What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying: "I love this vest because it gives legit protection without feeling like armor. The VPD material warms to your body, so it molds to your back instead of fighting against you, and the ventilation is way better than most protectors I’ve worn. I can ski park laps, hike for pow, or ride lifts all day without it shifting or feeling bulky. It’s the kind of protection you forget you’re wearing—until you’re really glad you were."We trust the VPD Max Vest when we want maximum protection without sacrificing comfort or mobility on the mountain. Built around POC’s advanced VPD material, the vest adapts to our body heat and contours to our movement, delivering a flexible, low-profile feel on the skintrack, in the park, or ripping technical freeride lines. When impacts happen, the VPD hardens instantly to disperse force, giving us EN1621-2 Level 2 impact protection—the highest certified rating for back protectors. The lightweight mesh vest keeps air flowing through the perforated back panel, letting heat escape during long bootpacks and warm spring sessions. Without the need for a waist strap, the vest stays in place on its own for a clean, movement-friendly fit under any outer layer. Its close, body-following design creates a natural silhouette that moves with us, keeping the focus on skiing instead of bulky protection. Whether we’re dropping cliffs, navigating tight trees, or chasing pow through variable terrain, the VPD Max Vest gives us the confidence to push a little harder with breathable, low-profile protection we can rely on.