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Should I avoid 'doubling up' armour? Should I avoid 'doubling up' armour?
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  #1  
Old 17 Dec 2015
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We decided to wear separate armor as opposed to have it in our riding gear. It will always be in the right place when you need it and it's handy to discard if you only want to wear a jacket on a chilly evening.
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Old 18 Dec 2015
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For off-road I wear separate armour under my jacket, and wear the jacket with armour - so a double layer on the upper body. I've taken a few hits too many, and at 66 a little more fragile, so I like the extra layer, and I don't notice it at all when riding - with MY setup - ymmv.
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Old 18 Dec 2015
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Originally Posted by Dutchgit View Post
We decided to wear separate armor as opposed to have it in our riding gear. It will always be in the right place when you need it and it's handy to discard if you only want to wear a jacket on a chilly evening.
I think the above point is key. Most riders rely on built in soft foam armor in jacket & pants. Sometimes it's in the right place when you hit the ground, sometimes not!

Built in "soft" elbow, hip and knee pads have a tendency to shift around and not be in correct position when most needed. With separate Motocross type elbow and knee strap-on guards, armor stays put, plus many have a hard shell. Yes, a bit warmer but offers, IMO, better protection than built in armor, which is mostly "CE Approved" junk.

Biggest problem? It stinks once soaked in sweat too many times. Wash it!

Forcefield Armor has come a long way, remember testing FF years ago. (10 years?) Heavy, too stiff, hot. Latest product really good and as mentioned, highly rated.
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Old 18 Dec 2015
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I've got the Forcefield Jersey. The newer XV one.

As you know the armour is THICK....

I wear my Alpinestars Jacket over it and like you I considered doubling up.

It didn't take long to realise this was mad. It was very hot and uncomfortable and limited my movement. Neither of them were designed to be doubled up on. They don't move like they should when they're not fitted close to your body. So I removed the armour out of my jacket and now it feels great.

The Forcefield armour is far thicker and better quality than is in most jackets anyway so I really don't see the point of doubling up.


I guess the best way is to try both and go for day ride. See how you get on.

If you're riding anywhere warm though, you'll probably die from heat exhaustion with all that armour.
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Old 19 Dec 2015
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The other thing wearing separate armor is that you can take off your jacket when you're riding somewhere hot and just wear the armor with a MX type of shirt.
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Old 19 Dec 2015
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Originally Posted by Dutchgit View Post
The other thing wearing separate armor is that you can take off your jacket when you're riding somewhere hot and just wear the armor with a MX type of shirt.
That's exactly what I do. Here you see my riding jacket strapped onto back of my bike. Temps were only 90F but felt much better riding in MX jersey with armor.
(just be sure to zip up or empty all the pockets on your riding jacket before wadding it up and strapping it down! )


Tan jacket wadded up with Pesos falling out of pockets.
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