The 100% Tarka Protection Vest has thick flexible protection panels on both front and rear sides and is available in three different versions, including more expensive short and long-sleeve versions alongside the vest we’ve tested here. It offers an impressive level of protection and performance which, combined with it’s excellent value for money, makes it some of the best body armour for mountain biking that we’ve tested. 

100%’s design sees the removable protection panels sandwiched together in three layers on both the spine and the chest, with protection ratings on the back panel segment rated CE 1621-2, which means it passes motorbike certification. All padding is seriously chunky and sturdy (17mm thick) with large holes to let cool air in and hot air out. The panel layers are made from a dense, closed-cell, foam-type material that are easy to remove to stick the vest in the washing machine – the anti-bacterial fabric only goes so far! The back panel doesn’t extend all the way to the coccyx, but there’s an extra two-layer pad section stitched into the vest that sits just on top of the tailbone. 

Tarka’s full length zipper is located off to the side with a padded material flap where it joins the nape of the neck. An elastic waistband with silicone grippers helps stop the Tarka from riding up. Internally, there’s soft meshed fabric everywhere and it feels and performs very similarly to ION’s Scrub Amp protection vest i.e., it’s comfortable and effective at wicking moisture without getting too heavy and or wetting out when sweating a lot. The fabric is billed as ‘compression fit’, but it’s actually just snug, with a comfortable and close fit, rather than a squeezed-in, tight compression sensation like 661’s EVO jacket.

With the padding sliding out easily, there’s the option to remove the chest plate and use the Tarka as a back protector on days you don’t need full coverage, but, seeing as the front protection here is worth having and brings minimal intrusion, we left it in place all the time.

Want maximum protection? Consider the Leatt 3DF AirFit Body Vest.