dainese chest/back protector jacket

rocdoc · Apr 16, 2013

I'm trying to decide on which dainese chest/back protector to get.

Choices are basically:
a) Thorax wave pro (chest and back with shoulder blade)
b) W-T Pro Jacket (chest, back, shoulder & shoulder blade, elbow, forarm, etc)

I'm thinking of getting the jacket version. (Has a fish net looking mesh with all the armor attached to it.) You can take the chest/back protectors off and use them separately. PROBLEM is, you lose the scapula protection when you separate them.

FIRST QUESTION, how important is SCAPULA/shoulder blade protection, either for street or track?

MAIN QUESTION: What are your thoughts on wearing the Pro "Jacket" alone (or with a T-shirt) on hot days?

Anyone gone down in that "jacket" and found out how well that fish net holds up? As one who wears full gear everywhere, I'd rather be safe than comfortable.

bronch · Apr 16, 2013

I have the Dainese chest/back protector and it's pretty bulky. I haven't had the pleasure of testing it yet. The quality seems okay, but you should check out Forcefield. I have their shorts and knee protectors. Back/chest protector on the way. Very good quality and good safety rating.

bradp51 · Apr 17, 2013

rocdoc said:
I'm trying to decide on which dainese chest/back protector to get.

Choices are basically:
a) Thorax wave pro (chest and back with shoulder blade)
b) W-T Pro Jacket (chest, back, shoulder & shoulder blade, elbow, forarm, etc)

I'm thinking of getting the jacket version. (Has a fish net looking mesh with all the armor attached to it.) You can take the chest/back protectors off and use them separately. PROBLEM is, you lose the scapula protection when you separate them.

FIRST QUESTION, how important is SCAPULA/shoulder blade protection, either for street or track?

MAIN QUESTION: What are your thoughts on wearing the Pro "Jacket" alone (or with a T-shirt) on hot days?

Anyone gone down in that "jacket" and found out how well that fish net holds up? As one who wears full gear everywhere, I'd rather be safe than comfortable.

comfort wise the forcefield subpro4 is a lot more comfortable

the WT pro stuff is very bulky and you would need to go up a few jacket sizes to get it underneath.

most jackets have elbow and shoulder stuff built in.

Try forcefield its soft and kinda moulds to your shape. I have the back and chest protector.

I also have both for my son when he gets on the back.

mark419ny · Apr 17, 2013

get knox not even a debatable

rocdoc · Apr 18, 2013

Forcefield armor

bronch said:
I have the Dainese chest/back protector and it's pretty bulky. I haven't had the pleasure of testing it yet. The quality seems okay, but you should check out Forcefield. I have their shorts and knee protectors. Back/chest protector on the way. Very good quality and good safety rating.

+1 on the Forcefield armor

Yep. Thank God Revzilla reminded me of the Forcefield armor. I already have the FF Pro pants and love 'em but didn't realize they made armor that could rival Dainese or Alpinestar.

I ended up getting them at the same time as I got my Corse leathers through Riverside Motorsports in Boston (also an Ebay company). WOW! You have to call 'em. Ask for Dana (anyone else who answers sounds pretty grumpy). She hooked me up on the leathers and the Forcefield armor (she has a connection to Motonation who apparently took over the FF account from Johnson's leather in SF).

Good advice.

Castor Troy · Jun 10, 2013

FF is a superb armor maker, however Thorax vest is offer more. I have the Action shirt and I can't wear it with my Dainese leather coat, FF doesn't make a sleeveless Action shirt alternate. Matter of fact, nothing even close to it. Thorax vest has level 2 armor through out, that is a big deal as we will know it. Ribs are covered. I will put up with bulk for the sake of protection. My old lady scored me a Thorax vest for 165 through her work, for that price, I will put up with any discomfort I encounter.

OP, Thorax vest nor jacket were meant to be as a stand alone system, you have to wear something over it. That mesh will tear easily.

anthem · Jun 10, 2013

Actually this would be a case of "chasing certifications". also not sure why we're reviving a several month old thread. ..

