Motorcycle Chest Armor Vs Racing Jacket

Riders often need accessories to protect them because biking is a very physical sport and the chances of injury are quite high. To protect yourself you have a plethora of options to choose from depending on if you want protective equipment that you can attach to your bike or even protective accessories you can wear. Wearable options would be motorcycle armor mainly motorcycle chest armor, racing jackets, elbow pads, knee pads, and biking helmets. Riders can wear all these to provide protection to various parts of the body.

Bikers and biking enthusiasts utilize motorcycle chest armor in various ways, and it may be particularly useful if you’re new to the world of riding and have just started out. And you’re looking for some protection, or you could be a motorsport athlete like a BMX athlete. Part-taking in these events would require you to have some sort of accessory to provide some protection in case of an accident. 

Armors are designed as shock absorbers and have the ability to absorb a large amount of energy. This is useful during a crash or an accident. Instead of feeling the full effect of the crash, the armor acts as a shock absorber and cushions the blow. It dampens the effect of the crash and less force acts on the rider. A few different types of armor can be motorcycle chest armor, back/spine protector armor, and limp protectors.

Types of Motorcycle Chest Armor 

Based on the area of protection, we divide chest armors into two types. Chest armor covers the area of the body most susceptible to injury during a crash. It protects vital organs and bones that can break due to an accident. They are divided into:

• Wrap around chest armor
• Only chest armor 

Wrap around chest armor

A wrap-around chest armor protects the front and back of the body. It wraps around the body of the rider and provides overall protection during an accident.

Only chest armor 

Only chest armor provides protection to the front half of your body. It provides protection from blows to the front of the body. And provides comparatively less protection as compared to wrap-around chest armor.   

Types of Materials

Armors are made of a variety of different materials and the different materials provide different characteristics that are unique to them. A few of the materials used are: 

• Foam 
• Memory Foam 
• Silicone 

Foam

This armor is either closed-cell or open-cell foam. They are also of two types

•  Hard foam
•  Soft foam

Hard foams are typically used in helmets. They are great in shock absorbing with the principle of destructive decomposition. This means they can be only used once. Soft foams offer protection but less compared to hard foams. They have close-cell structures of foams while hard foams have an open-cell structure of the foam. 

Silicone

Manufacturers produce these types as gel-based shock absorbers in various densities, and riders generally use them close to the body for comfort.

Memory foam

Memory foam is also good at absorbing high-intensity shocks during impacts. It is very dense and hence is useful for absorbing high compressive forces. After the initial impact, they rebound back to their shape slowly after the compressive forces end. 

Motorcycle Jackets 

Among important accessories and gears, a good motorcycle jacket is one of them.

Motorcycle jackets are used by riders as a means of protecting themselves. Motorcycle riding involves risks, and riders need proper gear to protect themselves in case of accidents or falls. Jackets act as a protective barrier, minimizing the risk of cuts, scrapes, and severe injuries.

Jackets provide protection against weather conditions and manufacturers craft them from various fabric types according to weather conditions. In colder climates, riders prefer using leather jackets, while in warmer climates, a nylon jacket is the preferable choice. Leather jackets are thick and provide insulation that keeps them warm in cold weather. Riders prefer nylon as it is a breathable fabric during hotter weather, providing protection while also allowing airflow.

Comparing motorcycle jackets and motorcycle chest armor can assist riders in gaining a better understanding of which option suits them best. Depending on their needs and preferences. 

Comfort

Motorcycle jackets offer more comfort as compared to motorcycle chest armor as they are lightweight and easy to wear. Chest armors are bulky and do not offer comfort when worn. Although they offer more protection due to their padding but can make riding uncomfortable for the rider. 

Weather

To protect against environmental and weather conditions motorcycle jackets are a better alternative. They can be used in both warm and cold temperatures and are durable as well. Motorcycle chest armor doesn’t provide protection against the harsh weather. 

Style

Motorcycle riders often wear chest armors under their regular garments, using them as a protective layer. Jackets are stylish and help you stand out in a crowd and serve as a statement piece. 

Overall, both motorcycle jackets and motorcycle chest armor can serve as means to protect yourself. Based on your riding skills and need for protection you can opt for the option that best suits you.

Protection

Motorcycle chest armor has padding which offers more protection to bikers while they are riding their bikes. Racing jackets can help provide protection against cuts, scrapes, road burns, and minor injuries. But chest armor provides protection against more severe injuries in the case of an accident or a crash.

All in all, it comes down to personal preference, if you are looking solely for an option that offers more protection in harsh situations chest armor can be the way to go. But if you aren’t an avid rider and occasionally venture out maybe a moderate protection option such as a racing jacket would be the best for you.