Abstract: The invention relates to a protective jacket to prevent injury to the torso of a wearer. The jacket comprises a rear panel and front panels closed by a zip fastener. The front and rear panels are formed of inner and outer sheets of material which are stitched together along seams to form a plurality of pockets. One longitudinal central pocket in the rear panel accommodates a spine protective member laminated from a poycarbonate member and impact absorbing member. Pockets adjacent the central pocket accommodate impact absorbing pads which are separated to define a waist of the jacket. Other pockets accommodate other impact absorbing pads in the rear panel and front panel.