Anyhow - EN Level II Certifications mean nothing outside of back protectors. I think L2 for back protectors is 9kn average with nothing over 12kn. L2 certifications for anything that isn't a back protector is like 35 and 50kn. . so you can see how useless that rating is. . . It sets a minimum standard, but not one that you would want to use. .

And if you accept that the FF back protector is L2 compliant, then you could easily extrapolate that getting the chest and back protector vest from FF would get you chest protection that is significantly better than the 35kn L2 standard. . .

This is not knocking the thorax unit as I have the same chest protector insert, but between the two, I would say the FF 4 layer exceeds the thorax in dissipation of forces on impact. . .

Castor Troy · Jun 10, 2013

anthem said:
Actually this would be a case of "chasing certifications". also not sure why we're reviving a several month old thread. ..

Anyhow - EN Level II Certifications mean nothing outside of back protectors. I think L2 for back protectors is 9kn average with nothing over 12kn. L2 certifications for anything that isn't a back protector is like 35 and 50kn. . so you can see how useless that rating is. . . It sets a minimum standard, but not one that you would want to use. .

And if you accept that the FF back protector is L2 compliant, then you could easily extrapolate that getting the chest and back protector vest from FF would get you chest protection that is significantly better than the 35kn L2 standard. . .

This is not knocking the thorax unit as I have the same chest protector insert, but between the two, I would say the FF 4 layer exceeds the thorax in dissipation of forces on impact. . .

Oh ok. I was misinformed and did crap research on the certs, no biggie. I can't just do the back alone, I would like for the chest and ribs to be somewhat protected too. FF is my top go to spot for armor, there is a reason why I bought an Action Shirt over Thorax jacket to begin with.

The reason why I revived this thread: 1) no need to make a new thread to discuss this. 2) I searched if anyone owned a Thorax wave vest.

PS. This thread is in wrong section!

Trauma · Jun 10, 2013

Castor Troy said:
Oh ok. I was misinformed and did crap research on the certs, no biggie. I can't just do the back alone, I would like for the chest and ribs to be somewhat protected too. FF is my top go to spot for armor, there is a reason why I bought an Action Shirt over Thorax jacket to begin with.

The reason why I revived this thread: 1) no need to make a new thread to discuss this. 2) I searched if anyone owned a Thorax wave vest.

PS. This thread is in wrong section!

I would like to know how many wear the chest protector - I don't and now think I should

ymikkel · Jun 10, 2013

Trauma said:
I would like to know how many wear the chest protector - I don't and now think I should

I wear the Dainese jacket insert chest protector. Quite bulky and stiff.

Castor Troy · Jun 10, 2013

Trauma said:
I would like to know how many wear the chest protector - I don't and now think I should

I wear anything and everything I can to protect my upper torso. Collarbone and rib injuries scare me, I already got two bad shoulders

. My .... will snap like a twig probably if i go down again.

ymikkel said:
I wear the Dainese jacket insert chest protector. Quite bulky and stiff.

Trauma likes it bulky and stiff

.

Trauma · Jun 10, 2013

Castor Troy said:
I wear anything and everything I can to protect my upper torso. Collarbone and rib injuries scare me, I already got two bad shoulders . My .... will snap like a twig probably if i go down again.

Trauma likes it bulky and stiff.

rotfl!!! I might try one - suggestions? I have the Ducati Corse (Dianese), currently have the Dianese back protector insert.

anthem · Jun 10, 2013

Forcefield makes a harness with chest and back. Chest material is the same as back material so its L2 compliant. Here is a link to it from Revzilla Forcefield Extreme Harness Flite - RevZilla

I really like forcefield stuff and use the back protector extensively (in 3 jackets and separate pro sub for for my 2 1pc suits). For chest, I use the Dainese thorax for the dainese jackets, the a* insert for a* jacket, and the FF stuff for the chest for 1pc suits.

I don't use the undershirt, but do sometimes wear the pants if I am wearing something like kevlar jeans.

ScrapperX · Jun 10, 2013

ymikkel said:
I wear the Dainese jacket insert chest protector. Quite bulky and stiff.

