FOX BASEFRAME PRO D30 PROTECTION VEST

£179.99

SPECIFICATION Weight: 1,053g (Large) • Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL • Contact: foxracing.co.uk

This Fox vest has both front and rear protection with a shaped chest guard and longer back plate extending almost from neck to coccyx. The rear panel has a removable upper insert for downhillers using neck braces and separate, smaller pads also protect vital organs on the flanks above the waist.

The main armour uses D30 – one of the original impact-hardening polymers. It’s soft and conforming to flow with body’s movements until it’s struck, at which point it instantaneously locks together and becomes rigid to resist penetration and defend against impacts. It’s arranged here in a webbing mesh for better ventilation and airflow and also sculpted into a form-fitting profile.

The Baseframe front has Level 1 certification; the rear, full CE Level 2 motocross protection. Once in place and zipped in – you need to thread arms inside - you feel really protected and wrapped up inside.

Fox’s seriously thick removable pads hang off a super-soft and stretchy fabric that’s highly breathable and easily wicks away moisture. It uses different zones materials to target fit and ventilation, and underneath each of the main panels there’s a ‘spacer mesh’ that lifts the vest off the body slightly to let in cooling air.

Fit is superb, with absolutely no impact on freedom of movement and a snug, almost compression-like-fit that never moves an inch. Chest and spine protection is perfectly cut and exactly mirrored the body shape of two different test riders. The back panel also hugs the spine’s curves without ever riding up, interfering with the back of your helmet, or digging in the back of the neck.

The chest panel covers the heart, lungs and ribs, yet still seems to leave enough room around the side of the pecs and underarm area to really rotate the shoulders and upper body more than other protection vests too.

All the protection adds weight and there are no pockets or stashes for hydration bladders. The price is also top dollar, but I can live with all this considering how well Fox has nailed the fit and function. Breathability, comfort and cooling is superb and the Baseframe is so low profile, considering the level of coverage, that you don’t end up looking like Robocop. This is easily the best fitting and least-restrictive product with this much protection

I’ve tested so far.