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Reading about all these injuries etc... What about protective gear?

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4frnt222
Posts: 46 - Karma: 11
I know it might be lame to be "that kid" wearing some protection but why doesn't anyone consider wearing some type of protective gear when skiing? I mean the benefits outweigh being made fun of.

Poc has new lightweight pretty low profile jacket that provides a ton of protection... Might be expensive but definitely worth while.

http://www.pocsports.com/en/product/1392/spine-vpd-2-0-jacket

Click for larger image




Feb 20 2012 1:10AM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
I wear a scott back protector. At the very least it gives me the peace of mind that its there
Feb 20 2012 2:17AM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Said this numerous times but I really think big park/big mountain types should adopt the full face mtb/motocross type helmet. Some of the big mountain pros rock em. They look sick and help ya keep your teeth.
Feb 20 2012 9:47AM
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DBL
Posts: 1404 - Karma: 2,211
no
Feb 20 2012 4:14PM
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bustinthejus
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 74
That would be so restricting... it would be overkill for park, especially since pros rarely smash their faces hitting jumps and park rails...

Back protector is a good idea, but anymore and it starts getting restricting... imagine throwing a dub cork 12 in full football gear... and of course, steeze, as much as we hate to admit it, is a big part of this sport.
Feb 20 2012 4:56PM
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D_Calle
Posts: 193 - Karma: 27
Was actually thinking about this the other day. I've had numerous back problems in the past two years. (fractures, disc problems, muscles) and im all good now but my confidence has been lets say... "Pussy status" when wanting to try new shit. Definatly looking into buying some new gear. Being safe before it happens is just smart. Should have done it sooner
Feb 20 2012 7:01PM
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corski
Posts: 505 - Karma: 319
I have the nike combat shorts with the padding on the hips and tailbones....saves me so many times
Feb 20 2012 10:17PM
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egg.
Posts: 3231 - Karma: 3,477
always wear one if im flipping
Feb 20 2012 10:23PM
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andrew95
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 124
i swear by lower body padding. i always use a football girdle and it actually doesnt hurt to fall... well that much
Feb 20 2012 10:30PM
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AGOF
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 3,602
these are actually more dangerous than normal helmets on hardpack, because if you fall face first it can twist and break your neck
Feb 20 2012 11:36PM
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YooperSteeze
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 45
I have sixsixone bomber shorts, basically basketball shorts with pads, well worth it. Definitely takes the sting out of landing on my ass, which I do a lot.
Feb 21 2012 12:47AM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
I never ride without a helmet or backpack, and frequently wear full upper body armor, impact shorts, and knee braces. but "I'm the best skier on the mountain"
Feb 21 2012 12:55AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7137 - Karma: 17,392
If that was actually the case then mountain bikers would break there necks all the time. Dirt is much harder then snow but I would never downhill mtb without a full face. But park skiing, maybe not.
Feb 21 2012 1:03AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7137 - Karma: 17,392
If that was actually the case then mountain bikers would break there necks all the time. Dirt is much harder then snow but I would never downhill mtb without a full face. But park skiing, maybe not.
Feb 21 2012 1:03AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7137 - Karma: 17,392
If that was actually the case then mountain bikers would break there necks all the time. Dirt is much harder then snow but I would never downhill mtb without a full face. But park skiing, maybe not.
Feb 21 2012 1:03AM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
False! If you fell just perfectly sideways, face down... it would twist your face AT MOST 90 degrees, dislodge from the snow, and you would have at most a sore neck. If you faceplanted and it dug in as you were falling forward, the friction would force you into a painful somersault, but the jaw part of the helmet would hit your chest and prevent over rotation of the neck. If it jerks your head back, again, it might be able to get 30-60 degrees, which is well within your natural range of motion.

Show me a statistic, news report, or story of someone breaking their neck BECAUSE of a full face.
Feb 21 2012 1:14AM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
^this. Plus I'm seeing more and more big mountain guys rockin full face. Ya almost never see Sethmo ridin without one now. I often use the argument that big park types, (not your "I can slide a flat box" types), are going at least as high and fast as FMX riders and they rock full faces every time. Also, and I'm sorry to those who have heard this already, but to whoever said above that you've never heard of anyone needing a full face for park.....well sit right back and you'll hear a tale. I was at my local hill in the smaller park with no helmet on. Tried to back "I think" a smaller hit I've done plenty of times without issue. Caught my tips "I think" and went face first into the hardpack. I literally crushed one side of my face. That was almost 3 yrs ago now. My last reconstructive surgery was 3 1/2 weeks ago. I have two more smaller ones left to go. So far I've had 4 major reconstructions and 1 reconstruction to fix one of the other reconstructions that didn't heal properly. Each surgery destroys either an mtb season or a ski season. I have been unable to fully progress my skill level over the last 3 yrs and will probably never get back to the level I was at. Docs say had I been wearing a bucket style helmet the injury sustained would've been halved. Had I been wearing a full face helmet it woulda been a mild concussion. So yes it does happen. I'm not tryin to be preachy or look for pity. Just tryin to raise awareness to just how easy it is to rock yourself on a smaller feature. Yet there is ample protection in the way of mtb/FMX style full face that nobody uses.
Feb 21 2012 8:21AM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Sorry but I had to come back to add some context. You gotta understand that I have zero to gain by suggesting this right? I could rock my full face and not tell anyone. I'd be better protected and definitely have a unique look on the mountain. I'm suggesting it to NSers because I genuinely give a damn and don't want some up and comer to go through what I have. So please feel free to express your opinion but save the hate for someone else. My point of view is comin from a good place. Vibes.
Feb 21 2012 8:47AM
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powerslide
Posts: 570 - Karma: 273
vibes back man.

