The Dainese Smart Air vest is their latest innovation in air bag safety systems suitable for multi-surface motorcycle riding. Worn over or under a jacket, the lightweight vest is designed to protect back and chest in the event of a crash.
D-air to the Rescue
The Smart Air employs the company’s race-proven D-air technology in a lightweight vest to protect everyday riders. The D-air processor crunches data from accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other sensors 1000 times per second to assess the rider’s situation. Upon detecting a crash scenario, the Smart Air deploys an airbag within 45 milliseconds, then slowly deflates it after 5 seconds.
A micro-filament structure inside the airbag connects the sides and maintains its shape during deployment, ensuring the system protects throughout an event. Dainese claims the air bag absorbs up to seven times more energy than hard-shell armor. The company validated its performance in crash scenarios for low-side, low-side with tumble, high-side, and impact against an object or vehicle. This includes the dreaded rear-end scenario at stop lights. The system is certified as a Level 1 back airbag (EN 1621-4 CB L1) and a Level 2 chest airbag (EN 1621-4 L2).
Smart Air for Travelers
The Smart Air is suitable for mild off-pavement excursions like gravel roads and smooth dirt. Dainese cautions against rough off-road use and acrobatic riding to prevent inadvertent triggering. Turning off the vest for a challenging track is as easy as disconnecting a snap on the front.
The vest body comprises tear- and abrasion-resistant synthetic fabrics, including mesh panels that allow it to breathe. A built-in back pad shields the user from the hard instrument cover, while the single zippered pocket will hold a phone. Although the Smart Air is fine in the rain because the electronics are waterproofed, the water-repellent body fabric won’t keep you dry. The company warns against washing the Smart Air beyond wiping the exterior with a damp cloth. Construction is top drawer—I could not find a single flaw in the sewing.
The Smart Air will operate for three deployments before the gas generator ($139) requires replacement, assuming the vest itself isn’t damaged. This is a welcome advance in making the vest easy to own and use. Even better, owners can make the change without returning the vest for service.
Smart Air Preparation
Setting up the Smart Air required adding the D-air app to my phone and registering the product with Dainese. The next step was to connect the electric circuit to the generator. This would have been easier if the owner’s manual wasn’t a 4- by 6-inch block of paper with small illustrations and tiny print. This PDF file saved the day.
All that remained was to charge the lithium-ion battery via a USB C cord. Not as simple as it sounds due to the small Velcro opening through black material to the black charge port. An LED on the front uses several colors and blinking patterns to provide status on the system’s readiness, battery level, charging, and other parameters. Dainese claims 12 hours of use from a full battery.
A sample of LED codes
Riding with Smart Air
Activating the vest is simple, just remove the red-ribbon Safety Guard from its snap and attach the Dainese logo strap. The LED will buzz, blink, and turn blue to indicate the D-air system is running. When your motorcycle’s speed hits 6.2 mph the indicator goes green to signify the Smart Air is ready to protect.
On the Road
With everything in place, I opened the side expansion zippers and slipped the Smart Air over a Dainese Splugen jacket. It was comfortable, but warm weather ventilation suffered. Reversing the two garments felt good as well, especially after removing the jacket’s back protector, and airflow through the jacket improved. Although my reach was slightly restricted in either configuration it didn’t affect control of the motorcycle. I felt the extra 3.25 pounds (size X/XS) on my shoulders but it was never a burden.
Etc.
The Smart Air has a 1-year warranty and comes in three unisex sizes: XS/S, M/L, and XL/XXL. Buyers should consider how they may prefer to wear it before choosing a size. At $749, the vest is a serious investment, but pennies compared to an ambulance ride. For solo riders and those traveling far from medical help, it could be a lifesaver.
Dainese makes the vest with PFAS, or “forever” chemicals, which precludes it from being sold in New York and California.
A final word from Dainese:
Read More: Dainese Splugen
Images: Dainese, James Norris, author
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