What do you guys wear/prefer for upper body armor/protection when riding the trails? Under jersey zip-on body suits or over the jersey gear? Soft or hard armor? Do you like something that covers your shoulders and maybe even your arms or do you think that a chest protector is enough? I usually ride with a vest and I would like to try under the jersey style for that reason, but I fear it'll be far too hot. Leatt, TLD, Fox, A-Star, Thor, which holds up the best?
I have a very nice fitting set of hockey shoulder/rib pads. I’m allergic to neoprene so I have to be careful what I wear.
I've been running the Leatt 5.5 and a Leatt neck brace. It's been helpful and I've had a few decent body slams into trees, rocks, etc and maybe 3 direct head first impacts. I'm glad I have the set up I do. It fits under jersey; as long as your moving its not hot. I do look a bit ro-bo copish, but whatever. Based on actual impacts, I'm glad I run the hard shell, but I've been very curious about the soft stuff that's emerging. Interestingly, it's been the side protection that has had the most use, followed by the front. Helmet gets tons of whaps all the time. I stay current with the technology here. I'd rather be out a grand than get injured in the noggin. I am a developing rider. The really advanced guys seem to get by with a lot less.
I agree, you can never be too safe nor can you put a price on your body/head/life. It'll always be cheaper to protect yourself from the onset with quality gear than the alternative lol. I don't care how "swollen" or stupid I look with the kit on, I am more concerned about protecting myself and doing so without making things much more miserable and hot in this Texas heat. On top or underneath the jersey I guess it really doesn't matter as long as it works with my vest which has a lot of adjustability. I am glad to hear that the Leatt stuff is first rate.
Tekvest. Crossover's my current dirt choice. Previously wore the Freestyle. Shoulder pads are a worth-while option for either. Sno-x race vest on the snow, or for cooler days on the moto.
I'm also looking for an upper body protection. I like the fact that I can put a jersey or a jacket on top of it. Results of my investigation so far: - Spidi warrior jacket: a full upper body armor: https://www.spidi.com/us_en/warrior-jacket (full body protection with good CE levels, ribs protection seems ok but not as wrapping as the leatt, breathable vest, versatile); - the leat 5.5 https://www.leatt.com/shop/bike/pro...protection-hard-shell/body-protector-5-5.html (very good protections also for the ribs but reported as very hot); - alpinestars bionic tech https://www.alpinestars.com/bionic-tech-jacket (but no ribs/side protection and can be hot). The spidi warrior jacket is my favourite at the moment but I can't find any mention/review on advrider or on another reliable adv/dual sport/dirt bike source. Maybe Spidi isn't well known in the US? or only for the street/track?
These look very nice, never heard of them before but I am not surprised since we don't live in snow mobile country. Pricey bits for sure.
I am wearing a leatt 3d airfit body protector and i love the thing, I am coming from a fox titan which was just to hot. Before that I had the evs g6 it breathed better than the fox titan. Both the titan and evs g6 worked well just hot, plastic doesn't breath well. This leatt airfit fits nice (next round of jerseys will be large instead of xl) and breaths so much better.
Would you still wear a large if you didn't have anything on underneath or would you be buying Mediums? All of my jerseys are mediums and I wonder if I will need to size up to Large. I am 5'10" 180lbs, 40R jacket, 33 arms, 32-33 waist, 16 neck.
I'm wearing the full Forecfield harness. It is extremely comfortable and some of the best protection you can buy. It is warm, but I doubt it is any warmer than the rest. It fits easily under a jersey, and yes it has been tested when the GSAW has decided to suddenly take naps in rock strewn sections where few big bikes dare to go. Buy once, cry once.
No. I wear a size "L" in everything and I wear a size L Dakar jersey over size L/XL Leatt Airfit. And when the weather gets a little cold or wet I wear a size L Klim Forecast shell over the the top. Jerseys are kinda pre-sized for armor, so if your existing jerseys are the same size that you wear in jackets/shirts then you are probably fine.
I am using the alpine stars armor jacket. https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/alpinestars-bionic-action-protection-jacket-p I don't find it hot at all, I was actually pretty surprised how much air it flows, but imo this is a pretty subjective thing. I am sure others find it hot as can be, lol. I wear size L T-shirts as everyday wear. I use size L jerseys over the size L armor over a size L very thin nylon T-shirt. No problems,
+1 to Leatt 5.5 HD. I've hucked myself many times in new and creative ways. It's protected me in all the right ways. And it's vented well enough. At some point, you're just going to be hot riding bikes on the trail and you'll need to get used to it. As for jerseys, I wear a medium in t-shirts and all medium jerseys fit over the Leatt body armor.
Haha, I was born and raised in South Texas, I am more than acclimated to the heat and riding bikes in the summer. That said, there's a major difference between being hot on a bike in the summer in Oregon or at altitude and being hot on a bike in the summer in South Texas with 95% humidity, 100F+ temps while you sit atop a 200F+ bike in full gear on a sandy trail with no wind and direct sun. Anything helps and that includes gear that breathes as well as possible in these conditions. I am pretty set on the Leatt gear btw, considering the 4.5 and 5.5.