Youth Roost Deflectors & Chest Protectors
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Our editorial content is reader-supported. If you click on some of our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more here.If your little one is a motocross enthusiast and enjoys riding his dirt bike in challenging terrain, it is important that you do your best to protect him from bruises, fractures or other possible injuries commonly associated with this sport.
And no, we’re not simply referring to youth dirt bike boots, helmets or protective gloves, but rather complete protection for the chest and back by utilizing a roost deflector or chest protector.
But of late, you will see that the market is flooded with a wide variety of high-quality as well as substandard chest protectors. So, there is a possibility to accidentally choose the later one and potentially risk your child’s safety. This is why we are here to help you.
In today’s blog, we will showcase some of the most ideal chest protectors / roost deflectors and explain their characteristic features alongside their prices. Besides, we will also provide you with a detailed sizing guide that will outline the most appropriate chest protector based on your kid’s height, age, or weight.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Best Youth Roost Deflectors & Chest Protectors
EVS Youth F2 Roost Deflector
EVS has a lot of great roost deflectors in their line-up, but the F2 is designed specifically for the young riders who are looking for something that offers a little more coverage on the front, back, as well as around the rib cage area.
Priced around $130, this is ideal for young riders out there who weigh less than 34 kilograms (under 75 lbs.). As such, if you are looking for a decent level of protection for your kid, this might be a good option.
The F2 roost deflector offers great adjustability at the top; you get some really nice elastic straps that go from the front and across the shoulders to the back. In addition, these elastic shoulder attachments have loops that you can easily attach to your kid’s neck brace.
There is a pivoting system at the front that eliminates darting and provides for a snug and comfortable fit. Plus, there are elastic straps on the side that wrap around the ribs and provide a decent level of protection to the chest.
On top of that, the front area features hard plastic throughout to cover the chest reasonably well. And beneath this hard plastic is a plush bio foam lining that offers a lot of comfort and softness.
Further, this frontal area complies with European standards for roost deflection, while the rear area complies with European standards for impact protection.
All in all, a great protective gear for your kid that provides excellent roost deflection at the front as well as impact protection at the back while still being both lightweight and ventilated.
Price: $145
Highlights:
- Ideal for kids below 75lbs
- Lightweight and ventilated
- Polypropylene construction
- Covers the front, back, and ribs
- Plush bio foam underneath frontal protector
- Pivoting system at the front
- CE certified roost deflector
Leatt Youth Chest Protector 2.5
Coming to the second chest protector, we have the Leatt 2.5.
And for those of you who are hearing this brand name for the first time: Leatt is a leading manufacturer of high quality protective gear and was in fact the first to highlight the importance of neck brace while riding a dirt bike.
Speaking of their chest protector, the brand showcases a lot of choices in this category with 2.5 being the most entry level one. Thereafter, you can move up to 4.5 depending on your kid’s riding style.
So, the 2.5’s are a good option for young riders out there who are looking for an unobtrusive chest protector that can be worn under a motocross jersey. Plus, they pair perfectly with all of Leatt’s neck brace models in the line.
And while most chest protectors are categorized by the weight of the rider, with Leatt you can choose the ideal size according to the height of your child. This ensures an appropriate fit and therefore total protection.
When it comes to engineering, you get a hard plastic shell both at the front as well as at the back. Furthermore, this model conforms with CE regulations and is certified as a roost protector under Chest EN14021.
There are many levels of adjustment your little one can choose from in order to get the snuggest fit; two adjustment straps at the top and two around the waist, thus making it suitable for almost all body types (lean as well as heavy).
Moreover, you get a good amount of coverage around the chest with two cut-outs (recess areas) to accommodate the neck brace. And a great thing about this model is that you can wear it either under the jersey or over it and still be able to wear a neck brace.
Not only that, this chest protector eliminates the need for chest straps that come along with the neck brace, as it can accommodate them with its own integrated straps.
In terms of comfort, the 3D design provides an exceptional fit that is very comfortable, while the generous ventilation ensures that the rider always stays cool. Moreover, the base layer is padded to provide a soft feel against the bones.
All in all, a great chest protector for kids that offers wide range of sizing options at an affordable price.
