Test Endura MT500 waistcoat vs. POC VPD System Torso: Comparison of protector waistcoats

Rocks, stones, roots, edges, gravel - if you fall on a mountain bike, you rarely fall softly. Back protectors are designed to prevent the worst and protect the delicate spine. We tested two protector waistcoats in practice that also have chest protectors in addition to back protectors: the Endura MT500 waistcoat and the Poc VPD System Torso.

Muscles are enough - that's rubbish!

Hardliners believe that fat muscle strands on the back are the best guarantee for protecting the spine. "That's nonsense!" says spine expert Prof Dr Christoph Siepe from Munich.

You only have to feel your back with your fingers to see how close the bony spinous processes are under the skin. "On impact, the muscles are flattened and the bones break - the only thing that helps is foam that effectively absorbs the impact," explains Siepe.

In order to optimally protect the sensitive spine, the protector should cover it as completely as possible, from the neck to the coccyx - without restricting freedom of movement and, in the worst case, giving you the feeling of being downright restricted. This can be so distracting that it actually increases the risk of an accident.

Little black one: POC VPD System Torso

• Weight: 1179 grammes
• Price: 240 Euro

Unlike most chest and back protectors, the Poc VPD Torso is worn over clothing. This looks stylish and creates a motocross look. It feels similar to a bulletproof vest - which boosts self-confidence.

The POC VPD TorsoThe new protector does not require any fabric or waistcoat construction, but consists only of the protectors on the chest and back and the connecting elastic bands. This has the advantage that the protector does not odour so easily.

The elasticated VPD material becomes softer when warm, making it more comfortable to wear. The material only hardens in the event of an impact, thus protecting the wearer. The protector is equipped with numerous ventilation slits, particularly in the lower back section.

However, the back protector is only certified to the simpler EN 1621-2 level 1. As with Endura, the safer material was not used due to comfort and weight. When asked about this, POC was brief: "Achieving level 2 would have led to an increase in the thickness and overall weight of the product, which would not have been ideal for the users concerned."

The POC VPD System Torso is easy to use. Elasticated straps and press studs make the protector quick to put on and take off. The size S/M fitted the testers with a height of 1.78 metres very well. POC also offers a chest-only version (100 euros) and a back-only version (180 euros). We see little point in the chest-only version. Weight: 1179 grams, price: 240 euros.

Conclusion on the POC VPD System Torso in the 2023 test

We liked the POC VPD System Torso protector waistcoat because it is handy, comfortable to wear and equipped with a long back protector. Only level 1 certified, so nothing for tough DH use. - FREERIDE Magazine

Strengths

• Wearing comfort
• Long back section
• Ventilation

Weaknesses

• CE EN 1621/2 Level 1 certificate only
• Price
• Weight

Lightly protected: Endura MT500 D30 waistcoat

• Weight: 890 grammes
• Price: 150 Euro

The Scottish label presented its first protector waistcoat at the BIKE Festival in Riva. The lightweight MT500 waistcoat is very easy to put on thanks to the Velcro fasteners. The protectors can be easily removed and the polyester waistcoat can then simply be washed. Nevertheless, we recommend putting the waistcoat on under your shirt. Because once you have soiled the protector, it is difficult to get the dirt out of the plastic mesh.

The waistcoat features large D30 foam protectors on the chest and back. This elastic foam hardens on impact and thus protects the body from shocks. The advantage of the soft material is that it moulds comfortably to the body when worn.

However, the D30 protector used only has the simpler Level 1 safety certificate: CE EN 1621/1. For information: The better Level 2 transmits up to 50 per cent less energy than Level 1. Is that an argument against the Endura MT500 waistcoat? We think so, at least for downhillers. Because here bikers reach high speeds and need maximum protection if they hit their backs on steps and edges in a fall.

