Rheon Full Back Protector - CE2

I ve tried a fair few back protectors over the years, and this Rheon Full Back Protector stands out as one of the best-balanced options available.

The first thing you notice is the ventilation. Compared with the usual solid slabs of D3O (or worse! - generic CE2 inserts!), the Rheon s unique lattice structure moves air brilliantly. Paired with ventilated jackets like the Klim Marrakesh or Induction Pro, the difference is immediate - you can actually feel airflow across your back, something I ve never experienced with other back protectors. On warm days, that s a real game-changer.

Protection-wise, it s CE Level 2 certified, so you re not trading safety for comfort. The reason you're even here looking at this and wondering whether to buy it or not is because you want improved safety over whatever is in your jacket currently, after all. Yes, it s slightly bulkier than some alternatives, but in practice that s a small price to pay. Once it s in the jacket, you forget it s there, apart from the noticeable cooling effect. The flexibility of the design also means it moves with you rather than fighting against you, making it easy to wear all day.

I now have four of these - one for each of my main jackets - because I rate them that highly. For me, they strike the perfect balance between safety, comfort, and ventilation, and they ve set a new standard for what I expect from a back protector.

If you re still using a basic back protector, even a D3O one, upgrading to the Rheon is well worth it - ESPECIALLY if it's a level 1 armour only. Twice the protection and way more ventilation?

Buy one. Why would you not. You can't replace your spine!

Very lightweight, flexible and vented. Barely feel it's there even though it's CE2 protection.

Bought this to replace the level 1 armour in my Klim Marrakesh, thinking I would potentially replace the back protector in my Klim induction pro and Klim latitude as well. I already have D3O Diablo in all my jackets.
This certainly improves protection, it’s level 2 after all. And it certainly flows more air - in all my jackets I can feel air movement on my back which I couldn’t with the L1 viper.
However, in both the induction pro and Marrakesh, it’s thick enough now to bulge the material on the jacket making it visible whilst the L1 viper was not, and also thick enough and heavy enough to be noticeable when riding - you can actually feel it back there.
In the latitude (thicker, goretex) jacket you can’t feel it at all.
I’m on the fence about it. If it didn’t somewhat spoil the lines of the Marrakesh I think it would be a win. But it turns a jacket that can double as a casual jacket into an obvious motorbike jacket with its bulge.
Combined with being able to feel it constantly? I’m not sold.

Bought this to replace the original in my Klim Marrakesh and what a difference. So comfortable and felt a lot cooler in the heat. I was sceptical about buying this as it’s not cheap but truly worth the cost.