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Back Protectors
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead

Hi all, I am new here, and would be grateful for some advice.

I have a teenage son who is working abroad and doing some XC racing. He has also recently taken up downhill telemarking. I am sure I don't get the full story but it appears to be off-piste and involve lots of jumps and things. Anyway he has asked me for a helmet, and also back and knee protectors. Shocked

The Back Protector he has found on the web is made by UFO. I tried 'googling' them but all I got was a lot of rubbish about flying saucers. Does anyone know if they are a reliable make?

Any other tips gratefully received, because I know absolutely nothing about lift-served ski-ing. He doesn't know much more, but is in a good place to learn. He has learnt very good downhill skills on 44mm racing skis, and finds telemark equipment easy to ski on, so the technical side isn't a too much of a problem for him.

Thanks. Smile
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person

PS The UFO seems to be sold out in his size, so any other suggestions for good kit gratefully received
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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?

nordicfan, Try looking at mountain bike stuff ? I tele too - helmet and knee pads are a must....not so sure about the back protector - but then I way too old to jump !
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.

nordicfan, I've got the Dainese Nextwave back protector & it's excellent. http://www.dainese.com

You can definately buy them from Ellis Brigham's and Snow & Rock might also stock them.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

nordicfan, You can look at motorcycle stuff too http://customleathers.co.uk/cat75_1.htm or http://www.planet-knox.com/

As long as the protection is CE aproved it's fine.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.

Thanks for the advice, all. Very Happy

I have now found the previous threads on this too. Dainese seems to be favoured. Also, it is easier to find on 'Google' which is a plus. I particularly like the fact they say they impact test their stuff at -20 C. I have seen how hard and brittle some materials go in the cold (e.g. when my Mum reversed into the gatepost at -5C, and the 'shock-absorbing' bumper on her car just disintegrated).

Oh, well - now to try to drum into the boy that the kit does not make him injury-proof.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

nordicfan wrote:
.......I have seen how hard and brittle some materials go in the cold....


Me too. I took a heavy fall in Snowbird a few weeks ago. From the crack I heard & the pain in my chest I thought I'd broken a rib or two. It turned out that I'd snapped the insurance 'credit card' that was in my jacket pocket clean in two Laughing.
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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!

nordicfan, back protectors need to be worn close the the skin and secured quite tight so there's little displacement during impact. That means under your jacket and next to your base layer. Cold temperature testing is just marketing poop 'cos if your body temp's -20, all the back protectors in the World ain't gonna make you rise from the slab.
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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.

Masque wrote:
nordicfan, back protectors need to be worn close the the skin and secured quite tight so there's little displacement during impact. That means under your jacket and next to your base layer.


For that reason I find they're very warm & I hardly ever need to wear a mid layer - just a base layer, my back protector & a shell jacket is usually all I need. I put a light weight fleece on in Kitzbuhel at Christmas when it got to -15C.
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