It was a stupid call on my part to ride without gloves or a jacket anyways, but it was nice out, and I didn't want to have to carry a heavy jacket along with me everywhere. If I could do it again, I'd be wearing something like the TMS Motorcycle Full Body Armor Shirt. It's got back, shoulder, elbow, forearm, and chest protection all attached to a lightweight yet durable Lycra/mesh stretchable fabric with a full zipper front closure. Because it's mesh, it will let air in easily so you won't be sweating as soon as you put it on. The armor is injection-molded plastic designed for high impact. I don't know how well the Lycra/mesh fabric would hold up in a long slide, but the whole thing is light enough to fit under your leather jacket to give you better protection.

There are other versions of body armor like this one from TMS. Here's one that doesn't look so much like it came out of a Batman movie.

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The system includes a hydration bladder, a rock deflector, and some storage for tools. Riders report that once the system is in place, it is actually fairly comfortable. It certainly alleviates the need for three separate important items. Most dirt riders (at least of the trail variety), carry a tool pouch (often as a fanny pack), a hydration system, and a separate chest protector. The theory behind the Convertible Hydro Pack is that all of these components can be worn as one.

There are a couple of potential negatives that come to mind. One is that the system removes vendor choice in the various components. If you love the rock deflector but want a different style of hydration system, you are out of luck. Also, some riders have reported that the mouthpiece of the hydration unit is not as user-friendly as some, and has proven to be a bit fragile.

These small nit-picks aside, I believe the Fly Racing Convertible Hydro Pack Kit is a really good idea. In the end, fewer separate components to deal with means fewer potential headaches.

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The EVS Revo 4 Roost Guard is a compact chest protector designed to avoid the bulky look of more traditional plastic models. It is primarily constructed of soft (yet protective) foam, but also sports a clear hard plastic guard in the front for added rock and roost protection. It can be worn under or over a jersey, but is really designed to comfortably hide underneath.

Under-jersey chest protectors typically fit much better than traditional ones because they hug your body, and the flexible foam can easily form to the contours of your shape. If you wear it directly against your skin, expect a chafe or two though. The only other real negative, if you want to call it that, is that the back isn't as protected as the front. Overall, if you're looking for a decent incognito chest protector, you might want to check out the Revo 4.

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Although it has been designed for race riding, you can wear this short sleeved suit whenever you want greater protection. Injection-molded plastic armor over the shoulders plus dual-density EVA impact pads will take the brunt of a crash. Since you can't do much riding without your spine, there's also an articulated injection-molded spine protector.

The Assault suit comes in a variety of sizes and has an adjustable Velcro waist to ensure a perfect fit for maximum effectiveness. The waist strap and armor will also reduce or eliminate the need for a riding belt if you currently use one to protect your lower back.

The flat, black design with white and red accents gives the suit a sporty, futuristic look. But if you want heavy duty protection on the road and don't like the look of armor, you can wear the Assault suit under your shirt. The armor will safeguard you from harm and make you look burly, so how can you go wrong?

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The Vega motocross chest protector, made by Jafrum, has a high coverage thermoplastic shell. This is a youth model and will help prevent those bumps and breaks that could turn a youth to creaky, cranky adult. One of my buddies lived a rambunctious, gear-free childhood and he looks 50 at 40... and I'll hear words about that comment later.

Chrome shoulder shells provide a solid structure where you need it most. All of this rigid construction needs to fit right, or it will be maddeningly uncomfortable -- so this protector is adjustable everywhere: body, shoulders, arms, etc. The adjustable straps are one-hand pop clips to make putting this on and off easy.

Just like shells provide bugs with protection, this exoskeleton will keep you securely behind a barrier that will take the rocks, mud, and ground impact. It is vented for comfort and pretty easy to clean. You'll be able to wear this under a shirt, but I wouldn't recommend having this against your skin. This is not one of those undershirt/armor combos.

I won't lie; there is better stuff out there, but not for this price. If this is all the protection you need, it's a bargain.

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The RP-3 pack is constructed of ballistic nylon with 3 compartments totaling 8.4 liters of storage capacity and 3 liters of hydration capacity. These features are available in many off-brand backpacks, but what makes the Exotec unique is the polycarbonate architecture which forms the protective shielding for the chest, back, and shoulders.

