Ski Club 2.0 Home
Snow Reports
FAQFAQ

Mail for help.Help!!

Log in to snowHeads to make it MUCH better! Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. as well as access to 'members only' forums, discounts and deals that U don't even know exist as a 'guest' user. (btw. 50,000+ snowHeads already know all this, making snowHeads the biggest, most active community of snow-heads in the UK, so you'll be in good company)..... When you register, you get our free weekly(-ish) snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices (or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either)... We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in :-)
Username:-
 Password:
Remember me:
👁 durr, I forgot...
Or: Register
(to be a proper snow-head, all official-like!)

Which back protector?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I need to get my 16-year-old stepson some kind of back protector. He's massively into park skiing, but has a tendency to overestimate his ability / underestimate the risks, and last season managed to land a big jump on his back and micro fracture 3 vertebrae...

Before that happened I hadn't even thought about back protection, and now that I am, I'm struggling to make sense of the offer. I can't seem to find any kind of overview of the different types of protector, and what the pros and cons of each are. I'm considering the type that looks like an armadillo shell with shoulder straps to avoid making him too hot (he's a very warm person), but I really have no idea where to start.

Any help / insight / recommendations would be much appreciated. Thank you!
ski holidays
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@BlueSky, What clothes will he wear under and over it ?

I wear a Slytech one for racing and find it quite hot and I don't get hot normally.
ski holidays
 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?
He normally skis in a base layer, thin fleece and shell jacket, and shell pants...
snow conditions
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
I've got one of those protectors going cheap if you're interested.
snow report
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Fit is everything. Different models will obviously fit differently and being comfortable is key. More so than different styles in my opinion.

Personally I have a Dainese one with flexible plates and like it. It's not too bulky but it is a bit stiff / restrictive although I'm used to it.

The visco elastic ones (e.g POC) allegedly get more comfortable as body heat makes them a bit more conformable. I was just a bit between sizes when I tried them on.
ski holidays
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
That’s good to know, thanks.
latest report
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
As above, the fit is important. Particularly because if it's not nicely snug and comfortable, it's easy to not bother putting it on. Like helmets, they all fit differently and you need to know what suits you
latest report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I have been using the ortovox freerider backpack for about 5 years now and that includes a built in back protector, but only any good if you want to wear one, maybe not in the park.

Slytech/Shred do some nice flexi ones now too, going to test one of those out next week. I like them as they do not have the waist belt that I found can ride up and make the back protector ride up. It is also completely flexible and thin.

https://www.skibartlett.com/ski-race-c6/race-protection-c24/padded-race-body-protection-c88/shred-slytech-back-protector-flexi-vest-zip-p12491
ski holidays
 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.
I've got the Ortovox backpack myself! But stepson doesn't usually wear one, and def not in the park.

Please do report back on the Slytech/Shred one you try... That sounds interesting.
latest report
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@BlueSky, tried it today, very comfortable, but very sweaty by the end of the day. That may just be back protectors though and it was reasonably warm today.
snow report
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Cheers for the feedback!
snow conditions



Terms and conditions  Privacy Policy