Armougel was the new material that we just kept on bumping into at Eurobike. It’s a multi-impact material invented right here in Blighty, originally for the military but it’s now making its way into bike, snowsport, motorbike and medical applications. Not only are Kali and Leatt using it to reduce rotational forces in helmet impacts, but Amplifi are using it to make back protectors. We passed by the stand and spoke with designer Tom Howells.
The MKII vest is available for men or women, and has an Armourgel back protector.Because it’s silicone based, Armourgel is temperature stable and machine washable.Clever geometry inside the back protector can absorb up to 80% of impact forces before they get to your body.
As well as the MKII, they had some of their entry level protection on display, as well as kids body armour!
Amplifi’s Cortex armour is not quite as sophisticated and low profile as the MKII, but still multi-impact and more suited to a smaller budget.Also available in long sleeve version with shoulder protection. Amplifi originally came to this from snowsports, and, expecting a tougher reception than they got in the MTB world, found they had a lot of useful knowledge they could transfer over to protection for mountain bikers.New for 2017, they were also showing these Cortex Polymer knee pads.They also do protection for kids. This is the Cortex Polymer Grom.
As well as protection, Amplifi also make bags. Tom showed us through a few of their bang up to date ones, including this ebike specific backpack…
This is the eTrack 23. As well as well as back protection and space for a hydration bladder, it has one special feature most bags don’t…What’s that?It’s an ebike battery! Apparently, one of the pros Amplifi sponsor likes to do big days on his, and usually needs to carry a spare battery as a result.Not to imply it comes with a battery – just the compartment to hold one! Webbing goes all the way to the top of the bag to keep it absolutely secure.
As well as that they had this thoughtfully designed photographer’s pack:
This Focus Flask photographer’s backpack is absolutely covered in pockets, D-rings, retention loops and straps for extra pouches and bits of kit.As well as more typical access routes to the inside of the bag…… the back panel unzips to give you a really large opening to the whole interior.Zip pulls are all garaged to stop them scratching kit.There’s also cable routing between compartments.See through pockets so you can get to little things with minimal faff.And a big carry handle. RRP is €219.99The Tour 30 looks like it would make a good guiding pack. Clamshell zip design for access to the lower compartment.Multi-impact back protection.Handy reference for alpine emergencies, including the signal for “Go away helicopter, it’s only a flesh wound”Also with an integrated rain cover.
David started mountain biking in the 90’s, by which he means “Ineptly jumping a Saracen Kili Racer off anything available in a nearby industrial estate”. After growing up and living in some extremely flat places, David moved to Yorkshire specifically for the mountain biking. This felt like a horrible mistake at first, because the hills are so steep, but you get used to them pretty quickly.
Previously, David trifled with road and BMX, but mountain bikes always won. He’s most at peace battering down a rough trail, quietly fixing everything that does to a bike, or trying to figure out if that one click of compression damping has made things marginally better or worse. The inept jumping continues to this day.
