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February, 2025

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Back protectors? Hear me out

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apc.fr
Posts: 293 - Karma: 879
I'm getting old and still at least trying to still progress in and out of the park. I've taken a couple scary spills but so far avoided anything too serious (knock on wood). I'd like to keep it that way soooo...

What's the back protection situation? Who on here uses them? Is the $300 POC vest/jacket worth it?

I'm at the 95% sure I'm getting one point, trying to figure out where the cost/protection break makes the most sense for me.
Jan 24 2022 3:22PM
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drifts
Posts: 621 - Karma: 4,498
apc.frI'm getting old and still at least trying to still progress in and out of the park. I've taken a couple scary spills but so far avoided anything too serious (knock on wood). I'd like to keep it that way soooo...

What's the back protection situation? Who on here uses them? Is the $300 POC vest/jacket worth it?

I'm at the 95% sure I'm getting one point, trying to figure out where the cost/protection break makes the most sense for me.


isn't the $300 one a torso protector and spine protector combo? most decent spine protectors are like $150 just get one of those
Jan 24 2022 3:36PM
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apc.fr
Posts: 293 - Karma: 879
driftsisn't the $300 one a torso protector and spine protector combo? most decent spine protectors are like $150 just get one of those


Exactly the info I'm looking for, thanks. Hoping to stay away from the trees so back is probably all I need.

Fit is going to be a problem no matter what, need to track down where I can try stuff on.
Jan 24 2022 3:41PM
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toe-bang-gang
Posts: 208 - Karma: 1,272
ive heard great things about the sweet protection one although i know nothing about it
Jan 24 2022 4:41PM
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ericforman
Posts: 722 - Karma: 6,213
I use a poc vest with a back protector think it was maybe 200? You may have to try a couple to get sizing right. That helmet and mouth guard are all good if you know you are gonna be falling / pushing yourself a lot.
Jan 24 2022 4:51PM
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Nuno812
Posts: 432 - Karma: 1,793
Like my Poc back protector, too bad I got it after breaking my back. I don’t have the vest just the spine one
Jan 24 2022 6:41PM
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Yukon_Cornelius
Posts: 307 - Karma: 2,660
apc.frI'm getting old and still at least trying to still progress in and out of the park. I've taken a couple scary spills but so far avoided anything too serious (knock on wood). I'd like to keep it that way soooo...

What's the back protection situation? Who on here uses them? Is the $300 POC vest/jacket worth it?

I'm at the 95% sure I'm getting one point, trying to figure out where the cost/protection break makes the most sense for me.


As someone who has fractured my back/neck skiing, IMO the back protector is definitely a valuable investment moving forward if you’re still hucking your meat. 99% of the time, the help is psychological, but it’s nice to be able to get up after the other 1%. The one I’ve got is made by shred, is reasonably priced and low profile, and I don’t notice it when I wear it under a hoodie. They’re still all over the place online.
Jan 25 2022 12:29AM
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
Get the POC vest and forget about it. Hands down the best products (Air & VPD2.0) in the market. Used to have the VPD2.0 spine and liked it a lot, until tried the Air vest on and bought it in a split second. Before that had a Salomon and before the Salomon tried at least 5 different brands in-store. POCs are expensive but well worth the price.

I'm also rocking their downhill spec knee pads when blading in the summer time.
Jan 26 2022 12:15AM
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9917 - Karma: 74,410
Curious how many of you wear these outside of the park. I could totally see the utility especially when skiing no fall lines in rocky shit or in steep trees.

Have any of you broke your back with a backpack before? I'd have to imagine that pads quite a bit.
Jan 26 2022 2:30AM
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Nuno812
Posts: 432 - Karma: 1,793
Mine was out of the park in some low tide trees, landed on a barley covered stump
Jan 26 2022 9:25AM
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alpha.moose
Posts: 142 - Karma: 1,033
I have the Atomic Live Shield Amid Vest and wear it everywhere. It is super comfortable and gives me a lot of peace of mind. Tons of companies make really similar products. I would just say to make sure that you get a protector that has the level 2 protection certification.
Jan 26 2022 10:47AM
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Yukon_Cornelius
Posts: 307 - Karma: 2,660
HypeBeastCurious how many of you wear these outside of the park. I could totally see the utility especially when skiing no fall lines in rocky shit or in steep trees.

