EVOC PROTECTOR VEST
£124.99
SPECIFICATION Weight: 485g • Sizes: S - XL • Colours: Grey, Loam Women’s version: Yes • Contact: zyrofisher.co.uk
EVOC’S protector vest is a low-profile, lightweight mesh vest with an integrated removable back panel. Its flexible Liteshield Plus back pad slides in and out of a fabric sheath, and is essentially the same expanded polystyrene sandwich successfully used in EVOC’S backpacks and armour for years. There are also two further sections of EVA foam padding ridges – one at the coccyx and another at the nape of the neck.
The latest Liteshield Plus panel weighs 165g, retains the Level 2 motorsports protection and has extra inbuilt flexibility by using square ‘segments’ that can bend in four directions.
Like others here, it’s easy to remove the padding to machine wash the jacket, and EVOC also offers a free crash replacement programme if the back protector gets damaged in an accident.
Sizing here is generous with the Large considerably baggier than other equivalents. As the comfy tech T-shirt-style fabric is quite floppy and freeform, and the Liteshield back panel is also pretty long, going down a size might be a sensible move and deliver a snugger fit. Those with shorter torsos may find the tensioning belt sits low on the hips and interferes with trouser waistbands and fasteners.
Even with EVOC’S wide waist belt cinched tight, stability here isn’t as good as some, especially compared to tighter, compression-style, fits like Six Six One’s jacket. It’s still very comfy and lightweight for the protection rating, but with the waist belt fastened or not, the back panel feels a bit flappy and can occasionally wriggle when riding. We reckon this vest might work best worn on top of a base layer or mesh top rather than on bare skin, especially as the hip belt is also a bit sharp and scratchy next to flesh.
EVOC’S vest is a cinch to put on and take off quickly on a hot day, but while riding in warm conditions the soft anti-odour also holds onto slightly more sweat and dries slower than some materials here using a more open fabric weave. In its favour, however, unlike some brands, the back panel has excellent coverage right from shoulders to hips and packs more width lower down than most to better protect flanks. The thick polystyrene cubes that form the back panel also appear reassuringly chunky and come backed up with the more impactresistant rating mentioned.