Body armour. Again!

JoeBlow

JoeBlow

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A year on and I'm still struggling to find the perfect body armour. I've just returned a TLD RockFight as it it did not offer adequate rib protection (It also made me look like an aged Star Wars Stormtrooper :) ). I'm waiting for delivery of a TLD 7855. This seems to come the closest to what I need. I'm old and don't bounce like I once did. I took a tumble last week and noticed a recurring theme. I ALWAYS seem to come away with at least one bruised rib. Never serious but enough to put me painfully out of action for a couple of weeks which is particularly annoying as I have a new bike, more freedom than before and in consequence more enthusiasm. I ride mostly at FOD although I do plan a trip down to CwmCarn shortly. My incidents typically tend to be at low speed on technical terrain which means I have a tendency to land on my side or hit the bars.

Will the 7855 suit my requirements? Personal experience and views appreciated. The Leatt Stealth I bought last year is very comfy but offers no protection for the ribs.

Al
 
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I thing I am resigned to the Star Wars Storm trooper look but it should be well ventilated and offer specific rib protection. If you look into the TLD RockFight there are some that say the side protection is more to do with padding for the buckle than actual rib impact protection.
 
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I gave up on trying to look sensible and got the Leatt 6.5 pro back and chest protector. It has so far worked surprisingly well regarding weight and heat management. Its only the back part that looks a little goofy as its massive. I plan on complementing it with the shoulder and elbow part of a Leatt 4.5 evo
 
@JoeBlow I have never worn as much armour as you, but I used to keep getting rib injuries when I fell off. Then I worked out it was the beefy elbow guard that was doing the damage! I changed to a slimmer elbow guard. No more rib injuries. Something to consider at least. :unsure:
 
steve_sordy said:
@JoeBlow I have never worn as much armour as you, but I used to keep getting rib injuries when I fell off. Then I worked out it was the beefy elbow guard that was doing the damage! I changed to a slimmer elbow guard. No more rib injuries. Something to consider at least. :unsure:
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Possible but I do not think this is the reason in my cases. I have the Leatt Stealth but don't tend to wear it. Not sure why it's comfy enough but no rib protection whatsoever.
 
The armour is an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. Its not going to compensate for poor crashing technique.
Plummet said:
What you need to do is learn to breakfall and ninja roll to dissipate the energy.
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At almost 80 years of age? Give me a break :-) Even if it were feasible it would not have helped in my latest situation. Almost stationary in a confined space with no where to go and off the side of the bike. But thanks.
 
JoeBlow said:
A year on and I'm still struggling to find the perfect body armour. I've just returned a TLD RockFight as it it did not offer adequate rib protection (It also made me look like an aged Star Wars Stormtrooper :) ). I'm waiting for delivery of a TLD 7855. This seems to come the closest to what I need. I'm old and don't bounce like I once did. I took a tumble last week and noticed a recurring theme. I ALWAYS seem to come away with at least one bruised rib. Never serious but enough to put me painfully out of action for a couple of weeks which is particularly annoying as I have a new bike, more freedom than before and in consequence more enthusiasm. I ride mostly at FOD although I do plan a trip down to CwmCarn shortly. My incidents typically tend to be at low speed on technical terrain which means I have a tendency to land on my side or hit the bars.

Will the 7855 suit my requirements? Personal experience and views appreciated. The Leatt Stealth I bought last year is very comfy but offers no protection for the ribs.

Al
Click to expand...
Leatt.
 
Virtually all "soft" armour provides little or no protection for the rib cage. Armour prioritises neck/spine and upper chest, and is reasonable effective wherever there is firm bone structure such as shoulders and hips because the high impact foam needs a hard background in order to at least spread the impact. I am afraid it is up to you to help protect your ribs when you fall. I appreciate at your age you will not be as athletic as someone of younger yeas but that is no reason why you cannot learn to roll. ( I am 75 so no spring chicken either!)
 
