Hi everyone,
Tossing up between the two above chest/back protector options, as I've damaged my lower ribs twice in the last couple of years (and it hurts) and these look like the best options for coverage of that particular area.
https://int.leatt.com/collections/mtb-protection/products/body-vest-3df-airfit-evo
https://poc.com/en-nz/product/oseus-vpd-torso-uranium-black
Primary use is enduro riding.
Leaning towards the Leatt, as it appears lower profile, especially on the chest, and seems to be more commonly recommended than the POC.
Currently I wear bib undershorts with pockets in the back for food/phone.
With the Leatt, I see there is no pockets in the back of the protection, so does anyone wear bibs over the top of the Leatt and can tell me if this works and is comfortable?
The POC does have the pockets, so I could wear it over or under the bibs, or just go back to normal under shorts, but the thing putting me off the POC is the central chest protection seems quite bulky and flat (which doesn't help the bulky appearance). Does anyone have the POC and used it for a good few rides that can tell me if the central chest protection conforms to the body over time and appears less flat and bulky, or is that just the way it is? (I've got the Oseus VPN knee pads, and they've formed to fit like a glove, but that chest pad is huge and I just don't know if it will or not).
Any other opinions on these two bits of protection?
Definitely not interested in any of the hard plastic style protection, even the POC VPD System Torso doesn't look like it's quite what I'm after, and most of my other options are limited, as we don't get a massive selection into NZ.
by vinnienz
4 Comments
Let me tell you right now that neither of these will protect your ribs. I also wore a Leatt Airflex and broke ribs in it.
For days I’m getting burly, I put on the Leatt Chest Protector 5.5 Pro HD. I got it on a steep discount because it’s been replaced with something lighter and newer. But it has full wrap around rib protection that is significant.
I know you said you’re not interested in the hard plastic protection, but nobody makes anything for ribs that isn’t.
How would you wear it? Would you need a t-shirt between your skin and the kit? Or are you comfortable with it directly against your skin?
I really like these more stealth style chest/back protection kits except for how hot they can be. I briefly owned the Fox version and it was so hot I ended up returning it. I ride in Southern California and it can get a little toasty in the middle of summer, especially with layers of protective gear.
I ended up with the Leatt 4.5 pro evo, one of the ‘hard plastic’ kits. It is definitely bulky, but incredibly cool temp wise. On a hot day I wear a lightweight short sleeve jersey and throw the kit over top. On cooler days I might wear a base mesh layer, then the kit, then a jersey over the kit. The ability to add or remove layers and still use the kit has been really handy, especially on days where it’s cold in the morning and warms up before the ride is done.
I don’t know what your temp and humidity are like where you ride in NZ. If you could test one out on an average ride day, that might help you figure out if that type of kit is compatible with your riding style.
All that being said, Leatt gear is really good, between the two I would go with the Leatt.
Leatt 4.5 evo pro
Fox airframe is the move.