Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Body armor?

profile picture
whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,103
im just a park rat looking to step up my game, start throwing myself over bigger jumps and just more sketchier stuff, what body armor should i get? anyone use them? what do you guys think of them?
Aug 13 2011 11:59AM
0 0
profile picture
Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
i use a cup, and helmet. i know of some guys that use mouth guards too. if you are hitting urban knee pads might be clutch. i have seen a few spin protectors for sale on here so you wold have to ask what they use them for
Aug 13 2011 12:19PM
0 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
helmet (duh)
mouth guards are nice, they help prevent concussions and tooth chipping
i wear a back protector when i race skicross, i have a slytech back protector and i can barely feel it when i ski
Aug 13 2011 12:38PM
0 0
profile picture
Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
spine**
Aug 13 2011 12:49PM
0 0
profile picture
jsaya_SagStraps
Posts: 1840 - Karma: 29
I typically ride with a helmet and spine protector. Those are nice because you usually forget you have them on. I feel like any other pads would be a little bulky for skiing.
Aug 13 2011 1:09PM
0 0
profile picture
GNARSQUAW
Posts: 98 - Karma: 10
I have a helmet a spine protector and some low profile knee pads ever since I fucked up my knee on a rail if you get some that are low profile enough you barely notice them and one day you'll be thankful you have them
Aug 13 2011 1:43PM
0 0
profile picture
.cam.
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 48
I know a lot of people who wear hip pads and tailbone pads
Aug 13 2011 1:54PM
0 0
profile picture
Turnup_swiperigh
Posts: 990 - Karma: 108
I wear a helmet and mouth guard, have used wrist guards when i started rails and felt they did nothing so i stopped wearing them. Spine protector could be useful.
Aug 13 2011 7:20PM
0 0
profile picture
TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11988 - Karma: 12,261
spine protector
Aug 13 2011 8:09PM
0 0
profile picture
a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
i think impact shorts would be good. i hate hurting my hips.
Aug 13 2011 9:06PM
0 0
profile picture
Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
this, my cup shorts are basically sliding shorts and have side padding
Aug 13 2011 9:26PM
0 0
profile picture
whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,103
thanks for all the response! im leaning towards a spine protector. +k when i get on a comp
Aug 13 2011 10:26PM
0 0
profile picture
b.utters
Posts: 321 - Karma: 99
You could look into mountain bike/moto pads.
Alot of stuff by Troy Lee Designs is very low profile and designed to be very breathable.
Aug 13 2011 11:01PM
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
Hoping to get some more information on Body Armor. One of my friends always skis in a Scott Spine protector. He also has some upper leg pads that might extend down to his knee cap. At 46, shit hurts a little more and recovery takes longer. I have never skied in body armor but I know I am going to need it if I want to step up my rails. Who has some good body armor they can recommend?
Dec 20 2011 10:54AM
0 0
profile picture
.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Really? How often do you nut yourself on rails?
Dec 20 2011 11:02AM
0 0
profile picture
Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
enough to care
Dec 20 2011 2:41PM
0 0
profile picture
NoBigDeal
Posts: 2790 - Karma: 629
kidney protection is a good idea.
Dec 20 2011 2:56PM
0 0
profile picture
spkillah
Posts: 515 - Karma: 86
I wear these for football and skiing, the pads are low profile and really protect you.
Dec 20 2011 3:55PM
0 0
profile picture
rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

The concussion thing is a myth... the tooth chipping thing is very, very valid though. If you're hucking big shit or lots of rails it's worth considering, nothing is worse than a mouthful of your own kneecap. (Except maybe a mouthful of DFD...)

I wear a helmet, back protector and impact shorts. They certainly make the smaller hits feel a lot better, dunno how well they'll do if I take a massive hit but surely they won't make it worse...

Dec 20 2011 4:39PM
0 0
profile picture
whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,103
Holy, 46 and hitting rails? That's awesome. I was riding without any protection except a helmet last weekend, it was my first day of the season, when I fell it hurt less than I remember, maybe its just my commitment to get right up after, anyways now my knees and ass are sore as shit. Also an edge scraped along my shin, and a lil skin came off even though nothing happened to my pants
Dec 21 2011 3:45PM
0 0
profile picture
powderhuffer.com
Posts: 162 - Karma: 23
POC Spine VPD Vest and VPD Shorts are legit.  It's a personal choice, but if you are going to get a Spine Protector...go with POC. 

The POC VPD System (Visco-elastic Polymer Dough) is probably one of the best and safest protection systems around.  VPD is made to be soft and comfortable, but when you crash it stiffens to absorb the impact energy.  While most spine protectors are static, the POC VPD protection is progressive meaning the harder the impact the proportionately more energy from the impact is absorbed by the VPD pads and better protected you are from injury. 

We see a lot of guys in the park buying the VPD shorts to reduce crash bruising/injury and even spine protectors; while more and more big mountain skiers are wearing Spine Protectors.


