Thinking some protection is in order for the EWS, but never used armour before. What do you reckon to this shirt from tld (I have separate elbow pads):

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/troy-lee-designs-bp-7850-hw-short-sleeve-shirt-2015/rp-prod59939

Is this the type of thing the enduro crowd wear? Wondering how people compromise comfort v protection – that one looks quite light, for example, well on the comfort side of things.

I got one of these recently although I’m not an enduro-ist. Fit is on the snug side but the protection seems to be much better than I was expecting. Quite lightweight too, so far so good.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/661-sub-gear-l-s-shirt-2015/rp-prod113565

Most true Enduro Wizards will just go with knee pads.

That doesn’t look like much fun to wear on a big loop.

A pressure suit type setup would be too heavy and I can’t remember seeing anyone wearing one in a race.

I use Nukeproof knee pads. Best I’ve ever used in terms of fit and comfort.

I also carry a pair of Troy Lee SE elbow guards and slip them on for stages where I want some extra protection. They’re ultra light weight, easy to carry in my backpack and easy to get on and off quickly.

I picked up a 661 Evo Preassure suit for my first enduro (this weekend).

I was also looking at Scott Recruit Pro II and O’Neal Magnetic Morveo, but went with the 661 in the end, due to coverage and availability.

I’ve done a few 3 hour rides wearing it, a jacket and a back pack (plenty of climbing too). The back protector feels similar to wearing a backpack, and not much sweatier. At first I wore the chest plate too tight and noticed it affected my breathing, but I wear it a little looser now and it’s fine. My jacket blocks the wind out, so it hasn’t been much warmer with the chest plate (but it is a bit warmer). The arms and shoulders are good too, off the bike I notice restriction in movement at the extremes, but on the bike I don’t notice it. They form around your arms and can be a bit hard to get off. I’m not a very sweaty person, and the weather has been cool but I’ve not thought it was too hot. I’d been wearing a baselayer, t-shirt and jacket before I got it. Just this and a jacket or jersey now. They are about equal in warmth.
The chest plate and back protector are removable too, so you could just run with the elbow and shoulder padding.

I have that model of troy lee, recommend, comes up large so go for a smaller size. Difficult to get off at the end of the day.
I like it so much I will buy the lowers at some point.

I’ve got that troy lee top, well the sleeveless one. The picture is very deceptive. It really has minimal padding. A few small thin bits of foam in a lightweight top.

I’ve not sure it would offer much in the way of protection at all. Might stop a bit of gravel rash (who slides on their chest?) or take the sting out of a light knock. But I don’t believe it’ll do much if you actually hit a rock or a tree stump at race speed.

It is comfy and very light though. I still wear mine. I bought it second hand for a fraction of the RRP. I would have been a bit disgruntled if I’d payed full price for it.

Knee pads, open lid and goggles FTW.

The trick is that with goggles on you trick yourself into thinking you’re wearing a full face and armour (or at least I do as I only wear the armour with the full face and goggles) and push harder as a result, whilst still being able to breath and move about

I stopped wearing a pressure suit on DH days as they’re too bulky. Stuff riding 30k & 1200m of climbing in one!

No way would I have worn my dh armour for either of those days last year tbh… Long days, some very hard pedals, I was hot enough and tired enough.

TBH, none of it really struck me as especially dangerous. Relatively likely to crash, aye, but not at 40mph into a rock, more likely at jogging pace into a swamp.

just knee pads for me, its hard enough climbing after a stage of racing without having some extra weight on around my chubby body (avoid the word fat)

Thks all – food for thought.