Protective gear questions

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Balog · #1 Unread post by **Balog** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:57 am

Hi all, I recently enrolled in a MSF novice course, and I'm just doing research before I go through the class, buy gear, and get a bike.

I've got a new Snell rated helmet on it's way for the class, but I'm still making my mind up about the rest of the gear.

I'm planning on wearing a pair of steel toed construction boots I already have to ride in, but I'm a tad concerned about being able to shift with them. Will the reduction in "feel" make it more difficult to learn than a thinner, lighter pair of boots, esp. during the class?

For jackets I'm looking at Fox Creek leather. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems as tho many jackets today are produced in China by a small handful of craptastic manufacturers, then merely labeled as different brands for marketing purposes. I've looked at tons of reviews and have yet to see someone who didn't love everything about FC's products and service. Any dissenting views?

Gloves.... nothing solid yet. I definitely want some form of hard armor, and I'd prefer to keep it under $100. Any thoughts?

Overpants. This is where I have no idea. I need something I can slip into quickly, and that's about as far as I have gone. Do they need to have kevlar or other abrasion resistant fabric, padding, hard armor? I really don't know what to look for here.

#2 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:16 am

You seem to be thinking things through very well, I would question the helmet though. Where did you get it, how well does it fit???

Balog · #3 Unread post by **Balog** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:46 am

dr_bar wrote:You seem to be thinking things through very well, I would question the helmet though. Where did you get it, how well does it fit???

HJC AC from Newenough. I tried on a few similar models in a store and the fit seemed correct. Admittedly this was before I read the helmet fit FAQ here.

I'll test it out when it gets in, and look into getting another if there are serious issues with it. From what I've seen however I'm unlikely to get into a high speed helmet ripping off type crash at a MSF course.

IcyHound · #4 Unread post by **IcyHound** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:35 pm

New enough will let you send it back or exchange it so no worries there.

Lookie newenough's closeout for gloves.

I have an icon jacket and like it, even if it is craptastic and from china.

Feel doesn't matter much for the shifting once you have the positioning down.

Balog · #5 Unread post by **Balog** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:23 pm

IcyHound wrote:New enough will let you send it back or exchange it so no worries there.

Well, I got the helmet on closeout (~$115 off list

) so maybe not...... still not regretting it tho.

Lookie newenough's closeout for gloves.

I've been looking, haven't seen too many with hard armor. Is padding enough? I'd really be more comfortable with something harder between me and the pavement.

I have an icon jacket and like it, even if it is craptastic and from china.

No offense intended to owners of other brands. As I said I have no experience in the area so they could be wonderful and high quality. This has not been my experience with most Chinese products, however. And if the stitching rips out in a wreck it's a lot worse than cheap electronic gear failing. Not to mention that most cheap chinese clothing I've had has fallen apart quickly; a rather poor characteristic in a several hundred $ riding jacket.

Feel doesn't matter much for the shifting once you have the positioning down.

Ok, good to know. I like my boots but they're definitely a bit ponderous and clunky compared to hiking models.

Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:10 pm

Icon was bought out last year by a new company that was supposedly going to revamp the whole line. I haven't seen that yet but I can say that the only icon stuff I have that's held up has been the military spec vest and the field armor.

I had a set of icon gloves that I only wore for coaching the MSF and they started falling apart by the 9th class. The only icon jacket I bought for my passenger started coming apart at the seems after one 800 mile ride.

I've never had that issue with any of my Joe Rocket, Tecknic, Tourmaster, Cortech, Alpinestar or Aerostitch gear.

Balog · #7 Unread post by **Balog** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:03 am

Soooo, anyone have any advice about pants? I can try on gloves fairly easily, but I have no idea what to even look for in pants.

HYPERR · #8 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:06 am

Balog wrote:Soooo, anyone have any advice about pants? I can try on gloves fairly easily, but I have no idea what to even look for in pants.

I have the Joe Rocket Alter Ego Overpants. I love it. I use it all year round. It has the removable cold weather liner, venting, as well as knee armor and hip padding.

mgdavis · #9 Unread post by **mgdavis** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:42 am

Hey, glad you decided to sign up over here.

The first jacket I bought was a Fieldsheer cheapie, cost about $100. It wasn't great, but it held up fine for a season. My current jacket is a First Gear Kilimanjaro, which is a pretty decent jacket. It doesn't have any hard armor in it, but does have soft armor.

My overpants are Cortech. I believe the specific model has been discontinued, they're just a pair of ballistic nylon shell and taffeta lining, with knee and hip pads. It should be easy to find something similar.

The boots I ride with are the ones they issued me in Basic Training. I've ridden with steel toes a few times, and don't care for it. One of these days I'll pick up some real riding boots, but it's not a priority right now.

When's your class scheduled?

mgdavis · #10 Unread post by **mgdavis** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:08 pm

These are similar to my overpants.

My current jacket.

My summer gloves. No armor, but I think they're decent for the price.