I use the Dainese thorax jacket insert in my Dainese leather and textile jackets. I also wear it under my race suit. Although its stiff it flows a a lot of air. The FF I read good reviews on them and wanted one for comfort but I saw a two bikes collide and one rider went tumbling and the other slid. The guy tumbling was wearing the FF and the one that slid was wearing the Dainese thorax chest and back protector that acted like a slider. The guy that tumbled said his soft body armor was gripping the pavement that caused him to tumble he now wears hard body armor by Dainese. I wear the force field pants pro under my kevlar jeans but having second thoughts.

Trauma · Jun 10, 2013

ScrapperX said:
I use the Dainese thorax jacket insert in my Dainese leather and textile jackets. I also wear it under my race suit. Although its stiff it flows a a lot of air. The FF I read good reviews on them and wanted one for comfort but I saw a two bikes collide and one rider went tumbling and the other slid. The guy tumbling was wearing the FF and the one that slid was wearing the Dainese thorax chest and back protector that acted like a slider. The guy that tumbled said his soft body armor was gripping the pavement that caused him to tumble he now wears hard body armor by Dainese. I wear the force field pants pro under my kevlar jeans but having second thoughts.

How does the ttThorax work, do some Dianese jackets have an pocket in front

anthem · Jun 10, 2013

yes, some dainese jackets have a half pocket up front that you slip the thorax into (its a heart shaped protector, so you kind of wedge it in one side and it floats the other side but stays in place. ..

I can't see how hard or soft armor underneath can "grip the surface" - especially given the fact that neither one of these should be exposed to any surface. . . The thorax chest protector is designed to be behind the leather, the dainese the same. . . eventhough the dainese is "hard outer surface" it isn't designed to be abrasion resistant. . the "hardness" is to dissipate forces over the softer side underneath. . .

bronch · Jun 10, 2013

Trauma said:
I would like to know how many wear the chest protector - I don't and now think I should

I do, "most" of the time. If I'm out on a group ride or riding the twisties briskly, I always have it on. If I'm just going for a "ride" I don't. I got the Forcefield Extreme Harness Flite and it fits nicely under my leather jacket. I just take the jacket back protector out.

Trauma · Jun 10, 2013

anthem said:
yes, some dainese jackets have a half pocket up front that you slip the thorax into (its a heart shaped protector, so you kind of wedge it in one side and it floats the other side but stays in place. ..

I can't see how hard or soft armor underneath can "grip the surface" - especially given the fact that neither one of these should be exposed to any surface. . . The thorax chest protector is designed to be behind the leather, the dainese the same. . . eventhough the dainese is "hard outer surface" it isn't designed to be abrasion resistant. . the "hardness" is to dissipate forces over the softer side underneath. . .

Yes, I have the have pocket, so perfect - thanks! I'll order one tonight.

ScrapperX · Jun 10, 2013

anthem said:
yes, some dainese jackets have a half pocket up front that you slip the thorax into (its a heart shaped protector, so you kind of wedge it in one side and it floats the other side but stays in place. ..

I can't see how hard or soft armor underneath can "grip the surface" - especially given the fact that neither one of these should be exposed to any surface. . . The thorax chest protector is designed to be behind the leather, the dainese the same. . . eventhough the dainese is "hard outer surface" it isn't designed to be abrasion resistant. . the "hardness" is to dissipate forces over the softer side underneath. . .

They both were not wearing leathers one guy had a letterman's jacket the other guy had an Dainese super speed textile jacket (which held up pretty good). The Letterman jacket was shredded to pieces he said the FF grip the ground and he started to tumble from a low side. The bottom of his kevlar jeans where there was no Kevlar was shredded. He said the FF protected him from road rash and the impact while tumbling except for his arms which he had a little road rash and both hips were badly bruised. They were lucky.

All gear all the time.

Trauma · Jun 10, 2013

bronch said:
I do, "most" of the time. If I'm out on a group ride or riding the twisties briskly, I always have it on. If I'm just going for a "ride" I don't. I got the Forcefield Extreme Harness Flite and it fits nicely under my leather jacket. I just take the jacket back protector out.

I think I'm going with the Dianese floater, it's a hassle to remove/insert the back protector so I may not use it as much. But I'll use it like you, "spirited" rides!

dainese chest/back protector jacket

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