REV’IT! SPINA Back Protector Beats The Heat And Performs Where Others Fail

REV’IT! Sport USA is proud to announce the launch of the SPINA back protector, a next-generation CE-level 2 (T+) motorcycle back protector designed to deliver consistent impact performance where many traditional protectors fall short: in the heat.

BEATING THE HEAT WHERE OTHERS FAIL

Spinal impacts are among the most serious incidents a rider can experience, and even minor displacements can lead to lasting damage, making reliable back protection essential. Yet many common foam back protectors lose effectiveness as temperatures rise, softening just when riders need maximum protection. 

Certification standards require protectors to pass impact tests at controlled room temperatures, with higher T+ ratings demanding performance up to 40°C/105°F. In reality, body heat, solar radiation, and physical exertion routinely push temperatures near the spine into that range and beyond, especially since back protectors sit close to the skin. The SPINA back protector was developed to stay protective under those real-world conditions, not just in a test lab. 

Riders don’t operate in climate-controlled environments, and their gear shouldn’t be optimized only for lab conditions. With SPINA, the goal was simple: build a back protector that keeps doing its job when the temperature climbs.

RETHINKING MATERIALS FOR REAL-WORLD PERFORMANCE

Instead of relying on conventional rubberlike foams that soften and lose impact performance as they heat up, the SPINA project looked beyond the motorcycle industry for answers. The development team drew inspiration from high-performance athletic footwear, where functionally graded EVA midsoles are prized for their balance of light weight, flexibility, and durability. 

Working with specialized partners, REV’IT! re-engineered EVA foam specifically for spinal protection in hot conditions. The result is a multi-impact resistant, temperature-stable material that forms the core of the SPINA back protector and is engineered to meet and exceed CE-level 2 (EN 1621-2:2014) requirements with a T+ rating. 

INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION FOR COMFORT AND VENTILATION

The SPINA back protector is built around an extremely ventilated, lightweight, standalone design. At its heart is SEESOFT 3D Fit–style technology: a soft yet highly impact-resistant, injection-molded EVA structure that molds to the rider’s back while maintaining a high level of shock absorption. 

A distinctive open-structure design with interlocking, bowtie-shaped lattices allows air to flow freely through the protector, helping to prevent heat buildup and the clammy stickiness riders often associate with solid-foam armor. Die-cut perforations and a carefully refined thermo-pressing process lock in the final 3D shape, maximizing center-back coverage while preserving flexibility and comfort on the bike. 

For REV’IT!, it wasn’t enough to simply hit a lab number: SPINA had to feel light, breathe exceptionally well, and move with the rider for hours on end—otherwise, even the best protection ends up being left at home.

BUILT AROUND THE RIDER’S BODY

To make sure SPINA performs in the real world, REV’IT! analyzed human anthropometric data across a wide range of body types. The result is a bi-directional buckle system that integrates both shoulder and waist straps, distributing forces evenly and keeping the protector securely in place throughout a full day of riding. 

The core SEESOFT 3D Fit material rests directly against the rider’s back, creating a close, body-hugging fit that moves naturally with the rider rather than shifting or fighting their posture. In addition, the construction has been designed with repairability in mind, so the protector can be inspected, serviced, and reused where appropriate after a crash, extending its useful life. 

TWO YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT, ONE CLEAR ANSWER

SPINA is the result of a focused, multi-year development effort involving over 120 material iterations and countless prototypes. It represents a blend of cross-industry collaboration, production innovation, and rider-focused design, aimed squarely at a problem that had long been accepted as a limitation of traditional back protectors. 

Back protection has historically performed well under standard test conditions and then quietly faded as conditions became more extreme. SPINA answers a question that hadn’t really been challenged before: why should protection fail just beyond the standard? REV’IT! answer is that it doesn’t have to.