Airbag life jackets have come a long way since I started wearing them eight years ago. The main developments have been the introduction of electronic/battery powered airbag life jackets and the continued improvement of mechanical life jackets like this Spidi Air DPS.
Overall, I like the simplicity of a mechanical vest – there’s little room for error, as long as the rider just remembers to buckle up before each ride. There’s no battery to lose or forget to recharge, and no additional electronics to break. However, other riders (especially those who frequently get on and off their bikes, like delivery people) like the convenience of an e-vest.
Either way, the safety benefits of wearable airbags are now confirmed by hundreds (if not thousands) of online testimonials from drivers who have escaped much more serious injuries after a crash. I’m a believer, as well. Driver staff, who now wear airbag vests on every test and press launch vehicle!
Spidi’s Air DPS life jacket is a mechanically activated airbag that the rider wears over their regular jacket. Once on the bike, a coiled steel chain attached to the motorcycle locks into a corresponding tether on the life jacket. If the rider is ejected from the bike, the tether on the life jacket is tugged, activating a piston that then punctures an integrated 60cc CO2 cartridge. The released gas then inflates a series of 26-litre air chambers, which surround the rider’s neck, back, chest and hips, isolating the rider from whatever their torso will hit when they land.
The whole process takes just 0.2 seconds – a fraction of the blink of an eye.
The build quality and materials are excellent. Two sturdy, glove-activated clips hold the vest securely over any jacket, and the strap itself is adjustable to fit all sizes, from slim to bulky. The aforementioned CO2 tube, piston, and lanyard assembly are located on the lower right side of the vest, covered by a zippered access cover.
The black exterior is made from Spidi’s TexTech fabric, with reflective patterns on the front and extensive grey reflective stripes throughout for added visibility at night. A Level 1 back protector is included in a dedicated pouch for added protection. When out on the road, the Air DPS is a comfortable companion and, at just 2 pounds total, never feels bulky.
I activated it to test coverage, and all the vital organs in the front of the body were covered. The neck stayed securely in place, and the air chambers inflated from the chest and ribcage down to the hips and pelvis. Once the tank was activated, the vest deflated itself in about eight minutes. Don’t worry about accidentally inflating it – the strap requires a very strong pull, which isn’t something a rider can usually do by getting off the bike and forgetting to undo it.
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The vest configuration allows riders to use any jacket that suits their riding situation. Likewise, the Spidi is quite breathable and doesn’t significantly block airflow during hot summer rides. As long as riders remember to strap it to their bike on every ride, they can be assured of a significantly higher level of protection than just wearing a jacket in case of an emergency.
The Spidi Air DPS vest has a suggested retail price of $699.90 and is certified to the European standard EN 1621-4:2013 FB governing motorcycle airbag apparel.
