Best motorcycle airbag protection | Bags for life

Updated: 11 September 2024

Motorcycle airbag vests were once the preserve of factory riders, but these days there are affordable systems available from lots of manufacturers and with various payment models.

The development of safety is constant, and while it may seem that there is only so much work that can be done with motorcycle protective equipment, there is always something happening behind the scenes.

This is true of protection. Several years ago, Dainese began developing personal airbag vest products primarily to protect MotoGP riders. They proved so successful at helping to reduce injuries to riders during falls that the company began to develop them for road use too.

Fellow Italian brand Alpinestars followed suit and fairly quickly, there was a range of options available to riders to offer an alternative to ‘hard’ armour within jackets. Around the same time, Helite was developing inflatable vests for both motorcyclists and equestrian riders along slightly different lines but with the same goal – protecting riders.

When French firm In&motion joined the game, licensing its tech and hardware to clothing manufacturers, things really started to get interesting.

The best motorcycle airbag protection:

Helite e-Turtle 2 Vest

Price: from £593.99

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

View Offer

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.

Tested by Richard Newland for five months, 1,500 miles - "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."

Quality

5.0
Value

5.0

Type	Over-jacket vest
Deployment	Electronic sensors

The RST Range - Paragon 6 Airbag Jacket

Price: £249.99 (was £449.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

View Offer

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. The range starts at the - frankly incredibly well-priced - AA-rated Axiom jacket and goes up to the company's £999.999 one-piece AAA-rated racing leathers. Control box/data subscription is €12 per month for road and €8 per month for track.

RST Paragon 6 Airbag tried and tested by Justin Hayzelden for four months, 2,800 miles - "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."

Quality

5.0
Value

5.0

Type	Integrated
Deployment	Electronic sensors

Alpinestars Tech-Air Vest

Price: £569.98 (was £649.99)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

View Offer

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.

Tried and tested by Michael Neeves for nine months, 3,000 miles - "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."

Quality

5.0
Value

4.0

Type	Under-jacket vest
Deployment	Electronic sensors

Dainese D-Air Smart Jacket

Price: £499.99 (was £719.95)

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

View Offer

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.

Tested by Emma Franklin for seven months, 1,000 miles - "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."

Quality

5.0
Value

4.0

Type	Under-jacket vest
Deployment	Electronic sensors

Furygan Fury Airbag System

View Offer

The Furygan Fury Air vest was designed originally to zip in to compatible jackets within the French manufacturers range and uses the In&motion technology of control and airbag deployment. The advantage of being designed alongside the outer garments is making sure the airbag is sized correctly to the jacket. The company has also released a front pocket that can turn the vest into a standalone garment and add chest armour to non-airbag jackets. Control box/data subscription is £12 per month for road and £8 per month for track.

Tested by Emma Franklin for seven months, 1,000 miles - "The Fury can be zipped inside a compatible Furygan jacket or worn as a standalone vest via the zip-in chest connector, which doubles as a pouch for D3O chest armour (£27.99 extra). This allows the Fury to be worn under any kit that allows enough room for inflation (roughly about 4cm of give).

"The In&Motion system provides protection for the chest, neck and back – and there’s a CE-Level 1 back protector. The system will only protect from impacts once you’re travelling over 21.7mph. Charging takes three hours and this provides 25 hours of riding time. A re-gassing canister costs £79.99."

Quality

4.0
Value

4.0

Type	Under-jacket vest
Deployment	Electronic sensors

Klim Ai-1 Rally Airbag Vest

Price: £500.00

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

View Offer

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.

Tested by Jordan Gibbons for four months, 1,000 miles - "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."

Quality

4.0
Value

4.0

Type	Under-jacket vest
Deployment	Electronic sensors

Other options to consider

Helite Turtle 2 Airvest

Price: £546.00

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

View Offer

One of, if not the, first airbag vests on the market, the Helite 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 the bike and when triggered, inflates the vest 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.

Type	Over-jacket vest
Deployment	Cord

Held Vest

View Offer

The Held vest is another using the In&motion technology built into a vest that fits to Held's compatible jackets. Like those from Furygan, the vest fits matching-sized jackets but unlike the French company's products, the Held vest fits using slide-in clips. However, the company has also recently announced a full universal vest, using the same fundamental technology, that can be worn under any jacket. Control box/data subscription is €12 per month for road and €8 per month for track.

Type	Under-jacket vest
Deployment	Electronic sensors

Ixon U03 Vest

View Offer

The Ixon vest uses the In&motion airbag technology and was the first universal airbag vest to use the French firm's system. It is a single garment and designed to be worn under any jacket though clearly, the jacket needs to be the right size to allow for the vest to expand in the event of an accident. Like all In&motion-equipped products, the housing for the tech on the rear forms a Level-2 back protector so even if the battery in the brain goes flat, you're still protected. Control box/data subscription is £12 per month for road and £8 per month for track.

Type	Under-jacket vest
Deployment	Electronic sensors

Check out our first look at a full airbag motorcycle suit and how it works:

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 either be via a mechanical cable attached to the bike so that when the rider leaves the bike, the vest fires or 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.

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 an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items 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.

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

- Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.