661 Pressure Suit fitment query

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May 24, 2012, 04:20:18 AM

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Total Voters: 287

[texanburger]

Hi all. Tried on the 661 vapor pressure suit today at Evans at Braehead in Glasgow size large. Seem'd a good snug fit round the torso and arms. Felt heavy when i picked it up on the hanger, but never felt heavy when I had it on.Question is, the shoulder protection just felt a bit free and loose, although it was sitting at the right place on my shoulders. Do you guys who have pressure suits think this will be okay when I'm more stretched holding onto the handlebars, so do you need a little bit give in the shoulders? I've defo got more broad shoulders than skinny, so i was wondering if this was common amongst pressure suits? May try on more suits to get a better feel for them. Cheers.

[damo]

I used to use a 661 pressure suit. That felt snug but the shoulders weren't that snug. I thought it would have felt too tight if they were any tighter.

damo

[McMeta666]

Can you not tighten the shoulders abit using the two straps that connect to the chest plate as thats i do that on mines to pull them forward a little but other than that there a pretty good fit.

[texanburger]

Can you not tighten the shoulders abit using the two straps that connect to the chest plate as thats i do that on mines to pull them forward a little but other than that there a pretty good fit.

Yeah, i did do that McMeta, but they were still a wee bit loose. To be honest, I think I'm just being fussy.

[Ant]

they need to be a bit loose so as you keep movement in your shulders surely? Then again, my dainese doesn't move at all when you push the shoulder plates.

[chrissturch]

I had a 661 SP2 for a while, and could never get it to fit properly. I needed to get the XL to fit across the chest, but it meant that the elbow pads fitted around my forearms and the forearm protection was on my wrists. I gave up, sold it and got a Rockgardn Flak Jacket instead. Fits perfectly, seems to be much better made and has more protection too.

[texanburger]

OK Ant and Chrisstchurch, cheers for your advice. I think that trying on more suits will be the answer, just like buying a helmet i suppose. But the same problem exists, in that trying to get a retailer that sells more than one brand is tricky, therefore its difficult to compare. Not unless I put a silly amount of money on my card and order 3 or 4 from CRC, pick the best and send the others back.

[common charlie]

I've ended up with quite few different sets of body armour because thay are a bit like saddles in that you don't know what they are like until you actually try them.My experience:

661 Pressure suits don't fit, are made badly and the elbow protection ends up on your wrists.
Fox jacket gives good elbow protection but hums beyond belief when worn for more than 30 mins. Tried wasjing it in mcahine with loads of fabric softner to make it smell nicer but to no avail.It really stinks.
Daines very good but elbow guards slip down onto your wrists.
Rockgarden fits really well and you can also use a neck brace with it's neck brace specific spine guard. The others require you to run without the spine guard when using as neck brace.

I did see that 660 are about to start selling a neck brace specific jacket which might be worth a look at.

I know people who have ended up using the Fox Moto torso protectors because thay are designed to be used with a neck brace.

[chrissturch]

661 Pressure suits don't fit, are made badly and the elbow protection ends up on your wrists.

I glad it's not just me then. I knew they were bad when I had that problem and I've got arms like a gorilla. My knuckles are always grazed from dragging on the floor.

[jonboy1886]

i bought a brand x from crc for occasional use...its done the job when required!

[texanburger]

i bought a brand x from crc for occasional use...its done the job when required!

Yeah, looks great value that one, my mates just got one too, but never used it yet, so I'll see how the gimp likes it. Alpinestars bionic 2 seems to have a wee bit more protection over the chest and rib area, which is my main concern having injured my ribs twice in 5 months. £180 is way too pricey compared to others but Santas paying for most of it, so I'll see. If not then prob 661 Vapor.

[Ant]

Have to say though, my dainese is spot on.

Landed on my spine plate on a stump at hopton at my last uplift, and i didn't feel a thing..

Could've put me in a chair perminantly if i didn't have armour on for that crash, so all armour is a good thing.

[lucky_pierre]

I used to own a pressure suit and also found the shoulder pads a bit loose... I also was unbearably hot in in the Morzine sun!

I recently switched to a 661 core saver.  Not too bulky, fits nicely under a t-shirt and the levels of protection are similar to a pressure suit except for the shoulders. 

[Steve P]

My knuckles are always grazed from dragging on the floor.

You need to adapt your riding technique. 

[texanburger]

Heads Up! Right, that's me sorted 661 Vapor large 2010.

 Tried the Alpinestars Bionic 2 jacket in large, 42 1/8 - 43 3/4 inches chest size, which came up very snug fit on me and it's pretty restrictive and cumbersome but it's heavy duty, great protection, and very well made, especially the waist belt for the back protector.So my chest is 40 - 42, so it comes up pretty small. It weighs 4lb 6oz.

The 2010 Vapor in large (40 - 42) fits me very well, and is a wee bit neater all round.It weighs a full pound lighter at 3lb 6oz, and is non restrictive and is pretty comfy, as I proved when eating my rice krispies with hot milk on the couch, wearing said protection . The only thing is that the shoulder pads had to be snugged right up with the adjustable velcro straps, and although in the right place, do remain pretty loose, but this helps with movement, and when I put my TLD top on this also helps to keep them where they should be.

So, while the Alpinestars Bionic 2 was not for me, it is a very very well made product, and offers excellent shoulder and elbow/forearm protection, with an equally somewhat bulky back protector. I just thought that it was a little too bulky and possibly over protective for mtb.

The Vapor suits back protector is very agile and moves with your back bent over, or arching your back, and the suit overall is pretty comfy and offers good all round protection.

Thought putting the weight of these suits would be a heads up for someone as anal as me about weight.