Upper Body Armor?

[pirate]

Anyone own or ever try one of those upper body armor suits? If so, what are your thoughts on them.

The reason I ask, is that I bruise really easily and badly. I somehow managed to hurt myself at The Shed the other day, even though I was wearing full leg and arm pads. I ended up with a nasty bruise on my upper arm and some sore ribs.

I would probably feel like a douche wearing one of them at The Shed, but I think it might be better than having to walk certain parts because I'm afraid of getting a giant hematoma. The thought of getting hurt always manages to creep into my head when I'm rolling up to a drop or something sketchy.

Anyway, let's hear your thoughts.

[jabberwocky]

I don't have anything to add, other than that I am interested in upper body armor also, mainly for doing shuttle runs at the shed.

I've heard good things about the Rockgardn Flak Jacket, as well as the Azonic Z-6 and the Dianese stuff.

[pirate]

Yeah, that's what I'd like to have it for too... The Shed and possibly Snowshoe if I ever make it back there.

This (http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=26999) is the one I have been looking at. It's a little spendy, but everyone raves about it.

[jabberwocky]

I've heard lots of good things about that one. I have also heard, however, that the Azonic Z-6 is damn near the same thing for about half the cost. Take that with a grain of salt, but it may be worth looking into.

[redneckp3ngu1n]

When im doing gravity riding or when im riding at a place like gambrill and its cold enough out i will wear a the short sleeve 661 pressure suit. I took many tumbles during the dh practice at whitetail and i know it saved my body from lots of bruises and scrapes. They get super hot though and can feel alittle bit chunky when you wear them. I will only recomend them for cold days and shuttle runs because of their weight, size, and ability to retane heat. Look at the 661 pressure suit that the pros use. Im too lazy to look up the name but it is black and has yellow trim. It seems to be well ventalated and less chunky then the other 661s. Dianese also is a good brand and you should also look into the fox series of armor.

[oldskoolbiker]

I use the 661 short sleeve suit also. It's pretty decent for it's lower price. The Dianese supposed to be the best but it costs alot more. It has saved me from many bruises. I always use the suit for Freeride and Downhill.

[mark w]

I can attest to the quality, protection and comfort of Dainese gear. I have the 3/4 suit and it has saved me from several trips to the hospital. Cambria has the regular Safety Jackets for $20 less that the NEXT. The backplate zips off for cleaning or for a little more comfort. If you take care of it, their armor lasts quite a while.

"Plastic courage" definitely allowed me to step up my riding because I was less worried about falling and as a result fell less.

[cmt4f]

They def. help but tend to be quite hot on long rides.. The company Six Six One makes a great upper body torso protector that is very light weight and breathable so if you're interestd you might want to check out their site.

[pirate]

Well, after crashing twice yesterday, and landing hard on my shoulder both times, I decided it was time to pull the trigger... I just placed an order for a 2005 DAINESE SAFETY NEXT JACKET from Cambria. They had the XL ones for $269, which seemed like a pretty good deal to me.

I'll let you all know how it works out, once I get it.

Brian

[urbaindk]

Well, after crashing twice yesterday, and landing hard on my shoulder both times, I decided it was time to pull the trigger... I just placed an order for a 2005 DAINESE SAFETY NEXT JACKET from Cambria. They had the XL ones for $269, which seemed like a pretty good deal to me.

I'll let you all know how it works out, once I get it.

Brian

But they were such beautifully spectacular crashes! You need to change your handle from pirate to superman.

I keep putting off getting one of the 661 dealies that Oldskool was talking about. I need to get on that soon before I wreck myself real good.

[pirate]

But they were such beautifully spectacular crashes! You need to change your handle from pirate to superman.

They may have been spectacular, but my shoulder is sore as hell today. I really need to learn the technique for getting over those really big logs.

[Jack Sparrow]

I have always worn full-face helmets and full body armor at the 'Shed. I used to wear an Azonic jacket, but its mesh was too rough, so I switched to a 661 pressure suit (http://www.sixsixone.com/catalog.aspx?id=440dec65-6414-4695-b371-d25023314467&pl=BIKE) after trying one on at Snowshoe's bike shop. It feels very soft and comfortable, yet sturdy. Highly recommended.

[walsh]

I have always worn full-face helmets and full body armor at the Shed. I used to wear an Azonic jacket, but its mesh was too rough, so I switched to a 661 pressure suit (http://www.sixsixone.com/catalog.aspx?id=440dec65-6414-4695-b371-d25023314467&pl=BIKE) after trying one on at Snowshoe's bike shop. It feels very soft and comfortable, yet sturdy. Highly recommended.


You know those guys who kayak off waterfalls in the Red Bull commercials?

The smart ones wear armor, and the 661 pressure suit seems to be de rigeur.

(As with biking, I meet those guys sometimes, but will never hang with them. Big drops are probably not in my future.)

[Jack Sparrow]

You know those guys who kayak off waterfalls in the Red Bull commercials?

The smart ones wear armor, and the 661 pressure suit seems to be de rigeur.

(As with biking, I meet those guys sometimes, but will never hang with them. Big drops are probably not in my future.)

That's interesting that they use 661's bike armor for kayaking! Never thought about its other many uses.

