Paging: Tall people - Back Protectors

Good afternoon.

I visited my not-so-local Maidstone Hein Gericke today to have a look
at their goodies and had a look at their Back Protectors.

As I'm not really on the short side finding any clothing that's the
right length is a trial normally, but Back Protectors are not readily
available in anything above 550mm.

According to Knox's website, the longest back protector they make is
550mm (Knox Contour L+), but measuring from the nape of my neck to my
waist comes works out at 640mm.

I expect that any protection is better than nothing and I will
purchase a Contour L+ if I can't find anything better (or anywhere
that stocks that size), but can you suggest any other places I can
look at for longer back protection?

I'm not worried about the brand (but understand that Knox has a good
reputation) but am I looking for something that's going to have to be
custom made?

 

BGN wrote

Hadn't anybody ever told you that the shortest distance between two
point is a straight line? Lose some off the fucking circumference.

 

Doesnotcompute wrote

I was thinking more about the padding that surrounds it.

 

You should be worried that's it's CE approved, otherwise it
is probably worse than not wearing one. Paul Varnsverry will
be along shortly with Chapter & Verse on the subject ;-)

 

Even their normal "Large" fits me around the middle - I had a go today
in Hein Gericke.

 

I tried the Contour L on, and it felt okay, but I've got nothing to
compare it with yet.

Having a look around Google throws up a few more options:

""
Men's KC2000X1 Plus 65cm long

<http://www.seastarsuperbikes.co.uk/knoxcatalogue.php?cat=body armour&detail=1256>
Description: Three section back for improved flexibility - larger area
of second honeycomb layer for extra protection - new outer covering
made from Stainless Steel and Ceramic beads - chrome leather finishing
- new strap system for improved fit and comfort
Sizes:

Price: £99.99
""

and

""
Men's KC2000 Tour Plus 65cm long

<http://www.seastarsuperbikes.co.uk/knoxcatalogue.php?cat=body armour&detail=1251>

Description: The KC2000 has proven to be very popular, good looks,
comfort and protection. With raised honeycomb panels that give more
protection than ever before. The honeycomb is covered by
Carbon/*Kevlar which offers excellent abrasion resistance.
Sizes:

Price: £84.99
""

and finally

""
Men's KC2000 Race 73cm long"

<http://www.seastarsuperbikes.co.uk/knoxcatalogue.php?cat=body armour&detail=1253>

Description: For the Track (Race) Small and Large. Same size as KC2000
Tour but with additional length to protect the base of a racer's
spine. Designed to be worn in the prone racing position. Extra
honeycomb impact panels on shoulders, spine and kidneys.
Sizes:

Price: £89.99
""

I haven't managed to find anywhere in my local area that stocks the
KC2000 range, only the Ricochet and Contour. If something is going to
be unconfortable and fiddly to put on then chances are that I'll not
use it. The Contour I tried on today involved me putting two staps
over my shoulders (as in a backpack) and then velcroing a belt around
my waist. It only took a few seconds.


After speaking to Janet from Knox via email (who seems very on the
ball and helpful) she says the Contour L+ is still in the prototype
stage. She's going to ask their designer if he has any suggestions.
Very helpful young lady.

Good thinking!

 

This Knox stuff looks like it's all CE approved, they boast that most
of their armour exceeds CE standards by 50%.

 

I've had a gander and the only one I've come across so far is this:
<http://www.seastarsuperbikes.co.uk/knoxcatalogue.php?cat=body armour&detail=1253>
On other sites it says that is designed for people up to 6'1", which
is 5" shorter than me.

 

Dunno. I'm tall - but not as tall as you. My game plan is to not DFC. ;-)

 

Where did you put the excess?

Jackie from Knox emailed me a PDF of their fitting chart and I got the
600+mm measurement from that + tape measure, so I'm confident the
measure is correct.

In your opinion, was the KC2000 Race comfortable? I can't find any
closeups of it online so I can't see if there are any holes to let any
heat or moisture out. If I do purchase one (of any model of BP) then
it's likely to be used on hot summer days underneath a bike jacket, so
it would be handy if it let heat/moisture through.

 

While I always plan to keep the thing rubber side down, that has not
always been the case.

 

I went to "All Bikes" in Folkestone (has been there for 15 years but I
never knew it existed until today) and they have two floors of bike
goodies.

I came out with a yellow mens KC2000 Tour Plus for sixty notes, which
evidently comes with £50,000 of free insurance should I go and get
paralysed in the next 12 months. Or, should I have to "use" the back
protector within the next 12 months, it is replaced FoC.

Thanks everyone for your help.