Chest Protectors

[Doc]

So.... I crashed last race weekend and I think I cracked a rib (still hurts).

I am thinking that a chest protector may have helped this and I am gonna get one.

I was wondering who has what? What do you use and why?

I am leaning toward the Impact Armor. Any other suggestions?

[Daytona440]

From what I've seen the Impact Armor is far and away the best, IMO.

Icon has the field armor vest which has a chest protector, but Icon themselves says it's not designed for track use (ie too short in the back).

Bohn makes one, which my teammate Justin wears.
Bohn Cool-Air Chest Protector - KneeDraggers.com

[TTD]

ahhh....

another one that listens to me AFTER it happens.




Having felt your pain, I started off with a real heavy duty bull riding vest, but when that no longer fit in my leathers, I went with the Impact Armor.

It's a compromise, but the fact that both the back and chest protector fit in the same space as a normal back protector, I think it's a good option.

Good luck, and if you do go with Impact Armor, I think he is still giving a good discount to TTD riders... info on my site.

PS. While I don't think they will prevent everything, I do think they bring things down a notch. So instead of a broken rib, you might end up with a bruised one. Instead of a puncture wound, you might end up with a broken rib. etc.

[Tricky Mike]

That Dainese Wave jacket looks the business, but (of course) it comes with the Dainese price tag.
I've been looking at this for next season:
Velocity Gear

Seems hard to beat at $179. You may not need all of the stuff, but it seems somewhat modular...

[hammadown]

Good luck, and if you do go with Impact Armor, I think he is still giving a good discount to TTD riders... info on my site.

+1 he is, just ordered mine a few weeks ago with the discount. Hopefully have it for the 2 day next week.

[BMFR6]

Love my impact armor.

[Tricky Mike]

info on my site.

The following was also on your site... baaahhhahahahah. Ball-peen or framer? You're nuts

"In an attempt to simulate a foot peg or other object hitting you, I did an impromptu "test" using a hammer. (Basically I gave myself a good whack in the rib area.)"

[Jaynnus]

Tony, do you know of any women that have gotten the impact armor? According to their measurement guidelines you are measuring your chest, torso and back from left to right and not a circumference. The chest armor looks curvatured to fit your body but...how would that work for women?

It needs to have tittie dents, albiet itty bitty, but dents none the less.

[Puppet]

I'll second (or third...wherever we're at) Impact Armor. I've had mine all season and my leathers don't feel right without it now. For under $100 you get a quality custom made piece...with the option of integrating with a custom back protector.

Jane...I'd call Mike and see what he has to say. If he's not doing it now...it may help to get him to add a women's specific line to his products.

[s a x m a n]

I am so glad I had the impact armor chest protector when I got into the turn 3 wall ... it probably saved my life, or at the very least saved me from very serious injury

i recommend to all

[ultraTwist]

Also having some experience with this, chest protectors and the like are more to protect you from puncture wounds, brusies and breaks from being hit by say a knee or baseball bat. Most of the time when you break a rib it's because you break more the way a pipe breaks when you hit it with a hammer as your body is crushed from the impact to the pavement, The breaks are on the sides. Still an excellent idea, just don't expect miracles. If you are really worried about it you need to wear really thick padding all the way around you. Kind of like sparing gear.

[Jaynnus]

Jane...I'd call Mike and see what he has to say. If he's not doing it now...it may help to get him to add a women's specific line to his products.

I have sent him yet another e-mail.

[ku996r]

+1 he is, just ordered mine a few weeks ago with the discount. Hopefully have it for the 2 day next week.

dude, you should get on the phone and call mike to make sure he can/will send it in time.

he does great work, spend his time to do it right, but also takes a long time and you have keep reminding him or he may forget your order altogether.

I love my impact armor back and chest protectors.

[Kurlon]

I have the Icon Field Armor vest. Don't bother if you want something that'll fit under your leathers, the buckles on top of the shoulders will quickly bruise you just from the pull of your leathers on top of them. Works great on the outside of leathers, but it does prevent 'quick venting' on hot days. Rather than just unzipping your leathers, you'll now need to remove your helmet, remove the vest, THEN open up to get air.

I agree, the back protector portion could be longer, and the side elastics are too high to work as a kidney belt, but for the money, it's a cheap add on. My next set of leathers will be specced to include a back protector I think, although that impact armor looks good...

[hammadown]

Yeah thats a good call, I sent an email yesterday and still haven't heard back, so a call is in order. Last time I talked to him everything was set, but now I'm getting a little nervous.

[jamotech741]

I am so glad I had the impact armor chest protector when I got into the turn 3 wall ... it probably saved my life, or at the very least saved me from very serious injury

i recommend to all

I remember that day, it was your first weekend with it. Talk about shaking your head and saying what if. Now I know why Mike will send it to the track if time is short, he wants you to have it asap and for good reason. Handle bar to the chest with a 300lb guy behind you at turn 3,

[TTD]

Yeah... email's seem to be useless with Mike at Impact Armor.

And deadlines aren't much better.

If you're expecting something for the upcoming trackday, you needed to be calling him starting last week... daily or so.

Jane... I believe the last time I spoke with Mike, he was doing something for women... or had already done it. However, with the extreme flexibility of the product, my guess is that it will just form around your massive chest without a problem.

Check with Pete G. at the next event. My guess is that his chest piece is about the same size you'll need, so you can just slip it in your leathers and see how it works.

[OreoGaborio]

hey!!! I'm not that skinny!

but I'll still let ya try it out, Jane. Both CP and BP will be too big on you, but you can throw the CP into your leathers & see how it works.

[SVRACER01]

Tony, do you know of any women that have gotten the impact armor? According to their measurement guidelines you are measuring your chest, torso and back from left to right and not a circumference. The chest armor looks curvatured to fit your body but...how would that work for women?

It needs to have tittie dents, albiet itty bitty, but dents none the less.

i agree. i dont want amanda fun bags getting punctured. theyre expensive

[TTD]

err... what's protecting the funbags now?

[Doc]

Oxx. He is a big guy.

[Jaynnus]

Tony, do you know of any women that have gotten the impact armor? According to their measurement guidelines you are measuring your chest, torso and back from left to right and not a circumference. The chest armor looks curvatured to fit your body but...how would that work for women?

It needs to have tittie dents, albiet itty bitty, but dents none the less.

I finally got a reply. Mike gave me a call and then sent me a ton of information on the protectors for women. They have been working really hard and had a woman to test them out. I am going to order one over the winter for next season.

It is nice to see they are taking the time and attention to develope a female specific product.

[Hoss]

Are the chest protectors independant of the back protector? I have an alpinestars back protector, does the impact chest armor need the IA back protector to "mount"?

I could always hock the A-stars if needed

[TTD]

They are mostly independent... you can use it with your current back protector.

Mainly, your leathers would hold it in place, instead of the strap that attaches to the Impact Armor back protector.

[ku996r]

impact armor is da bomb.

mike is a perfectionist, he takes his time to make sure you get the custom fit. the price is cheaper than some off the shelf units out there. I paid something like $180 for both back and chest protectors.

it molds to your body when it warms up after 10 mins of wearing.