The protective plates are padded with molded Biofoam. The back has a pre-curved, articulated shield with two adjustment points to complement the three adjustment locations on the chest plate. Whatever parts don't move are form-fitted to the shape of the rider. Dips and vents in the foam keep this pack and gear from getting too hot, and the insulated hydration pouch will keep your water cold. The hydration system comes with the pack.

A fitted, articulated, and protective shell needs to stay in place, so Zac Speed keeps everything in balance with quad-load distribution points and slip-lock side strap buckles. You get upper body armor, a hydration system, and some bonus storage space for a reasonable price. Zac Speed has found a better way.

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The ProGuard is formed from a thermoplastic alloy. This alloy has a great capacity to flex while maintaining its structural integrity, and is highly impact resistant. The inner surface is lined with a thin foam padding which wraps over the edges for wearer comfort. The shoulder guards are of the floating type and more heavily padded with foam. Suspended from these are upper arm guards to help protect against side impact.

The Vega Helmet Corporation is located in Tukwila, Washington, just south of Seattle. While known primarily for their helmets, they've been gradually adding new items to their product line. They also don't sell direct; you'll need to purchase their products through a retailer. The company maintains that this is one of the ways they're able to keep costs to a minimum.

Vega's design is very similar to one of the top competitors in the industry -- yet their product is half the price of the best-known brand names. For the family who rides together or the individual on a budget (then again, who isn't on a budget right now) these chest deflectors are a good buy. They're available in five colors, with sizes ranging from peewee to youth to adult.

Also take a look at the Alpinestars Youth Bionic Pro jacket with a built-in chest protector.

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Built from impact-absorbing articulated back plastic, the Field Armor Vest provides a much higher level of back protection than your average padded riding jacket. Its wraparound style also provides kidney protection and some -- although not stellar -- chest protection in the form of reinforced rubber padding. It alo has nice wide elastic straps to hold it in place on your torso and has a nice vented mesh construction all over.

Where this piece really shines is in its low-profile style. Icon markets this as a back protector worthy of the track but designed for the street. Icon doesn't dabble in the racing world, but the company certainly recognizes the importance of keeping your spine. This baby offers excellent protection if you hit the asphalt. To top it off, it's sleek enough to fit under your jacket, sweatshirt, t-shirt, tank top, etc. The vest is available in sizes from XS to 4XL.

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Motocross riders are making lighter, stronger armor because they know they need it. A product of these advances is the BJ33 Ballistic Jersey. Molded polyethylene panels adorn the chest, shoulders, back, and elbows to provide the rider with superior protection in the most likely impact areas and everywhere else that you should keep safe. Between and beneath these panels is a ballistic mesh fabric that will keep the air flowing and prevent overheating.

The BJ33 is lightweight and, amazingly, fully machine washable. Regardless of the mesh, you're probably going to sweat -- so that washability is a good feature to have. Stretch panels will ensure that your armor fits where it's supposed to be and can therefore protect you the way it is designed to.

Although the BJ33 Ballistic Jersey is made for motocross, anyone -- regardless of their level of paranoia -- can pick one of these up to bolster their level of protection. If you need to know why you might want the BJ33, just think of the term "ballistic." It's synonymous with "projectile," and should you find yourself traveling through the air subject to the will of gravity, you might want to be wearing some body armor.

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Riders are sometimes mislabeled as chasers of death, and so the skull appears to mean a disregard for life. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The skull, ironically, embraces life by the recognition of death. It is a way of saying "I know that I will die, so I choose to live first." Historically there is no more potent symbol. It's appeared in cultural and religious art since the dawn of time.

Although the biker-skull relationship may be overdone in the media and by purveyors of cheap accessories, the link remains, and some people still pull it off with class. Icon presents the skull motif on many of their products. The Regulator vest is one of their simple, elegant skull items. A single skull design adorns the back of this premium leather vest with the Icon logo stamped into the forehead. It is made to be worn over a jacket and, because you don't really want to meet the Grim Reaper any sooner than you have to, there is removable hard armor in the back.

The Icon logo permeates the vest in the stitching. The seams are solid and the quality of this vest is unquestioned. The price may deter some, but if you want to embrace an important symbol of biker history and human history, this is a powerful piece of apparel. And you can wear it comfortably underneath your skull jacket, too.

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