If you spend a lot of time riding your dirt bike or dual-sport in the desert like me, this new body armor from Acerbis might be worth a look. It was created to provide complete protection and maximum ventilation simultaneously. And when your weekday ride is in the dry high deserts of California, or the scorching sands of the Southwest, both of those words are very appealing.
I live in Arizona, and it is often quite hot whenever and wherever I travel. During the winter months, I typically ride a few days a week, and during the summer most weekends. And while I try not to ride when the weather is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, it can’t always be avoided. This is Arizona after all. So, staying calm on my weekday commutes is a skill in itself. I ride with a hydration pack to stay hydrated, and wear a vented jersey and pants, as well as a helmet that is light and provides a lot of airflow. But when it comes to protective equipment, my chest protector is anything but breathable.
We all know that you should wear the proper gear when riding a motorcycle in anger or even walking to a coffee shop in the afternoon. But sometimes the excuses outweigh the obvious. Overheating is also a real thing. Especially when you’re navigating desert single track with only a lone saguaro to provide shade.
Acerbis’ new DNA 2.0 chest protector and Plasma 2.0 body armor promise to solve that problem.
Fabric is restricted to essential areas, leaving other areas open to provide maximum thermal comfort and reduce sweating. And According to Acerbis websiteThis new body armor is “ideal even on the hottest days, perfect for Motocross and even more so for Enduro, where body temperatures can be high.”
Looking at the design – which has been “optimized to combine modern aesthetics, greater functionality and superior comfort” – what stands out is subtlety. The multi-layer construction uses viscoelastic materials combined with a semi-rigid bio-foam outer shell. On the Plasma 2.0 Body Amor, the chest, back, shoulder and elbow protectors are CE Level 2 certified, while the DNA 2.0 chest protector benefits from a multi-layer structure that combines high impact absorption material with a semi-rigid external bio-foam. It is also CE Level 2 certified and compatible with neck braces.
Both pieces of protection are lightweight and punchy, and perhaps most importantly, they don’t feel heavy or bloated with plastic. Speaking from experience, a lot of chest protectors and upper elbow body armor can be cumbersome and wrapped in protective plastic that is not breathable.
These new options from Acerbis seem to have solved the problem of staying safe and cool at the same time.
Plasma 2.0 Body Armor Sells for around $230 USD, while DNA 2.0 Chest Protector Will set you back about $180 USD. And while it’s not the cheapest option, the fact that these were made for riders who spend their days in hot climates, riding tough trails in the desert where there’s little wind or shade to keep them cool, makes the price point feel a little better. Because if you have to choose between staying calm or protecting critical parts, you will always lose.
