ION ARCON HD Pro Chest Protector

When I was 14, I had a friendly argument with an older colleague at the bike shop. The argument was around riding with protection, especially gloves. I said it is lame and not very comfy and that I prefer the real feel of the grip in my hands. He on the other hand had the winning argument: “when you’ll get older, you’ll also prefer riding without protection, but it can end up in a maternity room”. So he won, I heeded his words, and since then I've very sensibly been using all kinds of protection when riding, usually a full-face helmet, knee guards and gloves at a minimum. Earlier this year, just in time for my annual pilgrimage to the Alps, ION dropped the all-new Nico Vink signature ARCON HD Pro chest protector and I was happy to add it to my arsenal in the hope of not needing it (off-screen narrator: he was going to need it).

ION ARCON HD Pro Highlights

• ION’s unique RE ZRO® CE-certified level 2 chest and back protector, enhanced by TOTO-TOA® for biodegradability
• RE ZRO® “Power Slide Caps”
• 3D Pre-shaped
• “Cannon” Buckle
• “360° AC_cooling” (large ventilation openings)
• Weight: 1370 grams (size L/XL, as tested)
• Sizes: S/M // L/XL
• MSRP: $249.99 USD

Initial Impressions

When pulling the ARCON HD Pro from the box, it doesn't feel like anything particularly special, it is a bit heavy and if the room is cold or chilly, the RE ZRO material firms up which left us wondering how the protector would feel in action. Other than that, the ARCON is very well made, with intricate shapes, plenty of ventilation holes and an elaborate strap system to hold it all together. There is no liner, the RE ZRO material sits directly on the wearer. For its protective properties, RE ZRO relies on what is called "sheer thinning" which is when the material "flows" under impact to spread the impact force out over a larger area (a little bit different to the classic viscoelastic materials that harden up under impact). Note that RE ZRO was developed with easy recycling in mind, and it is also biodegradable if it should end up in a landfill, ensuring a more neutral impact on the planet once the protector reaches the end of its life.

The ARCON HD Pro is certified to CE Level 2 both in front and out back (many other protectors of this type make do with CE Level 1 for the front element, so this was a plus in our books). Level 2 certification indicates that the RE ZRO material is able to absorb a larger amount of impact energy before transmitting it to the wearer than level 1 material would. Both protective elements are sculpted to fit the shape of a human body, and the “Power Slide Caps” (the solid, non-perforated parts) are strategically placed to fend off impacts while still allowing for adequate airflow through the grid pattern that adorns the remainder of the elements.

Once we started actually trying the ARCON on, we came to realize how good the material and fit are - for reference, Yonatan measures 6'0" (1.83m) and weighs about 180 pounds (82kg) and he tested the L/XL. The straps are adjustable in multiple dimensions which should allow riders of almost every shape to find a good fit, although the fact that the ARCON only comes in two sizes might leave riders at either end of the size spectrum less than perfectly catered to. As for the RE ZRO material, once it heats up a bit it conforms to the body in a very impressive way, proving our initial comfort fears unfounded.

On The Trail

We used the ARCON for the duration of the summer, including a good few weeks of riding in the Alps, and we ran it everyday in any weather. We always used some kind of a layer under the ARCON, either a light base layer, a T-shirt, or a riding jersey, and some days we used it between a jersey and a big t-shirt. During all this time we never experienced sweat being collected in the crevices of the RE ZRO material, as opposed to other high end protectors that have historically left us with a very clammy and damp back at the end of the day.

The body-molding properties of the RE ZRO material and the well-placed, wide, and stretchy straps create a very good fit. In use, the ARCON feels lighter than expected, with really a “wear but don’t feel” sensation to it. There was no unwanted movement of the protector while riding, and once we found our ideal strap configuration we didn’t really notice the straps during the day.

During the testing we had one real crash, a medium speed tumble that resulted in dislocated fingers and a broken full-face helmet. The T-shirt that was over the protector was all dirty and scuffed after the crash, but our tester didn’t sustain any injuries to the protected area, not even stiff ribs or something of the sort. We can’t tell for sure if the skid plates on the protector did their job, but in general it feels like the outcome of this crash would have been different without it.

Things That Could Be Improved

We have not validated this observation in any scientific sense, but the protector seems on the heavy side. If ION could find a way to make a bit lighter it would be a nice improvement. The straps have a weird end that sometimes scratched our tester’s delicate skin if they were not perfectly placed. Also, the straps are not marked, therefore it can be difficult to be accurate when you want to make even adjustments on both sides. Manageable but not ideal.

Long Term Durability

After more than 30 riding days, and a good wash, our ARCON HD Pro is in very good condition, with little in the way of heavy marks of use despite one big crash and some smaller misadventures along the way. The straps have kept their original elasticity and are ready for more rides and body movements.

What’s The Bottom Line?

ION hit the nail on the head with the ARCON HD Pro. It offers a great fit, level 2 CE protection, smart features and a robust build (not to mention the eco-credentials of the recyclable and biodegradable RE ZRO material). The price is not cheap but we feel it matches the level of design and functionality of the ARCON. We would without hesitation recommend it for any rider looking for a good chest/back protector for DH, park, freeride or even big mountain e-bike rides - as long as one of the two available sizes fits your dimensions.

More information available at www.ion-products.com.

About The Tester

Yonatan Yatom - Age: 31 // Years Riding MTB: 19 // Height :6'0" (1.83m) // Weight: 180 pounds (82kg)

Yonatan is a born racer and a bike addict. As a true competitor the only thing on his mind when lining up in the start gate is the finish line. With a background in local enduro and DH races and even the occasional appearance in an Enduro World Series on his resume, Yonatan has more recently also applied himself to building bigger legs and trying his luck racing XC as well. Throughout the week he’ll be manning the spanners at the bike shop, reading about new stuff on the internet, and thinking about how to improve everything he rides. Yonatan’s riding style is fully pinned, smooth, and quiet but he can be nasty to his bike when needed.