Triumphrat

Ken M1

There seems to be a misconception that armored clothing will make you safe. While armor is better than no armor, this just isn't so. Many people buy a somewhat loose fitting jacket (for comfort) or a comfy pair of amored pants to street ride in. While this gear is better than no armor...it is NOT safe. Not even close. Racers wear skin tight leather for a reason. They wrestle into and sweat like crazy in them because they offer the best protection they can get. The reason?... Tight leather is the only fend off road rash. If it were loose it would simply crease and tear letting their skin grate on the asphalt. Their armor is not very complex but effective as it can be because the SKIN tight leather HOLDS it in place, enabling it to sustain more than ONE impact. Remember that loose jackets and pants with armor will provide only a BRIEF impact (one impact if your lucky). Imagine this...you are going 60mph on the highway and you "get off". You will roll and slide in all directions. Do you think that loose fit armor will stay in place? Heck no. Probably even strap on armor is only good for a split second (although second best to racing gear). Point is...armor is good, and by all means DO wear it in your street gear (in this day and age there is NO reason to wear jacket or pants WITHOUT armor) but don't be too concerned over which is best because they are ALL (except fitted track leathers) BARELY above wearing none. Unfortunately we have not reached the point of armor developement to provide efficient AND comfortable armor. There seems to be no "in between" yet. Either you are suffering in skin tight armor....or you are barely protected at all.