Investing in body armour for mountain biking is a wise move for anyone who rides fast or tricky descents.
Also known as pressure suits or back protectors, the options we've listed here provide protection for your back and spine, with some also including protection for your shoulders, elbows or chest.
Many riders opt for knee pads or elbow pads, but wearing torso protection is a good idea, too. After all, we never know when a crash is going to happen.
Fortunately, upper-body armour has become lighter and less restrictive compared to the bulky suits of years gone by.
Our pick of the best body armour for mountain biking includes options for all types of riding. Our expert team of independent testers have racked up hours of riding and considered protection, fit, comfort, extra features and price when scoring these products.
Finally, you should always wear a helmet when mountain biking, so check out our picks of the best mountain bike helmets and the best enduro helmets.
We have also included our buyer's guide to MTB body armour below.
Best MTB body armour in 2024
Fox Baseframe Pro Sleeveless Chest Guard
- Price: £150 / $190 / €150 / AU$200 (as tested)
- Back protection: D3O Viper Stealth (CE L1)
- Additional protection: Foam hip pads
The Baseframe Pro is one of the most comfortable vests we've tested, going mostly unnoticed while riding.
Fox uses a D3O insert, which is well-suited to trail riding.
The Baseframe Pro is barely visible under a jersey, yet gives good coverage with a snug fit that holds the padding in place, without the vest feeling overly tight.
Breathability is very good, but the Baseframe Pro is not as well ventilated as others we've tested. Foam hip pads help fend off scrapes and offer good coverage over the bone.
The storage pocket on the rear of the vest is a little too loose to be useful and it's not the easiest vest to remove.
Leatt Body Tee AirFlex Stealth
- Price: £190 / $200 (as tested)
- Back protection: AirFlex (CE L1)
- Additional protection: Shoulder pads
Leatt’s Body Tee AirFlex Stealth slimline top is light and comfy enough to wear all day, and the open mesh fabric means it doesn’t feel too hot on long climbs.
The AirFlex (soft impact gel) back and shoulder padding provide Level 1 protection – a European safety standard that means the maximum transmitted force must be lower than 18kN with no single value exceeding 24kN.
The large chest panel adds peace of mind, and all are highly flexible.
It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with Leatt’s neck brace, with loops and a removable section of padding at the neck.
An off-centre zip makes putting it on a cinch, and the zip shield prevents any skin irritation. Plus it has two easy-to-access stash pockets.
The only thing that's really holding the Leatt Body Tee back from a full five stars is the price.
100% Tarka vest
- Price: £140 / $150 (as tested)
- Back protection: SmartShock (CE L2)
- Additional protection: SmartShock chest (CE L1)
The Tarka has a tight fit, which means the padding remains secure when riding, aided by silicone grippers on the hem.
It’s made from stretchy mesh material, which feels good next to your skin, and a side zip makes it easier to get the vest on and off.
The SmartShock impact foam back protector provides ample coverage without interfering with shorts or jerseys, and can be removed for washing.
The chest armour can also be detached for rides that require less protection.
Due to the thick mesh fabric, the Tarka is less breathable, and therefore warmer than other vests.
Bluegrass Armour Lite
- Price: £120 (as tested)
- Back protection: EVA foam (CE L1)
- Additional protection: N/A
The Bluegrass Armour Lite was updated for 202o with a new three-layer EVA-foam back panel that offers protection across a wider section of the upper back. It extends down the small of the back too.
Our size small came up true to size, with enough room for a baselayer underneath. Stretch panels provide a secure fit and mesh helps with breathability, although we found things got a bit sticky on warmer days
Putting the jacket on is easy, thanks to a full-length zip. Three rear pockets provide room for essentials and there's space for a hydration pack too.
SixSixOne Recon Advance
- Price: £215 (as tested)
- Back protection: D3O foam (CE L1)
- Additional protection: Shoulder and elbow pads
The SixSixOne Recon Advance armour jacket is a lighter and more breathable version of the brand's EVO Compression jacket.
Protective padding covers almost all of the major points on your upper body, including the coccyx, and you can customise the protection by removing the Atrotech foam elbow and shoulder pads.
