Basejumper.com - archive

How do you guys feel about Armourgel protection in combination with Kevlar for protection against sharp objects?

It is used by Amplifi and Bliss (and maybe other manufacturers) and is mainly used in MTB and snow sports.

In general I can see how soft body armour is more comfortable but not very effective against sharp trauma but using Kevlar on the outside like the Amplifi MKII products should mitigate that factor...?

Is anyone using it in BASE?

I thought about getting some lower profile, soft knee/shin pads, like the G Form pads. But after a little research, I'm gonna stick with hard shell armor. The soft stuff may dig in instead of slide against the object (or ground).
Plus, I look like a fucking storm trooper so civilians are less likely to bother me before/after jumping. Sixsixone comp knee/shin pads.

http://www.raceface.com/products/details/flank-leg-guards

I used to use the sixsixone but they are shit to move or run in, these are super comfy

I like the idea of Kevlar over impact foam. I think it provides a good balance of sharp vs blunt impact resistance.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/...-enduro-elbow-guards

These are the elbow pads I usually use, and I think they utilize a good balance in protection. And the are pretty flexible too.

I think you left them in Florida.
Cause I have a set of elbow pads.

I used own and wear them then
eventually decided my elbows
were less likely to impact than
anything else provided I get a
canopy over my head...

I think which is "better" depends on the type of impact you take. Striking an object vs. pounding in a landing vs. screaming in/knee sliding. For example, in longboarding the soft ones are probably pretty bad since you wouldn't want them to get peeled down or out of place from shear/friction after/during impact.

As for BASE I guess it's more of a personal preference. I have used both six-six-one knee+shin guards and the soft/gel type. Any squishy bits between your squishy bits and the rock or pavement is nice . Whichever ones feel like they fit/stay in place the best and that you'd wear more. I like the six-six-one pads worn on the outside when I'll be landing on pavement and going flat and stable...soft armor for other jumps. If you wear the hard/six-six-one style pads under any clothing, a little knee slide can easily shred it. I had a not-that-bad gravel landing where I went to my knees/slid a little and it ripped through my tracking pants.

For aerials, I always prefer protection that you can wear under your pants so there's no extra entanglement/hesitation risk from bridle or PC interacting with them.

But on the topic of kevlar for penetration resistance, I'd say it depends on what body part you're padding. I think the penetration resistance wouldn't be that useful for knee+shin pads, which most people use. For the torso it might be useful.

If I were making my own soft armor, I would want something over the gel that has low friction and high abrasion resistance.