Anyone got one? Used one?
After a bit of a crash at Aston 5 weeks ago (and still hurting ribs), I've decided age is against me now and it's taking longer to heal up. I want something to wear for the occasional DH days at Aston and FoD. The Evoc vest looks pretty much spot on for what I'm after, but can't find many reviews on the interwebs.
The protector vest only offers back protection, there is no padding on the front at all. I bought he vest knowing this, as I dont wear armour and wanted something on-obtrusive that I would wear more often (for dh/uplifts).
for dh, even relatively tame places like aston or FOD just buy proper dh armour?
It was actually the Protector Air+ with the extra bit of shoulder padding I was looking at. Although I realise there is no chest armour in there.
just buy proper dh armour?
I don't want anything as big and bulky as that. I would probably use the vest for the odd Enduro race as well.
I was looking for something like this recently, I ordered various different models from CRC to try, thoughts as follows......
Evoc (can't remember the exact model, it was the most light weight one)- Good fit for me, but back protector was extremely bulky and un-flexible. Didn't feel it would be comfortable enough for longer periods of riding.
Bliss (various models)- Protector was much less bulky than the evoc but it felt quite heavy and un-flexible still.
Race Face- Good fit, nice light protector but it was also much shorter than the rest so only protected the middle portion of your back.
Bluegrass Grizzly Lite- Best back protector of the lot, had the light weight and flexibility of the RF but excellent full length coverage of the Evoc.
In the end I didn't buy any of them though as I couldn't get one that had a balance of fit (for me) and comfort of the protector- If I could have the fit of the Evoc with the back protector of the Bluegrass it would have been perfect. Sadly I was between sizes on the Bluegrass and couldn't quite get on with either. I understand the new models have refined the fitting for 2016 so might try again when they are available. A mate tried them all on at the same time as me, agreed the Bluegrass was the best and bought one, he's been getting on well with it other than being a bit hot on warmer days.
Thanks tenacious - just the kind of thing I was looking for.
I've got one of these for uplift days after a painful off:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/troy-lee-designs-bp-7850-hw-short-sleeve-shirt-2015/rp-prod59939
It's very good but they do come up quite large so check out the comments. I wear it over a lycra top otherwise it's a bugger to get off when sweaty. I also have an Evoc pack with an integrated back protector