We review the Forcefield Body Armor, which is worn close to the body so that it stays in place in the event of a crash.
With more than 25 years of experience, Forcefield Body Armor has led the way in developing, testing and perfecting soft armor. Their highly technical gear is worn close to the body to ensure that the armor stays in place during a crash. Its Repeat Performance Technology means that multiple impacts can be absorbed as a rider tumbles in a typical motorcycle accident and, again, since the armor is worn close to the body and not in an outer garment, the heat-reactive, breathable material conforms to the rider’s body and stays in place to provide superior protection. Independently tested to the highest certification possible, CE Level 2, the DRI-M proprietary, 12mm armor passes all four criteria of the CE2 limb test and is the slimmest, highest-performing armor available. Forcefield armor harnesses energy, slows it down, and manipulates it into a lesser force before it hits your body. By comparison, hard armor simply deflects the energy, giving poor test results, and not performing as well in impacts.
So what is CE, and what does it mean if a product is CE Level 2 certified? Without going into all of the technical details, simply put, CE test standards are regarded as the world’s most in-depth and rigorous standards. We encourage you to research these standards and understand how to identify protective gear that carries the CE stamp.
The Lowdown:
Stand-Out Feature: High-tech protection that can be used to upgrade your outer shell
Website: https://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com
MSRP: $279.00
Rider Analysis of the Forcefield Body Armor Pro Shirt X-V 1:
Let’s face it, protective gear is like insurance—you need good coverage just in case something happens, and when it does, you want your investment to pay off by protecting you. There’s a huge variety of products to choose from, and the prices range from a few hundred dollars to well over a thousand, depending on the type of fabrics used and the quality of the armor.
In Cycle News earlier this year, we reviewed the Motonation Pursang Tourventure 3/4-length textile jacket and phantom pants. At just over $300, this well-constructed, low-cost gear is a perfect example of how a smart buyer can purchase an inexpensive outer shell and upgrade it to a premium protective package using Forcefield Body Armor, and that’s exactly what we did for this test. Forcefield Body Armor is designed to be worn as your base layer, and the wicking, stretchable fabric that holds the armor in place is very comfortable. Getting in and out of the Pro Shirt X-V 1 is super simple thanks to the full-length zipper and the thumb cuffs, which hold the sleeves down as you slip on your outer shell. The armor itself is heat activated, and as it warms up, it conforms to the contours of your body and fits like a glove. It’s so comfortable that you forget you have it on, and the way that it rests on your body lifts the outer garment up, allowing for exceptional ventilation. I was a little worried that the tight-fitting armor would make me feel claustrophobic, but it was just the opposite. I felt like the gear was part of me, and I was confident that it would stay in place and protect me if I went down. The back protector and chest protector are substantial and far superior to anything that I’ve ever worn before.
By comparison, about two years ago I tossed a VFR1200X in a highside accident, and while the gear that I had on at the time protected me fairly well, the jacket did roll and moved the armor out of place as I tumbled. The idea behind Forcefield Armor is that it will not move as you tumble. The only drawback to the Pro Shirt X-V 1 is that when I stop and take off my outer garment, I feel a bit like a Power Ranger cartoon character—so carry an extra T-shirt so that you can strip the armor off and not draw so much attention. Unless you’re into that sort of thing.CN
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