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Bluegrass Armour Lite and Armour B&S D3O Back Protector Review

If, like us, lockdown is driving you a little bit crazy, as soon as it’s safe to return to the trails we are going to ‘hit send’ on absolutely everything. We checked out the new Bluegrass Armour Lite and Armour B&S D3O Back Protectors to get ourselves ready for freedom.

Protective Armour such as knee pads, elbow pads and back protectors are always a compromise between safety and freedom of movement, a gamble. Not enough protection means you will be sorry in a crash, while too much means you are uncomfortable and ironically you may be more likely to crash as your freedom of movement is reduced. Look at the World Cup Downhill crew, you would imagine at those speeds they would wear every piece of Armour available, like a medieval knight, but no, they take on the world’s toughest tracks armed only with minimal protection and a ‘can do’ attitude. Are they insane? Well, yes, but freedom of movement is essential for safety, and they are also built like tanks. Every rider needs to make their judgement on what level of protection they want to wear, if they’re going to wear a full-face on smooth trails or take on a bike-park in a trail lid, as long as they have weighed up all the advantages and disadvantages, then who are we to argue.

Protection is a balance between safety and freedom of movement, the Bluegrass Armour Lite (pictured) is comfortable enough that you forget you are wearing it.

The new Bluegrass Armour Lite and Armour B&S D3O back protectors

Bluegrass has just launched two new back protectors that offer minimalistic protection for those who want some protection, but also to retain maximum freedom of movement. The Liteest option is the Liteweight €130 Armour Lite (410g for a size small) which is a close-fitting open-mesh vest with an integrated Level 1 simple three-layer EVA-Foam backplate. At the bottom of the vest are three pockets, just big enough to stash a multitool, tube and snack. You could fit your phone in the central pocket, but it would probably get wrecked if you landed on it. The Armour Lite is also compatible with a hydration pack. If you are looking for more protection, the €190 Armour B&S D3O (710g in size small) features the same close-fitting vest design with pockets, but with the addition of removable D3O shoulder protection, a Level 1 D3O backplate and soft pads on the chest.

The backplate is held very securely and comfortably, and the top did not interfere with a full face when testing.
Both protectors are designed to fit snugly over a base layer or against the skin and feature a slim fit cut.
The Bluegrass Armour Lite is a minimalist protector (left), which the Armour B&S D3O offers increased protection (right)

The difference between level 1 and level 2 back protectors

All back protectors that meet CE certification are tested using a 5 kg weight dropped with the force of 50 joules onto the backplate nine times, and the amount of force transmitted is measured. The less energy that is transmitted, the more protective the backplate.

Level 1 protectors: the maximum transmitted force must be below 18 kN, and no single value shall exceed 24 kN

Level 2 protectors: the maximum transmitted force must be below 9 kN, and no single value shall exceed 12 kN.

Both Bluegrass protectors feature a Level 1 protector, however, the Armour B&S D3O uses a softer D3O insert (left) while the Bluegrass Armour Lite uses a Lighter but less flexible basic EVA pad (right)

So level 2 protectors offer more impact protection. However, they are significantly thicker and heavier, so this has to be taken into consideration.

Review of the new Bluegrass Armour Lite Back Protector

We have been riding with both the Bluegrass Armour Lite and Armour B&S D3O back protectors for around three months now. Our tester has to admit to not being a massive fan of back protectors as most of the local trails are pedal accessed with steep, hot climbs. During testing, a firm favourite quickly emerged, the €130 Armour Lite, which was breathable and comfortable enough for all-day shred sessions, and offers up just enough protection to take the sting out of an over-the-bars adventure. The pockets are pretty small but ideal for a trail snack, we did try fitting a 1.5L hydration system, and aside from the ‘hunchback’ jokes, it worked pretty well. Still, the material is a bit stretchy if you start throwing your body around, allowing the bladder to swing a little. The backplate is a bit short for our long-backed tester but importantly protects the mid-upper back which often takes the hit in a crash. However, we love the fit and material choice, which is highly breathable but supportive enough to support the backplate in a crash.

The Bluegrass Armour Lite became a firm favourite, the low-profile design ensures you quickly forget it’s there
The open mesh fabric breathes well
The small pockets (the central one has a zip) are enough for a multitool or trail snack

The Armour Lite is an excellent choice for those who want significantly more impact protection than a jersey, but without sacrificing freedom of movement. Even our backplate-hating tester was converted.

Tops

  • An excellent cut, which is comfortable and breathable
  • Unrestricted freedom of movement
  • You will forget it's there

Flops

  • Not as protective as thicker pads
  • Uncomfortable with a backpack - like all back protectors

Check out the Bluegrass website for more info on the new Armour Lite Back Protector

Armour B&S D3O Back Protector Review

While still minimalist, compared to the Armour Lite, the €190 Armour B&S D3O back protector feels more substantial, especially with the removable D3O shoulder pads in place. We like how the shoulder pad positioning floats the pads above your shoulders, allowing full range of motion, without them disappearing under your armpits in a crash. The vest is low profile, and you can wear it under a jersey without looking like you are dressed as an American football player, but the soft pads on the chest do feel a little less breathable. Full face helmet users will be happy that the top of the backplate is positioned in a way that it does not interfere with the helmet, a common backplate fail. After a few long days in the Armour B&S D3O, we were impressed with how comfortable it is, and how stable the backplate sits. The lack of a cumberbund (often used on backplates) boosts comfort when pedalling, good if you are skinny, but those with bigger bellies may find that the front of the vest may ride up a little.

The Bluegrass Armour B&S D3O features soft pads on the chest for added protection
The D3O shoulder pads are quickly removable and the vest can be worn without the pads in place
The shoulder pads are well placed, floating over the shoulders when you ride for an unrestricted feeling

Overall, the Bluegrass Armour B&S D3O offers a great balance between comfort and protection. While our favourite is the Armour Lite, the Armour B&S D3O would be the better choice for lift-assisted and shuttle gravity riders.

Tops

  • Shoulder pad positioning is perfect
  • High level of protection given the freedom of movement

Flops

  • A bit much for all-day pedals - we would go for the Armour Lite
  • Uncomfortable with a backpack - like all back protectors

Check out the Bluegrass website for more info on the Armour B&S D3O Back Protector

Conclusion

No back protector will help you in a crash if you’ve left it in the van because it’s too uncomfortable or hot. With the new Armour Lite and Armour B&S D3O back protectors, Bluegrass have traded in a little protection (meeting Level 1 certification rather than Level 2) to maximise freedom of movement and fit. For those that earn their descents with long climbs, the Armour Lite has a ‘hardly there’ feel and will take the sting out of an over-the-the bars, but if you are lucky enough to live near lifts, the B&S D3O offers more versatility.

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