Price: $99
Highlights:
- Available in 3 sizes as per kid’s height (110-134cm, 134-146cm, 147-159cm)
- Padded layer
- Hard shell protector
- Adjustable waist straps
- Low profile and highly breathable
- CE certified roost protector
Fox Racing Peewee Titan Roost Deflector
Fox Racing has come up with yet another brilliant piece of youth gear, this time in the form of Pee Wee Roost Deflector designed specifically for beginners who are getting started on their 50cc dirt bikes for the first time.
And the good news with this particular model is that the brand has categorized this roost deflector as per the age group of your child.
So, if your kid falls under the age group of 4-7 years, you can opt for size S/M, likewise, for kids falling between the age group of 6-9 years, you can opt for the size M/L.
Tip: We suggest opting for a larger size since kids outgrow their gear pretty quickly. This way you will save a lot of money in the long run.
In addition to size, parents also have a choice between two colors. So, there is a pink and black combination that is ideal for a girl, while a combination of black and silver color will be perfect for a young boy.
The Peewee Roost Deflector offers young riders a comfortable fit that is not too bulky. The overall construction is flexible while the snug design adds a lot of convenience. So, all your young one has to do is enjoy the ride.
The construction features injection molded plastic shoulder pads and hard rubber chest and back pads that deflect flying debris along the way while simultaneously resisting the minor impacts and crashes. Plus, with elastic waist straps and easy-to-use hook-and-loop Velcro closures, you can be sure of a secure fit across the chest.
And thanks to the perforated foam chassis, your little one will be well ventilated and able to enjoy an all-day long ride.
All in all, the Fox Titan Pee Wee is a rock-solid option if you are looking for a really good protection in the age group of 4 to 9 years. Plus, it comes at a very reasonable price!
Price: $39
Highlights:
- Available in two sizes (S/M for age 4 to 7 years & M/L for age 6 to 9 years)
- Rubber chest and back protector
- Perforated foam chassis
- Flexible and comfortable
- Injection molded plastic shoulder pads
- Hook & loop Velcro closures
Fox Racing Youth R3 Chest Protector
Fox Racing has recently revamped its R3 Roost Deflectors, incorporating some technical features to provide a better fit as well as protection from flying debris.
And while it’s marketed as an entry-level option, there is nothing you will find in this piece of protective gear that will be a let-down.
Designed to be completely unobtrusive, it provides riders with two different options: Either they can wear it under their motocross jersey, or they can wear over it. In addition, it offers excellent coverage around the chest and back, all for a very decent price.
In terms of fit, it should be noted that this R3 youth chest protector is not intended for small juniors or toddlers, rather for youth between the age group of 6 to 14 years.
Its design allows this chest protector to be used for many years up until your child turns into a professional racer!
In addition, you are offered a choice of three colors: black, white and pink. So, you can easily pair them with any brand of youth helmet.
In terms of construction, R3 has a low-profile racing fit that gives the rider plenty of room to maneuver on the track. At the same time, there are a lot of cut-outs that allow for good ventilation, ensuring plenty of comfort on a hot sunny day. Plus, there are adjustable shoulder and waist straps that allow for a snug fit depending on your kid’s body size.
In addition, there are elastic slide buckles around the waist that holds the protector close to the body. Combine this with a neck brace, you can offer your young one complete all-round protection.
Besides, this roost deflector can accommodate a wide range of neck braces. Nevertheless, if you still experience problems with adjustability, you can slide the neck brace under the roost deflector.
As for performance, you do not have to worry about that either, because the design complies with European safety standards and is certified as per CE EN 14021 for roost protection.
All in all, a great chest protector that is ideal for a beginner or an intermediate rider.
Price: $69
Highlights:
- Ideal for kids between 6 and 14 years
- Low profile design
- Ventilated and lightweight
- Elastic slide-buckle closures around waist
- Can accommodate wide range of neck braces
- CE certified
Thor Guardian Youth MX Roost Protector
There are many different protectors available in the market one can choose from, but the Guardians are the most popular for a couple of reasons: First, they offer really good coverage both at the front as well as at the back, second, they offer excellent adjustability thanks to their two different sizing options, each categorized by chest circumference.
Plus, they are priced in the mid-$70 range – not burning a hole in your pocket compared to other roost guards that offer similar features.
And if you are wondering what size is ideal for your child, just measure the chest circumference and refer the size chart we have shared below.
In addition, there are 4 different color options that can be paired with the riding gear: Black, Black/Red, White/Black and Flo Green/Blue.