[pirate]

That's interesting that they use 661's bike armor for kayaking! Never thought about its other many uses.

The manual for the Dainese armor I just got, showed that it could be used for skiing and snowboarding as well.

By the way, I tried out the Safety Jacket last night... I don't really know what to think of it. It's not as much padding as I expected, but I guess that might be a good thing. Too much padding seems like it might cause mobility issues. The jacket was a little warm, but not too bad. Also, the mesh was tiny bit uncomfortable on my skin. I guess I might need to get an Under Armor T-shirt to wear under it. Overall, though, it's not bad. I would not pay that much for it, if I had to do it over again, but oh well. It's just money, right? :D

[Pie]

I have a 661 pressure suit that I wear, most of the time, when I'm out on the big bike. Definitely gets a thumbs up for being body armor, but gets a thumbs down on every minor detail that defines how nice the product is...

- Main zipper requires 10 mins of struggling to zip up
- Back protector is flimsy, narrow, and provides no hyperextension (scorpion style) protection
- Chest protector flimsy, bulky, doesn't conform to movement of chest
- Big lumpy 661 logo on chest makes you look like you have a grotesque mono-nipple
- Back protector doesn't extend below waist to protect tail bone at all

I knew full well that the 661 was a budget item when I bought it. I wasn't sure if I would stick with DH long enough to care. Next season though I'll either go with the Rockgarden (very good spine, vertical split chest protector, removable lower arms), Raceface (if they ever release it it'll be nice like their arm/leg Roach armor), or the Dianese (best spine protection and highest i-talian quality).

The only good news is that, yes, even the cheapy 661 will save you a lot of common injuries like skinned/mashed shoulders (I run mine into trees along the trail all the time) and skinned/mangled forearms and elbows.

[redneckp3ngu1n]

- Main zipper requires 10 mins of struggling to zip up
- Back protector is flimsy, narrow, and provides no hyperextension (scorpion style) protection
- Chest protector flimsy, bulky, doesn't conform to movement of chest
- Big lumpy 661 logo on chest makes you look like you have a grotesque mono-nipple
- Back protector doesn't extend below waist to protect tail bone at all



I have the opposite experiance with my armor. My zipper is easy to zip up. The suit is only designed for lower speed impacts so it can be made alittle more flexable, the logo covers up my manbreasts nicely and it is designed to be used with padded shorts so the spine protector doesnt extend down as far so that it isnt making an uncomfortable lump in your padded shorts.

[urbaindk]

making an uncomfortable lump in your shorts.


I really hate making an uncomfortable lump in my shorts. :D Thank god it usually only happens when I'm eyeing a big drop. :eek:

[Pie]

Removing the wimpy chest protector plastic insert seems to help with both flexibility and moob cover-up. The chest plate just makes you look lumpier. ;)

I've never seen or heard that the 661 is meant for lower speeds than downhill speeds which if last weekend is any indication aren't that low (hitting 30-38mph) on fireroad sections of Snowshoe. If you meant lower speeds than Dianese suits designed for sport bike racing, then yes, much lower speeds since sport bikes will do 40mph in first gear!

In the end I like the idea of having a nice longer spine protector that extends down and is made of honeycomb aluminum a la Dianese since I don't wear padded granny panties (thought I should).

[Pie]

A little update on the 661 armor....

Per my usual post-ride procedures, I took my Pressure Suit last week and tossed it into my washer. I removed the back panel from the main body and in they went with my gloves, jerseys, knee/shin pads, and some lacey underthi.....nevermind.

When I returned from 30 mins of washing I pulled the spine protector out to reveal that the washer's action (agitator) had literally torn the elastic kidney belt in half. Guess it's time to sew it back together and hold on for next season and some Dainese or Rockgardn armor!

[CRAIG2]

...or invest in a Bosch Axxis washer and dryer. Though, that would be remarkably more expensive. But, better for your clothes, even those 'delicates' that none of us really want to hear about ;)

[Pie]

Well it was my own fault. I've been washing my armor on "permanent press" which has quite a bit of agitation action. Oops.

[urbaindk]

FYI:

Sierra trading post has the 661assault suit (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4290,66440_Six-Six-One-Protective-Body-Armor-Assault-Suit.html) on sale for $49.95 and the pressure suit (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4290,66615_Six-Six-One-SPI-Cycling-Pressure-Suit.html) for $89.95. I just ordered up an assault suit.

[Billy Mathisen]

How is the 661 Assault suite working out for you?

I am slowly peicing together some downhill equipment myself and it looks like a good deal. I like the idea of it being short sleeve.

[gohanbwoy]

How is the 661 Assault suite working out for you?

I am slowly peicing together some downhill equipment myself and it looks like a good deal. I like the idea of it being short sleeve.


I have a rockgarden flack jacket id sell... i picked up the 661 pro suit which is awesome.

[urbaindk]

How is the 661 Assault suite working out for you?

I am slowly peicing together some downhill equipment myself and it looks like a good deal. I like the idea of it being short sleeve.


Honestly, it's been hanging up in the closet. I haven't ridden where I need it lately. I tried it on and it is a little short in the back or I am a little tall. It should still do the trick though.