Dirt Safety Gear - who wears what?

[jtaylor719]

Getting back in the woods after a few years off, checking to see what others are using for gear these days.

I have it all, elbow/knee/shin guards, chest protector, boots, etc - but I'm thinking of going with one of those body armour jackets like Dainese or Alpinestars supplys now. Seems like it might be more protective and maybe less cumbersome than a chest protector.

Looks like a lot of people in the mags don't wear chest protectors, or maybe just the thin roost deflectors under the jersey.

I'm seeing several people running the Leatt braces too, wondering if it's something I should consider.

I'm riding woods only - not MX. Mostly trail riding around NH and Turkey Runs, maybe the occasional Hare Scramble.

Thoughts?

[KB]

I have a body armor type mesh jacket that I wear under my riding shirt and swear by it. I got it from Bryco on here. It has an itegrated kidney belt chest and back protctor, elbow and arm guards. The thing rocks, and I have tested it many times. The only thing that sucks is on 90 degree days it's very warm. Also the mesh inside makes my nipples sore, but in a good way kind of.

KB

[ThisBitch]

I'd like to know about this too... moving to AZ in a few weeks and one of our first purchases will be a dirty bike.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

Personally I ride in riding pants and jersey (more for comfort and because that's the gear I always get dirty than protection), boots, gloves and a helmet.

[union]

I dont like the body suit armor. I have one and tested it one day. When I hit the ground the armor on the elbow and fore arm rotated so I had 0 protection. My arm was black for a week. Never had that problem with all the traditional gear. I also like the added protection of the chest protectors offer on the shoulders and upper arms. I took that off one day to see if it was easier to ride which it is but much more painful when you whack a tree with your shoulder.

[Doc]

BOOTS! I Can't ride without good MX boots.

Helmet, good Goggles some MX pants and a long sleeve shirt. I don't get roosted!

[Sheppo]

I have one of those mesh shirts with back, chest and shoulder protection, I love it. Boots with knee protection, MX pants, gloves, helmet and mouth guard.

[Paul_E_D]

I run it all. traditional chest protector, knee guards, hip pads, boots, EVS neck brace. Once you run a neck brace, you will feel naked without. In ANY fall where you auger in, tumble, or bump your head in any way, you will come out better wearing a neck brace. Woods, MX, whatever. The only piece of gear I go without is elbow guards as they contribute to arm pump. I feel safer with functioning hands as opposed to elbow guards!

[rbrais]

Boots, pants/knee pads, jersey, kidney belt, chest protector, gloves, helmet & goggles. I never tried the Leatt Brace. They say you don't notice it, but I'm old school. Plus I'm not spending that much to race once a year.

Always wear a full front and back protector (ridgid plastic) after my friend ws parylized when he endoed and the forks hit him in the back.

[typeone]

i prefer a regular, full chest/back protector too, easier to unclip to get cool air on a break. here's my standard getup:

helmet, googles, gloves, chest protector, neck brace, kidney belt, elbow guards, jersey, pants, knee guards, boots (and a camelback)

for MX days i've been skipping the elbow guards and bicep/arm guards. used to skip the neck brace for woods but i've gone to wearing it all the time as i dont notice it at all. dont wear hip guards anymore but may start to again.

[rbrais]

Never liked elbow pads. They always slid down. The ones that did stay in place restricted blood flow. I gave up on them (got a scar to prove it too).

["Dangerous" Dan K]

I forgot the kidney belt. After a good hit a few years ago, I got one. I wear it most of the time, but not just puttering around.

[union]

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Never liked elbow pads. They always slid down. The ones that did stay in place restricted blood flow. I gave up on them (got a scar to prove it too).

Took me a while to find a set that stayed in place and didnt give arm pump. The 661 2x4s work good and I also have a set from thor that work well for me.

[typeone]

ive got some old set of EVS elbow guards that work well for me but they do get hot. even though i keep the straps kinda loose, they seem to stay in place. at least for the initial hit. big plus in the rocks.

kidney belt, i could never ride without one, get slammed around too much...

[Paul_E_D]

I've never used a kidney belt, but I always wondered why it was painful to pee during the summer. You kidney do take a thrashing even if you don't fall. I may have to get a belt this year.

[breakdirt916]

bump...looking for more input on "fitted mesh shirt" vs. traditional gear

I pieced together the traditional gear for ~$100 with boots, and it feels like the cheapest f'in protection in the world, particularly for a sport that you fall so much

[union]

Wirelessly posted (TELECA-/2.0 (BREW 3.1.5; U; EN-US; SAMSUNG; SPH-M810; Teleca/Q05A/INT) MMP/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

bump...looking for more input on "fitted mesh shirt" vs. traditional gear

I pieced together the traditional gear for ~$100 with boots, and it feels like the cheapest f'in protection in the world, particularly for a sport that you fall so much

I have a one piece you can try.

[rbrais]

What did you buy?

["Dangerous" Dan K]

I've never used a kidney belt, but I always wondered why it was painful to pee during the summer. You kidney do take a thrashing even if you don't fall. I may have to get a belt this year.

I love mine. It's right up there with gloves, not up with helmet and boots but I love it. You'd be welcome to borrow mine to try it out but me being from the north shore, I never cross 495. As far as I'm concerned the map to the west of 495 may as well say "There Be Dragons".

[Kitt]

I don't get roosted!

Aww.. nobody will ride with you?

[typeone]

Paul, you'll probably notice more heat in the summer but much less fatigue with your middle-bits kept tight.

i like my Thor Quadrant belt (older model) but the best i've ever had was an old skool mesh style one. forget the brand, 'Gear'? it was similar to the classic 'Gold Belt', very minimalistic... TLD makes a nice, simple mesh style belt that i want to try next, think it's the SE.

[McBiggity]

Couple things from this thread that are now on my list to buy- neck brace and kidney belt.
I really would like some better boots, I have some cheapo $99 Answer boots.
I always ride with the knee guards, elbow guards and I have an EVS under the shirt roost/back protector.

[typeone]

Biggity, keep in mind you can troll eBay for cheap used boots that were crazy money new, then just resole them for ~$70. the leather and buckles are usually totally fine.

i've done it twice with Alpinestars, the work was top-notch and quick. last pair i paid $25 for with a ripped/trashed sole, another $70 and they're now new again. sick deal.

[McBiggity]

Biggity, keep in mind you can troll eBay for cheap used boots that were crazy money new, then just resole them for ~$70. the leather and buckles are usually totally fine.

i've done it twice with Alpinestars, the work was top-notch and quick. last pair i paid $25 for with a ripped/trashed sole, another $70 and they're now new again. sick deal.

nice. I will start trolling!

[Chippertheripper]

i have a shitty meash street jacket i wear alot. kinda gay, but better than nothing. i'll probably be in the market for one of those darth vader armor shirts soon too.