Body Armour

[Bathroom_Security]

Talk to me

What would you recommend and why. Got Morzine booked next year and need some. But honestly the more I ride the more I think I should have some anyway

First choice would be the TLD hot weather. Reasonably low profile and probably ok for trail use. But may not provide enough protection?

Price not really an issue.

Thank you

[WelshRich]

Do you want chest protection? I used to wear a POC vpd2 jacket but in the end found it more flexible to use a rucksack with built in spine protector and separate elbow pads…

[Bathroom_Security]

Yes

Is something like that Poc a hindrance then?

[WelshRich]

I think it’s just basic physics that the better the protection, the hotter you’ll get… I found that it was easier to loosen the sack and/or elbow pads for any sloggy bits or when stopping for a quick break.

Years ago I used a fairly rigid Dainese beetle suit of some description, intended for motorbikes but in the days when there wasn’t much else available - The POC stuff is much more comfortable because it’s flexible until it’s hit, but because it’s flexible it conforms to your body more, so is less well ventilated (I’ve relegated it to snowboard duties where the heat isn’t such an issue)

[Dammit]

Do some testing at some of the bigger bike parks in the UK - you won't get the heat of course, but you'll get an idea of what works for your riding and morphology. I cracked a couple of ribs at Trestle in Colorado a couple of years ago, which was No Fun, so have a 3DO back protector thing, which is no hassle to wear - but I never do in the UK. I'd put it in the bag for Morzine though.

Bear in mind that with uplift stuff in the PDS you'll be in the trees a lot, and you won't be pedalling, so it's more about what allows you to move around the bike freely, and I don't think you'll overheat in the same way you would on a summers day in the UK where you have to pedal back to the top of the run so you may be able to wear stuff that you think would be too warm.

FWIW I had a long sleeve jersey, 3DO knee pads, 3DO back protector, Fox full-face helmet the last time I was in Morzine for a week. I also bought a Dirtlej dirt-suit as it absolutely hammered down with rain for four of the seven days.

[trails]

I have the Troy Lee warm weather short-sleeved top and shorts; 7850 and 5605...don't really notice them when you are riding and pretty good at wicking moisture away from your body too.

[Bathroom_Security]

Dammit said:

Do some testing at some of the bigger bike parks in the UK - you won't get the heat of course, but you'll get an idea of what works for your riding and morphology. I cracked a couple of ribs at Trestle in Colorado a couple of years ago, which was No Fun, so have a 3DO back protector thing, which is no hassle to wear - but I never do in the UK. I'd put it in the bag for Morzine though.

Bear in mind that with uplift stuff in the PDS you'll be in the trees a lot, and you won't be pedalling, so it's more about what allows you to move around the bike freely, and I don't think you'll overheat in the same way you would on a summers day in the UK where you have to pedal back to the top of the run so you may be able to wear stuff that you think would be too warm.

FWIW I had a long sleeve jersey, 3DO knee pads, 3DO back protector, Fox full-face helmet the last time I was in Morzine for a week. I also bought a Dirtlej dirt-suit as it absolutely hammered down with rain for four of the seven days.

Interesting thanks both

In a UK summer when its humid and high 20s in the Surrey Hills I still wear full face, some light weight elbow pads, long sleeve jersey and trousers and some bulky knee pads. Its hot but Id sooner have the protection.



I bought some troy lee speed elbow pads just to try prevent scars but they would be no use for a serious impact. I do wonder if that TLD hot weather body armour would be similar ( as in wouldn't provide a decent amount of protection)

[bobbo89]

There's only so much body armour is going to do for you and IMO people get a bit carried away with it. Good quality helmet and a set of decent pads is probably enough, it's all I wear. Better off being comfortable and having as much freedom of movement as possible than being strapped up with all sorts of pads, plastic and d3o.

Obviously armour has it's place and if I were racing DH I'd wear a fully with maybe a spine plate and neck brace but for everyday riding my POC Kortal or Giro Tyrant with my IXS knee's is all I feel I need.

Morzine/PDS I'd probably just wear a fully instead and that's it...

Edited by bobbo89 on Tuesday 23 November 09:36

[trails]

Bathroom_Security said:

Interesting thanks both

In a UK summer when its humid and high 20s in the Surrey Hills I still wear full face, some light weight elbow pads, long sleeve jersey and trousers and some bulky knee pads. Its hot but Id sooner have the protection.



I bought some troy lee speed elbow pads just to try prevent scars but they would be no use for a serious impact. I do wonder if that TLD hot weather body armour would be similar ( as in wouldn't provide a decent amount of protection)

Whilst I have not actually tested it yet (thankfully!) the TL stuff feels pretty robust and is waaaaay beefier than the speed series stuff

[trails]

bobbo89 said:

There's only so much body armour is going to do for you and IMO people get a bit carried away with it. Good quality helmet and a set of decent pads is probably enough, it's all I wear. Better off being comfortable and having as much freedom of movement as possible than being strapped up with all sorts of pads, plastic and d3o.

Obviously armour has it's place and if I were racing DH I'd wear a fully with maybe a spine plate and neck brace but for everyday riding my POC Kortal or Giro Tyrant with my IXS knee's is all I feel I need.

Morzine/PDS I'd probably just wear a fully instead and that's it...

Edited by bobbo89 on Tuesday 23 November 09:36

I'm 50 next year, one proper crash and consummate injury could mean no more riding in the way I want to...so the TL hot weather stuff is mandatory for me when riding bike parks. Age and existing injuries change your perspective; my days of riding only wearing shorts and shoes are long gone...but I do miss them

[keith2.2]

I don’t wear it for trail riding but if I’m specifically going out to push it in some DH runs or practice jumps / drops (I’m old) I wears a Leatt d30 vest. It’s really nicely designed, secure and as cool as it can be - I’m in HK so it has to deal with high heat and humidity. No uplifts so I have to be able to wear it while climbing as well!

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/hk/en/leatt-bo...

[missing the VR6]

I'd suggest it depends on what trails you'll be riding. I've been every year for the last 9 years and very rarely ride blacks except Pleney Mainline and feel perfectly comfortable in just knee pads. My mate who lives out there, rides all the Pleney singles, barely wears pads at all.