TESTED: G-Form MX360 Back Protector

Words and photos: Will Shaw

G-Form are an American company who focus specifically on protection. Their mountain bike athlete roster includes Emil Johansson, and the calculated Swede wouldn’t use equipment that wasn’t up to the task. Here at AMB we’ve reviewed several G-Form products in the past, and they’re right up there when it comes to quality protection. 

The MX360 is the first back protection offered by G-Form, and their attention to detail makes me think that there might be a lot more protection to come from G-Form. The back protector is a short-sleeve half suit that uses a zip closure for easy fitting and removal. The back protection itself is EVA padding with a SmartFlex cover. SmartFlex is a G-Form technology that’s similar to the D30 protection offered by other brands. At rest it remains supple and conforms nicely while you’re pedalling, and then the material stiffens to provide protection in the event of a crash. This is a huge bonus for a dynamic sport like mountain biking, where being able to move around easily is essential for performance bike handling.

I’ve worn two styles of back protector in the past. The first was a glorified base layer by Atlas that was very light but offered minimal protection, and the second was a full moto style hard chest and back plate from Fox. The MX360 slots in right in the middle of these two. Thanks to the lighter weight and increased flexibility, it is much nicer to pedal in than hard shell protection, but the back protection is far more substantial than the lightweight options on the market. If you've been put off by back protection as it seems too cumbersome, then this will be well worth a look.

On hot days the MX360 runs hot, but not as hot as a full chest and back plate. I found unzipping the protector on the climbs assisted with airflow, and another option if you ride with a pack is to take it off entirely on long climbs. The MX360 in the size large that I received weighed in at 690 grams. This isn’t light but is less than a hard-shell protector, as well as being more comfortable when climbing. 

If you’re riding a reasonably current enduro bike on modern trails, chances are you’re riding at high speeds with serious consequences should things go wrong. I’ve been thinking more about protection than ever in the last few years, particularly for the type of ride where you’re spinning to the top of gravity trails, descending, and repeating. For this style of riding the MX360 is a great product. Whilst it does add some weight and heat on hot days, it’s comfortable enough for spinning to the top with enough protection that it feels worthwhile. It's the exact same reasoning that so many other mountain bikers would use when weighing up getting a new helmet. There are a lot of light, strong full-face helmets around with excellent ventilation – so why not use the extra protection? It's a similar decision process with a back protector like the MX360.  

I’m 186cm and weigh around 83kg most of the time. I was in a size large MX360, and I thought the fit was great. If I wanted a tight fit with no movement for pure gravity usage, I might choose a medium, but having a slightly looser fit helped with ventilation for the pedal accessed descending I enjoy.  

The MX360 costs $399. This is the premium end of the upper body protection market and is in line with offerings from the likes of TLD, POC, and 100 Percent. I haven’t tried any of the other brands’ top end offerings to offer a comparison, but I would say protective equipment is probably one of the wiser areas to invest in. The MX360 ticked the boxes I’d want in a back protector that’s comfortable enough for all day riding, while also offering decent levels of protection. I like that it's comfortable enough to reach for more often, which means it will be there when I need it.

Price: $399

From: GPI Apollo 

Hits:

• Back protection feels solid 
• Machine washable 
• A good middle ground between protection and pedal friendliness  

Misses: 

• Expensive 
• Cumbersome on undulating trail rides