|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Evan
a Downhiller
from Bay Area
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Crack @ pacifica | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | Motorcycle store | | Strengths: | This is a review for the dainese motorcycle armor "Safety Jacket Wave V2". I preferred the motorcycle armor, because it has more protection and it fit me better.
It is the best protection money can buy. Very comfortable, lightweight, the most breathable armor I have worn. It fits like a glove, I am glad I spent the money. It protects your body very well, and I have crashed in it several times, never getting a scratch. I have flipped over the bars on rocky downhills, bailed out on big doubles, and have never been hurt. It also looks pretty sick.
| | Weaknesses: | None. Does exactly what is supposed to. Expensive, but thats what you get for buying imported italian stuff. Some people might say you look like robocop or the iron giant, but i dunno if thats a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | The high end fox armor is good stuff for under $200, if Spending the money for dainese is not an option. | | Bike Setup: | Heckler with a z1 freeride, dhx 5.0, juicy 7's, nevegals, saint cranks. | | Bottom Line: | It pays for itself really fast in protection. Im sure I would have broken something, if it were not for this armor. It is worth it. Yes, it is expensive compared to the other armor out there, but it is much better. It fits better, and uses better materials. Bottom line: you will wear it because its comfortable and it will save you a lot of pain and medical bills. $360 for armor is nothing compared to how much it will cost if you break your back, and have to be airlifted off the trail. Its hard to drop that much money on armor, but I have never regretted it. Go try on the moto armor before you buy any of the bike stuff, because in my opinion it is better. Go try it on and you will be tempted to pony up the money. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a
from England
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Strengths: | Well designed, well made, trust-worthy. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, but you get what you pay for. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | Fits super well (I'm 5'10 and got a med), the design and construction are second to none. But really, all it can do is lessen the chances of getting cuts and bruises. I believe that if an impact trauma is hard enough to break bone then this body armour will not stop it doing so. Also, the suit doesn't cover the lower stomach area. I went down on some slippery roots, smashed one of my kidneys and was left with scars and bruising. The bottom line is: this armour will give some protection, but it won't make you invincible! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Downhiller
from santiago
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Dope product, protects a lot from the crushes, avoids many injuries that porbably would happen without this jacket, I really recomend it, its nice, confourtable, and does its job in a awesome way | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | syndicate | | Bottom Line: | Recomended.... run and buy one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
luis silva
a Weekend Warrior
from lisboa, portugal
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | anyone | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | lucky bikes | | Strengths: | lots of protection, good ventilation, not too hot, ergonomy, quality etc etc | | Weaknesses: | none so far... except the price. but every detail is a work of art, mostly the spine protection! WOW! | | Similar Products Used: | 661 pressure suit, fox launch suit, trickx, and many other brands (only tried them on the shops) | | Bike Setup: | 2005 bullit | | Bottom Line: | my review is for the new safety jack V2 2006. dont know if anything else changes besides the colour, now its black (i think its much better), the zipper its in the middle of the chest, and spine protection is different. i think with the new location of the zipper its much easier to put on, and the back protection is more foldable. its incredible how they upgraded a product that every detail seem to be perfect! the mesh its much cooler than 661´s, and overall the only one who´s at the same level (ergonomy,weight,protection etc) is the fox launch suit! when i bought it i tought i usually would wear it without the back protection, because of the weight and heat but mostly because im not such an extreme rider, but you almost wont notice you´re wearing an extreme dh jacket! its an work of art... when you try one just look at the back protection, and thats what makes the word dainese equal to perfection! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Staples
a Downhiller
from Sonoma, California
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, UT | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$365.00 | | Purchased At: | BeyondBikes.com | | Strengths: | Good fit. Light Weight. Good ventilation | | Weaknesses: | Have not found any yet. I expected the chest part to be a little bigger, but it's probably better that it isn't. Fits kind of snug. Have to wait and see if the material rips. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried the 661 version, but the fit wasn't all that good. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Gemini 2000, e-thirteen chain tensioner. | | Bottom Line: | I like this product. I had a lot of trouble with the fit of the 661. I got the new "race" version (2005)of the Dainese vest. It's expensive, but so far it has been worth it. I went over the bars this morning out at Downieville. Skidded for a ways. Didn't get hurt at all. The pads didn't push out of place. It did just what it was supposed to do. The suit and the 661 shin/knee guards (those fit) took it all. So it gets five flaiming chilies for saving my skin today.
