Would you buy this body protector?

[cobalobM]

in need of a new body protector but only have a small budget
want a race safe but really do not have £100+ to spend,
I was on ebay and found a couple of shops selling new body protectors that look like racesafe's but do not have beta 2009 purple labels on them.

One says the body protectors are CA approved,I don't really know what that means! also found a slightly different style which says "conforms to EN 13158:2009" - which is the beta 2009- but the bp's have no label.

I hope this is making sense!!! I don't need it for competing etc, just general hacking and schooling (hence why I don't want a bulky/expensive one).

so, would you buy one?

 

[Lilyhead]

To be honest, no I wouldn't! BETA standard is there for a reason!

Speed gate sometimes have bargain body protectors in their clearance section or look at some cheaper brands, they aren't as bulky as they used to be.

 

[NeverSayNever]

no I wouldn't, absolutely not in a month of Sundays.

 

[dominobrown]

I wouldn't bother buying it if it wan't Beta approved, as if you ever wanted to do a competition it wouldn't be legal.

 

[PingPongPony]

no, if its not BETA approved, then no. I suggest you save up a bit more and buy a racesafe or airowear outline

 

[mulledwhine]

If it is for competion it has to be beta legal, I would not risk it

 

[mulledwhine]

Just re read and is not needed for competition , I would still not risk it, there are other cheaper and still comfortable back protectors out there, airflow are very comfortable

 

[cobalobM]

it would be impossible for me to save up, and i need it asap. it would either be that or nothing

 

[mulledwhine]

Airflow are about £70/80, is that doable?

 

[gingerarab]

The other way to look at it, is that if your not competing so doesnt need to be legal it must be better than wearing no protection at all ???

 

[maisymoo]

decathlon do one that looks very similar to the racesafe and its got a purple safety label so I think it meets current standards, I think it was about £50 when I looked in Southampton store last weekend.

 

[cobalobM]

decathlon do one that looks very similar to the racesafe and its got a purple safety label so I think it meets current standards, I think it was about £50 when I looked in Southampton store last weekend.

Thanks, I don't have a store near me but couldn't find any on their website

 

[Polos Mum]

I'd rather spend the money on a good make second hand one, they aren't quite like hats, I don;t think (happy for people to tell me I;m wrong) so if you fall in one you don;t need to replace it like a hat.

 

[Tickles]

I'd rather spend the money on a good make second hand one, they aren't quite like hats, I don;t think (happy for people to tell me I;m wrong) so if you fall in one you don;t need to replace it like a hat.

As far as I know they won't generally fracture like a hat but they can get squashed with a few falls. And that would reduce the 'air bag' effect of slowing the fall. Probably wouldn't damage the puncture resistance as much... but you'd still almost certainly be better off with a new one.

I'd swallow the vanity/comfort factor/whatever it is that makes you want a racesafe one OP and go with a cheaper brand with all the correct labels to level 3.

 

[cobalobM]

I'd swallow the vanity/comfort factor/whatever it is that makes you want a racesafe one OP and go with a cheaper brand with all the correct labels to level 3.

I had one with correct labels etc a few months ago (rodney powell) and absolutely hated it- brought from a tack shop so was professionally fitted and cost about £85.

Its either going to be a cheap one (under £60), a second hand one or nothing!