Best motorcycle back protectors for road and track | Tested and reviewed by MCN

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 motorcycle 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 motorcycle jackets will either come with a back protector or have provision for one, many people prefer to wear a standalone item underneath their jacket. Often sportsbike riders who take to the tack will find a standalone protector fits more closely inside their leathers.

Why do I need a back protector?

There are various reasons for why someone may prefer a standalone protector over a fitted one, 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.

• Related: Best motorbike leathers

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.

What are the different types of back protector?

Many jackets either come with a back protector supplied or a pocket inside where you can add your own. As mentioned above the most basic versions are either Level-1 or Level-2 but it’s always worth checking for the proper CE marking.

Materials for these are generally the same options you get for elbow or shoulder armour – from more basic foams to technical materials like D3O.

Beyond these come the wearable versions which is what we are focusing on in this page. As the name suggests, these are worn independently of you jacket or leathers underneath and generally cover far more of your spine.

For off-road applications, you can also get gilet style versions that may include other bits of armour to be worn under a motocross jersey.

Back protectors are 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

Frequently asked questions

How do I know which size I need?

Back protectors are usually measured by the length of the torso, this is from the top of your shoulder to the hip area.

Why might I want a standalone back protector over a jacket fitted one?

Some people prefer the adjustability of a standalone back protector as they have waist and shoulder straps. Others take comfort in feeling the protector snug against their body, knowing it will be in exactly the right place should they need it. Another reason may be that they have a few different jackets for different riding situations and buying one back protector instead of one for each specific jacket is much cheaper.

Can I wear a back protector with an airbag vest or suit?

This will depend on each particular make and model. Ensure that you read the information provided when looking into which air bag to pair with your gear. Some will require you to remove the back protector and others will work in conjunction with one.

How MCN tests back protectors

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles in order to provide you with opinions and evaluations you can trust, alongside news of the most significant developments in motorcycling safety gear. We want you to stay safe, enjoy your riding and hopefully look great while doing so! 

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. To make it onto this list, these back protectors must have been worn for thousands of miles by our team of experienced testers, show no major flaws, and meet modern safety standards as well as offering decent value for money. 

Each of our expert reviewers tests their products for a variety of things, both subjective and objective, and these boots are no exception. Factors assessed include the back protector’s adjustability, what level of protection they offer, how comfortable they are to wear, how they look, how easy they are to put on under leathers and anything other features they may have.

We cover thousands of miles in these back protectors and regularly compare them with one another in the office, so collectively we’ve built the sort of knowledge base you can trust.

If you can’t see a review against a back protector on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given back protector, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. We test against criteria like how comfortable it is, how protective is it, does it look good and if it is good value for it’s price tag. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 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 averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 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.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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