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I recently crashed pretty hard and managed to get some severely bruised ribs, so thought I'd share my experience with chest protectors etc. I was wearing a poc vcd at the time, chest protector didn't do shit unfortunately. I think it'll stop a tree branch impaling you or something but that's about it. It's only a level 1 protector, so to be expected really. The back protector has worked well a couple of times but nothing crazy. Sidenote So I decided to order a new setup, especially considering crashing seems to be my party trick. I didn't want any vest...

If I were to buy one for all day pedaling, I would get the lightest one possible. The lightweight Leatt worn on top of everything is by far the most popular enduro protector I see around here. I have a full hard plastic TLD Rockfight CE. If you're doing mostly winch and plummet riding or enduro racing, the trick is to wear it underneath the jersey, but also unbuckle it for the climb. The plastic helps direct more air where it's needed.

Daughter wears a Leatt airflex back/chest for all DH and enduro racing. It's a bit minimal for DH use, but has served it's purpose. For enduro it's light enough for 35km 1600m rides. Anything with substantial rib protection isn't going to be comfortable on long climbs. At least with a protector rather than vest you could remove it for the ride up, so you could go for something heavier.

3 years ago I bought the SCOTT Softcon Hybrid Pro. As Ikshpp quoted on the Alpinestars one, the SCOTT is also on the heavy (and hot in summer) side but was the only one as that time able to reach "level 2" of French "EN1621" norm/standard (all were only "level 1" - so lower impacts absorption), used for (motor)bikes. I'm just a regular Joe on a mtb, ride some local enduro races every year and also a father of 3... so get badly injured needs to be avoided. I can spend riding an entire day, but it means a lot...

No experience on your options, but I will recommend the Alpinestars A-6 Plasma which I have been running for about a year now. For me it ticks all the boxes and got me well protected on a stupid but quite heavy hit. I was looking for a upper body protector for riding dh and enduro. The previous one wasn't really comfortable when riding enduro so I wouldn't wear it. The Leatt and Fox were also on my list, but the chest parts didn't look to confidence inspiring imo.

I've had the Airflex for some years and for me it work well for climbing. It ventilates well in the sides. But for climbing i haven't tried it for more than about 2 hours of riding where i got 6-8 runs in the local bike park. This was in a period when the lift wasn't running. I'm a 48 year old weekend warrior, not an athlete. I always use it with a thin mesh undershirt underneath, and when i use it all day in the bike park i usually change the undershirt for a dry one in the middle of...

Friends use the Leatt vest and they like it, it does get warm but doesn't restrict movement. I use the POC chest/back protector that goes outside my tshirt when I ride. I use it on big enduro days or racing and its fine to climb with. I like it being external because you can take it off to have lunch or for a shuttle, it probably is warmer though as its solid rubber with some slots in the back than the vests