 Poster: A snowHead
|
I've decided to get a spine protector this year and have narrowed my choice down to three (in no particular order):
1. POC Spine VPD Vest
2. Slytech 2nd skin slammer pro with kevlar (is this the same as P1 Dynamic made by Ortema in Germany?? They look exactly the same!)
3. Komperdell Cross (or Airshock vest)
I've tried on the POC but not the other two yet but would assume they fit similar to the POC. I'm mostly interested in these 'new generation' protectors with memory foam. I don't like the idea of the hard plastic ones.
Any advice? Should I be looking at others? Other than fit, which I know is the most important, what should I look out for?? I like the idea of a vest as its probably more comfortable and moves less but I'm afraid they might get too hot.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
ludwigk, hubby has a Slytech one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
but not the one with Kevlar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Is it for racing or freestyle?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I've got a Slytech 2nd Skin soft back protector which is used for gate training. It is really comfortable. The memory foam is great and definitely makes it more wearable than the hard plastic types IMO.
I don't use the shoulder straps and only sometimes wear the coccyx protection. It stays in place well with the waist belt and I tend to wear it with a fitted mid layer over the top.
I haven't tried the options outlined in your post above so can't advise you on them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
I went with Dainese Motorbike body Armour with with a zip out back protector. Light weight and excellent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sorry I have vested intrested, but a few ideas
you should also look at Demon from the USA and Forcefield from the UK,
kevindonkleywood, asked the correct question what is it for, out and out freestyle with multiple impacts on the spine or racing, if its freeride then you should be looking at penertration protection as well as impact protection.
Hard shells help with penertration impacts and soft shell mem foam with freestyle. Quite a few racers use Komperdell and poc because of the sponership rather than the protection offered, sorry guys at Komp and POC.
Why do you need spine protection? let us know and Iam sure you will gets lots of good advice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Get a Forcefield one! super comfy and if you look in the motorbike world they tend to win most reviews! they do a lighter weight version for winter sports also!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
OK... I mainly do off-piste skiing but I avoid any big jumps and the park. So it's not really for either racing or freestyle. Makes me wonder if I really need one? I just thought that it's a natural extension of a helmet... like getting hit by another skier or falling on a rock or some ice.
I have fallen (hard) on some boilerplate runs and thought that I was lucky to walk away. Not sure if a protector would make a real difference in these sort of situations? I get the impression that they are now becoming more common when going off-piste as they were mandatory when I went with an off-piste guide last year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ludwigk, hubby bought his after a collision with another skier, which caused a broken cervical vertebrae.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
ludwigk,
| Quote: |
I get the impression that they are now becoming more common when going off-piste as they were mandatory when I went with an off-piste guide last year.
|
being mandatory is a first for me, maybe an idea to look at back packs with spine protection built in, there are certainly more people using spine protection over the last few years, impacts with other skiers or boarders is another matter, more hard shell protection than soft.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forcefield
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
I've tried a couple (although unhelpfully none
on your list) and would definitely recommend the forcefield back protector. The Level 2 protection as previously stated wins many motorcycle review tests and fits as comfortably as any. Only downside I suppose is no cervical spine protection available which some of the makes you quote do have.
For my mind modern shock absorbing body armour is just an extension of the helmet concept. I don't think they'll necessarily save me from broken bones but do allow me to fall on my ar$e/back on boilerplate and still ski comfortably the next day
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Sun 17-10-10 22:41; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| livetoski wrote: |
ludwigk,
| Quote: |
I get the impression that they are now becoming more common when going off-piste as they were mandatory when I went with an off-piste guide last year.
|
being mandatory is a first for me, maybe an idea to look at back packs with spine protection built in, there are certainly more people using spine protection over the last few years, impacts with other skiers or boarders is another matter, more hard shell protection than soft. |
Sorry - just to clarify -I meant that the use of the guiding companies backpacks with built-in protection (along with the necessary with avy gear) was mandatory but if you had your own gear you were able to use it instead. I tried some packs with built-in protection but have dismissed them because a) they seem uncomfortable and b) I will probably get an ABS pack in the near future and c) when I ski on-piste I don't need a backpack.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
The forcefield gear looks very interesting and is basically the same design as the ones I'm evaluating. Does anyone know if it molds to your back once heated by the body? The Slytech seems to have the advantage of also covering your shoulders but the Komperdell has protection for your ribs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
ludwigk, Its a very close fitting soft shell armour which is held in place with large velcro straps for you can tighten it or loosen it to suit your taste, but essentially yes it does conform to the shape of your body.
Essentially the best way forward is probably going to be to get to your nearest motocycle dealer/ski company and try some on, the forcefield system is designed for long days of wearing unlike some of the race systems that are designed for maximum spinal protection but are as a result much more restrictive and uncomfy. Impact wise the system is designed to protect motorcycle riders in crashes so is more than up to the job
Once you have done you first few hours in the forcefield gear and the 'newness' has gone out of it you will hardly notice you have it on. I know a lot of freestylers wear it for that very reason.
I eventually bought the whole body system (except the shin guards) after seeking advice on here, I have not been dissapointed.
a large portion of the gear is machine washable, which certianaly makes your company more pleasant 
edit: Look at the full body harness system not just the back protectors
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I don't think it has been mentioned above, but the Forcefield ones are breathable (well, my 2010 version is) and that makes a huge difference over some others..
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sleipnir, Ive just ordered a POC Helmet for my son , but will not get it till mid November as they have stated that is when the stock is being delivered by POC Distributor. As to price not sure you will get POC cheap , especially this season's comings stock. I used https://brainbucket.co.uk/ , they too have the VPD but only in XL , so I guess they are waiting for new stock for these too. The XL has been discounted
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Picked up a POC VPD this weekend. According to the POC sizing charts I should be a L/XL but after trying both I went for a MED -makes sense as even though I'm over 180cm my upper body is a bit short so this is something to keep in mind when shopping for one. It seems to be very comfortable but Ill will have to wait and see on the hill.
BTW, does anyone know if their cervical and coccyx accessory pieces can be used with the VPD??
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ludwigk wrote: |
Picked up a POC VPD this weekend. According to the POC sizing charts I should be a L/XL but after trying both I went for a MED -makes sense as even though I'm over 180cm my upper body is a bit short so this is something to keep in mind when shopping for one. It seems to be very comfortable but Ill will have to wait and see on the hill.
BTW, does anyone know if their cervical and coccyx accessory pieces can be used with the VPD?? |
ludwigk I have the POC catalogue and there is no mention of the cervical and coccyx pieces being used in conjunction with the VPD - from my interpretation, they are 'plug in' extras to the Spine Ergo and Spine Ergo Bug (the ones with the sold material back plates)
Will have to check my sizing also. I am going to have to order online, so had better get this right. I'm shorter than you, 170cm and pretty short in the upper body too (a stumpy git!). As a matter of interest, and to help me decide if I actually need a small, what sort of measurement do you have from the base of your neck down to your waistline, if you don't mind me asking - I'm guessing this is the kind of dimension that is relevent for a back protrector + a bit for your tail bone
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
I have a Forcefield for when I am not wearing a backpack. Completely comfortable. Very happy to be wearing in last season when I thought I would have a go through some GS gates. Overpowered my binding, 30 yards in the air and flat on my back on the hard stuff. Now I have a screwdriver as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| stiffdrink wrote: |
| Now I have a screwdriver as well. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
preferential treatment if you decide to visit his website 
OK Forcefield gear is very comfy and after a little while you hardly know you are wearing it. They work on dissipating impacts over a large honey comb surface area, so for freestyle they are perfect.
