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The secret of RXR Protect protection devices is...AIR! RXR claims that their air-filled protector absorbs five times more energy than hard-plastic and ten times more than foam-based protection devices. (Click any photo in the article for a larger version.)

The entire motocross safety gear market has really stepped it up this past year, with some innovative products designed to make our sport safer. That’s definitely good news…and necessary. In the pro ranks, some of the injuries we’ve seen recently have gone beyond the typical sprains, strains and fractures, to spooky stuff like bruised internal organs. Just like always, it’s not the speed, it’s the sudden stop…

RXR Protect is a new company that was started by David Schuller two years ago. Previously, David had been involved in MX for quite a while, first as a mechanic; and later as the owner of Jet Moto Evasion, a large dealership in France. It’s interesting that a couple of these innovative new items like the Leatt-Brace (South Africa) and the new RXR chest protectors (France) have origins outside the U.S. RXR has recently moved from its home in France to Morocco, due to government funding, a strong workforce, close proximity to Europe, and a small but growing moto scene.

David began RXR after seeing a few nasty injuries resulting from roost deflectors breaking, including a close relative who’d became paraplegic after a piece of plastic severed his spine. That prompted him to start looking for something different than the old school roost deflector technology, and looking at different absorption/protection solutions.

Working with designer Patrick Naveau, David worked with some European MX and Enduro riders to find the right combination of lightness, protection, and comfort during 2005 and 2006. What they came up with was their exclusive, patented, "Air Shock Absorber" technology. It works by having a multi-chamber bladder on the front and rear of the protector filled with air, and small passages between the sections. The passages slow the movement of air, similar to how an oil passage slows the flow of oil through a shock during compression and rebound. RXR claims that their product absorbs five times more energy than hard plastic and ten times more than foam-based protection devices.

So, what are the materials that hold all of this together you may ask? The Organic model that we looked at has lateral adjustable elastic straps with rubber handles and Velcro closures that work very well.  The Velcro piece is quite large and makes for a very strong hold on the straps. The shoulders are made with nylon-covered polyurethane foam. The interior A.D.S. (Active Dispersal System) material is extra breathable so it may be worn either against the body without a t-shirt or over a jersey. RXR states that the A.D.S. material 175% more breathable than cotton. The exterior fabric is a durable, waterproof, 300 denier polyester-Cordura with a Teflon coating.  The Cordura material feels very strong, and it does not seem that it would be very easy to penetrate.

I was curious to see what this hype was all about, so after I received my Organic Protector, I was off to the track to give it a try.  At first glance, the Organic looks like a very cool life jacket.  Once it was on, it was very comfortable and very light to wear. I chose to wear it under my jersey, as I normally do with my regular chest protector. I normally wear a hard plastic protector that is vented, and on this given day, the thermometer was just below the 100-degree mark, and I was a bit skeptical even before I put it on. I knew I would be putting their “175% more breathable than cotton,” claim to the test.   On the track, the Organic proved to be very light and comfortable, probably the most comfortable protector I have ever worn.  As far as ventilation is concerned, I am not to sure if I was 175% cooler than if I just had a cotton t-shirt under my jersey, but the safety factors definitely outweigh a little more heat than normal.

I didn’t opt to do any dirt surfing to test the crash-worthiness of the protector, though during some decidedly unscientific punch tests in the office, there’s no doubt that the claims of impact absorption have validity. You can also hear how the passages slow the flow of air, to prevent the air from moving too rapidly between chambers.

The only real miss with this product is being able to tell exactly how much air pressure to put into it.  One would think that the more air you have, the more protection you would have.  I was told this is not true. The Organic does come with a pump and directions as to how much air pressure you should put in, but as picky most riders are with their tire inflation, some sort of a way to tell me where the inflation is at would be a huge plus.

Of course I left the most important question for last; how does it look when it is on?  I think it is safe to say that it doesn't look like anything that came before it.  In the reflection of my truck it appeared as if I had transformed into a bodybuilder without lifting any weights, but I would have to say it probably looks more natural under my jersey than a plastic protector with all of its edges does.  It is a new look, that’s for sure.  I guess it has to be left up to the individual to decide if being a fashion pioneer is worth the potential safety benefits.  At the end of the day, I would have to say it probably is.

Suggested Retail Price: $199.95

The U.S. distribution is handled through JD Walter Distributors (Glenmont, NY). You can check in their web site at: www.rxrprotectnorthamerica.com, or call 877-RXR-4600.