Mikerb said:
Trust me when I say that if you do suffer an elbow injury they are ones that orthopaedic surgeons dread trying to repair because they are horribly complicated joints with a low repair success rate.
Body armour, so much choice
- Thread starter Hattori-Hanzo
- Start date
Trust me when I say that if you do suffer an elbow injury they are ones that orthopaedic surgeons dread trying to repair because they are horribly complicated joints with a low repair success rate.
My mate dislocated his clavicle in a fall 8 weeks ago.....first ride out together yesterday since then. Still going to be another 8 weeks before he can do any enduro type riding. All injuries are bad news especially if like me you are getting on a bit! I think the reason I have avoided any arm or shoulder injuries is down to decades of windsurfing with plenty of high wind crashes......instinctively don't let go of the boom ( now bars) and roll........its worked so far!! Thankfully I have not crashed for a couple of years now.
Started windsurfing in 80's soon graduating to wave sailing especially in Kimmeridge Bay but converted to kitesurfing over 10 years ago, and still do so in the eastern Solent. Because don't consider myself immune to joint injuries when riding wear knee/elbow/chest/back protection when necessary. It's insurance, you never know when you might need it.
Yes, there is nothing like meeting a sailboard mast at full clip, tail over teakettle. Great sport and the reason I moved to Hawaii
We are fortunate that all the bits intact 
I've dug through all the choices and for Bike Park days I've settled on the Leatt Body Protector Reaflex.
It's noted for its comfort and airflow, which are huge priorities for me.
I'll continue to essentially ride naked when just trail riding.
It's noted for its comfort and airflow, which are huge priorities for me.
I'll continue to essentially ride naked when just trail riding.
I've dug through all the choices and for Bike Park days I've settled on the Leatt Body Protector Reaflex.
It's noted for its comfort and airflow, which are huge priorities for me.
I'll continue to essentially ride naked when just trail riding.
How did you get on with this? any big negatives.
Previously ridden some troy lee upper stuff which was good but this offers a bit more protection it seems. Thanks
cantaloupe
Member
I tried this and found it very uncomfortable on my shoulders as the pads aren't too flexible and just dug in
Thanks mate, what do you use now any recommendations.
I want something that I will use on most rides the trade off being as ever comfort v protection
cantaloupe
Member
The most comfortable thing I've found is the dharco armour. It's only level 1 but I figure I'd rather have something I actually wear than level 2 stuff that I don't. I've got their level 2 dh knees and they're so comfy I wear them for every ride!
High Rock Ruti
Active member
High Rock Ruti
I'm on the third or fourth (in ten years) POC mesh jacket expensive bought the last one on sale for $170 usd. The mesh tears easily shoulders and elbows, but those tears are the force of the crash against gravely ground. I'm 71 ride about 200 plus days a year and now wear this armor everytime. The protection is fantastic. When it's hot out, it's hot in!
I'd like to recommend an evaporative vest. Soak before the ride water evaporates as air flows across the fabric, makes the difference between being able to ride on some hot days and "too hot today".
Edit: an important note! The mesh tears on where and what you impact. For me the shoulders most, elbows a close second. The armor does not break or wear out, the mesh needs replacement after a few sewing repairs, it's not sold separately, SHOULDERS AND ELBOWS leave them uncovered at your own peril!
Summer Time
I use Forcefield adventure harness, hard shell strung together with elastic webbing. Underneath the evaporative vest let's the wind whistle through. It's motorcycle road racing armor, expensive as he'll, really comfortable and really protective.
Forcefield EX-K Hardness Adventure Protector - buy cheap ▷ FC-Moto
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Warm Regards Ruti
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bmwpowere36m3
Member
I have the opposite experience… two different Leatt airflex/reaflex back-chest protectors and they’ve been very comfortable. Tight mesh base layer with shoulder and elbow armor to keep in place. Removable back-chest piece.
The armor is on the lighter/thinner side… flexible and relatevely breathable.
cantaloupe
Member
Just goes to show - try before you buy.
Hi, was this the stealth version (limited chest protection) or the body protection undershirt and the separate chest back protector over the top? Thanks.
Gila Man
Active member
I don’t mean to highjack an armor discussion but, do have a recommendation on the evaporative cooling vest? I’m not sure how long it’ll last before drying out in the high temperatures/low humidity of Arizona but, if it works it would extend the riding season.
The best advice I read on this subject was that the best body protectors are the ones you wear on the bike rather than leave at home because they're too uncomfortable. On that basis I ended up buying separate knee and elbow pads and a POC VPD back protector that you wear outside your clothing. It also comes with an optional chest protector too.
I tried on half a dozen different stretch shirts with fitted pads from different brands. They were all good in their own ways, but in the end too uncomfortable for me. The shirt quickly becomes soaked in sweat and on multi-day rides is pretty nasty. The big plus with the POC back protector is that it's worn outside your clothing so you just don't notice it.
But the fitted shirts can have the advantage of integrated shoulder pads, so in the end it's always a personal choice of what suits you best.
High Rock Ruti
Active member
High Rock Ruti
Thanks for replying. I don't, I just chose one on Amazon, about $35 usd. That's an astute question about low humidity. Two thing's, 1 it will work better for sure, I'm in Boston and even in high humidity it works well. 2 I use my hydration pack to saturate the vest. Let the vest dry out between uses, gets stinky
Warm Regards Ruti
bmwpowere36m3
Member
I have both versions, the padding coverage doesn’t differ from what I remember. I like the two-piece version better.
I only wear it when doing bike park or dedicated shuttling (vehicle, not self).
For day to day pedaling it would get uncomfortable. Maybe just the chest and back piece would be fine.
For daily rides I’m 100% knee pads and 90% full-face trail helmet.
I wear the stealth version on the e-bike, it’s a nice balance between offering some protection without being too bulky/uncomfortable. It’s fine in uk winter but gets unpleasant on a humid day in summer.
trm1
New Member
Some Info for anyone curious, I have just purchased and used the Endura MT500 D3O Ghost Protective Baselayer. I'm not a bike park type of rider, but I can comment on the comfort level of this Endura armor.....Which is very Good! Due to the Polartec Power Dry fabric used. I've ridden off-road up to 23 miles in this armor all day and in warm weather, and it's very manageable, and for me it just adds that bit of reassurance if you should have a tumble.
As with a lot of the other comments, YES, this armor is a little tricky to get off, and care does have to be taken so you don't rip the fabric. The Endura armor does have a half-zip to help remove. Just make sure you grab the top of the back protector before pulling it over your head.
Trek-Rail-eBike
Active member
My son rides with that one 'Body Protector ReaFlex' and loves it !
I’m tempted to give this one a try. Just because it comes in 2 pieces and offers a bit more protection.
Trek-Rail-eBike
Active member
Yep, on hot days he just wears the chest and back protector part
Trek-Rail-eBike
Active member
I have two Leatt body armour peices myself
- Body Tee ReaFlex Stealth : I use this on hotter days, or lighter tech tracks : Body Tee ReaFlex Stealth
- Body Protector 3DF AirFit Hybrid, wear this on the bigger DH tracks : Body Protector 3DF AirFit Hybrid
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