 Poster: A snowHead
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Anyone using the Forcefield gear?
Im thinking of investing in the Extreme Harness Adventure and Action shorts (and no they are not and Anne summers product Boris  ) but they are a bit pricey if there not up to the job.
Specifically can you maintain your flexability and agility whilst wearing them? (like I have either flexability or agility...but I can dream)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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they are real good and flexible only downside is that on the early version i have the lycra or whatever the material is isnt very breathable and you get sweaty... i think they may have changed to a mesh but not sure.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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kevindonkleywood, yeah, don't underestimate the amount of heat you usually lose down your spine. When layering, I've always thought of a back protector as a layer in its own right, such is the added warmth. As for loss of flexibility, you shouldn't have a problem. Back protectors and padded shorts are designed for active use, and are very accommodating.
In my experience there is not much to differentiate between the various brands of protection equipment (not including helmets of course). Whether you go for Dainese at the top end, Forcefield slightly further down the scale, or some unknown that you can pick up at TK Maxx or Lidl (not kidding, both stock this stuff. And in UK stores at that), you don't really get a visible amount of extra bang for your buck.
Sure, at the very low end you might find that the back protectors don't have a many panels, which means they aren't as flexible. The more interweaving panels they have, the more hinges there are to accommodate the curvature of your spine.
The bottom line: if you're buying protection for the piste, then shop around. Cheaper brands manufacture products that will protect you equally as well at a fraction of the cost. The materials may be of a lower grade, but unless you're buying for use at a high level e.g. freeriding/big mountain, this shouldn't be a concern.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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skimottaret, welove2ski, Thanks for that guys, sounds like its going to be worth spending a bit more cash.
The bit about the heat loss through your back is a very valid point as I have a plastic rossi back protector that is like wearing a sauna 
I spend a lot of time on plastic terrain and have been planning some big mountain stuff for next season so Forcefield or Dainese look like the way forward.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Oh well! ive accidentally clicked a few places with my mouse and am now a good deal poorer, I will let you know how I get on once it arrives  I went with the Forcefield stuff.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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use the forcefield my self and is by far the best on the market, wins every review both in the ski and motor bike world and in my opinion it puts the danise stuff to shame cos it has less bulk and more comfortable!
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kevindonkleywood, You've made the right decision - my kids wear forcefield back protectors (the new 2010 design) and other parents who have seen them will be upgrading their own children's back protectors from Dainese to Forcefield when they grow out of them.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Wed 2-06-10 12:09; edited 1 time in total
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kevindonkleywood, ah, you didn't say you spend time on the truly gnarly terrain that is plastic. I have a forcefield top, but it is an earlier model so any comments I have about the design are not particularly relevant. What is relevant though is that I never ever go onto the plastic without every bit of armour on that I own (top, shorts - although those are Dianese - shinnies, helmet, slalom gloves - although I don't bother with a back protector), and the elbow and shoulder protection has saved me so many times. Still not really got a good solution to avoid broken fingers though - although some of our club members swear by boxing gloves!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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kevindonkleywood, so what did you buy, and from where? The reason I ask is that I'm thinking of getting back protectors for myself and my eldest son for our trip in July.
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I bought the following from Leisure Lakes Bikes as they had an offer on.
Forcefield Extreme Harness Adventure Level 2 Sizes - Letter: L 1 £206.99
Forcefield Limb Tubes Misc: Leg, Sizes - Letter: One Size 1 £44.99
Forcefield Action Shorts with Sport Armour Sizes - Letter: L 1 £76.49
Have not recieved them yet with it being bank hol weekend but i should be able to report back later this week.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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GrahamN,
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Still not really got a good solution to avoid broken fingers though
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Funny you should highlight fingers I have been trying to find a good product for about a year, to sell along side our Forcefield and Demon ranges, to avoid skiers thumb, dendix thumb etc!!
If anyone has any suggestion let me know
we also off 10% off all Forcefield gear to Snowheads via our site.!! 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Just an update on this gear, having used it for a good number of hours now and taken some decent knocks with it 
Overall I am very pleased with the protection the Forcefield gear offers and it is very comfy even when worn for a long session (3+ hrs) the general quality is very high and the velcro fastenings all have a overlock so that they will not pull away even if forced fairly hard. The back and chest protection is a lot better than I thought it would be given the weight and (realative) thinness of the armour. The loss of body flexibility when wearing everything is minimal and other than for the additional warmth you can quite easily forget you are wearing it.
Now some minor niggles: The knee protection has all the lables (and there are a few) sewn into the inside at the back so they rub behing you knee if your not wearing something under them, and the protection shorts make going for a pee a bit of a logistics excercise. One of the armour pockets has started to loose its edging allready but i think that is a loca problem due to a few missed stritches rather than a problem with the whole garment.
Overall very happy and much less bruised and battered than I was.
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