Why a back protector for children on winter sports?

The ski holiday is planned, the ski suits are out of the closet, and the helmets are ready. As parents, we do everything we can to send our children down the mountain as safely as possible. But have you ever thought about a back protector? While the helmet has become the standard on the slopes, you also see the back protector increasingly often with children. Is it really necessary, what should you pay attention to, and how do you choose the right one? You can read about it in this blog.

What does a child back protector?

A child back protector protects your child's spine in case of a hard impact. If your child falls hard on an ice patch, a rock, or collides with another skier or snowboarder, the protector distributes the impact over a larger surface area. This significantly reduces the risk of serious back and spinal injuries.

Although back injuries occur less frequently than knee or wrist injuries, the consequences of a back trauma can unfortunately be life-changing. Especially in busy ski areas or when kids head into the fun park, that extra layer of safety is a nice thought.

Hardshell vs. Softshell

When you start looking for a back protector for kids, you'll roughly come across two types:

1. Softshell (Recommended for kids): These back protectors are made from flexible, soft foam. The material molds to your child's back with body heat, providing a lot of freedom of movement and wearing comfort. Only upon a hard impact does the material become rock hard in a fraction of a second to absorb the impact.

2. Hardshell: These have a hard, plastic outer shell (a kind of shield).They offer excellent protection against sharp objects (like rocks or ski poles), but they are stiffer and often less comfortable for active kids.

The purchase for your child: 

• Never buy for growth! This is the most important rule. A size too big back protector will ride up and can push against the helmet or neck in a fall, which is dangerous. The back protector for children must fit perfectly from the bottom of the neck to just above the buttocks (the tailbone must be covered).

• Choose a vest model: You have models with loose straps and models integrated into a breathable vest. Vests stay in place much better on children and do not slip down while moving.

• Pay attention to the CE mark: Make sure the protector meets the European safety standard EN 1621-2 (Level 1 is the standard for skiing, Level 2 offers even higher protection).

• Fit testing: Have your child try on the vest over their thermal clothing. Let them bend their knees and take a skiing position to check if it pinches or irritates anywhere.

Our advice is: Always do it! 

Although wearing a back protector is (still) not mandatory everywhere, it provides extra safety and gives you as a parent peace of mind on the slopes. Thanks to the modern softshell vests, kids hardly notice it while skiing.

Safety above all, so that the whole family can enjoy a big smile with their hot chocolate at the end of the day!