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May, 2025

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Anyone Rockin Body Armor?

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Graham0596
Posts: 164 - Karma: 1,263
Tired of gettin beat up tryin new. I was looking at the POC VPD light vest and the Burton Total Impact shorts. Anyone familiar/ have kind or negative words? I've had a back protector in the past as well as shorts just too damn thick, wanna find that sweet spot. Thanks
4 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,429
I don’t wear shorts skiing because I feel like it restricts me too much, I tried it for a season and wasn’t a fan. I do wear a back protector though almost always except for when I’m shooting. The POC vests are wicked nice and Slytech makes really low profile protectors although I’m not actually sure if they’re still in business…? I wear a Scott plastic one I got a while ago but the newer more high tech vests are way less bulky and definitely allow for more mobility. The POC VPD air back I’ve skied for a few days and it is very unobtrusive but I also never really fell on it so can’t speak to how it feels if you take a whack. Comfort wise though it’s great!
4 years ago
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Graham0596
Posts: 164 - Karma: 1,263
Thanks man, super detailed. I hate bulky shorts, curious about the total impacts because they're supposed to be nice and thin. mixed reviews but a lot of them are from years past so unsure if they've changed any of the tech.
4 years ago
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5095 - Karma: 18,661
I have the Pro Comp Shorts from Alpinestars which I like. I tried a few that didn't have the hip pad area in the spot that I need it. I guess a lot of that comes down to individual anatomy, I'm a smaller white dude with noassatall. The shorts also have good pelvis protection up fairly high.
4 years ago
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Graham0596
Posts: 164 - Karma: 1,263
mystery3I have the Pro Comp Shorts from Alpinestars which I like. I tried a few that didn't have the hip pad area in the spot that I need it. I guess a lot of that comes down to individual anatomy, I'm a smaller white dude with noassatall. The shorts also have good pelvis protection up fairly high.


Are they pretty thin or kinda bulky? Also interested in that hip pad, find i smack a hip more often then straight ass.
4 years ago
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
I never ski without a helmet, crash pants, or a back protector. POC VPD2.0 shorts are unnoticeable. The POC VPD Air vest is very close to unnoticeable. Superb products.
4 years ago
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5095 - Karma: 18,661
Graham0596Are they pretty thin or kinda bulky? Also interested in that hip pad, find i smack a hip more often then straight ass.


They're not too bulky and the pads are simple high density foam rubber or something and well placed so I adjusted to them really quickly.

Some of the others had more armored rubber or hard plastic bits and my real problem with those was mostly that the pads weren't lining up with my bone structure or the areas where I take impacts.
4 years ago
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Cream_Sauce
Posts: 482 - Karma: 1,561
Can anyone explain the purpose in back protectors? Been eating shit for years and I dont remember ever hurting my back with by hitting it on something. Does it just help absorb impact so the rest of you doesnt get sore?
4 years ago
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1234567891011121
Posts: 1750 - Karma: 13,850
Cream_SauceCan anyone explain the purpose in back protectors? Been eating shit for years and I dont remember ever hurting my back with by hitting it on something. Does it just help absorb impact so the rest of you doesnt get sore?


My friend broke his back slipping out on a down z and wears one now, Idk anyone else tho. I think it's one of these "what if I fall on..." because it is nice when you have it but you never know when it will happen
4 years ago
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Graham0596
Posts: 164 - Karma: 1,263
Cream_SauceCan anyone explain the purpose in back protectors? Been eating shit for years and I dont remember ever hurting my back with by hitting it on something. Does it just help absorb impact so the rest of you doesnt get sore?


MaimHelpMy friend broke his back slipping out on a down z and wears one now, Idk anyone else tho. I think it's one of these "what if I fall on..." because it is nice when you have it but you never know when it will happen


It’s definitely the what if for me. In the trees or off a rock whatever it is I’d be devastated if I couldn’t ski anymore from a preventable injury.
4 years ago
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profa_212
Posts: 9213 - Karma: 40,349
Im always rocking my poc spine protector and some crash shorts. They have saved my ass more than once.


Pro tip, you can go to dicks/scheels and pick up some clearance football padded shorts for cheap. I prefer them way more than burton ones. Got them for a quarter of the price and perform just as well. Plus you get way more options on padding and location of padding.
4 years ago
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Burrito
Posts: 1864 - Karma: 937
I have some bone chips or something floating around one of my hip pointers, so I've been wearing various padded shorts for years. Currently using some G-Forms that do pretty well - protective but low-profile and comfortable. I've thought about a spine protector but never felt like I was doing anything gnarly enough to need it.
4 years ago
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
All it takes is a weird and wonky fall on a rail, chunk of ice, even on a ski or a pole, and your spine can be done. I definitely wear all my protective gear because the what if factor. I'm lucky enough to have already skied for 8 days this season and I already would have one concussion and badly bruises hip if I wasn't using a helmet & crash shorts. Over rotated a backflip and landed on my hip -> hit my head on the landing way harder than you would expect for not landing head first.
4 years ago
1 0
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Graham0596
Posts: 164 - Karma: 1,263
tominiemenmaaAll it takes is a weird and wonky fall on a rail, chunk of ice, even on a ski or a pole, and your spine can be done. I definitely wear all my protective gear because the what if factor. I'm lucky enough to have already skied for 8 days this season and I already would have one concussion and badly bruises hip if I wasn't using a helmet & crash shorts. Over rotated a backflip and landed on my hip -> hit my head on the landing way harder than you would expect for not landing head first.


What crash shorts do you like?
4 years ago
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
POC VPD2.0 shorts & VPD Air vest
https://www.pocsports.com/products/hip-vpd-2-0-shorts

https://www.pocsports.com/products/spine-vpd-air-vest?variant=37885328818328


Graham0596What crash shorts do you like?
4 years ago
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lil.Boye
Posts: 2785 - Karma: 12,651
have a friend that always wear the shorts. worked for him, will probably work for you too
4 years ago
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washcloths
Posts: 67 - Karma: 649
Can anyone tell
me how the POC vest fits? Ordered a large, and I’m 6ft bulky 195lbs
4 years ago
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muffMan.
Posts: 2896 - Karma: 27,646
Never thought of it but I have some protective underwear j use for mountain biking. The crotch might be weird but would protect my nuts from rails a bit
4 years ago
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