I did not expect to like this thing as much as I do.
The Demon Ghost D3O chest and back protector showed up while we were testing options for our best ski back protector and best snowboard back protector roundups. I’m told it also doubles up as mountain bike protection. I assumed it would be decent, maybe fine, maybe a bit bulky, then I would move on.
Instead, I kept wearing it.
That’s the biggest compliment I can give protective gear. If it stays on after the testing phase, it is doing something right.
Demon are quietly very good at this stuff. Which I’m slightly annoyed about because it feels like I am becoming a Demon fanboy, but credit where it’s due.
If you ride hard, teach, spend long days on snow, or just want real protection without feeling wrapped in plastic, this one is worth talking about.
Full Review
I’ll be upfront. I like bulky, overbuilt protection. The Flexforce V6 is still my comfort blanket. If I know I’m going to hit the ground hard, that’s what I reach for without thinking.
So I didn’t expect to like the Ghost as much as I do.
I started wearing it out of curiosity more than anything. I wanted to see how much protection you could strip away before it stopped feeling worthwhile. After a few weeks of normal resort riding, mixed snow and the usual dumb falls, it earned its place.
Note: I didn’t specifically test it for downhill MTB yet, but I already know it’ll perform great this summer.
1. Comfort & Fit
This is where the Ghost really separates itself from heavier protection.
It sits close to the body and moves naturally. You’re not reminded it’s there every time you bend, twist, or sit on a lift. No awkward bunching under jackets, no stiff panels fighting your movement. And because your arms/shoulders are completely free, it doesn’t limit your ability to bend low while carving or to hold grabs in the air.
The stretch fabric does most of the work here. It holds everything in place without needing to be cranked tight, which means no pressure points and no restricted breathing. For long days teaching or cruising around the mountain, that matters more than people think.
This is the kind of protection you forget you’re wearing until you fall (and realise why you put it on in the first place).
2. Protection
This is not trying to provide Flexforce-level protection. But they’re very good for isolated back and chest protection.
The D3O back panel and chest padding do a solid job taking the sting out of awkward impacts. You still feel the hit, but it’s muted enough that you’re not wincing or riding cautiously for the next few runs.
Back impacts are handled especially well for how thin the panel is. It spreads force better than standard foam and doesn’t feel like a dead slab strapped to your spine.
Chest protection is lighter, but useful. It’s there for those forward falls and weird compressions, not for full-speed race crashes. Used within its limits, it works exactly as intended.
I found this particularly great when weaving through tight trees in Japan. The odd branch sticking out was no match for the D30 panelling (though I don’t recommend trying this yourself).
3. Durability
I’ve ridden these for 2 full weeks now. Nothing has shifted, sagged, or unpicked.
The D3O panels stayed where they should. The fabric didn’t stretch out or lose shape. Stitching still looks clean, and there are no weak spots showing up yet.
Long term durability always takes more time to judge properly, but so far there are no red flags. It feels like gear designed to be worn often and ridden hard.
4. Bonus Features
This uses D3O CE-certified protection in both the chest and back. The back meets EN 1621-2, the chest meets EN 1621-3. In plain terms, it’s proper impact protection, not just padding.
The body is thermoformed and contoured, which is why it sits close and moves with you instead of feeling like a flat panel strapped on. It flexes when you ride, firms up when you hit something.
Fit is handled with adjustable shoulder and side straps, so you can dial it in without crushing your ribs or relying on compression to keep it in place.
5. Pros & Cons
Who These are For
If you want real protection but don’t want to feel padded up, these make a lot of sense.
They’re ideal for resort riders, instructors and anyone clocking long days on snow who wants something they’ll actually keep wearing. They work especially well if you’ve owned bulkier armour before and found yourself leaving it in the bag way too often.
They also make sense if you ride more than one discipline. The fit and flexibility translates well between snowboarding, skiing and biking, so you’re not buying a one-use piece of gear.
Who These Are NOT For
If you ride with the expectation of crashing hard, often, or at speed, this probably isn’t enough.
Heavy park sessions, big drops, racing, or situations where you want maximum coverage everywhere are still better served by something like the Flexforce. I still reach for that on those days.
This isn’t full armour. It’s a smarter, lighter option for when you want protection without committing to the full suit.
Alternative Option
- Harder-hitting protection than low-profile vests
- D3O + XRD padding in key impact zones
- TPS comfort system for better fit and less rub
- Built for park slams and high consequence days
- X-Connect compatible with Demon shorts
Final Thoughts
I didn’t expect the Ghost to earn a permanent spot in my kit. I thought it would be a test piece I wore for a few days, then forgot about.
That didn’t happen.
It hasn’t fully replaced the Flexforce. On days when consequences are high, I still want the extra bulk and coverage. But for normal resort riding, teaching and long days where comfort matters, the Ghost gets worn far more often.
That’s really the point of this thing. It’s protection you actually use. Not because you feel like you should, but because it doesn’t get in your way.
If you want maximum armour, look elsewhere. If you want something you’ll keep on all day and not think about, this one does its job quietly and well.
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