Dainese Back Protector

Dainese Flexagon Waistcoast Back Protector Review

Dainese says, “Flexagon redefines the standards of protective comfort with its innovative construction technology. The exceptional flexibility is aided by overlapping layers of Crash Absorb® memory retention foam that move independently of one another, and follow the anatomy of the body. Its ergonomic pattern of hexagon shaped soft pads provide comfort and maximum freedom of movement (6 sides, mobility on the 30° 90° and 150° axes) along with effective protection”.

Safety wear in snow sports is now something on the mainstream radar and although the vast majority of skiers don’t wear back protectors, they are well worth considering, especially if you’re in the backcountry or hitting the rails and jumps in the park.

Junior skiers should wear them wherever.

Generally they won’t be seen, wearing underneath the main layers of your clothing set up, over the base layer for example. The Dainese Flexagon back protector looks pretty stealth like though, so you could almost get away with keeping it on in the bar at after ski, although you might be accused of being a little too safety conscious (bit like keeping a transceiver on in the bar – people used to do that just to look cool, idiots).

Suffice to say, Dainese, who are essentially a protection company, have produced a piece of kit that is comfortable to wear, looks smart (as you’d expect from an Italian brand) and feels solid enough without carrying a restrictive weight around with you on the slopes.

We’ve worn it, but I’m pleased to say it hasn’t been tested to the extreme limits of a hard fall on the back. Still, I know several people who have broken their backs over the years (participating in serious freeride skiing I will add, not skiing normally on the slopes) and I’m sure having this protection on would have made life easier.

The clever six sided pieces in the back area intertwine with each other and move around on their own accord but are also bound together in a kind of mesh effect. This makes the back protector very easy to wear as it moulds around the body.

Behind this, there’s a thin but strong looking mesh material that is highly breathable. It can also be worn underneath a backpack easily – my backpack has its own protection but it still works with this as a double up and doesn’t feel clunky.

Overall, a great bit of kit and one that should be in the bag of any serious skier.

Specifications

Features: Adjustable and removable waistband.
Materials: Crash Absorb soft memory foam, Jersey Hole highly breathable, run-resistant mesh

Review Summary

Dainese Flexagon Waistcoast Back Protector reviewed by Snow.Guide
Gender: Men\Women\Kids
Good for: Freeriders and park skiers who like their backs
Price: £135.00
Rating: 9.8 out of 10