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Back protector styles

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Have been using a back protector when training for exams for the last few years. First this one, which was then replaced due to washing issues by this.

Unfortunately the salomon one got a little damaged last year in my gear rucksack (the actual protection bit has torn a little between some of the flex plates) so looking to replace it again. Aside from damaging it, I've been happy with the salomon one, so thinking about switching to this - basically the same but it is based around a vest as opposed to shoulder straps.

Wondering how people have found the vests vs the more 'shoulder strap' versions? The only issue I've had with the 'shoulder strap' versions is the fit - I always seem to find the waist band rising up and pushing the whole back protector too high, making it uncomfortable (and constantly needing to be pulled down after every chairlift) and I guess potentially it might not work as correctly. Do the vest styles work better for this? I guess as well they are potentially warmer as well?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I have never understood why people wear these.
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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?
bar shaker wrote:
I have never understood why people wear these.
In my case to protect me from being hit from behind on busy pistes.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
Quote:

The only issue I've had with the 'shoulder strap' versions is the fit - I always seem to find the waist band rising up and pushing the whole back protector too high, making it uncomfortable (and constantly needing to be pulled down after every chairlift)
+1
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
bar shaker wrote:
I have never understood why people wear these.


Because spinal injuries can be lifechanging and rocks and trees and even ice are generally less pliable than the human body?
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
[Double post]


Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Thu 29-11-18 14:30; edited 1 time in total
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@bar shaker, I wear one because I'm required to by the French Ski Federation rules, may as well pick one that is comfortable.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Quote:

The only issue I've had with the 'shoulder strap' versions is the fit - I always seem to find the waist band rising up and pushing the whole back protector too high, making it uncomfortable (and constantly needing to be pulled down after every chairlift)
+1 Exacerbated by being short-waisted
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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.
skierbiggsy, you may wish to have a look at/try Forcefield products.

I have a level 2 back protector for the motorbike which I use to replace the ones built into my leathers and riding jackets. I dont find it rides up my back as such and as you can appreciate, on a motorbike you're constantly in an active sitting stance, so even more likely to make it ride up than a chairlift. I've used it for snowboarding too and the only problem with that was that the tail of it conflicted with the armoured shorts (coccyx) as the back protector is quite long (as it needs to be for motorcycling).

The main advantage the forcefield L2 has is that it gradually moulds to the contour of your back a bit, so it can't really ride up all that much as your shoulder blades prevent it. At least thats my experience of it.

I also have a Forcefield Pro Shirt which is armoured on elbows, shoulders and chest. I believe they also do a version with an integral back protector but I wanted the flexibility offered by having the separate back armour. It's very comfortable and doesnt move about at all. Each armour part is removable so you can customise for different activities. Never had this ride up on me. It's also washable if you remove the armour. One tiny little niggle with it is that the zip on mine isn't finished particularly well, so it rubs on my neck. A bit of gaffer tape sorted that. Otherwise it gets full marks.

Theres also Knox, who have a decent reputation.

Edit: When on snow I wear both products over the top of a 200 base layer. The armoured shirts are a base layer of sorts in themselves though and they armoured sections make you sweat a bit (hence me wearing over merino instead of under).

Hope this helps.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
bar shaker wrote:
I have never understood why people wear these.


If you're a heavy bloke like me, they help avoid damage to any glacier I happen to be on when I fall over.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
As per Martin and Ami, I have always used Forcefield armour. I find it less bulky and as it is flexible, it is more comfortable.

The other big plus over hard shell armour, is that it can take multiple sharp impacts and not lose its strength because of the way it disipates energy through its soft structure.
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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.
I have one of these.....

https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Amplifi_MK_II_SkiSnowboard_Impact_Shirt_XSS_Black-(157492)

Wear over the top of base layers so sweat isn’t an issue. Also, As I wear impact shorts, this fits perfectly as the back protector doesn’t go so low as to interfere with the coccyx protection on the shorts. Added bonus, the vest has two straps that you can clip round a belt etc......I use them to clip round the loops on my impact shorts - hence stops the rising up issue you may find with some of them.

From an armour perspective, they are similar to the D30 you find in Demons products, so has movement and is comfy. So much so, I use mine when mountain biking etc instead of my hard shell armour I used to use.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
A friend of mine has had a Salomon one like the one the OP is thinking of replacing, and a Dainese one more like the one he is thinking of replacing it with. I believe the Dainese one was more comfortable BUT if you run hot, it is a whole extra layer of clothing which you may not want. For example, my son mostly skis with just a t-shirt under his jacket, so he would cook with the gilet style of back protector on as well.
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