voy78

Any one used demon shield vest?
DS 5100 Shield Vest

I hurt my ribs last two seasons and thinking about doing something about it. Two years ago I caught an edge and slammed backward on to a sticking root. Last winter I rode too fast over a bump flu into air head first and finally landed on my forearm next to my ribs. Both of those didn't stop hurting for couple months.

I'm in between that shield vest and Flex Force PRO, but I'm not sure which one has better rib protection and if I really need arm guards of the flex force. Also I think I like the vertical rib protectors on shield vest better than the horizontal ones on flex force. Both would work fine for puncture type protection, but I'd think that vertical pads would spread the hit force on more ribs, right?

lonerider

I tried the Shield Vest and I found the interlocking spine plates to be kind of restrictive. I exchanged it for the Flex Force Pro and liked that a lot better. The flex force pro has some rib protection with plastic strips and a little bit of padding (it's not a huge amount though). If you want the most padding you should go with Skeletools as the had big thick foam rubber pads.

Coincidentally, if you are size men's medium I'm selling both my old Flex Force Pro and Skeletools (although I replaced the thick lower front rib pads with lighter more flexible d3o pads - the upper ribs and the back pads are still the super thick ones).

http://www.snowboardingforum.com/buy...ody-armor.html

voy78

I'm quite skinny. Measured 36 /37 in chest 28/30 in waist. I was reading reviews on dogfunk and someone was saying they run on the big side. Can you confirm? What size are you and how your medium flex force fits you? Are you upgrading to new year model?

Basti

Also check out POC gear. It's kinda pricy but I've never had any protection gear that was more comfortable while still working great. I'm wearing their tailbone protector (I think they're called VIP Ski shorts or something similar) and I forget I'm wearing protec gear the moment I put it on. Maybe you can find a good used deal somewhere.

lonerider

I measure 35-36 chest, 29/30 waist. I agree that the Medium Flex force pro runs large it fits me baggy like a loose jacket, but I like that as it doesn't restrict my movement when I twist my body for spins. It actually comes with compression straps to snug it up for thinner bodies, but I don't use them (look at the photos I posted to see).

Yes, I upgraded to the d3o Flex force X, which I also like a lot.

voy78

Looked at the poc website, but they don't offer anything for the rib area.

Found some similar topics on the mtbr forum:

Rib Protection? - Mtbr Forums
Under-the-jersey body armor options? - Mtbr Forums

Someone recommended this:
https://www.troyleedesigns.com/produ...t=100&id=18401
Looks bit bulky tho...

also looking at this as a option to Flex Force Pro:
Demon Dirt Leviathan Half Suit - ride more bikes
Looks like the spine guard is pretty wide, and it rib guard is right next to it... maybe...

Would be nice if those could be bought locally...

lonerider

Half suit looks interesting as well. They are selling it here free shipping

Demon Leviathan Half Suit Protective Vest

Let me know if you want my Flex Force Pro or Skeletools for cheaper