Dec 21 2011 4:47PM
0 0
profile picture
awheeler1
Posts: 86 - Karma: 10
/threads
Dec 21 2011 6:57PM
0 0
profile picture
rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
VPD is pretty damn legit. It's like D30 foam, which is also pretty impressive, taken to another level. If you push it with your thumb it's like squashing a sponge but if you punch it it's like hitting a big block of plastic. Cool stuff.
Dec 21 2011 8:29PM
0 0
profile picture
Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
Crash pads/impact shorts help both physically and mentally. Before I wore them, I always feared landing in my hips, cause one big hit to the hip meant a 6in diameter black bruise and no more rails for the day. Now I can shrug it off an keep riding, you literally feel no impact with them on
Dec 21 2011 11:38PM
0 0
profile picture
richard.
Posts: 873 - Karma: 55
you can always try paintball slider shorts.
Dec 21 2011 11:41PM
0 0
profile picture
Phormat
Posts: 774 - Karma: 20
I bought the POC VPD Vest over summer, but haven't used it yet this year (EC...) It fits pretty snug and it has the same safety rating as a motorcycle back protector. Hopefully I won't need to write a review on how it works, but if I do, I hope it works haha.

If you hit rails a lot, shorts help to prevent bruising. Then again, the bruising reminds you not to screw up.
Dec 22 2011 12:00AM
0 0
profile picture
DUKES
Posts: 5150 - Karma: 691
http://shop.mbs.com/protective-gear/hip-pads.html

i use these. they may seem a little excessive but it is worth it. i mainly bought them for mountainboarding cause landing from 15 ft to straight hard as shit ground and concrete hurts when you fuck up and land on your hips. i used these for skiing and seriously when i would fuck up on a box or rail i didnt feel a thing and the same went when i was hitting some 20 foot booters and trying 360s i would land straight hip to knuckle or deep and i would just get back up with not a bruise and barely any pain
Dec 22 2011 12:50AM
0 0
profile picture
cubber
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 638
^^^ I am buying these today, hillbilly hip pads, THEY SEEM LEGITIMATE
Feb 1 2012 10:48AM
0 0
profile picture
tbayskier
Posts: 1138 - Karma: 1,642
just a helmet is probably good man.  i used to use a back protector but it's bulky and hard to move in so i found i was crashing more. 
Feb 1 2012 10:52AM
0 0
profile picture
mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
I've been rockin a Troy lee full face. I'm protecting a broken face though so its a touch more justified but I don't see why more peeps haven't adopted it yet. Some of the big mountain guys rock em like Seth. I think they look pretty badass too. The argument I've been using is that some of the stuff peeps are doin these days is equivalent in height and speed to what FMX guys are doin. Plus it keeps you warmer. Since I've been rockin one since my wreck, my friend started wearin his mtb full face too. There's been twice now that thing has saved my teeth. Once goin face first onto a box from catching a tip and once where I had a sketch switch landing that sent me into the trees. I came to rest with the chin piece resting on a rock.
Feb 1 2012 11:11AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Hyde
Posts: 337 - Karma: 121
DEMON !! I just got a pair of there shorts, the flex forc pro's... They have the biggest hip pad and a few other pads like tail bone, that are all removable.. You don't even feel it when you sit down, I think they where 50$ worth every penny. I was going to use my old hocky pants but the don't fit under the pants so well.
Feb 1 2012 11:36AM
0 0
profile picture
robboadd
Posts: 19 - Karma: 11
Don't know if you guys have heard of this brand. They started out making motorcycle stuff.
They are called forcefield http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/.

They are so comfy and a million times better than the hard shell protectors and foamy spongy things like demon^. The material they use actually absorbs impact.

Just so I'm not saying one brand I have seen the POC back protectors and they seem really good, not used them though.
Feb 1 2012 12:39PM
0 0
profile picture
cubber
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 638
Click for larger image

they look sick, i shoulda waited
Feb 2 2012 12:29PM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Hyde
Posts: 337 - Karma: 121
The look just like the Demons I have,,, what's the diff between there Foamy spongy stuff and Demons ?? Demon also make motorcross padding as well.
Feb 2 2012 8:02PM
0 0
profile picture
schmies
Posts: 2032 - Karma: 511
Some of the crash pads have the thick foam and plastic pads which can be really awkward to wear and uncomfortable. Nike has their Pro Combat shorts that have the sections of individual closed cell foam for freedom of movement. I wear them for mountain biking and give thumbs up.

If you are just starting out, anything to protect your tailbone, thighs and knee/shins isn't a terrible idea.
I'm somewhat suprised people don't rock more minimalistic padding when doing insano urban shit.


Feb 2 2012 8:17PM
0 0
profile picture
IBZ
Posts: 576 - Karma: 18
I use Demon's spine protector and impact shorts. Fits perfect on me. I've fallen on boxes before and the shorts definitely helped. The spine is there just for my peace of mind when hitting larger jumps.
Feb 2 2012 8:28PM
0 0
profile picture
whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,103
are kneepads neccesary?
Feb 2 2012 10:18PM
0 0
profile picture
snowbombz
Posts: 2456 - Karma: 96
anus plug
Feb 4 2012 4:04PM
0 0
profile picture
cubber
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 638
^^^ good point, preventing seepage. but i got the hillbilly hip pads yesterday and wore them all day today, barely noticeable until i fell, and it felt like having a couch cushion under me
as for kneepads, I sometimes wear them but i can't find ones that stay put, they usually tend to drift down and rest on the top of my boots. broke my knee though, that's why im all for them.
Feb 4 2012 9:01PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)