Held eVest Clip-in

You almost forget you’re wearing it.

That was our first thought after a few days riding with the Held eVest Clip-in, the airbag vest powered by In&motion technology. Designed to integrate seamlessly into Held jackets with the clip-in system, this vest feels like part of your gear from the moment you zip up.The design favors the riding posture: seated on the bike, everything feels right, no pressure points, no bulk, no fuss.

It’s only when you hop off that you’re reminded there’s an intelligent airbag system hugging your back, waiting silently for a situation it hopes will never come.

Fit and feel

The outer shell is made from a blend of lightweight, breathable mesh fabric and stretch materials:

• 91% polyester / 9% elastane in the main body
• 77% polyamide / 23% elastane in stretch panels

This combination gives the vest a highly flexible structure, especially on the sides, where the elastic panels allow free upper-body movement. It hugs the torso without squeezing it, like a second skin built for two wheels.

Despite being a protective garment, the eVest never felt hot or stifling. It breathes well and moves naturally, even under layered jackets. That said, we didn’t ride with it in high-summer heat, so its performance in extreme temps still needs exploring.

Integrated Protection

The vest features the Held Air Protection System, powered by the In&motion electronic control module (In&box). At its core, the eVest includes a Level 1 back protector, certified under EN 1621-2:2014. There’s also the option to add:

• A Level 1 chest protector, EN 1621-3:2018 (sold separately)
• Rib protector insert (optional)
• All of this protection is cleverly embedded without adding bulk or rigidity. It’s real gear, made for real riders.

Brains on board: the In&box

This little unit is the brain of the system. It houses three accelerometers and three gyroscopes, analyzing your movements 1,000 times per second. When it detects a crash or fall, the vest inflates in just 60 milliseconds, fast enough to protect your spine, chest, cervical spine, and abdomen before you even hit the ground.

As Holger from In&motion joked when handing us the units:

“If it inflates for no reason, it’s probably because a UFO landed in front of you and tried to abduct you.”

The In&box battery lasts up to 30 hours, recharges via USB-C, and updates automatically via Wi-Fi. Riders can choose from different detection modes, Road, Race Track, Adventure, depending on riding style. One mode comes included; others can be unlocked via the app.

What about air travel?

The most common myth we hear on the road is:

“You can’t fly with an airbag vest, right?”

Wrong. The Held eVest (and its In&motion inflator) is officially certified for air travel, falling under the same category as life vests. Just go to inemotion.com, download the transport certificate, and show it at check-in if needed.
For extra peace of mind, the battery and inflator can be disconnected before packing, making it 100% safe and compliant.

After inflation? You’re not stranded.

If the vest inflates, it can be reset in under 5 minutes. Just remove the Argon gas cartridge, pop in a new one (available from In&motion or retailers), and you’re back in the saddle.

The eVest Clip-in does its job quietly, and that’s exactly what you want. It doesn’t remind you it’s there, until you need it. For long-distance riders, weekend warriors or even commuters who value invisible protection, it’s an elegant, integrated piece of tech that stays out of your way, while always having your back.