Have any of you broke your back with a backpack before? I'd have to imagine that pads quite a bit.


I broke my C7 by landing on my head, not flat on my back, but I think the biggest difference between backpack/protector is if you get bodied hard enough to fuck up your back, that backpack is probably coming off or moving..
Jan 26 2022 12:53PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9498 - Karma: 70,121
got one, wore it once, just wasn't a huge fan. I wanted to start wearing one because my friend broke his back last year(he is fine now) but it was a simple crash where he just slid backward on a rock and cracked a vertebrae. I figured helmet for back right? Problem is I can't really move in it how I like to and I just don't like the feeling of wearing it.
Jan 26 2022 2:15PM
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apc.fr
Posts: 293 - Karma: 879
HypeBeastCurious how many of you wear these outside of the park. I could totally see the utility especially when skiing no fall lines in rocky shit or in steep trees.

I'm absolute trash in the park, but after tomahawking through avy debris I'm thinking more about having for big mountain than for keeping me aligned on the flat tube.

Tons of great info, thank you all.
Jan 26 2022 3:28PM
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quagsire
Posts: 280 - Karma: 1,317
Bought a VPD2.0 Vest a couple years ago when entering a big mountain comp where back protection was mandatory. It's comfy enough that I started wearing it every day I'm on the mountain! Never once found it too hot or restrictive.
Jan 26 2022 4:27PM
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jompcock
Posts: 1572 - Karma: 11,715
Yukon_CorneliusAs someone who has fractured my back/neck skiing, IMO the back protector is definitely a valuable investment moving forward if you’re still hucking your meat. 99% of the time, the help is psychological, but it’s nice to be able to get up after the other 1%. The one I’ve got is made by shred, is reasonably priced and low profile, and I don’t notice it when I wear it under a hoodie. They’re still all over the place online.


I love my slytech/shred back protector. I don't use it every day but I use it whenever I'm going upside down in an icy park. Used to have a Poc VPD 2.0 vest and the Shred one is way less bulky and more comfortable.
Jan 26 2022 5:34PM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
back protector, ALWAYS. Wipeing the fuck out with them just feels better every time.





Not the best skier or park skier, but I'm very good at crashing when trying.



Curently use the Sweet protection one since they are "local" in "race" version aka thickest ones. Previous one was "shell" version, I broke it after to many spills .

**This post was edited on Jan 26th 2022 at 6:08:16pm
Jan 26 2022 6:04PM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
https://www.sweetprotection.com/no-no/back-protector-race-vest-mens/835003.html?dwvar_835003_color=TBSWT&cgid=15288



very comfy!
Jan 26 2022 6:12PM
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9917 - Karma: 74,410
Anyone got the vpd air tee? Adds chest protection.
Jan 26 2022 7:56PM
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Wadyatalkinabout
Posts: 120 - Karma: 1,469
apc.frI'm getting old and still at least trying to still progress in and out of the park. I've taken a couple scary spills but so far avoided anything too serious (knock on wood). I'd like to keep it that way soooo...

What's the back protection situation? Who on here uses them? Is the $300 POC vest/jacket worth it?

I'm at the 95% sure I'm getting one point, trying to figure out where the cost/protection break makes the most sense for me.

In my big mountain comps back protectors are required and honestly just cop a cheap one online and use that because they are definitely worth it.
Jan 26 2022 9:56PM
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lil.Boye
Posts: 2746 - Karma: 12,549
used to hate them. remember being gifted one and not using it since it didn't fit (i just thought that was how it was)

was able to trade with a friend who bought the same one in a smaller size, loved it and have started to swear by them. now i use them 90% of the time.

i have a sweet back protector vest. fits solid and doesn't feel as stiff as some others i have tried on.

one tip i have is to go smaller if you are between sizes, too large ones just sag upwards and feel like shit.
Jan 28 2022 2:59PM
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