road
Rider wearing a motorcycle airbag vest
The RST Paragon 6 Airbag jacket, tried and tested by Justin Hayzelden
