LAISAA back protector is tested to the **EN 1621-2** standard. It measures how much impact energy the protector transmits to your back: the lower the transmitted force (in kilonewtons), the better the protection.
**Level 1** transmits at most 18 kN on average (no single value above 24 kN). **Level 2** is far stricter: at most 9 kN on average. So a Level 2 protector roughly halves the transmitted energy - in motocross and enduro the extra cost is almost always worth it.
Fit matters just as much: the protector must run from the tailbone to the neck and not ride up when you sit on the bike. A short but expensive protector protects worse than a well-fitted Level 1 one. Many models combine the back protector with a chest panel or slot into a protection vest.
Replace the protector after a hard crash: the foam can compress and lose its protective effect even when nothing is visible on the outside.
