A few months ago, I saw talk of a new chest protector coming out. It was from RXR Protect and utilizes air chambers to provide a cushion from impact. Having suffered broken ribs and a bruised sternum in the past, I definitely want all that I can get as far as protection for my core goes.
It was at the Dealer Show in Indy where I got my first look at the RXR Protect products. Chris Favro took some time to show me what they were all about and offered one for me to try out.
I received the “Full Black” version which is designed to be worn over the jersey. It offers upper arm protection as compared to the “Organic” model that does not. The protector is packaged neatly in a cardboard box and comes with a pump and plenty of product info. I removed it from its packaging and tried it on. I requested size XL and that is what I got. I am a bigger guy (6’1” 230lbs) and normally wear a size XL or XXL t-shirt to offer some perspective. It fit well, and actually covered my belly. Big guys will know that most chest protectors usually end just below our nipple line.
After reviewing the simple instructions, I proceeded to fill the bladders with air. There is a bladder in the front and in the rear. These are what do the impact absorbing. It is a pretty easy job. You add the appropriate number of pump strokes to the size of the protector. The number of pumps are clearly labeled on the pump, the instruction sheet and on the protector itself. In my case I used the “XL” size and pumped it up accordingly.
With the protector pumped up, it was time to try it on for real. I adjusted the side straps out a little to accommodate my girth and fastened them down. It felt a little puffy, but that is the idea. My first test was to hit myself in the chest, it passed. I felt nothing. Next test was to have my two sons, aged 5 and 2 have at me while wearing the protector. They threw all that they had at their dad. I was hit with fists and toys, jumped on, kicked and the little terrors couldn’t hurt me. In my mind, it does its job absorbing impact.
Next test was to try it on with the rest of my gear. I donned my pants jersey, neck roll and helmet. No fit issues to note and the longer that I wore the RXR protector the less that I noticed that it was on. It forms to your body shape and is quite comfortable. I hopped up on the bike while it was on the stand and went through the motions on it. It is actually less restrictive than one would think. The air chambers make the RXR soft and pliable while at the same time able to absorb quite an impact.
Although I haven’t crashed while wearing the RXR, I am quite confident that it will do what it is supposed to when called upon. There were a few things that I was concerned with. First was the lack of any “hard” cups on the shoulders. While the front and rear have the air chambers, the shoulders are only protected by a “bio-foam” type material. I would feel a little more confident with a little more protection in the shoulder area. The second concern is not an issue now with the cold weather, but in the summer it might get a little hot while wearing the RXR. The third issue is the price. The protectors start at $199. I know that sounds like a lot of money and it is, but why is it that we will spend $700 on an exhaust system for our four-stroke without batting an eye and think twice about spending a few hundred on safety equipment? For more info on the RXR Product Line, call 1-877-RXR-4600 or check them out on the web at www.rxrnorthamerica.com
