I fractured two ribs about four weeks ago, and had a similar rib injury earlier this season after landing on my forearm. I mostly ride trail and techy XC, so I’m looking for protective gear that’s:
- Lightweight and breathable enough for pedaling in 30°C weather
- Offers lower rib protection (not just upper chest)
Elbow/forearm coverage is a bonus, since I'm planning on wearing elbow pads either way. I don't think I would be in a scenario where I wear chest protection without elbow pads.
Right now, I’m considering two options:
- Leatt Reaflex Stealth – Super breathable and seems to offer more chest coverage, but it uses foam padding instead of D3O-style impact protection. https://mtb.leattcanada.ca/products/body-protector-reaflex-stealth?variant=50176182157621
- Fox Baseframe Pro D3O – Has D3O protection and I can get it for about $80 CAD less with a discount. My concern is that it might be too hot for regular rides and doesn’t seem to cover the lower ribs. https://foxracing.ca/en/product/baseframe-pro-d3o-chest-guard-jacket%C2%A0/27744.html )
Does anyone know of a good option that actually protects the lower ribs and works well in hot weather?
by waxon_waxoff33
8 Comments
Hey I’m also super interested in this. Broke my left sixth rib 3 weeks ago, and a couple on the right 2 years ago. My tucked-in elbow is what caused the fracture in both cases. I own the Leatt Reaflex Stealth, bought it after the first rib break *but was not wearing it during the second.* However, I’m not totally convinced the little chest padding would have saved my ribs, on either side. So I’m on the hunt for something that wraps my ribs better.
Both options you’ve linked don’t cover your lower ribs. You may try something like [this](https://mtb.leattcanada.ca/collections/chest-protector/products/chest-protector-3-5) instead.
I’ve tried both, I work at a bike shop ..
They both pretty similar, but none of those actually protects the whole rib cage, at least not the floating ribs. For that you should be looking for something like the fox race frame impact or something with a larger and lower chest protection. Imo
I have a similar POC body armor as the Fox D30 is and broke a rib few weeks ago while wearing it. For sure it saved me from worst injuries, but I feel that D30 type of protection is not the most effective for rib injuries.
I really like my POC body armor, since it’s super comfortable and doesn’t bother at all while riding, but if I’d searched something especially for protecting the ribs I’d choose something with hard plastic plate.
Yeah, it can get too hot, but you have like the advantage of being able to remove the outer part if your going for a chill ride.
You may algo might wanna look for something sleeveless. Shoulder protection will just prevent you from scratches, and you can wear elbow pads that suit you better
Fwiw I have the leatt one and find it a lot hotter than a seperate chest/back protector, it’s breathable but it still kinda feels like an extra layer of clothing and gets sweaty really fast, I found it too hot to wear in the summer, also it gets soaked in sweat and starts feeling heavy on really long rides.
I’m looking for something similar but have assumed separate components will be more comfortable and easier to adjust & replace
Least 4.5 EVO
Breathable, Light, comfortable, CE Level 2 certified (reduces more force than the CE level 1 reaflex)
I ride in NC almost everyday and wear it every ride. Street (pedaling between spots), Park (not lift assisted, climbing between laps), and pumptrack.
Started wearing it in the middle of a heatwave with 80% humidity. Told myself I’d return it for a CE level 1 alpinestars one if it was too hot. It’s fine. Just stay hydrated. I also wear impact shorts, knee/elbow/shin pads, and a light full face
Edit: while researching this, i found a lot of ppl saying the soft, D3O/similar material protectors turn into heating pads in the heat. That solidified my decision to get a hard shell one with foam and lots of vents. I’d even go for a Leatt 5.5 or 6.5 (without the shoulder pads) if i wanna go to a bigger bike park with more risk