body armour with big boobs?
 

Question for the ladies ( maybe some blokes?)
My wife and I are considering full-body amour in place of our jackets which we currently use mainly with the thought it will be cooler in hot climate than a full jacket.( please tell us if it's not!) My wife has quite large boobs and we are wondering if this might be more uncomfortable for her on extended journeys. Have any of you ladies any thoughts experiences with body armour we should consider when buying? Obviously trying it on before hand, but what long term travelling issues should we consider. Better tight or loose etc..? Any suggestions on types to look at and things to avoid would be gratefully received.

Few points here.

1- body armour for travel: i have used one in Siberia, combined with a jersey on top. Good when it is very hot. However, if the weather turns cold, it is less easy to fit thermal layers and jumpers. So keep that in mind.
The armour is fairly fitted so not much room for layers.

2- boobs. Always wear a good and comfortable sport bra. It is absolutely essential on dirt road. For me the body armour was comfortable when used with a sport bra. Many sport bras are too tight, that is how they work. I strongly recommend to try as many as possible, as wearing a tight one 12 hours a day on trails can be not very nice. I like Shock Absorbers.

The body armour, like any protection, is suppose to be fitted. I.e. In case of fall, the protection won't move so it can do its job where it is supposed to be. So the body armour should be fitted.

For long term travelling we favour jackets. As i said, in cold places, layering is not easy with a body armour. I have the Held Tamira jacket. Plenty of vents. I crossed many deserts last year on my way to Mongolia with it.

Like everything, it is about compromise. Try, test, see what works for you guys.

Thanks Maria that's good info.

+1 on the layers comments. As a sidecarist armour is less important, the movement required slightly different and the ability to go out in snow etc. Increased. Armour increased the choices of clothing but then failed because the layers had to go on top.

My experience of boobs is best not related on a public forum at teatime.

Andy

The plan is not so much a complete change to amour just to have that option when required. We sometimes spend time in one area exploring, as we recently did in Nepal, where it was mainly very hot and humid during our visit. My wife on one occasion was just overheating and we had no real choice but to take off protective clothing, in this case trousers. With only a jacket it was "just" controllable. The risk of heat stroke seemed greater than the road dangers at this point. Had we taken amour instead we both would have benefited.

I guess it is just another choice of many to make when setting off; tent or hotel, big bike or small bike , amour or full kit......

edit: having read this back. I must point out my wife did wear other trousers!

Alpinestars Stella range do body armour with boob shaped chest protection. I have used it on many occasions and having that feeling of safety is great when riding in rocky terrain. However the mesh does form patterns on my skin as I heat up & then it can be difficult to get off.
I would recommend one of the body armour tops that are fabric.
Also buy Forcefield knee socks & consider shorts with hip protection. Then wear whatever you want on top.

Failing that, just wear what's comfortable, as bikers, every day is a risk.
I knew a woman who broke her forearm because the armour in the jacket was positioned incorrectly.


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As a bloke the fact that boob shaped armour is available was not even on the radar - good point, thanks.

I have the alpinestars stella body armour and I definitely recommend it:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxyqOj5d4g...0/IMG_0203.JPG

For comfort I wear it with a long sleeve t-shirt underneath.

I wore it for 8 days enduro ride in Siberia last summer, with some very hot days (38 degrees C). It was perfect, until it started to be cold. Putting layers over the armour is not ideal for warmth.


Cheers,

This is what I wear on the dirt with a jersey.

Body Protector 3DF AirFit - Body Armour | Leatt® | Protective Neck Braces, Body Armour & Sports Gear

I could go on a multi page tirade about the lack of women specific gear, but.....:offtopic: sort of

I'll take one for Team Women and tell you that I'm a 38 C and find that armor comfortable.

Vanucci
 

I just saw a lady with a Vanucci vest at the RA in Arkansas...she got it in Germany and they sell them in the UK. It had good back and collarbone coverage, but no chestplate. But....it had spandex instead of mesh as the base and it did contain her boobs.

Keeping your cool
 

Wallowing in mud holes has worked for me to keep cool in hot countries - literally getting everything that I'm wearing as wet as possible - from helmet interior to my socks and everything in between.
Though as I haven't got any fancy Bluetooth stuff - no worries about soaking my helmet.
I've never worn body armour and have traveled in some of the world's hottest places, however I do tend to feel the cold.
I wear leather trousers in hot countries ( I know I'm going to get shot down in flames for saying that) because I don't like wearing synthetic trousers.
friends of mine wear Draggin Jeans - much cooler with built in protection, I'd probably be too lazy to wash them enough.

It's all about personal choice and comfort. Good luck with whatever you choose.

I don't fancy my chances of getting that option past the first couple of sentences. :rofl:

We are off to the bike show thing at NEC end of month (28th or 29th?) hopefully there will be a few things to try there.