Virtually all "soft" armour provides little or no protection for the rib cage. Armour prioritises neck/spine and upper chest, and is reasonable effective wherever there is firm bone structure such as shoulders and hips because the high impact foam needs a hard background in order to at least spread the impact. I am afraid it is up to you to help protect your ribs when you fall. I appreciate at your age you will not be as athletic as someone of younger yeas but that is no reason why you cannot learn to roll. ( I am 75 so no spring chicken either!)
I think you may have missed the part where i said there was no where to roll. I'll say again just so that we are all clear. My falls tend to happen at slow speeds in technical terrain and where there is no where to roll to. Typically it's narrow single track with roots and rocks and within a narrow rut. Last incident was on a trail I have done many times but for some reason, new bike perhaps, I was hesitant. I may even have changed my mind about a line, who knows. I was going slow, the front wheel hit something and I was tossed to the left before there was time to think, respond or do anything. These are not dramatic falls, they are silly little errors of judgement but they happen and I would like some protection for such instances. Current armour I have seen does not provide this. I'm not hurtling down steep slopes with gaps and jumps. No amount of practice and ninja tactics would have helped. Although well intentioned this does not help me with my original question. Even if I was world class ninja some decent protection would be nice :)
 
I may have been a little curt and sarcastic, apologies, but to get back on track, I'm looking for recommendations for protection that includes protection for ribs for those rare situations where my ninja skills are having an off day.
 
JoeBlow said:
The armour is an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. Its not going to compensate for poor crashing technique.

At almost 80 years of age? Give me a break :-) Even if it were feasible it would not have helped in my latest situation. Almost stationary in a confined space with no where to go and off the side of the bike. But thanks.
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When i bring this up, everyone has excuses why they shouldny learn or why their accident breakfalling wouldn't have worked.

Yet, I am here as proof that it does work. I have been pushing the limits and crashing regularly for 30 years on the mtb and walk away from seemingly significant injury inducing crashes with very few injuries.

As an example last year I had a head on with a car at 30kph, No body armour that day, ninja rolled down the side of the car automatically and walk away with bruising.

Even at 80 the old dog can learn new tricks.

My main point regarding the armour is that you wont find one that stops you hurting your ribs if you fall badly. No armour exists that will protect fully. The better protection is learning techniques to better fall.
 
When i bring this up, everyone has excuses why they shouldny learn or why their accident breakfalling wouldn't have worked.
Plummet said:
Yet, I am here as proof that it does work. I have been pushing the limits and crashing regularly for 30 years on the mtb and walk away from seemingly significant injury inducing crashes with very few injuries.

As an example last year I had a head on with a car at 30kph, No body armour that day, ninja rolled down the side of the car automatically and walk away with bruising.

Even at 80 the old dog can learn new tricks.

My main point regarding the armour is that you wont find one that stops you hurting your ribs if you fall badly. No armour exists that will protect fully. The better protection is learning techniques to better fall.
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I assume you were wearing a seat belt? I'm looking for the seat belt. Ninja skills or no ninja skills. Not sure what ninja skills you applied in that situation. I also suspect that the riding skills you possess do not involve small falls at slow speeds as in my situation. Regardless this is drifting from my original search for advice.

From your comments I take it you wear no armour because your ninja skills are so well honed. And by the way I'm not denying that developing falling skills is a bad thing so please do not frame my comments in that way and resist the temptation to patronize me. I am well aware of the limitations of MTB protection which is in fact the essence of my post.
 
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I’m not sure what company makes it but, this may be your best option.

IMG_1535.webp
 
JoeBlow said:
When i bring this up, everyone has excuses why they shouldny learn or why their accident breakfalling wouldn't have worked.

I assume you were wearing a seat belt? I'm looking for the seat belt. Ninja skills or no ninja skills. Not sure what ninja skills you applied in that situation. I also suspect that the riding skills you possess do not involve small falls at slow speeds as in my situation. Regardless this is drifting from my original search for advice.

From your comments I take it you wear no armour because your ninja skills are so well honed. And by the way I'm not denying that developing falling skills is a bad thing so please do not frame my comments in that way and resist the temptation to patronize me. I am well aware of the limitations of MTB protection which is in fact the essence of my post.
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Oh, I wasnt clear. I had a head on with a car at 30kph while riding my e bike. There was zero time to react, the guy turned in on me and hit the corner of his front fender at full speed without braking.

My subconscious rolling skills kicked in and I rolled down the side of the car then landed on the ground a d walked away. My bike was broken bit I was not.

That particular ride I wasnt wearing armour because it was seemingly an easy ride with only a very short road section.

I have 2 types of body armour. The full robo cop 661 type and the dharco softshell type. Both good armour, though they both wont fully protect against poor crash technique.
 
