[looking4snow]

Hello!

I am recovering from multiple spine fractures and want to protect myself much better next season. So, I would like to know, what do you think about this protective gear:

Forcefield Extreme Harness Adventure | Forcefield Body Armour and Climate Control - full upper body armor - 335$.

Flexmeter Double Sided Wrist Guards - wrist guards - 70$

impact short, butt pad, padded shorts, crash pad - impact shorts - 75$
or maybe: Forcefield Action Shorts | Forcefield Body Armour and Climate Control ~90£ (in UK)

Forcefield Strap On Protector Leg | Forcefield Body Armour and Climate Control - leg and shin guards - 70$

Will it help me to reduce pain after a bad landing (small to medium kickers) or slipping on rail? Or should I buy something in better quality? Maybe it's not a secret, what protective gear professional snowboarders are using? And yes, I already have a helmet. Actually, I have other protective gear (except full body armor), but want to upgrade for better quality.

Thank you for professional advices.

Have fun and be safe on slopes!

 

[poutanen]

Hello!

I am recovering from multiple spine fractures and want to protect myself much better next season. So, I would like to know, what do you think about this protective gear:

***SNIP***

Thank you for professional advices.

Have fun and be safe on slopes!

I am by NO means a professional... But here's my advice anyway!

I bought upper body armor this year from a company called Demon. FlexForce X D30 The jacket I got is very similar to that one, MSRP was $140 and I paid $100 or so with a store discount.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the armor you found, I'm just not sure I'd want to spend $335 on just the upper.

I've heard great things about the lower armor, haven't heard anything about shin/knee pads or anything.

As far as my experience with the upper body armor, it's been great! For the first day or so it felt weird, felt like I couldn't flex my upper body as well. I must have got over that because I feel better than ever now. I've had a couple falls backwards on my back, and the spin protector held me off the snow while I skidded down until I got my board back under me. I also had a weird accident where my elbow jammed into my rib cage and it knocked the wind out of me. I was pretty sore but able to keep boarding for the rest of my trip (another three days) it could have been much worse without it.

I do find the armor keeps me much warmer than I used to be. I have a microfiber base layer underneath, and recently I've been too hot on the slopes. I may start using the spring jacket for my mid winter stuff, and keep the winter jacket for -30 degree days. In full on spring weather I plan on just wearing the armor as my jacket.

 

[looking4snow]

Thanks for quick response! After spine fracture I almost don't care how much it will cost to protect myself. This Demon armor looks great, but I can't find what level of protection it gives? That one from Forcefield has level 2 protection in back and level 1 everythere else. Some seriuos protection.

 

[poutanen]

Yeah I'm not sure either. Actually this is one of the few things I didn't really spend much time comparison shopping for either. Saw a good deal at my local hill pro shop, looked online to see if the price was right, and pulled the trigger.

I bought mine due to a few bad rotator cuff injuries, but it's helped for other things too. I say get the best stuff you're comfortable with wearing. I might look for shorts this spring too as I've had a few ass sliders that stung for a run or two this year!

 

[looking4snow]

You should definitely buy impact shorts. It's probably the most useful protection in snowboarding, because it's warm to sit on snow or whatever with it. Not sure, if I could surf internet now, if I would'nt wear one while crashing a big jump... I took way too much speed, flew over the sweet spot and landed on flat area from about 5 meters (~15 feet) hight. My legs could'nt absorb such impact, so I hit really hard snow with my poor butt. Fractured 7, 8 and 12th thoracic vertebrae. Doc says i'm lucky, because it's small compression fractures and usualy it takes half of the year to fully recover. So, I hope to be able to snowboard next season. Shorts, that I used: Powerslide Crashpad-Hose Pro kaufen bei der-rollenshop.de Not bad shorts, but now I would like to upgrade for better if it is possible. I have a lot of time to decide, what to buy. So, all your suggestions are welcome!

 

[lonerider]

My friend has a Forcefield top (although his model doesn't go all the way to his waist in the back and doesn't have elbow pieces) and Skeletools shorts.

I am now wearing the Demon d3o upper armor and Azzpadz tailbone protector (used to have Dainese armor short).

We both used to ride the Skeletools armor top, but that is a little bulky (if you are in the lower 48 state of the US, I still have it and will sell it to you a size medium for $50 shipped). I also have a Demon Flex force pro jacket.

I think the Forcefield top is more protective than the Demon d3o, buy heavier and a little more restrictive. Both are going to absorb the shock from minor crashes and such so you don't feel bruised/battered at the end of the day.

 

[handscreate]

I wear the Pro-Tec Impact shorts with the foam, not the hard armor. I found the plastic armor to be too restrictive & bulged under my pants (almost looked like I crapped myself or something of the sort). You should also look into Alpinestars & SixSixOne (661) upper body full armor. They're designed for motocross & ATV, and the big hits those guys take while riding. Some of the armor also includes a kidney belt, which is very helpful for protecting your internal organs from flopping around or getting detached if/when you eat shit or bail. I wear a kidney belt everyday I'm on the mountain, regardless if I try some features or not that day.

The protective gear you picked out looks pretty legit, but I suggest you also look at some of the motocross/dirtbike protective armor as well, as it's all designed for impact into handlebars, rocks, trees, ramps, etc - a lot of the same stuff we risk collision with on the mountain. I used to sell these over a lot of other protective gear in my dealerships because the guys who rode dirt in the shops swore by them. Just wanted to toss out some other options for high end armor.

