I tried running a search on this and didn't see a lot of topics on it, and couldn't really find an answer to my question, so please excuse me if it has come up before and I missed it.

A couple days ago I was mountain biking and managed to get a rock to the stomach. This is far from the first time this has happened, but every other time I've rode away with a ripped shirt, a few scratches, and the wind knocked out of me. Not so lucky this time...grade 3-4 spleen rupture. So I'm out of commission for a while, with nothing to do but plan my return. One thing I really don't want to happen is to come back and be scared on downhills and ride my brakes. I'd also like to avoid wrecking my internal organs again, if at all possible.

So I'm contemplating picking up some upper body armor (for...singletrack...stop laughing). Anyone have any gear recommendations? Since I'll still be climbing, I don't really want something super heavy or super hot, and probably don't need something like that anyway since I'm not a downhiller. I'm a small-framed female, so armor for big, burly guys is probably out. I also don't really want to blow my life savings on Dianese gear, if it can be helped. I just want something that'll offer some level of protection and give me the mental confidence (and yes, a little of the false sense of invulnerability) to ride normally and not be overly cautious on descents.

Thanks in advance!

The 661 Pro suit is pretty streamlined and not very expensive ($170ish on eBay).

dirt bikers have tons of stuff.

https://search.ebay.com/search/search...tor&category0=

FAIL!

and your still ugly.

You really and truly do suck at posting, why not come up with something creative for a change?

EDIT: because I respect Dminor.

Although I'd be the first to affirm never's recommendation of the Pro suit normally, I think what you may find more suited to what your are looking for is the SixSixOne Defender. It is basically a motocross chest protector; but it is extremely light, ventilated and open-sided and has a good hard-shelled front plate to absorb rock impacts. There is also a Defender Lite that is even a bit more minimalist.

Try one on, though, because the chest plate may not hang quite low enough for your tastes (although, the chest plate on the 661 body armor suits go no lower.

Be aware too, that the Defender does not have the extensive articulated spine armor that the suits have; but I don't think you are looking for anything quite that substantial anyway, right?

If you check this guy at the back of the group with the receeding hairline and the sourpuss expression, you can see how an Adult size on fits on a 6'-1" rider:

Ninth grade much?

Both of you go back and clean up or delete your little exchange so that I don't have to please. I'm trying to get some work done.

Yeah, it was great. I'm sure you'll have a blast when you get there.

Nah, probably don't need a huge spine protector. As I said, I'm not riding downhill, and while I'm aware that stuff can and does go wrong riding singletrack too, I feel like the risk is substantially lower.

You're saying that neither the chest plate on the Pro Suit or Defender hangs very low...does upper body armor not really offer what I'm looking for? Is it mainly rib cage protection that doesn't really protect any of the organs that sit below the rib cage? And there are stores that carry gear around here, and I will probably go to those stores, try stuff on, and buy locally over playing the guessing game online, so I'm mainly looking for personal experience and recommendations.

Thanks guys!

Someone sounds like Larry the Cable guy....
ANYWAYs...

I had to go out and refresh my anatomy lesson via Google -- A Defender would give you everything you are looking for I believe. I like mine: I have afull armor suit but got the Defender for Super-D and 'hard-core' gnarly trail riding because of the qualities I mentioned before.

Yes, it will protect your spleen for sure and anything from about midway between the belly button and bottom of the rib cage on up. The raised 'impact zone' on the Defender is particularly good , as it leaves some air space between the shell and your chest.

There is nothing in the way of any armor that hangs lower IMO. Suits have a kidney belt but it is not armored. Even th hockey armor I used to wear before I got my first bike armor -- even though it has a sternum protector - - did not hang any lower. Go to a bike or MX shop and try them on for yourself and decide. And you might find that a Fox, Moose, Acerbis or something else fits the bill perfectly.

hey chicks in body armor are hot. haha
come to think of it, now that I have a MTB I should look into some myself, with this kidney transplant and all. last thing I need is to catch a stomach full of sharp rock and hit the transplant.

The ribs pads I wore when I played football in high school would cover from the bottom of the rib cage to your waist line, maybe. They don't have a hard shell though, and they offer no chest protection at all. But if you're looking for something to cover the soft areas below the ribcage, those might work. Dick's probably has them too, or a used sporting goods store.

Good luck, and I hope the recovery goes well.

Edit - Something like this is what I had in mind:

that'd go great under the Defender2 armor.. for full coverage.

Oh, chill.

Another opinion: You suffered a rare, freak accident when your spleen was damaged. If you're going to try to protect yourself from all of the freak accidents/injuries that can occur while mountain biking you'll end up in a full environment suit. FWIW, my bro-in-law almost lost his kidney in a freak accident (bar end lacerated his kidney) but has been riding aggressively for the past 10+ years without torso protection and has been just fine...

Just have fun and don't sweat the long odds of having a repeat injury of the same type.

Barend stuck on tailbone after piercing stomach, colon, and some other bits.



He was riding a few months later with a colostomy bag.

Buff up and protect your organs with a 3 inch layer of muscle like me

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4...and-Women.html

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4...and-Women.html

Some inexpensive ones at Sierra Trading Post.

That stuff looks hot (as in sweating), Get men's lacrosse equipment, it protects perfectly and since its designed for running is extremely flexible and breathable.

Wow, that sucks. I hope you get back on the bike soon.

Quick question... Anyone used 661's Race Jacket? I have never seen one in person and was wondering what its like.

Is there any structure, or is it just a foam shirt?

^^ Thin molded foam only. Much like the Jofa roost protectors Roger DeCoster and other MX pros wore in the late '60s/early '70s.