Knox Track Vest review | This back protector has seen MCN road tester, Carl, through 10k miles and multiple crashes

For pretty much any type of riding, having armour and protection, be that an airbag or a back protector, is an absolute must in order to feel that bit safer, should the worst happen. There’s a whole host of options on the market for pretty much every level of budget too, but for ease, comfort and sheer longevity, the Track Vest from Knox has been a mightily impressive bit of kit.

The CE Level 2 back protector has endured multiple crashes (both on and off-road) with an impressive level of durability, especially as the vest has sat on me across pretty much all weathers and climates for over 10,000 miles. But the best part is that even after five years of use in all weathers it still looks and feels as solid as ever, with no visible signs of wear and tear.

How comfortable is the Knox Track Vest?

I’m not a big fan of standalone back protectors, as they can be a pain to get properly located under a tight suit, and tend to move about too much, and too easily. That’s where the Track Vest comes into its own, as thanks to the fitment of the Gillet, everything is held exactly where it should be. It’s also fitted really well in terms of its length and width, as some back protectors feel too long for shorter riders. When it’s on, there are no exposed seams and the mesh/lycra construction sits comfortably on the skin too, with a serious amount of ventilation on warmer days.

Is the Knox Track Vest practical?

As a back protector, the Track Vest is perfectly practical, with no qualms whatsoever. It’s incredibly easy to get on and off, with no squirming, squeezing or any unnecessary straps to contend with. It’s also easy not only to wipe clean but also to wash properly, with just a couple of zips separating the material and the hard protection.

Does the Knox Track Vest look good?

Having armour on not only feels good as it adds an extra level of confidence when riding, but in the case of the Track Vest, it looks cool too. The design is sleek, the material is quality and thanks to the grey and black colour scheme, it’s fairly easy to keep clean too. There’s also some nice badge detailing on the chest.

Is it good quality?

Although it isn’t cheap, I’ve been using the Track Vest for over five years, across pretty much every climate and segment of riding, from fast-track stuff to off-roading. It hasn’t had an easy life either, as I’ve crashed in it multiple times and it’s also been washed a ridiculous amount of times too, yet even after all of that, it still looks and feels as good as new. The YKK zips still work perfectly, the Velcro is still sticky on the side straps and nothing has frayed, broken or even shows signs of giving up, which is a testament to the incredibly build quality from Knox.

What’s the protection of the Track Vest like?

Although I love pretty much everything about the Track Vest, I do have a small gripe when it comes to protection. On the one hand, it is made to be a back protector with a little more comfort and support, which it does thanks to the CE Level 2 protection on the rear. However, there is no CE certified chest protection as standard which would be a nice addition, as there is space for it and the soft foam won’t really do much in the case of a big impact.

Is it good value for your money?

In terms of value, there are two ways to spin the Track Vest. It’s comfortable, durable and built impressively well, with a secure fitment that is tough to get on standalone back protectors. But it is also worth remembering that it still essentially just a back protector, with just the very lightest of padding elsewhere.

So what’s the verdict?

Overall, the Track Vest from Knox is a mightily impressive piece of protective equipment. It’s about as comfortable and well-placed as any back protector on the market today, and even for a smaller torso, it fits supremely with no overhang. It’s stood the test of time too – it’s incredibly versatile and is a truly quality bit of kit. There really is very little to complain about, although I just wish that for the price, it did come with some light CE approved armour for the chest area too.

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