 

[looking4snow]

Thanks man. Azzpadz is only a tailbone protection and I want to protect my hips too. So, it's not for me.
Is your friend happy with his body armor and shorts?
I understand, there is no armor, that will protect in a big crash. But still wan't to wear one of the best in market, which will help in small fails and reduce damage in big crash (hope no more...).
Btw, I've heard what Forcefield Extreme Harness Adventure body armor has not enought soft padding in elbow and shoulder guards, thats why it's not comfortable to wear. Would like to know, if it's true or not? Maybe someone has this body armor (http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/product/extreme-harness-adventure/2347 )?

 

[poutanen]

You should also look into Alpinestars & SixSixOne (661) upper body full armor. They're designed for motocross & ATV, and the big hits those guys take while riding.

I can vouch for the Aplinestars street bike wear. I took an off road adventure on my Yamaha FZ6 by accident a few years ago, went tumbling through the ditch at about 60 km/h. A little scuff on my helmet and textile jacket, and I got up good to go.

The jacket is really good shit but would be too much for snowboarding. I bet their moto-x stuff would be excellent.

 

[looking4snow]

handscreate, I looked at Dainese protection. It's looks very nice. But then I found Forcefield and somehow liked it better. It meets motocross standards. Actually they have one product, which is top motorcycle armor past few years: Forcefield Pro Sub 4 Back Protector | Forcefield Body Armour and Climate Control But it's only back protector. And I want to protect all upper body.

 

[lonerider]

Thanks man. Azzpadz is only a tailbone protection and I want to protect my hips too. So, it's not for me.
Is your friend happy with his body armor and shorts?
I understand, there is no armor, that will protect in a big crash. But still wan't to wear one of the best in market, which will help in small fails and reduce damage in big crash (hope no more...).
Btw, I've heard what Forcefield Extreme Harness Adventure body armor has not enought soft padding in elbow and shoulder guards, thats why it's not comfortable to wear. Would like to know, if it's true or not? Maybe someone has this body armor (Forcefield Extreme Harness Adventure | Forcefield Body Armour and Climate Control )?

He finds it a bit heavy and a bit hot... but pretty protective. The short he doesn't like (very protective... but the spandex and foam rubber is a little restrictive to him)

 

[handscreate]

handscreate, I looked at Dainese protection. It's looks very nice. But then I found Forcefield and somehow liked it better. It meets motocross standards. Actually they have one product, which is top motorcycle armor past few years: Forcefield Pro Sub 4 Back Protector | Forcefield Body Armour and Climate Control But it's only back protector. And I want to protect all upper body.

Dianese is nice, but very expensive and sometimes overpriced because of the name on it. I only suggested those brands to you because they make very high quality armor that can take a beating without beating up you or your wallet. They're also likely more easy to find in a local shop to try on & check out in person, as fit with armor is extremely important. If the armor is too small it will be uncomfortable, too large & it slides around and doesn't do what it's designed to. On top of that, everyones sizes are slightly different & no 2 larges, etc are exactly alike. You may also find that 1 over another fits a certain area better, such as forearms/elbows, shoulders, back. In the end, you have to be happy with the armor you purchase, I just wanted to throw out some additional suggestions that you may not have looked at because they're not marketed to snowboarders. I'd still check them out at your local motorcycle shop if you have one & have the ability to

 

[slyder]

I have been bulking up my safety equipment depending on tricks I want to learn.
I'm thinking this would be great for me to wear while working my 3's. Don't know that I would want to wear all that all the time. But in your case I think it is a good call.
I never leave home with out my Azzpadz.

 

[snowklinger]

Consider a motocross setup. They are tough, lighweight, breathable, and have been in R&D alot longer than the snow stuff.

 

[looking4snow]

Yeah, probably I should go to local motorcycle shops and see what they have. Looks like this is not the thing to buy on internet, without being able to try how it fits.
What about wrist guards in my 1st post? Are they really as great as positioned?

 

[linvillegorge]

Shit man, multiple spinal fractures? Props to you for even considering to keep riding. I'm not sure I would. If I did, I'd probably be a blue groomer cruiser.

I'd definitely consult with a doctor and figure out if riding was a good idea and what type of protection he might suggest. Maybe even some sort of back brace? I don't know.

 

[looking4snow]

I am now wearing the Demon d3o upper armor and Azzpadz tailbone protector (used to have Dainese armor short).

What Dainese short you had, how did it felt and how much protective it was?

 

[budderbear]

What Dainese short you had, how did it felt and how much protective it was?

english, do you speak it

 

[lonerider]

What Dainese short you had, how did it felt and how much protective it was?

I was using (actually I still have, just don't use it much) the Dainese Impact Short plus (plus version has a hard tailbone piece). It was one of the better fitting padded shorts I've worn, but the padding was pretty thin overall and the tailbone protector is too small in my opinion (too easy for it to be out of place when you crash).

 

[looking4snow]

Thanks linvillegorge! Yeah, it sounds scary, but already have passed 5 weeks from that accident and I don't feel any pain. I am wearing back brace when not laying in bed, can't hold heawy things and sit yet, but it sure heals. Week ago I was in hospital and x-ray didn't show what it's getting worse. Next x-ray will be done after ~3 weeks and if everything ok, probably doc will let me come back to work, drive car, sit, etc. Just it takes time to fully recover, but I will be able to do everything, that I did before in my life. Probably I will not push myself the next season, but sure I will be able to do buttering and some rails/boxes. Since now I want to protect myself as much, as possible. Because when doing just small things, you never can't be sure, if someone else will not hit you at high speeds or something else bad happens... For me there is no more question to wear protection or not to wear.