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lightweight body armour
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi,
I do a lot of trail riding and am thinking about investing in an upper body armor suit. I want to know what you recommend for a really light weight armor that can be worn for like 4 hour rides or so??? I have been looking at 661 and Dainese but can't find out too much info on good stockists or what people have got in the light weight department. I want to stay clear of the bulky DH style armor. Can you please make suggestions or point me to a store or so that can help.
Cheers everyone
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Generally for rides of that sort of length, most folks opt for elbow/forearm and knee/shin armour only, and usually only one them. For example, I usually make do with forearms, sometimes add knees when I haven't seen the trail before and I'm expecting it to be techy.
I get hot with just these bits. Full upper body pressure suits, even the very lightweight kind, I reckon will probably start to cook you when you need to climb a hill ... unless maybe you're in Tassie in the depths of winter.
Others with direct experience may care to comment.
This is close to a *Shameless plug* but have a look at the RXR 125 or 126 stuff. Light, non restricting and not much hotter than a heavy shirt but heaps of protection wear it counts.
http://www.rxrprotect.com/
Otherwise their was a hydrapack thingie on the market a while ago with built in spine protector
Thanks flynny. I will check them out. Any other suggestions that people have would be great.
i never used to wear body armour or granny pads, but several intimate journeys to the ground, a couple of (very painfull trips up THE WORST GOAT TRACK called a road in nsw!!!!!),several weeks not earning money, seeing my best mate have what seemed to be just a little OTB (a broken neck-a bees dick from quadraplegia-that put the wind up me) i wised up and made the investment. i tried on heeps of stuff but settled for the race face rally dh body armour. i will agree, it does get a tad warm, but any prtection does. the thing i like about it is 1-very adjustable heaps of adjustments to make it fit to various shapes and sizes, 2-you can take the spine and kidney protector of leaving you with sholder and chest prtection. 3-light weight and very airy, 4-the camel fits on good. wack on some granny pads for the elbows and knees and your set. Any excursion to the bush and on it goes, it looks like its a bit of an overkill but the COUNTLESS times ive meet the ground since no major injuries. i ride all day you get used to it, its sweaty smelly itchy but it WORKS WELL. TBSM is the place to go. bit of an essay but hope it helps
cheers mate. I was heading out to TBSM this week. I will have a look