Gosh — He’s simply asking about decent armour options. I have a 661 TLD top suit: elbows, forearms, chest & back. It slips on, and works well. I’d prefer the 7855 (weird name!?), but I can’t believe after a decade, they gave t added a zipper, nor improved the foam!? It’s one of the best ideas out there for its age, but no updates :(
 
jlwoody said:
Gosh — He’s simply asking about decent armour options. I have a 661 TLD top suit: elbows, forearms, chest & back. It slips on, and works well. I’d prefer the 7855 (weird name!?), but I can’t believe after a decade, they gave t added a zipper, nor improved the foam!? It’s one of the best ideas out there for its age, but no updates :(
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Agree. 7855 is still one of the best, light weight, cool(ISH/relatively) fantastic coverage area.

Yes, they're difficult to get on and off, suspect I'm wearing one size to small when it comes to that.

The dual density foam works well.

For years we've thought they'd do an update with some extra lightweight hard plastic on the outside, but they never have.

I've broken lots of bones wearing one, but would have been considerably worse off without it.

Most of the heavier protection has better armour in certain areas, but far less area protected otherwise they would be too heavy and hot.

For me the 7855 is still the best goto simple protection that you're likely to actually wear often. Then wear a lightweight hard plastic chest back section (fox for example) over that if you know you're going to be stupid.

I love the build of that leatts but hate wearing them and for a lot of the range find the protection coverage inadequate as it's often more mx big impact focussed rather than rag doll forest trail/rock n roll focused.

There are dozens of threads on this already. There's even an upgrade/custom 7855 thread.
 
The rib cage is purposefully designed as flexible in order to allow expansion of our lungs as we breath. Most of our ribs are only connected with cartilage. Whilst a focused impact can snap a rib, most impacts damage the cartilage......often more painful! The instinctive action of putting an arm out to break a fall is by itself a recipe for shoulder damage but also exposes the rib cage. I know the OP has rejected the idea of technique being the only real solution to rib protection but maybe using the word "roll" is misleading. In fact al that is required
JoeBlow said:
Virtually all "soft" armour provides little or no protection for the rib cage. Armour prioritises neck/spine and upper chest, and is reasonable effective wherever there is firm bone structure such as shoulders and hips because the high impact foam needs a hard background in order to at least spread the impact. I am afraid it is up to you to help protect your ribs when you fall. I appreciate at your age you will not be as athletic as someone of younger yeas but that is no reason why you cannot learn to roll. ( I am 75 so no spring chicken either!)
I think you may have missed the part where i said there was no where to roll. I'll say again just so that we are all clear. My falls tend to happen at slow speeds in technical terrain and where there is no where to roll to. Typically it's narrow single track with roots and rocks and within a narrow rut. Last incident was on a trail I have done many times but for some reason, new bike perhaps, I was hesitant. I may even have changed my mind about a line, who knows. I was going slow, the front wheel hit something and I was tossed to the left before there was time to think, respond or do anything. These are not dramatic falls, they are silly little errors of judgement but they happen and I would like some protection for such instances. Current armour I have seen does not provide this. I'm not hurtling down steep slopes with gaps and jumps. No amount of practice and ninja tactics would have helped. Although well intentioned this does not help me with my original question. Even if I was world class ninja some decent protection would be nice :)
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The highest level of protection on good armour is already there....on your back. Maybe "roll" is the wrong term. What is needed is a turn such that the back protection is what hits the ground......and dont try to break a fall with an extended arm.
 
Ive had a TLD 7855 since 2022 and have had several bad crashes in it. It absolutely does work. I think my most spectacular was a head over bars at Leogang down hangman 1 and I just laughed it off, didn't even hurt. Had a couple of occasions where I would have 100% broken ribs and didn't thanks to this thing. Ive bounced off trees at high speed, damaged ligaments in the process but upper body protection did its job and left me with no damage.

FWIW to you, I cut the arms off leaving the shoulder protection in place and wear proper arm bands as the TLD 7855 elbow pads will rotate during a crash, they are useless.

Its no good in hot weather, I wore it a couple weeks back at Legogang when the weather was high 20s/ low 30s and felt physically sick by the end of the first run and had to take it off. Sometimes, it is just too hot to wear. Then its back to the rockfighter thing, which does work, its enough to stop broken ribs.

Great during winter weather....
 
