Hard Armour

Hard armour is protective gear made of rigid plastic shells backed by shock-absorbing foam. The hard shell spreads the force of an impact over a wider area and resists sharp objects, while the foam absorbs energy. It is common in off-road body armour, roost deflectors and the sliders on race suits.

Motorcycle protectors sold in Europe are tested to EN standards: EN 1621-1 for limb protectors, EN 1621-2 for back protectors and EN 1621-3 for chest protectors, with Level 2 giving more protection than Level 1.

Many riders now prefer soft viscoelastic armour, which stays flexible and hardens on impact. Hard armour remains useful where sharp rocks, branches and roost are a risk, such as enduro.