Neck Braces

No Need to put your Neck on the Line - All you need to know about Neck Braces!

Raise the subject of neck braces in any gathering of motocross riders and the debate may see the group split 50/50 about their effectiveness. Yet, if we turn to medical surveys, the picture becomes clearer. The decade-long independent Action Sports EMS case study states that neck braces are effective. What's more, riders wearing this form of protective gear can reduce the risk of severe injury. Such findings do little to convince riders who are non-believers, so here is all the information you need when considering wearing a neck brace. Unlike the helmet, neck braces are not a compulsory item of riding gear. However, the design of the motocross neck brace is such that it prevents or reduces injury to the neck, clavicle (collarbone) and cervical spine area. If you want to protect these areas while riding, find and wear the best one you can afford.

What is a Motocross Neck Brace?

The neck brace is a piece of protective gear. Its purpose is to prevent the neck from over flexing or hyper-extending in an unnatural way in the event of a fall. A well-designed brace will be a comfortable fit around the rider's neck. In a crash, the energy from a collision gets redistributed evenly so as not to concentrate on fragile areas like the collarbone. A neck brace sits over a shirt and is placed before a motorcycle helmet. Most neck braces have some adjustability but this will differ from brand to brand and price.

Materials

At entry-level, neck braces are basic in design and consist of an anatomically contoured foam liner covered by a hardwearing material. The material is often washable with a mesh comfort liner on the top and inside of the brace. Move up the scale and you will see the introduction of impact-resistant materials. These include thermoplastic and composites such as polyamide reinforced with fibreglass. At higher price points, neck braces feature technical detail and high spec materials such as carbon fibre. Serious attention is also paid to the design of the brace to ensure it works in conjunction with the rider's helmet. These top-shelf motocross neck braces invariably have multi-adjustment points for an exact fit. A common feature also sees the brace's rear brackets designed to break off when reaching a specific load. This action prevents the transfer of high-impact energy to the back.

Sizing

Some basic models have enough adjustment to cover most sizes. Yet, the higher up the scale you progress, the more the emphasis is on fit. It's not unreasonable to assume that neck brace sizing relates to neck measurement. It does, though, go by chest size. To get your correct size, measure around your chest directly under the armpits. As sizes can differ between manufacturers and models, refer to the manufacturer's website for specific sizing details when you have your measurement. Sizing is often calculated in centimeters.

Replacement

Neck braces are tough pieces of a motorcycle kit and it would take a severe wipe-out to cause damage to one. So it's more likely you'll want to replace it because it looks a little beaten and worn. A neck brace's shelf life is three to four years. By this time, the constant movement from riding and dust, dirt and mud will have it looking pretty tired.