Back protection

They help with impact mostly. they also work to help prevent backward bends or "tacos". they do not do much for tailbone impacts or that kind of compression, and if they are worth it kinda depends on you. they can be uncomfortable and hot, but personally I choose to wear one because there is a lot of shit to hit your back on while skiing and I've had a few friends break their backs skiing. They have gotten much more comfortable over the past few years, with new materials and such. my original was a Dianese and it was very very hot. I recently got my hands on a Slytech backpack with a removable back guard and I can't really tell the difference between that and a normal pack, so for big/all mountain skiing I always wear it (but I almost always wear a backpack for shovel/probe/snacks when I ski so I'm used to having a pack on. if you ski without a pack it may feel odd).

If you are going big a lot then I would say yes but if you are stuck in the midwest with just rails and 25 ft jumps then I would say no. I can't justify the money.

Well for me if its even a small chance they might help me not brake my back again I think they are 100% worth it and I almost always use one. I broke my back a couple seasons ago doing a switch 3 on a relatively small jump, had done the same trick probably 30+ times on the same jump without any real falls so I felt completely safe on it to witch made me realize I can still have some bad luck and get hurt even on those easy days. If you go for the soft type you will barely notice it after a while and it might even boost your confidence a bit.

Side note the back protector didn't help when I broke my back because I landed on my ass (the impact gave me two fractures in my spinal cord), however I am sure that if I had landed with my back first (witch I just as easily could) wearing the back protector could have made a huge difference.

My back protector has saved me more than a few times. Over rotated my first backflip of the season last weekend without my protector on and I seriously regretted it. Its kind of just insurance. If you're going big and getting gnarly, the last thing you want is second thoughts about getting hurt and a back protector definitely helps with some peace of mind. Your back is like your head in the sense that if you fuck it up it can easily be for life. Protecting your spinal cord is the real incentive.

dyerwhats the point of things like back protectors from slytech or poc and other brands. what do they help you do. are they worth it?

I know this is an old thread, but yes, they help a lot. This thing saved my ass several times. Can't fit it under some of my suits. Wish I had it on when I popped a knuckle the other day. Kinda hurt my shoulder. This would have helped.
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/792386/Dainese-Evolution-Jacket

WattMoodThey help with impact mostly. they also work to help prevent backward bends or "tacos". they do not do much for tailbone impacts or that kind of compression, and if they are worth it kinda depends on you. they can be uncomfortable and hot, but personally I choose to wear one because there is a lot of shit to hit your back on while skiing and I've had a few friends break their backs skiing. They have gotten much more comfortable over the past few years, with new materials and such. my original was a Dianese and it was very very hot. I recently got my hands on a Slytech backpack with a removable back guard and I can't really tell the difference between that and a normal pack, so for big/all mountain skiing I always wear it (but I almost always wear a backpack for shovel/probe/snacks when I ski so I'm used to having a pack on. if you ski without a pack it may feel odd).

The one I have prevents "tacos"! See above.

I have one and it honestly helps alot, but if you are gonna get one then get a poc one if you want. In my experience they are really low-key and protective, and its barely noticeable.

geibI have one and it honestly helps alot, but if you are gonna get one then get a poc one if you want. In my experience they are really low-key and protective, and its barely noticeable.

The protection jacket I have above is not noticeable under a jacket unless it's tight as shit.
No straps. Just put it on. It's made with net and is not too hot either. It's basically the same thing motocross riders wear. They don't make the one I have anymore but this one is similar.

http://www.dainese.com/us_en/manis-jacket-55-41015.html

This one is ski.
http://www.dainese.com/us_en/action-full-pro-73264.html