Endura's product management commented: "As this is our first protector waistcoat on the market, we felt that the EN Level 1 was better suited to our market and in line with the rest of the Endura range. The protector waistcoat is aimed at trail and enduro riders and is not just aimed at downhill." Weight: 890 grams, price: 150 euros >> available here.

Conclusion on the Endura MT500 D30 protector waistcoat in the 2023 test

High wearing comfort, easy handling, lightweight. Top! Level 1 certificate only. Nothing for tough DH use. - FREERIDE Magazine

Strengths

• Fit
• Ventilation
• Weight
• Price

Weaknesses

• CE EN 1621/2 Level 1 certificate only

Protectors: Waistcoat vs. rucksack - which protects better when biking? That's what the TÜV tester says:

"Buy the one with the best values!"

FREERIDE: Woman, back protector, back protector waistcoat or protector backpack - which is safer?
Christiane Reckter: A waistcoat has the advantage that it fixes the protector optimally to the back. It is usually worn under clothing. This means that the protector is not pushed to the side in the event of an impact, but remains where it should be. The disadvantage of rucksacks is that the position cannot be maintained exactly with or without a load.

How important is the cover?
There are full-back protectors that cover the spine and part of the shoulder blades and protectors that only protect the spine. I think a lot of coverage makes sense. However, if the protector reaches too far down, it can interfere with freedom of movement.

Hard plastic or foam?
It doesn't matter how the protectors are designed. The important thing is that the protectors stay where they are supposed to protect, in other words: the fit is important. And that they have good cushioning performance.

Are the standard limits of EN 1612.2 only minimum requirements?
Standards are always minimum requirements. Nevertheless, these are the values that guarantee relevant protection.

So I'm better off buying a protector that buffers the standard impact to 5 kN than one that only reduces the impact to 10 kN?
Of course. Because I want as little force as possible to act on the body. And this force is twice as high with the protector at 10 kN. The best thing would be for nothing to reach the body at all. I would always buy the protector with the best impact absorption (editor's note: a back protector with level 2).

Modern foams can withstand several impacts without having to be replaced. Is that true?
Although the regulations for personal protective equipment (PPE) state that the protectors should be replaced after a fall, I know from my testing experience that these modern multi-impact foams, such as those offered by BMW, Sas-Tec, D30 etc., can withstand more than one fall.

Protectors: Can they prevent serious injuries? That's what the doctor says:

"There is no protection against this!"

FREERIDE: Dr Obrist, what does the back protector protect against?
Dr Josef Obrist: You can protect the lumbar spine and lower thoracic spine with a back protector. I'm convinced that the protector can cushion the impact. But the majority of really serious injuries affect the cervical spine. The consequences of a fall are fractures on impact and paraplegia. Unfortunately, a back protector cannot protect against this - there is no protection!

Many bike park bikers are admitted to your clinic. Do you know whether the casualties were wearing a back protector?
Unfortunately, we don't know that and don't ask. The injured arrive by helicopter and some are already on artificial respiration. We don't get enough information. But many bike park bikers wear back protection, as we were able to see for ourselves on site.

Have serious accidents increased?
Serious mountain bike accidents have doubled in the years 2013-2018. The injured mainly come to us from the Leogang and Saalbach-Hinterglemm bike arenas.

Are mountain bike accidents similar in severity to motorbike accidents?
In mountain bike accidents, the cervical spine and upper thoracic spine are very often affected because mountain bikers roll over and often tumble down the slope. This leads to paraplegia. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, are more likely to break their legs because they collide.

Neck braces are designed to protect the cervical spine. Does it make sense?
In my opinion, neck supports make no sense because they restrict the rider's ability to react too much. But that's just the biomechanical point of view.

Do you have any ideas on how to stem the tide of seriously injured people?
No. No risk, no fun - that is the common attitude. The participants are aware of the risk. On a nice weekend, we get two or three bikers in with spinal injuries that have to be operated on.

We conducted both interviews in 2018 as part of a test for back protectors and rucksacks with integrated protectors.