The vest fits snuggly, so order accordingly. But once I had it on, I pretty much forgot about it. Pretty comfortable.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JC Claflin
a Downhiller
from Chico, CA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any DH trail about | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | sea otter classic vender booth | | Strengths: | very good adjusts to fit perfectly saved me thousands of dollars in medical bills after the crash neither my ribs or shoulders were even sore which i landed directly on the crash totally shredded my jersey | | Similar Products Used: | 661 assualt suit fox launch suit | | Bike Setup: | specialized bighit FSR every thing stock but eggbeater mallet pedals | | Bottom Line: | very good saves you when you crash hard | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cK
a Downhiller
from PA. / N.J.
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | DIABLO Freeride Park, Vernon, N.J. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | Go-Ride | | Strengths: | Fit, - I managed to get my hands on a Saftey Jacket "Next", which is one level up from the regular safety Jacket. Got a large and it fit almost perfectly. Really could have used a Med. but they were all out. I'm 5'11" and weigh about 165. The large turned out to be the better way to go though I think. All the pads lined up with the corresponding coverage zones on my torso. Many straps and velcro for adjustments.
Quality Materials, - Good quality mesh material holding the jacket together, high impact plastic lined with high density foam, Aluminum Honeycomb core in hinged spine protector.
Design, - High Impact Plastic Chestplate, Spine protector has excellent lateral coverage, good length, and is made of high impact plastic w/ Alumin. Honeycomb core. Spine protector zips out, and I assume is replaceable. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic Z-5 | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Spesh Demo 8... Damn near everything you can think of: Maxxis Tubeless, Ti Shock Coil, Boxxer WC, Hadley Hubs, Mavic EX823 Rims, etc... | | Bottom Line: | ...was coming down a 60 degree 20ft. rock chute last year going med./slow speed, front wheel got caught up on the backside of a boulder, got the ejector seat - flipped over the bars, and landed on my back across 2 boulders.
Stood up.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fred harrison
a Downhiller
from northridge, ca. u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anything that challenges | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | go-ride.com | | Strengths: | fit, quality, comfort. | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | 661, azonic | | Bike Setup: | giant dh team tricked out. | | Bottom Line: | i just got the safety jacket, and right away i can tell i should have got one of these from the get go. this is the way body armor is supose to fit. i am a big guy and it is hard to find upper body armor that fits right. once i have worn it for awhile i will post again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marco Beutelrock
a Downhiller
from Sthlm Sweden
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykelspecialisten | | Strengths: | Fits like a glove ! i forgot that i have it on me. feels like it could save your life when the wheels starts to whobble. Very light but still very very strong | | Weaknesses: | Price. not that it´s overpriced but expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | 661 | | Bike Setup: | Kona Stinky 02 color stripped. Marz. JR T-04. Raceface BB, Diablo Steam. MRP Chain guard. Mavic 729 EX. Tioga White Tiger 2.5. Hayes HFX-9 DH. XTR RR rmech. and much more... | | Bottom Line: | Dainese Safty jacket NEXT is by far best armor that you can buy, Strong, Light, keeps you cool. Don`t ride DH without it ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything down | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Wades Cycles | | Strengths: | Fits really well and does what its supposed to. | | Bottom Line: | I have just started downhill MTB after riding XC for years. I bought shin/knee guards and elbow protectors immediately. However, you soon discover that the speed you carry picks up very quickly as your confidence on the steep stuff grows.
YOU ONLY HAVE ONE SPINE!!!!!!
I would recommend buying any back protector as soon as you get into downhilling.
I've tried on most (not that there are many to choose from) and this seems to fit the best and provide the best protection. I am a 6'4" 230lb lard ass that will try anything - even if it's beyond my current capability (you have to learn some how) - and I can vouch for the fact that this stuff works after some 10' plus falls to earth!
