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Motorcycle neck braces are a common sight out on the motocross track, but could they be overkill for your average adventure rider?
Do motorcycle neck braces work? Are they uncomfortable to wear? Is any motorcycle neck protector worth buying?
These are all questions worth asking, but for what it's worth, we're still big fans of neck braces. Many of our team members have been relying on neck braces for the better part of a decade (especially on our more off-road intensive tours) and wouldn't you know it... We have yet to incur a neck injury while riding with a brace...
"We've been wearing neck braces for offroad work for the better part of a decade, and they have yet to do us dirty."
Of course this is only anecdotal evidence, and we have no doubt we could find opposing opinions with a quick Google search. To that end, we think it's worth taking a look at the best facts currently available on motorcycle neck braces, so before we hit you with our current favorite picks, let's see what the science says.
Hard Facts About Motorcycle Neck Braces
While we doubt we'll be able to finally settle the debate in this article, it's worth looking at the facts we have available. Here's our take after reading through the latest studies.
Should You Wear A Motorcycle Neck Brace?
Let's get the big question out of the way first. Does anyone, yet alone your average adventure rider, actually benefit from wearing a neck brace?
In terms of safety, we believe the answer is an emphatic yes. While both the quality and quantity of objective scientific research around the issue remains limited, there are multiple studies out there strongly suggesting the effectiveness of braces in limiting neck injuries, and zero studies showing they have any negative impact on safety whatsoever.
"While there's lots of debate around the efficacy of neck braces, a lot of research goes into their design."
So whether the impact of neck braces is great, minimal, or completely neutral, there's no good argument we've found suggesting they do any harm. In fact, one of the better and more recent surveys released by Action Sports EMS (which gathered data from real motorcycle crash scenarios, not laboratory testing) showed that cervical spine injuries of any kind are 82% more likely to happen in a crash when riding without a neck brace.
So why doesn't everyone wear a neck brace? Let's take a look at a few common complaints we hear out on the road.
Common Complaints About Neck Braces
Not surprisingly, the main gripes we hear about neck braces are more or less the same ones we hear about safety gear in general: they don't work, they're uncomfortable, they limit movement, and they're expensive.
While we believe the first point is up for debate, let's consider the comfort factor. In our experience, for your average adventure riding terrain, comfort simply isn't an issue we experience with motorcycle neck braces.
Our founder Eric has been wearing an Alpinestars Bionic brace for the better part of a decade at this point, and he'll be the first to tell you it only takes a few minutes before you forget you're wearing one in the first place.
Modern neck braces are light and well-padded, and also don't "interfere" with any normal range of motion in 98% of riding scenarios.
"We've been wearing neck braces for years, and have zero complaints in terms of comfort. In short, you'll forget it's there."
The one caveat we'll make here is that because full coverage neck braces are designed to limit rearward movement of the helmet, tackling steep uphills can be an issue.
Whether you're transitioning from flat ground or a downhill going into a big climb, neck braces limit your ability to "look up" while riding, which in turn can limit your ability to choose the right line in advance.
As far as the expense part goes, some neck braces cost well over $500 while others can be had for well under $200. We won't pretend like $200 is chump change, but we'll also note that if safety is your top priority, even the most expensive motorcycle neck brace is cheaper than the hospital bill it's designed to prevent.
Neck Brace v. Neck Collar: What's the Difference?
You'll find two main styles of motorcycle neck protectors: neck braces and neck collars. There's an important distinction to be made between the two, so let's touch on each briefly.
A motorcycle neck brace is a full-coverage protector, designed to limit movement and impact forces both front to back and side to side. These are the motorcycle neck protectors you'll often see racers wearing, whether during stadium supercross or high-speed desert rallies.
"The tall rear 'shelf' on a full coverage neck brace offers optimal protection, but can limit the angle of your upward line of sight."
A neck collar, on the other hand, is a lighter version of a motorcycle neck brace that provides less coverage in exchange for greater movement. Most motorcycle neck collars limit your head's movement from side to side, but provide little to no coverage forwards or backwards to preserve maximum range of motion.
Our Favorite Motorcycle Neck Braces of 2023
If you're looking to get serious about safety, we think some form of neck protection is a smart investment. To that end here are our favorite options for both motorcycle neck braces and minimalist neck collars.
1. Alpinestars BNS Tech 2 Neck Brace
Alpinestars' "Bionic Neck Support" brace, aka the "BNS brace" as it's commonly referred to around the track, is arguably the most popular motorcycle neck brace on the market. We've been wearing a BNS brace for years, and pound for pound the Tech 2 gets our top recommendation overall.
We're big fans of the BNS because it's incredibly light and all day comfortable, yet sacrifices nothing in terms of performance or protection. Alpinestars' pivoting rear strut is particularly notable in this aspect, as it allows the brace to "turn" with the rider's body to a certain degree for more natural feeling freedom of movement.
"Eric making friends with the local military while leading our tour in Thailand"
We'll also note that the BNS is a leader in overall convenience thanks to its simple "pull tab" release and automatic magnetic closure.
The BNS is also one of the easiest motorcycle neck braces to travel with in our experience because the entire rear strut assembly can be quickly removed , allowing the brace to essentially lay flat in your luggage.
As far as drawbacks go the single biggest problem with the Alpinestars BNS Tech 2 is cost, as this particular neck protector retails for just over $300. That's nowhere near the most expensive option out there though, so in terms of quality for the money, the BNS is tough to beat.
Pros:
- Light and comfortable
- Great range of motion
- User friendly and easy to travel with
Cons:
- Tools required for adjustments
- Bit expensive for a non-carbon option
CHECK PRICE:
Alpinestars Bionic Tech 2 Neck Brace
2. Leatt 6.5 Carbon Neck Brace
The folks at Leatt literally invented the modern neck brace, and for many riders they remain the first name in off-road protection.
Their current flagship motorcycle neck brace, the Leatt 6.5 Carbon, is arguably the most impressive option on the market, and our first choice when money is no object.
What you stand to gain here is an insanely lightweight carbon fiber chassis, which also offers the best overall rigidity on the market. This bad boy weighs in at just 1.3 pounds, which is nearly 5 grams less than the already light Alpinestars BNS above.
"Long way down rides like this one to Patagonia require some additional protection"
In addition to its featherweight performance, we also love the Leatt 6.5 for its outstanding adjustability. Both the forward and rear struts can be moved forward and backward, while the rear strut can also be adjusted for angle by simply swapping out a small rubber stopper.
All three adjustments require zero tools to make, so dialing this motorcycle neck brace in on the fly is insanely convenient.
The main drawback of the Leatt 6.5 is that it's more or less the most expensive neck brace on the market, largely due to its carbon fiber construction.
We'll also note that in terms of movement, the Leatt feels a bit more restrictive than the Alpinestars BNS, although for your average adventure rider you'll likely never notice it anywhere shy of gnarly singletrack trails with major elevation changes.
Pros:
- Insanely lightweight
- Three way adjustment
- No tools required
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Less range of motion than an AStars BNS brace
CHECK PRICE:
Leatt 6.5 Carbon Neck Brace
If you're loving the sound of the Leatt 6.5 above but can't justify dropping $500+ on a motorcycle. neck brace, the Leatt 5.5 is your ticket to ride.
This brace offers all the same features and adjustability of the flagship 6.5, but gives up the carbon fiber chassis in the name of frugality.
This simple change in materials shaves over $100 off the asking price, while only increasing the overall weight of the brace by about 5 ounces. That puts the 5.5 in the same ballpark as the non-carbon AStars brace above, giving a similarly light and airy feel.
The most impressive part about the Leatt 5.5 is that is retains the same tool-free three-way adjustability as the 6.5, but also goes a step further. For whatever reason, the Leatt 5.5 protector features an additional 5 degrees of adjustment in the rear strut, so it's actually a better option for a larger number of body types.
