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Chest Protector/Body Armor ?

NCSteve

NCSteve

Husqvarna
Pro Class
I need to upgrade, but don't find a lot of reviews/tests of current choices. Searched here and googled around, reading user reviews online, etc, but don't find answers to my concerns.
I want hard shell shoulder, chest and elbow protection with the option of back protection when/if I go racing. One of my main concerns is puncture protection for thick woods riding/racing. The typical roost deflector and even better chest protectors seem too thin to protect from punctures.
I was considering EVS G6 armor, but just found a comment that it's thin, cheap and hot. My current Fly armor is thick and way too hot for summer time here. The shoulder and elbow protection is good, but with the front and back removed I don't have any puncture protection. Was thinking to add a roost guard or chest protector with good ventilation, but they all look thin and cheap. :confused:
Just to be clear, I love sight seeing and putting around, but I'm looking for off-road, race worthy protection.

:cheers:
 
Yea, nice but too spendy right now. Easiest for me is to get a good chest protector. Current shoulder and elbow armor works good enough, I just tested it yesterday :rolleyes: Anyone use the Fox Air Frame or Pro Frame?
 
I've been considering the tld or leatt full protectors . They might be a little restrictive but the coverage looks good.
 
Some of that stuff above looks like pretty darn good protection for the upper body ...Almost extreme ... But if I was wringing it out in the desert or some other place high speed, I'd want that stuff. I wear a cheap chest protector (white in color to ward off heat) that has ~good shoulder protection along with some Scott MX knee guards ... Not sure how the Scotts' work but these actually push upwards on my legs and stay in place ... Cheap elbow guards.

I'm big on risk-assessment when riding, always ... If you watch any of the Tag hill videos I post here, I've rolled down that hill lots looking for places I do not wanna hit (risk assessment) and I use that point&shoot method rounding corners ... My top~speed is ~35mph on the straights? I've read in the past that after 30MPH, all bets are off for living thru a crash ... With the risk assessment and covering my levers, I call this ~safe riding...

Breaking both my collar bones, my fault ... The bone I stuck out my lower leg, my fault. The crushed vertebra in my back, my fault. At age 57, I can't handle the down time or pain anymore. Put that gear on but get seat time and do not ride over your head, ESP with speed. Most of us are 1 bad crash from hanging the boots up ... Same goes for PRO riders also.

These words always get a laugh but I live by them... Learn how to ride your bike and learn how to crash. You are your own keeper ... Not the gear...Ride within your means and pick a good line over your terrain. We are participants in the greatest sport on earth maybe and it can lay you in the shade also at about any moment.
 
ptkatoomer said:
I've been considering the tld or leatt full protectors . They might be a little restrictive but the coverage looks good.
Click to expand...
Both TLD and Leatt look good and at that price point should be top quality. I don't see anyone complaining about the TLD gear. For now I'm just going to add a chest protector and use my current armor with just shoulder and elbow guards. That should get me through the summer and maybe a couple of races. During cooler weather I'd rather wear full armor, but it all looks too hot for summer time use so far.
Think I'll try this one for now
fox_ProFrameLC.jpg
ray_ray said:
Some of that stuff above looks like pretty darn good protection for the upper body ...Almost extreme ... But if I was wringing it out in the desert or some other place high speed, I'd want that stuff. I wear a cheap chest protector (white in color to ward off heat) that has ~good shoulder protection along with some Scott MX knee guards ... Not sure how the Scotts' work but these actually push upwards on my legs and stay in place ... Cheap elbow guards.

I'm big on risk-assessment when riding, always ... If you watch any of the Tag hill videos I post here, I've rolled down that hill lots looking for places I do not wanna hit (risk assessment) and I use that point&shoot method rounding corners ... My top~speed is ~35mph on the straights? I've read in the past that after 30MPH, all bets are off for living thru a crash ... With the risk assessment and covering my levers, I call this ~safe riding...

Breaking both my collar bones, my fault ... The bone I stuck out my lower leg, my fault. The crushed vertebra in my back, my fault. At age 57, I can't handle the down time or pain anymore. Put that gear on but get seat time and do not ride over your head, ESP with speed. Most of us are 1 bad crash from hanging the boots up ... Same goes for PRO riders also.

These words always get a laugh but I live by them... Learn how to ride your bike and learn how to crash. You are your own keeper ... Not the gear...Ride within your means and pick a good line over your terrain. We are participants in the greatest sport on earth maybe and it can lay you in the shade also at about any moment.
Click to expand...
Wise words, thanks for your comments :thumbsup: I guess I've been lucky, only breaks I've had in a lifetime of riding and racing is a collar bone and left foot, a few tweaked knees which haunt me now and the worst was a severely bruised back. At 50 I still like the speed, but am much more careful.

:cheers:
 
Along the same topic, if you wear an Atlas neck brace the Troy Lee has the most clearance of any armor I have found so far. Plenty work with the Leatt but the Atlas requires more room.
 
Check out the rock garden gear... I use an older Flak Jacket that does a good job of fending off trees, briars and rocks.
 
I have a Fox Airframe and recently got an Atlas Air brace. The Atlas fits fine with the Fox, in fact the CP captures and holds it down nice and snug. I zip tied two large orings (exhaust orings) to the shoulder cups, the other side slip into the clips that normally hold the straps of the Atlas harness. Now when you put on your hydration pack, the brace is pulled down and the shoulder straps of the pack are prevented from migrating under the brace. Works really well.
 
Buddy of mine just got one of these and loves it. Its $400 but is a chect protector and neck brace combo.

img_6260_1.jpg
 
I bought one of those Leatt chest protector neck brace combo's for Stacy, but it was too limiting for her to race in, so it went back. What I use is similar, but the Leatt HD 5.5 Pro that doesn't have the neck brace attached to it. It offers side ribcage protection and I have tested it several times in the sharp rocks..

img_4584_1_2.jpg
 
I looked at the Fusion 3 but it was too bulky, restrictive, and the shoulder cups were goofy and sat more on your upper arm than shoulder. Also seemed like it would be pretty hot in summer. Plus, CPs get beat in a couple years then your out $400 vs. $100 or less. The Atlas Air is really nice, glad I waited for it. I don't notice it at all riding even with a plated collarbone, can't stand a Leatt for that reason. A Fox Airframe is pretty basic, works good for me, and if the AA fits with that it should fit with others as well.
 
GMP said:
I looked at the Fusion 3 but it was too bulky, restrictive, and the shoulder cups were goofy and sat more on your upper arm than shoulder.
Click to expand...

Body types. My buddy says his fits and feels perfect. It is warm though.
 
Tinken said:
I bought one of those Leatt chest protector neck brace combo's for Stacy, but it was too limiting for her to race in, so it went back. What I use is similar, but the Leatt HD 5.5 Pro that doesn't have the neck brace attached to it. It offers side ribcage protection and I have tested it several times in the sharp rocks..

img_4584_1_2.jpg
Click to expand...

Yep, very small range of movement or adjustment up or down. With helmet on I couldnt look down, at all.
I tried on the brace by itself, nope, not going to fit either.
 
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