Mountain Bike Body Armour
Mountain Bike Body Armour
One of the most common questions I see in m mountain bike Facebook groups, is about what kind of mountain bike body armour riders are wearing. There are so many variables out there, due to different standards of rider, types of riding, personal preferences and situations. But the common all riders have, is that we all need some form of protection. We never know when a crash is going to happen. A crash can happen on the biggest jump or even when your front wheel just washes out on a patch of wet grass. So how much mountain bike body armour do we need?
In this post I am going to go in to all the details mountain bike body armour and give you my recommendations for the best mountain bike body armour you can buy right now.
No matter what kind of rider you are or what level, you should be wearing a helmet. There is no argument for this, it is fact. I know of people who’s lives have been saved by helmets.
Personally, I like to wear elbow and knee pads. These just give me some confidence when I’m riding more technical terrain. The knee pads I wear are full shin and knee guards. They are a bit of overkill, but I am used to them now. However, when I started riding in the alps, I had a few occasions when I ended up sliding on my knees down very gravelly trails. They saved my skin and knee caps on several occasions. Elbow pads are great when you actually land on them. On many occasion the impact with the ground has just missed the pad, which is quite frustrating to say the least. But what about full body armour?
Why wear mountain bike body armour?
There are actually a few different reasons that people wear mountain bike body armour. It can create confidence, which can push you to do things that you would normally chicken out on. Lots of people can feel very vulnerable without it, taking the fun out of a ride, especially those who have a weak part of their body (maybe from an accident) that they really don’t want to fall on again.
It is quite common for riders to do everything they can to protect themselves after a bad fall. In most cases, it is a phycological thing rather than a skills or safety thing. Which is totally fine, as long as you are comfortable and you are not compromising your movement or comfort. However, It is also quite common for riders that go all out on protection to slowly start to ween themselves off it as they get their confidence back. This is when they start wearing protection suitable for the terrain and weather conditions, rather than over protecting themselves.
If you are sure that you want or need mountain bike body armour, you have some great choices. Mountain bike body Armour is pretty good these days. Compared to the bulky robocop style stuff we used to have, it is light and allows you to move reasonably freely. There are lots of options to protect your body when you part ways with your bike, but what do you buy? Here are some of my recommendations for different levels of protection you may want to consider.
Lightweight Mountain Bike Body Armour
If you want a light piece of mountain bike body armour, you are in luck, there are some great options out there. With the improvements in technology and manufacturing processes, lightweight does not mean you have limited protection.
Fox Racing Baseframe Pro Sleeveless Body Protector
The Fox Racing Baseframe Pro sleeveless body protector focusses on protecting your spine in a crash. It is also designed to be super comfortable, thanks to its flexibility. This is a vest that incorporates D30 padding to absorb the shock during an impact.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Flexible padding
- Fits under your jersey well and is virtually unnoticeable
Cons
- Not easy to get on and off
- It would be better if the spine protector was slightly longer
Verdict
This mountain bike body armour is super comfortable to a point when you forget that you are wearing it. This means it is less intrusive and you will wear it more often.
The impressive level of comfort makes the Baseframe Pro excellent for trail riding and instils a little more confidence when riding gnarlier terrain.
Protection
The Baseframe Pro uses D30 polymer padding. This is the stuff that is moulded to the shape of your body, making it comfortable to wear. But, D30 hardens on impact, dispersing the shock. You will find the D30 used in the Baseframe’s F3 back protector, which also uses flex grooves to add to its comfort.
The Baseframe doesn’t just protect your back though. Fox has thoughtfully added D30 pads to the hip area, to save you on those sideways falls when your front wheel washes out.
On the Bike
Putting the Baseframe Pro on is a bit tricky, thanks to its tight fit. However, once you have it on, it is immensely comfortable. The fit doesn’t feel bulky in the slightest, thanks to its figure-hugging low profile. This fit means that you are not restricted inane way, and you will forget you are wearing it.
To allow room to fit stuff in your back pockets or to wear a hip pack, the back protector finishes above your waistband. This does give you the feeling of having your lower back slightly exposed, but it doesn’t annoyingly interfere with your shorts as some back protectors do.
When you are riding hard, the Baseframe does a reasonable job of keeping you cool. This is thanks to the mesh fabric and the perforations in the padding.
G-Form Pro-X Short Sleeve Compression Shirt
The G-Form Pro-X short sleeve compression shirt is lightweight mountain bike body armour, designed to flex with your movement. It uses shock-absorbing RPT pads to protect vulnerable parts of your body.
Pros
- So comfortable you forget you are wearing it.
- Protects your vulnerable areas in a very clever way.
Cons
- None
Verdict
Super comfortable, lightweight mountain bike body armour. You forget that you are wearing it and are protected. You may want to check out the rest of G-Form’s range of body protection here.
Protection
The protection comes from the compression shirt’s strategically placed RPT pads. RPT stands for reaction protection technology, and it is clever stuff. It feels soft and light weight, but hardens up on impact to absorb shock. Once, the shock has been absorbed, the molecules of the pads return to their original state.
The protective pads are located on the ribs, sternum, shoulders and clavicle. They are EXACTLY where you want them, and due to how well the shirt fits, they stay there.
