Bikes Blog
iXS Hex Pull-Over Simply Slips Light-weight Chest & Again Safety On & Off: Evaluation
Apr
Primarily based on the identical energy-absorbing honeycomb construction of the remainder of their HEX safety line-up, this new iXS Hex Pull-Over offers gravity-ready chest and again safety in a extra user-friendly type. Pull it over your jersey for safe impression safety. Then, pull it again off when that you must settle down. After all, I perceive the protection wants for a again protector within the bikepark. However I’ve typically steered away from chest protectors as a result of I overheat so rapidly. However this iXS Hex Pull-Over has modified my outlook. A lot so, that I’ve began sporting it (and by chance impact-testing it) on my most technical enduro rides too…
iXS Hex Pull-Over chest and again protector
When iXS first confirmed me their new Hex Pull-Over chest and again protector, I noticed it extra like a light-weight model of professional quality DH higher safety. Like a lighter safety jacket for gravity racers. Then, they began to explain it extra to me, even saying that the pull-over was typically a “vogue assertion” that gravity riders might exhibit within the bikepark elevate traces.
My instant impulse was to chortle that view off… till I considered it a bit extra. In truth, I notice that my spouse usually wears the same safety vest (typically below, typically over her jersey) on most technical enduro and all bikepark rides. It after all provides her an additional diploma of safety. But it surely additionally has made her extra assured in her driving, much less anxious about getting injured in a crash.
Now I notice that MTB safety corporations have made it cool to put on extra safety.
And whereas I by no means thought of sporting the hardshell protector that my spouse makes use of. This extra open and extra versatile iXS HEX Pull-Over looks as if a superbly affordable addition for lots of my technical mountain bike driving. Even when there’s loads of climbing on heat days.
Tech particulars
What makes the iXS Hex Pull-Over chest and again protector work is fairly thick and comparatively stiff hexagon-shaped TPU safety layer on the chest and again, backed up by a gentle mesh-covered EVA foam layer that sits towards your physique. A set of padded adjustable straps over your shoulders, and stretchy adjustable facet straps hold the large protectors in place as you journey. And a few facet clips make it simple to tackle and off, even over a full-face helmet.
These semi-hardshell (and patented) anatomic thermoplastic elastomer safety plates fluctuate from round 7-20mm in thickness, with its 3D-extruded honeycomb. And it goes from fully closed off to hex openings as much as 15mm throughout, to supply additional impression safety in particular areas. And a low-friction floor that can assist you slide to a cease in a crash. The entire thing manages to really feel tremendous robust and fairly inflexible in key areas, but nonetheless versatile sufficient that it confirms to your physique as you progress round on the bike. iXS additionally explains that it turns into extra versatile and contours to your physique as you warmth up whereas driving.
The Hex Pull-Over gives stage 2 again safety (to EN 1621-2:2014) and stage 1 chest safety (to EN 1621-3). iXS additionally says it additionally meets the “stone protect commonplace” which principally defines the opening to not permit a 15mm tapered rock to get by means of.
Using Evaluation
The Swiss people at iXS talked me into making an attempt out their new Hex Pull-Over, and by the tip of my second or third journey, I believe I used to be offered on the perfect of the pull-over chest and again protector combo. It doesn’t harm, that I’ve been testing a number of new mountain bikes which can be genuinely making me change how I journey. And I’ve had extra time over the bars up to now 2 months than I’ve had within the earlier 2 years. Extra safety has been my buddy.
Bikepark season hasn’t actually kicked off but. So, I’ve been pedaling up steep hills quite a bit. And it’s been unseasonably heat.
On the bike
I’ve been sporting the brand new iXS Hex Pull-Over fairly recurrently (and a barely much less protecting however related choice from one other model… assessment coming quickly there, too). And I believe the pull-over has grow to be one thing I’ll take with me on just about any journey now that entails steep rocky or rooty drop-ins or any actual jumps. And that just about covers virtually each little bit of my native mountain biking exterior of the basic XC racer singletrack rides.
On the journey up, I typically simply unclip one of many facet buckles to let it cling away from my chest for a bit of additional airflow. On longer, hotter climbs, I’ve taken the Pull-Over off completely, and hung it from my bars on huge forest street climbs. A easy few twists of the chest relative to the again and snappy it again collectively lets it cling straight off the tip of my bar. Or a bit extra aggressive rolling and folding (like I did to get it on the dimensions) makes it much more compact to hold off the bike as I pedal up.
Now, as soon as our native bikepark opens totally in two weeks, I believe the iXS Hex Pull-Over will fully exchange my standard baselayer-based again protectors. Solely once I go for a full safety swimsuit (with shoulder and elbow protection) for extra gravity racing or making an attempt loopy new options, will I probably choose one thing past this new Hex Pull-Over.
iXS Hex Pull-Over protector – Pricing, choices & availability
The iXS Hex Pull-Over chest and again protector sells for $179 / 179€, and is available in two sizes. The mixed small & medium (S/M) has a claimed weight of 820g, whereas the larger protection massive & additional massive (L/XL) is sort of a bit extra at 980g.
Curiously, the brand new Hex Pull-Over is similar value as the larger, heavier zip-up mesh Hex Higher Physique jacket that additionally consists of shoulder and elbow protectors. Though, I personally really feel that the straightforward Pull-Over is extra versatile, and one thing I’m extra more likely to put on extra usually. And everyone knows the perfect safety is the one you really use.