The back protector is made from two layers of Koroyd, which is relatively light but stiffer than D3O. That said, this wasn't noticeable when riding.
Overall, this jacket is a strong contender but it does come with a high price tag.
Also consider…
The following body armour products scored fewer than four out of five stars in testing, so didn't make it into our main list, but they're still worth considering.
7idp Flex Suit
- Price: £110 / $130 (as tested)
- Back protection: Foam (CE L2)
- Additional protection: Shoulder pads
The 7idp Flex Suit has sturdy yet removable shoulder pads that give a real sense of protection, and are pre-formed for comfort and to maximise movement.
This top works well for trail riders, thanks to its lightweight construction and five stash pockets. It’s comfortable to wear without a base layer underneath, and the Level 1 back protector can be replaced with a hydration bladder.
The price is competitive, but there are some compromises. The spine guard isn’t very long and security flaps on the pockets make them tricky to access on the bike. Also, the Flex Suit's material feels clammy when sweaty and doesn’t dry quickly.
Alpinestars Paragon Lite Protection Jacket SS
- Price: £140 / $150 (as tested)
- Back protection: Foam (CE L1)
- Additional protection: Shoulder pads
The Alpinestars Paragon Lite Protection Jacket SS has a CE Level 1-certified back protector, which provides good coverage without being bulky or restrictive, and the chest panel offers good protection too.
It has a good length and fit – snug but not tight under the arms – with a silicone gripper to stop it from riding up at the back, plus a front zip that makes getting it on and off easy. It’s fairly quick-drying and there’s a small rear pocket.
The flexible shoulder pads could be thicker and breathability isn’t the best, though.
We preferred to wear this jacket over a base layer.
EVOC Protector Shirt
- Price: £170 / $190 (as tested)
- Back protection: Foam (CE L2)
- Additional protection: Shoulder pads
EVOC’s back protection has a high Level 2 rating. The removable spine guard gives plenty of coverage, while the chest pad is also well-sized, and both are flexible enough not to impede movement. Shaped shoulder pads wrap around well, too, giving lots of protection.
With mesh side panels, ventilation is reasonable, considering the coverage. Two rear pockets and a sleeve for a hydration bladder add to its versatility.
Getting it on and off is a struggle because there’s no zip and the large back protector gets in the way (it can also interfere with hip packs). It’s pretty pricey, too.
Bluegrass Seamless Lite D3O
- Price: £170 / €200 (as tested)
- Back protection: D3O BP4 (CE L1)
- Additional protection: N/A
The Seamless Lite D3O has standout breath-ability, boasting ample ventilation and wicking sweat well.
A stretchy fabric gives a secure fit without feeling tight, and the vest remains comfy out on the trails. There are two small pockets integrated into the vest which work perfectly for stashing snacks in.
The back protector is a good width, but sits too low down on the back below the shoulder blades.
The D3O feels stiff compared to other padding, and you need to take care when putting the vest on to not tear the mesh.
Ion Tank AMP protection vest
- Price: £135 (as tested)
- Back protection: SAS-TEC (CE L1)
- Additional protection: N/A
Ion uses a back protector from SAS-TEC, which conforms well to the shape of your body and is barely noticeable under a jersey.
A tight fit helps keep the protection in place, aided by a silicone gripper.
We found the stash pockets useful. This vest works well as a protective base layer but doesn't offer much breathability, with few mesh panels to vent heat.
The protection is also minimal, covering the spine but little else.
POC Spine VPD Air Vest
- Price: £130 / $150 / €150 / AU$215 (as tested)
- Back protection: POC VPD Air (CE L1)
- Additional protection: N/A
POC’s ‘VPD Air’ back protector has plenty of length, which provides ample coverage of the back.
The vest uses visco-elastic polymer dough padding, which conforms to your body well, and is designed to harden upon impact.
Next-to-skin comfort is good, and mesh material helps the vest breathe well. You get a front zip, elastic belt and removable padding, though we found the zip's closed position to be irritating.
