Protective Gear

[whatever]

Hello everybody.
What's the hot set-up for protective gear?
I kinda like the idea of mtb downhill stuff, as I have some already and it seems fairly well received in BASE circles.
I have a Dainese Shuttle Suit Pro (the full length jobbie), Fox Moto helmet (visor removes easily) and stuff like BMX pants and mtb gloves.
Any comments and/or recommendations?
thanks

sam

:+ :+ :+ :+

[crwper]

I jump with elbow & knee pads made for rollerblading on most objects, but on the sketchy stuff I also have a Dainese Shuttle Pro suit that I'm very happy with. If you're jumping velcro, bear in mind that the suit makes your rig a tight fit, and rolling your shoulders forward will tend to separate the velcro.

On the helmet issue... On a jump where we knew we were going to hit the ground hard, a friend of mine jumped with his dirt-bike helmet for extra protection. The momentum of the helmet (due to increased weight) carried through on his landing and his neck was sore for days afterward. One of your primary concerns for a BASE helmet should be very light weight. I've looked at a lot of full-face MTB helmets, but have yet to find something that offers what I would consider adequate chin protection -- so I'm sticking with my Protec for now.

I also jump with a pair of fingerless MTB gloves. Learned this the hard way after sliding in on gravel.

Michael

[N-Bomb]

>The momentum of the helmet (due to increased weight) carried through >on his landing and his neck was sore for days afterward. One of your >primary concerns for a BASE helmet should be very light weight.

I'm considering a full face MTB helmet or a moto cross helmet to replace my bonehead full face and I don't think that the added weight is that much of a problem. People jump with cameras on their helmets all the time and that can be a lot of added weight which is also poorly distributed on your neck. So I don't think that a heavier helmet (within reason)is a problem because what you give up in comfort you gain in safety so that when you make a mistake you'll have a better chance of living through it. Just my 2 cents.

[dexter]

That's fine until you take a deep three second delay slider down (or have an unusually brisk slider up opening). The inertia of a heavier helmet, and the associated dangers (risk of nerve damage or temporary loss of consciousness), will quickly cancel out the added safety of the heavier helmet.

For a good impact to the head, the ProTec series of helmets seem to be the best balance of weight and protection for BASE. I personally use an Oxygn A3. It's comfortable and I like the chin protection.

Just the opinions of a low timer here though...

Stay safe out there! ---Dex
dexterbase@hotmail.com

[guest]

Ref: Oxygn A3

I still jump in one when I'm not useing my camera, but I'm questioning it. I don't think it comes far enouth down on the back of your neck as its built for RW. I took a cliff strike wearing one and woke up 50mins later lieing at the bottom. The helmate protected well where the hard cover was but I got caught just below that on the back of my neck where the padding is below the shell. I do like the full face and it has saved me from bolders on landing but I would like more neck protection. I do like my shuttle jacket when I have no outs. just my thinking.............

Greeny