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Anyone tried this for general trail riding?
I use one for DH, I had a good spill the other day and the shoulder pads didn't stay in place, I also don't like the fact it doesn't have back protection{ I use it with a separate spine protector}, although your camelback would provide some protection
Have used one for the Alps and Snowdon days. A good balance between coolness and protection, and not restrictive either. A bit much for general trail riding but each to their own eh?
I always wear one since I broke my collarbone. I have sidechecked a few trees and stuff since and the pads have taken the brunt of the impact on the shoulder.
It appears that I bruise easier and bruises take longer to go down as I get older, particularly if I smack the bone, so the vest is useful to avoid trivial knocks to he elbows/forearms as well - things like slipping out on muddy and wet roots, etc.
The compression material does make the vest feel cool, so it is not good as a base layer.
I also cut out the sternum protection as the likelihood of an impact there for me is much less and it makes the vest very much hotter.
If you get the right size the pads should stay in place as the vest is a compression vest and so should be somewhat tight.
I'm really interested in a bit of elbow and forearm protection.
[b]saxabar[/b] Did you wear it for the ride/push up snowdon?
[b]TurnerGuy[/b] I would have imagined wearing it as a base layer as it is a compression top. Do you now wear it with something underneath?
[b]deserter[/b] did you get a size that's good and tight on you? I'm not too concerned about the shoulder protection as I haven't had any spills recently that have affected them. Maybe I should be though.
I wear either an Endura MT500 top over it - which strangely seems to have been cut for such a vest as the panelling seems to line up - and it is a strange fit without the pads of the 661 vest underneath - or an Endura Venturi Event jacket, depending on the weather.
With the MT500 I do look like a reject from rollerball, or american football, because of the shoulder pads.
I have to peel mine on/off so its the right size, the pads cup my shoulders perfectly which is why I bought it, but the whole garment is lightweight hence a proper crash and stuffs moving, the fabric just doesn't have the strength to hold it in place, until I crashed I loved it
if you tuck and roll shoulders are important as you land on them, general brushing tree's etc its probably fine
just to clarify I use{ed} it for dh not xc so will just go with a proper suit next year