100% TARKA PROTECTION VEST

£129.99

SPECIFICATION Weight: 780g • Sizes: S - XXL • Colours: Black only • Women’s version: No • Contact: silverfish-uk.com

The Tarka is one of two vests here with thick flexible protection panels on both front and rear sides. It’s available in three different styles, including more expensive short and long-sleeve versions alongside this vest.

100%’s design sees the removable protection panels sandwiched together in three layers on both the spine and the chest, with protection ratings on the back panel segment rated CE 1621-2, which means it passes motorbike certification. All padding is seriously chunky and sturdy (17mm thick) with large holes to let cool air in and hot air out. The panel layers are made from a dense, closedcell, foam-type material that are easy to remove to stick the vest in the washing machine. The back panel doesn’t extend all the way to the coccyx, but there’s an extra two-layer pad section stitched into the vest that sits on top of the tailbone.

Tarka’s full-length zipper is located off to the side with a padded material flap where it joins the nape of the neck. An elastic waistband with silicone grippers helps stop the Tarka from riding up. Internally, there’s soft meshed fabric everywhere and it feels and performs very similarly to ION’S vest here – ie, it’s comfortable and effective at wicking moisture without getting too heavy and or wetting out when sweating a lot. The fabric is billed as ‘compression fit’, but it’s actually just snug, with a comfortable and close fit, rather than a squeezed-in, tight compression sensation like 661’s EVO jacket.

With the padding sliding out easily, there’s the option to remove the chest plate and use the Tarka as a back protector on days you don’t need full coverage, but, seeing as the front protection here is worth having and brings minimal intrusion, we left it in place.

Despite what feels like

360° cover, 100%’s vest is unrestrictive when riding and never felt too bulky. The gap in the back panel above the tailbone helps with articulation and it stays put when bouncing around and twisting. Another bonus is that it hides its thickness well if you happen to catch yourself in the mirror and half expect to see the Hulk after a hard gym session. Overall, this is a sorted comfortable vest that comes at a great price for the quality and protection.