Buy any back protector you like. I like (and recommend) this one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dirty
a Downhiller
from Moab, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | CCDH | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | I've absolutley evaded the hospital with these babies. It's a licsense to blow the doors off yer' buddies, just make sure they're not right behind you without there's! Removeable back allows for hucking/epics. Glove like fit, never any slippiage... once your in, your in! | | Weaknesses: | Requires some sewing with everyday use. Hard to get, pricey. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing close to similar. | | Bike Setup: | Fat tires, Fat brakes. A Five inch and a sixteen inch bike. | | Bottom Line: | If you're pushing it, this armor accelerates the learning curve. Really worth it, cheap health insurance. I've bounced the chest plate off rocks(skipped off two of em'), got turned back from a tree, supermanned off trail into the woods... No injury! If high speed dismounts are a possibilty, ride time will remain pegged. Don't wait for broken ribs, seperated shoulders... trust me they hurt! Make sure to use bomber leg armor, cause you might just rip yer' legs off! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Downhiller
from Suffield, Ct
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | PKill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | Transcend | | Strengths: | Protection, comfort, mobility, durability. | | Weaknesses: | Price, retail about $500USD.
Can't wash conventionally. | | Similar Products Used: | Thor, Fox, AXO chest protectors (motocross) | | Bike Setup: | Romic shock, Risse fork, hayes hydros w/ razor rock levers, azonic seat, chris king iso's laced to 26" 32 hole mag 30's in a three cross pattern, Race Face Northshore DH cranks, MRP system 1 guide w/ blackspire 38t chainring, ultegra derraileur, dura ace 11t-27t cassette, 2002 XTR right shifter pod, ODI lock ons, Time Z pedals, azonic ultra cross rizer bar, maxxis mobster 2.7 SRY compound tires. | | Bottom Line: | I actually have the shuttle pro, which is an amazing piece of protective equpiment. If it fits you, its like you're not wearing it, until you crash, when you're mighty glad its there. It is reletively light, extremely protective and has great ventilation. Buy it if you can afford it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pipes ludwikowski
a Racer
from comox bc
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | two sheiks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | dodge city cycles | | Strengths: | very very secure and if yu get the right size then it almost "moldsz" to your body, AND it breaths like yur not even wearing anything else | | Weaknesses: | at the begging the collar rubs the front of yur neck but then yu dont even notice it anymore!! | | Similar Products Used: | uhhh never wore anything else casue this is the best | | Bike Setup: | too lazy to wright that out! | | Bottom Line: | damn fine piece of armour and i would totally recomend it to anybody that is serouses about riding preety hard, its expensive but its TOTALLY worth it.!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Downhiller
from Sheffield, UK
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Guisecliffe course, Pateley Bridge, North Yorks | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | direct for the team :-) | | Strengths: | Comfort, freedom of movement and protection.
2002 base material breathes really well. | | Weaknesses: | The collar rubs against my neck - very uncomfortable after a couple of days on a race site!
Price. The product itself is not overpriced but it is expensive. The fact that some people will consider saving money and risk their body is a downer.
All the weird and wonderfull pronunciations ;-) | | Similar Products Used: | Old style Dainesse, Planet X. | | Bike Setup: | Orange 222 with floating caliper, Boxxers, full Race Face and XTR. HOPE brakes and hubs on Mavic D321CD's. SDG saddle. Trick! | | Bottom Line: | Do you value time on the bike more than time in the hospital? I do. Any serious downhiller will have had crashes of some kind or other. Some are superficial and some are gnarly. If you can buy time on the bike then this is the kit for you!
Armour can protect from injury and keep you riding. You'll get up again after that stack and ride for the rest of the day - and a few more.
However, it doesn't want to be restrictive, hot, sweaty and uncomfortable.
Once this jacket is on all you notice is a overwhelming feeling of invulnerability and security. Soon that depletes and you are free to ride without hinderance!
The 2002 'dishcloth' is by far the best material and keeps you very cool, allowing sweat to evaporate rather than collect.
Don't ride hard without it! I did - once. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rafer
a Downhiller
from Anaheim, CA USA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | It's form-fitting, and thin enough that you can wear it under another shirt. It offers FULL protection. | | Weaknesses: | Ummm.... price? | | Similar Products Used: | Bombshell B2 Ultra Chest Protector | | Bottom Line: | Dainese armor is the best armor that you can buy, but it's a little more expensive. It's $240 as compared to the Azonic Z-5 at $175. If you race, care about aerodynamics, or are just picky, this is the armor for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$
