Spine protection?

Call me a girly-man, but my biggest fear apart from getting eaten by a Great White is fucking up my neck or back.

Had a wipeout yesterday where I got thrown and had a sharp rock slam into my lower spine. Luckily it's just sore, but I can see things getting ugly with a bigger, faster wipeout.

What's a good lightweight spine protector that can be used for warm weather? Dainese? Fox Roost?

I'm shitscared of fucking up my back. Looking for something for basic protection (anything's better than a poly jersey), but nothing that's overkill (read: not looking like a fag)

http://www.dainese.it/img/GLA0009_e.jpg
$300+...would be good if I can get just the spine component

Azonic Body Armor
$190...ditto above...spine-only protection wanted.

Gotta love the name of this.... the "Kushitani" Back protector in case you Kush it :D, $105

Fox Roost, in keeping up with the wannabe Fox-spancered JONG theme
http://dirt-bikes.ridegear.com/store...foxr3roost.jpg (chest protector...would this protect your back too? The images look like they would....)


I remember seeing Slim and Tyrone use similar protectors for skiing.

Advice/recommendation/telling me to sack up and stop being a little bitch comments welcome :D

You can definitely get just the back protector thing if that's all you want. They're called Turtle Shells. They don't have any of those at Cambria Bike?

I can't remember off-hand where I used to see these things online.....

Wearing the Fox roost guards on anything less than a $5000 DH bike while hucking anything less than 30 foot cliffs will give you the gay.

fyi, the term now for those in the full upper body suits like the one pictured is "power ranger" :D

Lets use it in a sentance

I'm shitscared of fucking up my back. Looking for something for basic protection (anything's better than a poly jersey), but nothing that's overkill (read: not looking like a power ranger)

I have never understood wearing roost guards mtn biking. Mountain bikes don't roost. Hop has a single back protector, i don't know where he got it though.

I have the best system though. Camelback for the upperback, and innertube around the waist ie beer gut for the lower. works like a charm.

Companies that you should look into are 661, rock garden, dainese, and azonic. google that shizzle mang

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Originally posted by phUnk
Wearing the Fox roost guards on anything less than a $5000 DH bike while hucking anything less than 30 foot cliffs will give you the gay.

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But if, like in Punani's case here, you already have the gay, does it matter? :D

Quote:

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Originally posted by Tyrone Shoelaces
But if, like in Punani's case here, you already have the gay, does it matter? :D

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Why do you think I took a photo of your ass, sweet cheeks? ;)

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...normal_ron.jpg

Quote:

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Originally posted by White Chocolate
I have the best system though. Camelback for the upperback, and innertube around the waist ie beer gut for the lower. works like a charm.

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I too can vouch for this system. It's saved me plenty of times. :D

Quote:

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Originally posted by White Chocolate
tube around the waist ie beer gut for the lower. works like a charm.

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I can only assume you go with the zebra.......

http://www.poolrafts.com/Merchant2/g...0001/T8618.jpg

These shirts are intended for motorcyclists, but look like they would be perfect for mountain biking, and don't give you that "Power Ranger" look. They contain a back protector as well as elbow and shoulder armor.
http://www.actionstation.com/search_...nt_ID=HNJh4LJ7
I haven't tried them on, but I talked to the company on the phone and they sell a lot of these to mountain bikers.

Most back protectors will be motorcycle gear. They are usually designed to be worn under a heavy jacket, and usually only come with a waist belt (and no shoulder straps). They won't stay on very well unless you put them under a Camelbak or backpack.

This one works and is reasonably cheap. Go here and then type "back pad" in the "Search" field:
http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.store

These are more expensive, but actually come with shoulder straps and will stay on even without a backpack:
http://bohnarmor.com/search_result.a...nt_ID=633Pm22C

Quote:

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Originally posted by White Chocolate

I have never understood wearing roost guards mtn biking. Mountain bikes don't roost. Hop has a single back protector, i don't know where he got it though.

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i think it's just named wrong.....i can think of two nice endo's which the roost saved me. i did a superman endo and ended up plowing my shoulder into the ground, and another time i did a drop and missed a pedal and caught the handlebars in the chest. i would probably have broken my collar bone and ribs in both accidents.

having said that, the roost does little for back protection. when i plan to ride hard, i wear: roost, camelback hawg (my spine protection), rockgardn cya shorts (padded), roach elbow and knee pads, and full face helmet. and i've needed every one of those at one time or another. i prefer the "component approach" as opposed to the full jacket (like dainese, 661, or rockgardn) so that you can have options. not every spot i ride requires top to bottom coverage and sometime it's just too damn hot.

i look gay as hell and could care less. :D

I have a full armor jacket plus the components for lighter duty. I also dig variety. I think my camelbak has probably helped prevent injury to my back in the past, but the real spine and shoulder protection on my Z-5 armor jacket has saved me from serious injury on numerous occasions. We discussed quality in the old armor thread. If you have the dough, go with dainese, otherwise find what fits and is in your price range and buy a sewing kit to keep the mesh together...