The rib cage is purposefully designed as flexible in order to allow expansion of our lungs as we breath. Most of our ribs are only connected with cartilage. Whilst a focused impact can snap a rib, most impacts damage the cartilage......often more painful! The instinctive action of putting an arm out to break a fall is by itself a recipe for shoulder damage but also exposes the rib cage. I know the OP has rejected the idea of technique being the only real solution to rib protection but maybe using the word "roll" is misleading. In fact al that is required
Mikerb said:
The highest level of protection on good armour is already there....on your back. Maybe "roll" is the wrong term. What is needed is a turn such that the back protection is what hits the ground......and dont try to break a fall with an extended a
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Ive had a TLD 7855 since 2022 and have had several bad crashes in it. It absolutely does work. I think my most spectacular was a head over bars at Leogang down hangman 1 and I just laughed it off, didn't even hurt. Had a couple of occasions where I would have 100% broken ribs and didn't thanks to this thing.
mike172 said:
FWIW to you, I cut the arms off leaving the shoulder protection in place and wear proper arm bands as the TLD 7855 elbow pads will rotate during a crash, they are useless.

Its no good in hot weather, I wore it a couple weeks back at Legogang when the weather was high 20s/ low 30s and felt physically sick by the end of the first run and had to take it off. Sometimes, it is just too hot to wear. Then its back to the rockfighter thing, which does work, its enough to stop broken ribs.

Great during winter weather....
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So, to be clear, you find the Rockfighter cooler in hot weather than the 7855? That's good to know. I've just returned one after reading somewhere that the protection at the sides was more to do with padding for the buckles than rib protection. May have to reconsider. As I've stated before there would be neither time nor space to roll, jump clear or perform ninja tactics on the falls I typically experience.
 
> What is needed is a turn such that the back protection is what hits the ground..

Looking away from what's happening? Are we really supposed to do that?
 
JoeBlow said:
As I've stated before there would be neither time nor space to roll, jump clear or perform ninja tactics on the falls I typically experience.
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100% - it's instinctive for me to do Judo rolls - but I think in 36 years of MTB it's probably been used twice
most of the time I have absolutely no clue of what just happened and how I got out of it - and I crash a LOT.
that being said, it is a useful life skill and fairly easy to learn
 
JoeBlow said:
So, to be clear, you find the Rockfighter cooler in hot weather than the 7855? That's good to know. I've just returned one after reading somewhere that the protection at the sides was more to do with padding for the buckles than rib protection. May have to reconsider. As I've stated before there would be neither time nor space to roll, jump clear or perform ninja tactics on the falls I typically experience.
Click to expand...

Yes, the rock fighter is a piece of plastic with holes in it, the 7855 is a t shirt with a breathable mesh which is full of pieces of foam and other bits for protection, which typically you'd wear a jersey over, unless you're happy with the way it looks.

The 7855 is completely unusable in very warm weather in my opinion.

Its all too much protection until you need it, but the rockfighter is bare minimum I think. I think what it does best is distribute a targeted impact across a chest and save a broken rib or two. Biggest problem I have had in the last decade during big crashes is breaking my ribs from what I assume were impacts to my handlebar stem. Ive broken ribs twice, neither time was I wearing protection. And Ive had similar or worse impacts to those while wearing protection and got away with it.

Bigger crashes the 7855 might afford you some more protection, shoulders for example. But there's only so much these things can do during a crash, if you're sending the last 3 big boy jumps down Hotshots at Leogang then you may as well do it in your underpants as no body armor is gonna help you when you stack them.



7855 for winter riding or those slightly cooler summer months at the bike park
Rockfighter or similar for hot summer months when a 7855 becomes unbearable or general trail riding.
 
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I've been saving various bit's of D30 from old armour - I think I'll probably add some to my back protection vest
for me it's the shoulders - I seem to use the shoulder barge technique a lot.
have you thought about adding something in the 'weak' spots?
these guys have various lumps of D30

Motorcycle Body Armour - FREE UK DELIVERY

Motorcycle Body Armour from the UK's leading online bike store. Free UK delivery over £25 and easy returns on our range of over 80,000 products.
www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk
these round the sides for instance
1783350415568.webp
 
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I have found the EVOC Torso Protector which seems a little better with regard to rib protection. I also like the fact that you can attach a small bum bag to the back which takes things off your waist which I also like. I've ordered both.

This morning I wore an Under Armour HG base layer vest, my Leatt Stealth and a jersey. Bearable but a little too much. I think a wicking base layer and this Evoc Torso Protector will be better in these conditions. I'll just have to get over my self consciousness about armour. You can only research so much then it becomes very tedious.
 
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