Body armor

[legalskier]

While I was booting up in the lodge a snow boarder was getting ready at the next table, and I noticed he was wearing hockey style shoulder pads and padded girdle. After he put on his baggy jacket and pants, I couldn't tell they were there. I'd never seen anything like that.
At first I just dismissed it as an overly cautious boarder who was heading out for a day in the park or halfpipe, but then I got to thinking- if he hid that gear so well, how many others out there were doing the same thing?
Which made me feel vulnerable, as the only protective gear I use is a helmet, I ski in glades/trees a lot, and I'm not getting any younger. A skier friend of mine took a hard fall a couple days ago, which has resulted in one of the nastiest bruises I've ever seen.
So I did some research and found there are various types of protective gear available, such as vests (www.xsportsprotective.com/dainese-rhyolite-vest.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=GoogleProducts&utm_campaign=WizardFeed&utm_content=dainese-rhyolite-vest&Color=Black&Size=XLarge%20(40-42in)&gclid=COa-9qDupLwCFZPm7AodSUAAuw), padded shirts & shorts (www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=21299246&camp=PPC:lc0nQvja_dc:33111751045|b:%2Bshockskin%20%2Bshorts&mkwid=slc0nQvja_dc&002=2387338&004=8907452245&005=56394565765&006=33111751045&007=Search&008=&025=c&026=), double wall helmets (www.pocsports.com/en/content/view/protective-concepts), and wrist guards (www.gear.com/s/wrist-protection).

Especially in light of the recent deaths being reported, I'm wondering whether anyone uses any gear to protect from impact or laceration. Do boarders use it more than skiers? Is it confined to racers? What type do you use?
Or have you dismissed the idea because it might restrict your movements too much?

 

[frapcap]

I used to ski with a girl who wore it all- the shoulder pads, chest plate, ass/hips pads, and a helmet. She is an overly cautious person, not an aggressive skier. She was run into once by someone going faster than her and from then on out, bought all that gear. I didn't try it on (shes a bit petite), but it didn't seem to restrict her movements or affect her skiing at all. It looked more like light football gear (think practice pads) than it did the stuff you posted.

 

[drjeff]

Both of my kids, one a racer and one a park rat, in addition to their helmets, and the case of my racer daughter all the other appropriate pads for "crashing" into slalom and GS gates do wear spine pads too. It's strongly encouraged by both of their coaches.

The spine protectors they wear are basically a vest like item with a fairly rigid, yet somewhat articulated. Neither of them have complained about limited mobility or comfort issues since they've been wearing them

 

[frapcap]

The spine protectors they wear are basically a vest like item with a fairly rigid, yet somewhat articulated. Neither of them have complained about limited mobility or comfort issues since they've been wearing them

Pictures or a brand for this one? I like the idea of something like that these days.

<------- just hurt his back for the first time ever 2 weeks ago. SUCKS.

 

[SIKSKIER]

 

[drjeff]

Pictures or a brand for this one? I like the idea of something like that these days.

<------- just hurt his back for the first time ever 2 weeks ago. SUCKS.

This is what my kids have (just the youth version which is orange instead of the adult version which is pictured)

 

[MadMadWorld]

Both of my kids, one a racer and one a park rat, in addition to their helmets, and the case of my racer daughter all the other appropriate pads for "crashing" into slalom and GS gates do wear spine pads too. It's strongly encouraged by both of their coaches.

The spine protectors they wear are basically a vest like item with a fairly rigid, yet somewhat articulated. Neither of them have complained about limited mobility or comfort issues since they've been wearing them

How does it effect speed?

 

[drjeff]

How does it effect speed?

Considering that most racers wear them (and I believe starting with the U16 age group and older it's now mandatory for GS and above speeds), speed wise it's a wash. Secondarily, the spine pad itself is maybe 1.5-2" thick total, so it's not like it's sticking out like a sail and catching huge amounts of wind, even under a GS suit. For the park crew with their generally loose fitting clothing, it's a non issue speed wise

 

[Highway Star]

Pick up one of these while you're at it....I bet they will be required for freestyle skiing within the next 5 years.....





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatt-Brace
http://www.leatt.com/