Hello

Decided it's time to invest in some body armour but my first foray hasn't gone too well - ordered a small 661 pressure suit and the backplate covered my whole bum ...lots of protection maybe but I looked like a turtle!

Am now contemplating getting the kids pressure suit instead...I'm 5ft3 and a size 10 so hoping that might work?

I was just wondering if anyone on here has upper body armour or any recommendations?

Thanks

Beth

I am about the same size as you, although I should point out I don't really have a chest, especially with a sports bra

I tried on every one I could find in shops inc a kids size (might have been 661 but not sure). The kids one fit but it wasn't very comfortable, seemed a bit scratchy in places. Everything else I tried was too big in a size small. I went with the dainese XS which is perfect although it is pricey, but much more comfortable. Dainese do decent sizing info for women as it is meant to be unisex. They do one with flexible chest pads as well as one with the hard plates that I got. Mine was from wiggle on sale but I am not sure they still stock the XS size, somewhere else might have it though?

Another one to look at might be the Rockgardn women's specific flak jacket, chain reaction have it in stock now but it arrived too late for me to try before I bought the dainese. It is cheaper but it looks like a pink ninja turtle...

 good luck

Thanks Brozza!

I think the Dainese one definitely looks best but I'm having a nightmare finding anywhere that does the XS size, I contacted Wiggle and they don't do it any more. I do think that looks like the best choice and I like the removable back plate as well.

I think I might have to get it from Italy or the US - ouchie ouchie on the wallet...  

I had a look at the Rockgardn one as well but not overly keen on the pink...and (obviously cos it's cheaper) it does seem quite a way off 661 or dainese.

When I finally sort it out (or give up and wrap myself in cotton wool) it would be good to meet up with you at Aston Hill, saw on another thread you were planning a visit soon. I haven't been back  since I broke my collarbone there so I need to return and put some demons to rest! 

I actually tried on diainese small and it seemed fine for me (5'2"), but I am not super skinny (size 12) so maybe if you are thin you would need an XS, it seemed ok lengthwise though.

Having said that I just tried it on quickly in a shop, was getting told off by other half ("what do you need that for, blah blah blah!") 

Hmm, so maybe a small would be good, I'm not particularly thin. My OH has the M or L so will try that on tonight and try and work out what would be best. That's assuming I can get either S or XS anyway. Am getting to the point where I may need to steal armour from a child at Chicksands!

Bizarrely, after ages of telling me I didn't need any, my OH has said that unless I get some armour he won't drive me to Cwmcarn to ride the DH there...suddenly I have a sensible boy!?

Beth try snowboard shops for the Dainese. Also MX shop might have some.

Failling I can ask my LBS in france id they can help. 

where are you based Beth? I'm in Reading, you are welcome to try mine, or I'm aiming to get to Aston Hill this sunday (hangover from mates hen do the night before permitting )

I used this for sizing off wiggle:

oops that didn't really work

try here

Don Skene Cycles in Cardiff stock Dainese.  A friend (MsIntense on here) who is a little taller than me (5'4" iirc) has just bought the large youth's version - looks pretty cool.

Beth (or any one else) - give us a shout if you're planning on doing Cwmcarn anytime soon - moral support is always good

Thanks for the advice everyone 

I've decided to bite the bullet and fork out for the Dainese - it is more expensive but from what everyone has been saying, it sounds like it is the best. Have managed to find a place which does the XS size - I think that will be the one for me...It looks like a lot of places are discontinuing the small sizes so I'd better get on it quick and get it ordered!

Thanks Brozza! Hope that the hen do is good...props if you do go to AH the morning after! I won't be at AH this weekend - got tattooed on Sat so have to wait for that to heal up before I can get out on my bike again. 

Mamadirt - might just take you up on the moral support! I've not ridden Cwmcarn DH before - just been to watch the OH at races there. I think I'd be ok with most of the course but was wondering what the top section is like...

Hey,

 I'm 5'4 on a good day, and looking for knee/shin guards. do you guys have any suggestions? All the bikers i know are at least six foot, so don't seem to have any problems in finding armour. they're also too hard to wear some anyway!

kate

http://www.raceface.com/apparel/armour/7/

Hi Kate

I am 5'3 and wear the raceface freeride knee/shin in a size small. They aren't the coolest or most lightweight but protection-wise they  are brilliant. The strapping is really good for keeping them in place so they don't slip about. They've protected me in some nasty crashes so I am a big fan!

Whatever ones you get, try them on if they have straps that cross behind the knee - I have some mates who have had real problems with the straps rubbing behind the knee.

Thanks guys.

Any ideas of where i could get them around sheffield?

Hi Beth.  Top section at Cwmcarn is great  (not done the black yet though), few small jumps (air if you want but all rollable), nice narrow 'roller coaster' section then a few rock steps (all nicely spaced), couple of tight switchback turns before the tunnel under the fireroad, steepish chute then another nice swoopy section before a few more rocky steps before the drop onto the final fire road crossing before the last section.  Did a few runs yesterday in the pouring rain (much against my better judgement ) but traction was surprisingly good and I'm really glad I gave it a go in those conditions.  Despite being local I've only just managed to pluck up the courage to start doing full runs with moral support from MsIntense (cheers Kim ) so I'm pretty new to this d/h lark really.  Get in touch next time you're visiting Cwmcarn Beth - hopefully a few of us can meet up and maybe book a few uplifts.

On the subject of knee/shin pads Kate - I've just bought a pair of the Fox Launch Shorty pads - bulky looking (aren't they all ) but pretty lightweight and very comfortable.  The shin part is a lot shorter than most pads but still almost reaches to my ankles - great for the vertically challenged.  

[quote]Despite being local[/quote]

I though you were from london? 

hoooo

I though you send it from cumcawrn during a day trip there

See you tomorrow for the brownie

XXX