Going Commando .. (Body armour Question)

Zimmerframe

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So it's warming up .. (if you're in the northern hemisphere ..)...

I normally wear a light weight top under my body armour, my theory being to absorb some sweat and reduce abrasions from the body armour.

I'm now wondering if I'll actually sweat more because of the extra layer, so it's actually pointless ! The body armour is probably not abrasive either (TLD 7855)..

What does everyone else do .. And yes, the armour is as vital to safe riding for me as brakes, wheels, chain ..
 

kafkastan

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Aug 11, 2019
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A 'cool' compression top is the best option I've found. Wicks sweat, eliminates rubbing, has possible-yet-scientificially-questionable muscular benefits, and certainly feels cooler to me under my armour than going commando.
 

R120

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A 'cool' compression top is the best option I've found. Wicks sweat, eliminates rubbing, has possible-yet-scientificially-questionable muscular benefits, and certainly feels cooler to me under my armour than going commando.
Agree, I always use one under my back protector, plus they are like Spanx for men and keep my gut in check :p @Zimmerframe I got mine out the football section of decathlon.
 

Zimmerframe

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I got mine out the football section of decathlon.
The ones I have are out of the running section... but they're not stretchy ...

Body armour in Brittany?
4 realz?

Have you seen me ride !!! I need it just for mounting and dismounting (intentionally ...) !

My Brose motor has only lasted so long because I lie the bike on it's side for the water to drain out so regularly !!! :cool:
 

R120

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The ones I have are out of the running section... but they're not stretchy ...



Have you seen me ride !!! I need it just for mounting and dismounting (intentionally ...) !

My Brose motor has only lasted so long because I lie the bike on it's side for the water to drain out so regularly !!! :cool:

 

Zimmerframe

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The TLD7855 - is it hot? Temperature, not attraction wise. It looks hot.

Asking for a friend...

It's actually not bad. I spent quite a while deciding what to change to from my fox titan copy. It's no where near as bulky, far more manoeuvrability - you don't actually know you have it on.

It's warmer than nothing, but I wouldn't say it's hot. It's well vented, everything is perforated, as soon as you're upto speed you can feel the air moving through it. I don't instantly try to tear it off like I did with the titan armour when I get home. I'm normally going as hard as possible, so you still get hot whatever you're wearing.

Excellent armour coverage. Possibly not as impact friendly with particularly sharp objects without the titans hard plate armour, but so far I've been bruise and break free with it.

It's not reactive armour, so you don't have to worry about it "going off" after 2 years.

Will try it tonight without a base layer just out of curiosity. Just not sure how comfortable it will be with the base layer later in the year if it's 35/40c
 

Zimmerframe

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OK .. going for a ride so tried it on - commando .. feels comfortable ! no sharp bits. (or tits for dobby).

I'd forgotten the arm pits are exposed .. I feel naked ! :geek::eek::D
 

Zimmerframe

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Well ... what can I say .... pretty much went for it like a mad man .. it's 27 degrees .. didn't feel like I was over heating ...

Half way round ... CHRIST ! did my nipples hurt !!!! @dobbyhasfriends is wise !

So for the first time, I have yanked it off as I walked in the house ... and yes, sweat is pouring off me .. but I felt fine on the ride ..

now then .. salve ... picture of dobby in head ...
 

Kiwi in Wales

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It's actually not bad. I spent quite a while deciding what to change to from my fox titan copy. It's no where near as bulky, far more manoeuvrability - you don't actually know you have it on.

It's warmer than nothing, but I wouldn't say it's hot. It's well vented, everything is perforated, as soon as you're upto speed you can feel the air moving through it. I don't instantly try to tear it off like I did with the titan armour when I get home. I'm normally going as hard as possible, so you still get hot whatever you're wearing.

Excellent armour coverage. Possibly not as impact friendly with particularly sharp objects without the titans hard plate armour, but so far I've been bruise and break free with it.

It's not reactive armour, so you don't have to worry about it "going off" after 2 years.

Will try it tonight without a base layer just out of curiosity. Just not sure how comfortable it will be with the base layer later in the year if it's 35/40c
Hey Zimms,
As you know we have the same Troy Lee 7855 armourEd top.
As you described and I agree with you 100% it is really well ventilated and self cooling (while you are moving/riding) due to all the perforations.
For summer I wear a t shirt underneath mine made with a thin sweat wicking material that pulls the moisture away reasonably well. These t shirts cost anywhere between £10 and £40 depending on the ‘label’ adorning them.
I have not tried it commando as I thought it might chaff ?

One thing I really like about this top is it is machine washable and has really stood the test of time and not fallen apart like a lot of the other makes I have owned in the past. I have added additional perforated pads on the elbows and forearms as this is where I tend to land when I part company with my bikes. I havehad to carry a couple of minor sewing repairs on it after said parting of company and would also say I have washed it at least one or twice a week in the past 6 and a half years I have owned it. I would buy the top again in a flash if mine wore out but it hasn’t.?
I wear it virtually every ride. The only time I don’t wear it is when I am going to have a big day out trail building. Best £120 I have spent in a long time!
 

dobbyhasfriends

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now then .. salve ... picture of dobby in head ...
I can send you a signed photo and some signature germolene....

As you know we have the same Troy Lee 7855 armourEd top.
will be the three of us when I get over my bike purchase.. I want it for bikeparks but can easily justify it just for my local rides..
 
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R120

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Body armour? Surely knee pads n a set of gloves is plenty?
Depends what you are doing, if I am pushing it I wear back protector, and I wear shorts with thigh pads after I had a serious off a few years back where I landed on my thigh and was off the bike for a few months.

I am also self employed so getting fecked up on the bike might lead to a loss of work.
 

R120

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One thing I have never been able to ride in is elbow guards, just can get on with them
 

GrandPaBrogan

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I thought the same .. actually, I thought knee pads were a bit sissy too ...

But fractured ribs and fractured pelvis over a three month period changed my mind .. :)
I dunno Zimm, I’ve always had suspicions about your so called armour fetish. Hope you’re not slowly turning into one of those ‘alien prawns’ in the movie “District 9” are you?
 

Zimmerframe

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I dunno Zimm, I’ve always had suspicions about your so called armour fetish. Hope you’re not slowly turning into one of those ‘alien prawns’ in the movie “District 9” are you?
That's what I look like without armour ... a good all over selection of body armour and a full face and you can mix it up with all the other nutters ! :)
 

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