Under Armour - Opinions
 

I want peoples opinions on under armour - Now for general riding, I have quite a thin jacket - Frank Thomas Senegal http://www.bikingdirect.com/_cogosho...fbee6bef51.jpg

Do you guys reccommend wearing some extra under armour underneath it? and also in october we're heading to Morocco for three weeks, I dont expect to go the full 3 weeks without having at least one 'off'....Is it worth buying something like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=24906 Or would it be a waste of money?

Opinions wanted please!

I use one of those when trail riding under a light jacket.

If you're planning to keep ya existing coat then check you can get it over the armour OK.

Are they fairly comfy to ride in?

Great in the summer and worn under a motocross shirt, but a bit much under a textile jacket.

Riding across Europe, then Morocco in October I would want a warm, waterproof textile jacket with armour for elbows, shoulders and back-protector.

Yeah, don't know it's there most of the time, but I wear it under a really loose fitting jacket.

under armour...........make trainers and rugby shirts don't they

I've been thinking of getting some body armour/pressure suit to replace the useless (wobbly) armour in my textile jacket and for mtb use.

Came across this Stern body armour on fleebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...:X:AAQ:GB:1123

which appears to be a very cheap copy of the UFO Scorpion:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UFO-MOTOCROSS-...item3f0246d79a

They are both CE approved but not sure if that just refers to the back protector. Interestingly, the Komodo Adventure Armor suit in the States is fully CE approved to some number at Class 2 level and is allegedly a rebranded UFO Scorpion:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=470649

Suppose it's a bit much to expect all that quality/protection in the Stern for �50 though!!

Yeah, but i think everyone understood what i meant

yeah I was on chainreactioncycles.com and they have some nicely discounted back protection and other kit. Will have a chat with the others coming away and see what the general idea is!

I decided to give the Stern body armour a try. Will let you know what it's like.....

Yes please do Rick, it would be interesting to see how you rate it...

Not bad at all...
 

Had the Stern body armour for a couple of days now and although I've never worn this stuff before it didn't take long to get used to it. I've been wearing the armour over a long sleeve thermal/climate control top (�10 from Primark!!) and covered by an unlined Halfords waterproof jacket followed by a Dickies hivis jacket (unlined and lined - depending on temp). There is such a good coverage of the hard plastic protection that I'm no more concerned about abrasion than I would be with my usual textile jacket. I don't see Winter being an issue (ie too many layers over it) as there is plenty of scope for a few layers of clothing under it due to adjustable straps and stretchy mesh "jacket".

By lucky coincidence - and for perfect comparison - I also won a s/h UFO Scorpion armour jacket in good condition off ebay for my son (for DH/MTBing). The Stern is near identical to the UFO - the main difference I can see is that the foam padding is a bit thinner on the Stern but I've overcome this by using CE armour from my existing jacket under it without it feeling extra bulky. The only slight negative is that the chest plates are flat not curved like the UFO but it looks like they can be "persuaded" by gradual bending. Mind you, when on the road, being flat would add to the shock absorbsion when you get hit to the side of the chest by a stone, apple core etc.

Anyway for �45 I'd have to say it's bloody good value compared to the UFO at about �144 - unless you can get a s/h UFO in good nick for �27 inc postage! :blob7: