Submitted by
Nyal
a Weekend Warrior
from London Date Reviewed: May 8, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
I compared the Impact (no arms) and Impact Race (with arms)
Back protector is completely separate on the Impact - not zipped to the body armour like on Impact Race. This is better for tall people (I'm 6'4") as otherwise you can't get the back protector in the right place...
Fit is better on the Impact than on the Impact Race. I tried on a large of both and the Impact was better fitting around the upper torso and shoulders...
Impact is very comfortable - the Impact Race has horrible sharp seams in the elbow pads. On the Impact the shoulder pads have an additional covering layer of fabric which for some reason the very clever people at Dainese didn't think to extend to the elbows of the Impact Race!
Weaknesses:
The central zip on the Impact (the zip is offset on the Impact Race) leaves a bit of an unprotected area above the sternum...
Bottom Line:
The Impact is better than the Impact Race!
Unlike the tester who felt the shoulder pads moved, I thought they were pretty solid and stable. Maybe some additional stabilising straps would help, that would take it from 9/10 to 10/10.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Meth-Cohn
a Downhiller
from Kendal Date Reviewed: September 4, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Stif
Strengths:
The jacket was very light and you where able to move around freely. The back prtection looks strong and is light and flexible.
Weaknesses:
The shoulder protection is as good as useless, the pads are actually very well made and fit ok. However they are only held in place with lycra mesh, and if you where to crash whilst moving which is 99.9% of the time, it would just be pushed of your shoulder resulting in probaly as much injury as without the jacket.
Bottom Line:
I bought this suit for the shoulder protection, after a serious shoulder injury. I was very disapointed with Dainese, did they not test the product? I thought they where a respectable company. It looks like there Impact Race Jacket has some adjustable straps to hold the shoulder pads in place, why did they not use them on this???
In my eyes, save your £150, look else where. You do have to get the compramise between comfort and protection. But the reason I bought the suit to reduce chances of injury, so it gets a thumbs down from me.
If you want to ride XC routes with added confidence this maybe for you but nothing else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Western Australia Date Reviewed: March 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$246.00
Purchased At:
www.beyondbikes.com
Strengths:
Dainese quality, versatile, light weight, comfy, easy to fold up and store in your backpack, breathable, can fit a shirt/singlet over it, removable back protector, short sleeved!
Weaknesses:
- Rather pricey, as are all quality Dainese products (got a great deal through www.beyondbikes.com - excellent service!).
- Could use a little more padding on the sternum area (the 2cm wide gap between the chest pads where the central zip travels prevents the padding from completely covering the sternum).
- Maybe some light padding on the back of the shoulders??? (although the back protector seems to be adequate enough. Only a crash will decide!).
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
2007 Giant Reign X1
Bottom Line:
The best thing about this armour is its versatility. When doing long technical treks out on the trails, I just unroll it from in my backpack, place a singlet over the top (so I don't look so hardcore!) and away I go! The short sleeve lycra-mesh design is breathable and comfortable enough to wear all day. But couple this armour with its back protector, some elbow/forearm protection, knee/shin pads, gloves, hip/coccyx protection (undershort) and a full face helmet and you have a fully customized and capable downhill suit. If planning to do hardcore competition DH I would invest in a complete suit. But for the non professionals, like most of us are, it is perfect!
Overall, this armour is a lightweight, unrestrictive, breathable and very VERSATILE piece of equipment. It is extremely portable and is great for those more challenging all-mountain adventures, or the part time DH/freerider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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