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Kids' Ski Body Armour
Go to the guide ↓It won't grow with them: choose by back length each winter, snug but never pressing.
Guide
Kids' Ski Body Armour
A child's back protector sits close under the jacket and covers the spine. It should stay in place in a fall and not dig into the tailbone on the chairlift.
Key points
- Size by back length or height from the size chart, not by age.
- Check the label here too: EN 1621-2, Level 1 or Level 2.
- A wide kidney belt keeps the protector on the back in a fall.
- Don't buy to grow into: too long and it presses when sitting, too loose and it slips.
- Try it on under a ski jacket and crouch as if skiing.
Which protection for which ski day?
| Use | What matters | Your protector |
|---|---|---|
| Fast piste skiing | What mattersHard falls onto the back | Your protectorVest or back protector with kidney belt, Level 2 |
| Snow park | What mattersLandings on back, hips and tailbone | Your protectorBack protector plus padded shorts |
| Snowboarding | What mattersFrequent falls onto your backside | Your protectorPadded shorts with a tailbone pad |
| Kids and teens | What mattersRight back length, low weight | Your protectorJunior vest sized to the back |
| Long days | What mattersFreedom of movement, airflow | Your protectorVest with a mesh back and perforated foam |
What to look for
| Question | In short | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Which level? | In shortLevel 2 protects more | WhyIn the EN 1621-2 impact procedure, the force limits for Level 2 are half those for Level 1. The pads are usually thicker in return. |
| Vest or belt? | In shortA vest stays put | WhyA vest holds the pad in place, and some add chest or shoulder pads. A protector with a hip belt is quicker to put on and take off. |
| Which length? | In shortMeasure your back | WhyMost charts go from the prominent neck vertebra to the waistband or hip bone. Too long presses on the chairlift; too short leaves the lower back exposed. |
| Hard or soft? | In shortSoft moulds to you | WhySoft foams follow your shape and stiffen on impact. Hard plates spread a sharp blow over a larger area. |
| Under or over the jacket? | In shortUnder it | WhyIt works best right over your base layer, with mid layer and jacket on top. Check the jacket still has room. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I wash body armour?
On many vests the protector comes out and the cover goes in the wash as the care label says. Wipe the protector itself with a damp cloth and let it air-dry, away from radiators.
Do I need a new one after a fall?
Many foams are built for repeated impacts, according to their makers. If a plate is cracked or a dent stays, replace it.
Will it make me too warm?
Vests with a mesh back and perforated foam let heat out. On mild days, swap your fleece for a thinner mid layer.
Does it protect my spine from everything?
No. It cushions blows and spreads the pressure of hard edges. Against compression, such as a hard landing on your backside, it can do little.
Should children wear a back protector?
For the park and fast skiing it makes sense. Choose a junior size that matches their back length: an adult model will slide around.
Last updated: November 2026