I use a spine protector, a mouth guard, a helmet and some things for my thumbs i'm 37, and the old machine is not getting younger ;/ I wish that I had been more careful with my hands, you need them thumbs
Feb 21 2012 9:01AM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Sooo know what ya mean. Been fortunate enough to not do the thumb thing. Which is surprising actually. I only feel comfortable with my pole straps the wrong way. I only do em the right way when I'm trying something outta my comfort zone. My buds say its like Stallone in "over the top" when he turns is hat around. Haha. Their like "when vipes starts switchin his pole straps, shits about to get real." then I usually eat shit. Lol
Feb 21 2012 9:14AM
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MachChicken
Posts: 30 - Karma: 11

It is funny how in the days before you have a major injury how it seems impossible and that other people somehow asked for it because of weak skills and poor choices.....(Broken back and crushed face included. I was luckier than above in that it only took one facial reconstructive surgery) I completely support what has been said above. Helmets are a necessity not a choice.  hip, tailbone, and back will come to fall in this category within the next few years. My pack has saved me a bunch of times.  Helmet has taken many tree hits... worst one was the first day I wore it. As I was cartwheeling down a terrain trap I could see this tree getting closer on every head-pogo. Then ding..... as I continued my graceful tommohawk the only thought in my mind was "That was money well spent".  After eating my knees on a flat landing last year I got a full face.  Doesnt restrict at all. Minor loss of field of view but only right at my feet (almost equalled by the nosepiece of my goggles)

First day this year (without a pack) I was at the top of a steep entrance and there was a broken off snag pointing uphill in a no fall zone. On my second turn I hooked my tails and flipped switch suddenly and was racing down the chute backwards. In my mind I could see that snag and knew I was heading for it. I managed to stop and looked behind me and the snag was inches form my spine. Another half second and it would have been a wheelchair day.

My point is: things change quickly and it is better to be overprepared than lucky or sorry. There are more people (good skiers) at my home hill wearing protective gear than not.  It is hard to look cool when you are in the Patrol Tabbogan!

Enjoy the snow! Storm warnings in effect!

Feb 21 2012 11:21AM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
^yeah dude. I went into the trees on a squirrely switch landing. Cartwheeled and came to rest with the jaw side of my full face on a rock. If I was wearin a bucket it woulda def broke my lower jaw. As far as it not l
Feb 21 2012 11:28AM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Friggin mobile sucks! Anyway, as far as it not lookin cool, that's kinda not so much true. Before I started rockin one if I was on the lift and saw a dude about to hit a line or drop in the park wearin a full face, you paid attention cause your like, "this mutha f*ckas bout to do some crazy sh*t". It's whatever though. With all the high profile injuries and deaths as of late, it won't be long till the young guns parents start lookin into how to better protect their kid. It'll naturally evolve to full face no doubt. Be a trend setter and rock one now. This way you can be like "I was doin that way before anyone else". Haha. Seriously though, don't have 34 screws and 5 plates holdin your face together. The "holy crap your like the terminator under there!" comments from the tsa are getting old. Lol.
Feb 21 2012 11:36AM
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MAWman
Posts: 142 - Karma: 49
couldnt agree with you more bro, theres a reason mtb's and mx riders wear them and i just face palm when i see someone hucking a cliff without one on, they also save your chin from smashing your pole into them
Feb 21 2012 12:08PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
It'll progress the same way it did for mx and mtb. Wasn't that long ago that any type of helmet on the slopes was a rarity. Once it "becomes cool" all the naysayers will totally jump on the bandwagon. I give it 2-5 yrs before full face is pretty commen to see on the mountain.
Feb 21 2012 12:18PM
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MachChicken
Posts: 30 - Karma: 11
Totally agree Viper! Was meaning more in regards to having a slightly bulkier look with the under-armour.  I think the full-face look means business too!  After all... my Seth Morrison Obsethed skis require a Seth Morrison Style Full-face if I am going to send 120ft front flips.....  ummm yeah.
Feb 21 2012 12:29PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
I know! That helmet ski combo looks sooo sick. Berns workin on one too for an unnamed pro. Pollard maybe?
Feb 21 2012 12:36PM
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MachChicken
Posts: 30 - Karma: 11

I am using my MtBike downhill helmet... just taped up some of the vents.

Close this window.

Feb 21 2012 1:37PM
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MachChicken
Posts: 30 - Karma: 11

Darn link

http://www.outsideoutfitters.com/ps-22264-339-giro-remedy-cf-helmet.aspx

Feb 21 2012 1:37PM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
That looks sick. I'm rockin a tld d3 medusa.
Feb 21 2012 1:42PM
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MachChicken
Posts: 30 - Karma: 11

Looking good.  speaking of troy lee designs... there are some great deals on the TLD rincon jackets with chest/arm/shoulder and spine protector from last year to be had.  think they retailed for 250+ and can be found for 99$ new,

Feb 21 2012 1:51PM
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