In the world of off road racing safety is of utmost importance. Heck, in the world of any thing safety should be of utmost importance. I have been racing for almost 15 years now and I have never raced a race without a chest shield. I had a couple instances when I had to beg steal or borrow one. At my first race I had minimal gear and no chest shield, our good buddy crow bait was nice enough to borrow me his. If I recall I had to adjust it a few notches but still I had a chest shield. Then several years later we were headed up to Hixton for a D16 MX and my chest shield grew wings and flew out of the back of my truck so not wanting to race without one I broke down and bought a new one at the race. If you think about it there are a lot of really important things in your chest and I can’t believe why someone would not want to shield them.

If the reason people don’t wear a chest shield is due to not wanting a big chest shield that may give the perception of limiting movement Moose Racing has the answer. The M1 Roost Shield is new product that is slim and protective. It is made to go over the jersey or under the jersey. I have been wearing one now since the beginning of the year and absolutely love it. I wear it under my jersey and it feels like it not even there. It provides great protection for those vital organs on the inside and allow for great fit a drink system on your back. The only negative I can think of is there is less shoulder shielding than the XCR chest shield but this is an ample trade off for the mobility and light feel of the M1 Roost Shield. The other great feature is that since it is worn under your jersey it hardly gets dirty and stays in great shape. You know how an over the jersey shield can get nasty dirty and scratched up after only a few rides? Not this one, it is nice and hidden under your jersey and for those real muddy races there is no major pockets for the mud to hide. I am overly satisfied and have officially switched over to the M1 Roost Shield.

I give it a 9.5 out of 10 due to limited shoulder protection. (This is still and A in my book)

Gus

M1, This must stand for My #1 choice for a deflector in 2010! Shredding thru the woods offers plenty of chances to run into something hard , or fall off and hit something hard. Btm line is that shielding is paramount, but with the stipulation that I want to BE shielded but also feel like I am NOT wearing a bulky, heavy over the jersey shield. For years the XCR unit from Moose Racing accomplished that goal. The brand new M1 guard is an extension of that theology. At first touch the unit is built well, and has nice closure mechanisms. A first ride test proved the unit works as good as it looks, I am bit, shall we say bulbils in shape, so I was not sure this would fit tight and provide the level of shielding I have come to know and trust in the XCR unit. Fit well it does, nice a tight. After hitting some trees, falling off and just generally putting the M1 deflector thru its paces (on purpose of course) I must say that I have shelved my XCR unit and rode exclusively with this new product from the brand. I am able to wear it comfortably under my jersey while wearing my drink system on the outside. This makes fill ups at resets and gas stops a breeze!

Having said all that I must also note that while I believe this unit provides more than ample shielding, I do not believe it was designed to replace the XCR unit completely. The level of shielding in the XCR unit is unsurpassed and certainly more "all over" than the M1 unit. Both units have their place. If you are after the utmost in shielding go for the XCR if you are after light, ample shielding and great form fit the M1 is your piece of product.

After almost 10 races the current unit I am riding with it looks like brand new and has shielded my frail old body to date!

An easy 10 out 10 for me!

Here's dirt in your eyes,

Speedy Pete