The Leatt 5.5's only real achilies heel is that it is both heavier, more expensive, and has a more limited in range of motion than the aforementioned Alpinestars BNS.
It's definitely the more adjustable (and more easily adjusted) of the two options, however, so if you're leaning toward a Leatt brace, the 5.5 delivers the best bang for your buck.
Pros:
- Great bang for the buck
- Same great tool-free adjustment 6.5
- Widest range of adjustability on the market
Cons:
- More expensive than the AStars BNS
- Heavier than the AStars BNS
- Less range of motion than the AStars BNS
CHECK PRICE:
Leatt 5.5 Neck Brace
The motorcycle neck brace for people who hate neck braces: That's the Atlas Vision neck collar. While the Vision lacks any protection for hyper-flexion or hyper-extension injuries (that's when your head goes too far forward or too far back, FYI), it actually delivers 50% better protection against compression injuries (the most lethal type, FYI) than traditional neck braces.
In short, the Vision doubles down on what most would consider the most important form of protection, and doesn't bother with anything else.
Our favorite aspect of the Atlas Vision is that because it doesn't use tall shelves at the front or rear of the neck, there's nothing to impede your range of motion and/or vision when looking up or down.
"Route scouting in Thailand"
This minimalist design also removes any need to adjust for angle or chest thickness, which means the Vision is compatible with pretty much any body type, helmet size, or body armor.
It also costs just pennies on the dollar compared to the full coverage neck braces above, so you're effectively only paying for the protection you want.
Truth be told the only real downside of the Atlas Vision is its lack of front and rear protection, but that's also the price you pay for unobscured range of motion in every direction.
Considering this is the main reason most riders choose not to wear a motorcycle neck protector in the first place, we feel the value of the Atlas Vision is undeniable.
Pros:
- Super lightweight and low-profile
- Industry leading compression protection
- Doesn't impair range of motion
- More affordable than a full neck brace
Cons:
- Doesn't protect from every angle
CHECK PRICE:
Atlas Vision Neck Collar
If you're leaning more toward a minimalist race collar but want a little more coverage than the Atlas Vision above, we'd point you toward the EVS R4. The R4 carries all the same protections as a full coverage brace minus the front shelf area, and employs a lower profile rear shelf to aid in range of motion.
We're fans of the EVS R4 motorcycle neck brace because it delivers nearly the same protection as a full coverage brace, yet only costs around $100.
We also appreciate that while the R4 can't touch the ultralight specs of the Atlas Vision above, it still manages to weigh roughly the same as a premium carbon brace for a fraction of the price.
"You're going to want to get a neck brace before you fall not the other way around like shown here"
You could say the R4 is something of an "all-rounder" in terms of protection v. freedom of movement, and truth be told, that's our only real beef with it. If you want something minimalist, the Atlas Vision is arguably your best bet, while if you want maximum protection, you'll be better suited with a full coverage motorcycle neck brace.
Still, we appreciate the R4's combination of safety and affordability, and feel it'll be a happy medium for many riders.
Pros:
- Great protection for a neck collar
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Not as adjustable or protective as a premium brace
- Can't match the Atlas Vision's freedom of motion
CHECK PRICE:
EVS R4 Race Collar
Closing Thoughts on Motorcycle Neck Braces…
So should you wear a neck protector yourself when most of the pros still choose not to, even on race day? Honestly it's tough to say.
Personally we've had great experiences with motorcycle neck braces in the past. While we can't say conclusively whether our braces have ever "saved" us from a neck injury, we can say that we've never had a neck injury while wearing one, and that's kind of the whole point.
As far as we're concerned, the science seems to lean heavily in favor of any motorcycle neck protector, whether you're considering a brace or a more minimalist collar for maximum range of motion.
Personally we feel an ultralight but ultra protective collar like the Atlas Vision is a smart place to start for just about any ADV rider, but if safety is your priority, you really can't go wrong with any of the options on our list.
→Read More: 5 Best Motorcycle Sunglasses For Riding in Style and 7 Motorcycle Jeans That Will Actually Save Your Skin.
