POC POCito VPD Air Vest Ski Protection

The POCito VPD Air Vest is a back protector built specifically for young skiers. The backplate uses POC's VPD Air foam — a visco-elastic material that stays pliable at rest, molds gently to a child's back with body heat, and stiffens on impact to absorb energy. The structure is perforated in a honeycomb pattern, which keeps the plate light while moving heat away from the body throughout the day. The full-length front zipper makes it straightforward to get on and off without a wrestling match at the base area, and the low weight means no waistband is needed to keep it in place under a jacket. The backplate meets EN 1621-2, Level 1 certification — an independently tested standard for back protectors — and it covers the spine and dorsal area only. There is no chest, wrist, or hip protection included.

This vest is built for kids who are spending real days on the mountain and whose parents want certified back protection under a shell or insulated jacket without adding bulk or heat. The fluorescent colorways — yellow/green, orange, and pink — serve a secondary purpose: high visibility on a busy slope. One thing to be clear about: this is a Level 1 protector, and so is most of POC's junior back-protection line, including the VPD Air Comp Back Jr. If your child is racing or riding hard in the park and you specifically want a higher-energy Level 2 rating, that means stepping up to one of POC's adult Level 2 back protectors such as the Spine VPD System Back — there isn't a true Level 2 option in this junior fit. This vest is also not a substitute for a helmet, and it does not protect against the wrist or coccyx injuries common to beginners learning to fall — families with newer skiers should consider dedicated wrist guards separately. Adult or older teen riders looking for back protection in the same line should look at the POC VPD Air Vest (men's or women's) instead.