And underneath this protector is a compression molded comfort liner that offers a smooth inner chassis to ensure maximum comfort. In fact, this liner is very pleasant against the chest, so riders can wear them even inside their jerseys. In addition, the material used to make the liner is durable and does not chafe with time.
As for the fit, Thor again did an excellent job here: The protector can be adjusted around the waist with a buckle and over the shoulders with Velcro. Thus, offering a secure fit to protect all the important parts of the body.
In addition, this model features a flank guard, thereby ensuring complete protection of the upper body.
Another plus with this protective equipment is its CE certification. While the front part complies with the European standards for roost protection (EN 14021:2003), the back protector is tested and certified for CE level 1 impact protection.
It also features numerous vents so as to enjoy on a hot sunny day as well. Furthermore, there is some room on the upper chest and back area to accommodate a youth neck brace.
All in all, the Guardian Youth MX Roost Protector is a great piece of protective gear for your child that offers both adjustability and full coverage while still being reasonably priced.
Price: $74
Highlights:
- Available in two sizes basis the chest circumference
- Press-Fit molded comfort liner
- Highly ventilated to ensure optimal comfort
- CE level 1 certified back protector
- CE certified roost deflector
- Adjustable with Velcro closures and buckle straps
Leatt Youth Fusion 2.0 Vest
As a bonus, we present the ultimate protective vest that is designed to safeguard your kid’s chest, back, as well as the delicate cervical spine. The Leatt Youth Fusion Vest 2.0, as the name suggests, is a fusion of chest protector and neck brace.
Being a pioneer in the field of neck braces, Leatt invented the whole concept of combining the chest protector with the neck brace to achieve complete safety of the upper body.
So, let go all the hassles of finding an ideal chest protector that can accommodate your kids neck brace and simply get this one!
Coming to the construction, the Leatt 2.0 Fusion Vest has a very cool design where everything is sewn together in one piece (including the neck brace).
Most importantly, it incorporates not just any neck brace, but a CE certified personal protective equipment.
And that’s not all: Unlike conventional chest protectors, the Fusion 2.0 is certified for impact protection both at the front as well as at the back. In addition, the shoulder protectors also meet the European standards as certified impact protectors.
It’s not just an ordinary roost deflector, but a high-impact chest and neck protector!
So, if we had to choose one among the many chest protectors available, we would definitely pick this one. Not only because of the attached neck support, but also because of the impact resistance they offer to ensure complete safety.
Coming to the fitment, the brand offers three different sizes according to the height. So, a rider whose height falls between 3’3″ – 4’1″ should go with SM-MD, rider whose height falls in between 4’1″ – 4’11” should opt for LG-XL, and likewise, rider should opt for 2XL if his height falls under the bracket of 4’11” – 5’5″.
Aside to this, there are two color options to choose from; black and orange.
Moving on to the features, Leatt uses 3DF AirFit impact foam, which provides a high level of ventilation and optimal body protection. There are high quality impact protectors on the front and back. And on the sides the protector wraps completely around the body for a full 360-degree coverage.
Plus, the shoulder pads are completely removable, in case your child prefers a low-profile chest protector.
In addition, heavy-duty Velcro straps are attached at both sides to make it easier to wear.
Moreover, the vest features a thoracic strut at the back that is designed to break away if your kid gets into a dangerous crash.
All in all, this is the best chest protector you can find in the market for your child. And this incredible product actually costs less in case you buy the chest and neck protector separately. So, we would say it’s the best bang for your buck!
Price: $269
Highlights:
- Offers three different sizes as per your kid’s height
- 3-dimensional design
- Chest protector + neck brace combo
- CE certified chest, back, and shoulder guards
- 3DF AirFit impact foam
- Offers complete upper body protection
Bottom line
So, these were some of the best roost deflectors / chest protectors for your little ones. Do note that these are listed in random order and you are free to pick any one of them depending on your requirements.
And with this we have come to an end of today’s editorial guide. Hope you were able to shortlist one for your child today. We would love to get your feedback. Also, we would like to remind our readers that this article is in continuation to our detailed guide on kid’s dirt bike gear. So, feel free to hover around this entire category to get a detailed insight.
Suggested reading: Best dirt bike gloves for kids
Let us know in case you need any further information. And don’t forget to share this article among friends and family. Good bye!