The chunky padding may not suit those looking for lightweight protection and rides up high, while the Spine vest’s fit is less compressive than others we have tested.
Troy Lee Designs 3900 Upper Protection Vest
- Price: £135 (as tested)
- Back protection: Foam (CE L1)
- Additional protection: N/A
With plenty of mesh fabric, this Troy Lee Designs vest offers good ventilation, and it fits nicely under jerseys.
The vest is easy to pull on and off, even without a zip, and the highly flexible protective panels don’t restrict movement.
Individual sections of padding can be removed to tune fit and comfort, and it’s been designed with neck braces in mind. We also like the kidney protection.
It doesn’t feel great next to the skin, and the thin panels don’t offer as much protection as some thicker options. Plus, being a vest, there’s no shoulder armour. Sizing is on the large side, too.
Mountain bike body armour buyer’s guide
Do you need MTB body armour?
Wearing body armour can help minimise or even prevent injuries when crashing, helping you to keep riding instead of staying at home recovering.
The best mountain bike armour features impact-absorbing pads that don’t take away from your on-bike mobility and will remain breathable on the hottest days when you’re standing at the back of the lift queue.
Many riders choose to wear armour on every ride, while some reserve it for tracks and trails with large jumps or technical features – your choice depends on your attitude towards risk, and how often you crash.
Body armour is less relevant if you are riding cross-country because you're less likely to have the same high-impact crashes you see in enduro racing and downhill riding.
While wearing body armour can add to your confidence, enabling you to overcome features you may have previously had a mental block about, it’s important to be wary of false confidence, because no body armour can protect you from all incidents.
What to look for in MTB body armour
Pad construction
Most body armour will feature non-newtonian impact-hardening polymers, such as D3O, which remain pliable when in normal use and harden up under impact.
For those living in colder climates, these types of pads have the tendency to be a little stiff for the first half-hour of riding, with body heat needed to loosen them up to a malleable state.
Vest material construction
The material used for the vest of the armour is important if you want to avoid overheating.
While the vest needs to be strong to keep pads in place, it's also important it’s breathable, otherwise it will soon end up smelling like Serrano ham in the summer months.
Much of the best body armour will use a stretchy mesh vest for wicking moisture.
Size and fit
For the pads to be effective, they need to be held in place over the parts of your body they're designed to protect.
A tight fit will reduce the amount of movement from the pads, while making the body armour less obstructive to your movements.
Most body armour is designed to sit below a mountain bike jersey, so the tighter it is the less obvious it will appear.
Protection
Not all body armour offers the same protection, with brands creating discipline-specific body armour to cope with varying demands.
Trail armour is usually the easiest to wear, with less padding and therefore more breathability for longer days in the saddle.
Enduro armour remains comfortable for riding, but features increased padding, while downhill armour has the biggest focus on protection.
Some body armour will have more pads than others to protect your ribs, kidneys, hips and coccyx.
Weight
Weight makes a big difference to how the body armour feels, with heavier items feeling more restrictive to your natural riding position and causing added fatigue.
The best body armour will feel secure when you’re riding without sacrificing comfort.
Certification
All body armour sold in the EU is certified to Level 1 or Level 2, which indicates the amount of force the padding can absorb.
CE Level 1 is rated to transmit a maximum force of 18kN, with no single value exceeding 24kN upon impact.
CE Level 2 is designed for higher impacts and is rated to transmit a maximum force of 9kN, with no single value exceeding 12kN upon impact.
Women's mountain bike body armour
While most body armour is unisex, some brands offer women’s-specific versions of their body armour, featuring a more shapely cut that takes in wider hips, curvier chests and narrower shoulders for a more secure fit.
What other protection do I need for mountain biking?
Alongside wearing a mountain bike helmet, we recommend wearing knee pads as a minimum for technical riding because your knees often take the initial impact when you crash.
Elbow pads are also a good idea if you’re hitting the big lines at the bike park, and will save you the indecency of seeing your own bones should you crash.
While many choose to wear skate shoes when riding, these don’t offer much protection. The best mountain bike shoes will have reinforced toe boxes and ankle support to save your feet from rock strikes.