On the Bike
A very important aspect of buying mountain bike body armour, is freedom of movement. You really don’t want to feel restricted when on your bike. The G-Form Pro X compression shirt, may look like it will be restrictive, but it isn’t. It is a super comfortable and moves with your body. The big advantage of how well this compression shirt fits, is that you forget it is there. You just slip it on like a t-shirt and it sits close to your skin. But the sweat wicking material keeps you reasonably dry and very comfortable.
Mountain Bike Body Armour For when you are getting sendy
Sometimes lightweight mountain bike body armour just won’t cut it, and you need something a bit more substantial. There are some really great mountain bike body armour suits for downhill mountain biking. These offer a lot of protection in order to take care of you in serious situations. You may be hitting the black downhill trails in the french alps, or just want some extra protection for other reasons. However, these are overkill for enduro or cross-country rides, and you may find that they get tiresome if you are pedaling all day.
Dainese Rhyolite 2 Safety Jacket
This is very well thought out and ergonomically designed mountain bike body armour, for downhill riding. It offers protection from the back to the chest, while providing breathability and comfort.
Pros
- Light weight, comfortable with lots of protection
Cons
- Quite expensive, but all that research and decampment has to be paid for somehow
Verdict
Dainese have made a fantastic protection jacket, that is ideal for downhill mountain biking. It provides unrivalled protection, while allowing you to move freely.
Protection
Dainese is renowned for making excellent protective gear for motorbike and mountain bike riders. They have used this experience in creating this jacket. Protection comes from their Pro Armor material that you will also find on their trail shin and knee pads. The chest and rib area is protected with Crash Absorb memory foam and a Flexigon panel for the back. This is to ensure that the right part of the body is protected with the right kind of material.
On the Bike
The Rhyolite 2 isn’t as subtle as the other lightweight protection on this page, but it isn’t supposed to be. However, it is made to be comfortable as well as protective, with how it is shaped. The abdominal area is uncovered, allowing unrestricted freedom of movement. The design feels light, and it conforms to your body, especially around the joint areas. The fit is quite tight, but that is to ensure all the pads stay in the correct places.
The sleeves zip off, so you can leave them in the car if you are riding on a hot day. It is designed to be breathable and comfortable, with ventilated pads.
Troy Lee Designs UPL 7855 HW
The Troy Lees Designs UPL 7855 HW is regarded as impact protective clothing. It is a pretty high-end item, with an integrated neck protector.
Pros
- Great protection
- Comfortable
Cons
- Some people find it slightly bulky
Verdict
A very comfortable way of giving yourself some excellent protection. It fits the rider very well, but some people report that it is a little bulky. But, they don’t really mind too much after they have “used” it.
Protection
This piece of body armour is very well padded all over, including the spine. The padding on the arms and elbows is much harder and tougher than the others. This makes it a good option if you are sick of your elbow pads slipping down your arms.
On the bike
All mountain bike body armour is hot; however, you wouldn’t think it from the picture, but the UPL 7855 is actually quite well ventilated. This is because it is constructed from hex mesh to give you lots of airflow. Many customers recommend that you wear a thin sweat-wicking layer underneath it though for optimal comfort. Also, it is designed to not restrict your movement, thanks to its open armpit design.
Leatt Body Protector 3DF AirFit Lite
The Leatt Body Protector 3DF AirFit Lite is designed to give you a decent level of protection during crashes. It has quite a lot of padding, while offering a reasonable level of ventilation.
Pros
- Breathable
- Good level of protection
- Doesn’t restrict movement
Cons
- The offset zip isn’t to everyone’s taste
Verdict
If you like to do stupid things on bikes regularly, take a look at the AirFit Lite Tee. It is a more breathable alternative to more heavy-duty body armour, neck brace compatible, and the removable pads mean it is easy to wash.
Protection
Most of the protection comes from 3DF, which is similar to D30, as it is relatively soft until it gets a whack. The chest and back have layers of 3DF with varying thicknesses to allow it to form around your body. The sheets of 3DF are perforated to improve ventilation.
The shoulder pads are also made from 3DF, but have a different composition, making them a little more pliable until they get an impact.
Most of the 3DF pads are removable to suit your mood and to make the protector easier to clean when it gets a bit whiffy.
On The Bike
This body protector is one of the most breathable you can get of this type. You will notice that the padded areas do get pretty warm, but this is to be expected, and is the same with any body armour.
You love the fact that it doesn’t restrict your movement at all, even though it is robust enough to withstand some serious impacts.
Which Mountain Bike Body Armour?
There is something for you, depending on your requirements, based on your style of riding, ability, previous injuries and confidence levels.
In fact, confidence is probably the main reason you are looking for body armour. Either as a mental safety belt to get you to stay off the brakes that bit longer or to send it over that road gap you have been scoping.
My pick for the lightweight mountain bike body armour, would be the G-Form Pro X. This is because it is so comfortable and the protection is excellent.
When it comes to the heavy-duty stuff, it all depends on how much protection you want. I could have listed lots of other downhill mountain bike body armour. But, in my opinion, currently, the Dainese Rhyolite 2 Protection Jacket is the best, as it offers excellent protection without compromising comfort and motion.
If you have any questions or feedback, please leave them in the comments below.
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