Alpinestars Nucleon KR-R Cell Back Protector

These back protectors are sold by your body height and here are the recommendations from Alpinestars:

Overall height varies by size, but just to give you the idea, The size large is 23.5” tall and about 11” wide. Smaller/larger sizes vary by just under one inch in height for each size.

The waist and shoulder straps on these units are highly adjustable and very stretchy, so these shouldn’t be an issue for most people. Mainly, just choose the size of the back protector based upon your height with the table.

The Alpinestars Nucleon KR-1 Cell back protector is new for 2019. This back protector is a race ready unit and is designed with energy absorbing materials to provide crash protection.

If you are shopping for an Alpinestars back protector to wear on your body (not installed in apparel), you are probably a bit confused as to which one is best for you. I’ve put together a very short “buyer’s guide” to help you choose (as of late 2019):

New for fall 2019:

KR-1 Cell Back Protector: This is a back protector that you wear on your body with shoulder straps and a waist belt (does not install into a jacket or suit). This one is rated CE 2. This new back protector uses a hard shell on the back side made of a honeycomb hard plastic material over two thinner layers of foam. All the materials are HIGHLY BREATHABLE to make them comfortable to wear. The entire package is light weight and very flexible. The shoulder straps are removable as is the waist belt (not sure why, maybe you figure out how to install it in a suit or jacket?). Since this one attaches to your body, you can wear it under any type/brand of suit or jacket. Accessories: The KR-TB Tailbone protector can be added to extend the length a bit. Nucleon KR-C Chest Protector Harness can be added in place of the shoulder straps to give you full chest protection.

KR-R Cell Back Protector: Same as above, but instead of shoulder straps, it has a small Velcro/snap thingy up by the neck that snaps to attach to a jacket or suit with the mating snap (most Alpinestars sport/race items have this). So this one is made to worn ONLY with Alpinestars jackets and suits. Accessories: the only accessory for this unit is the Nucleon KR-TB Tailbone Protector. If you want chest protection, you’ll be adding it to the jacket or suit rather than to this unit.

Introduced in 2017:

KR-3 Back Protector: Similar to the newer KR-1 Cell and older KR-1 as a level 2 back protector you wear on your body, but with “love handle protection”.

KR-Cell Back Protector: Has many of the same construction features as the newer KR-1 Cell, but this is a level 1 unit. It is light and could be more easily worn under jackets on the street. Personally, I’d recommend the new Level 2 KR-1 Cell unit over this one because the new level 2 design isn’t any bulkier than this one. The up side to this one as of this writing is it is a sub-$100 unit.

Introduced in 2015:

KR-1 Back Protector: This is a level 2 back protector with many of the same features as the newer KR-1 Cell unit. The ratings and general feature list are similar. This back protector is slightly heavier and thicker, especially lower down on the back as compared to the new “cell” version.

KR-R Back Protector: Same idea as with the KR-1 above, but made to be worn inside an Alpinestars suit or jacket since it doesn’t have the shoulder straps.

At this point, I’d recommend the 2019 models over the “original” KR-1 and KR-R units from 2015. As of now, all the products listed here are still “current”. :: Paul, 09-10-19

Note: We didn’t take closeup photos of this unit, but please take the link below to the KR-1 Cell for a close up look. This one is the same back protector, but without the shoulder straps and it has a small snap to attach to jackets and suits just below the collar.