In keeping with the similar energy-absorbing honeycomb construction of the remainder of their HEX coverage line-up, this new iXS Hex Pull-Over supplies gravity-ready chest and again coverage in a extra user-friendly shape. Pull it over your jersey for safe influence coverage. Then, pull it backtrack when you want to chill down. After all, I perceive the protection wishes for a again protector within the bikepark. However I’ve typically instructed clear of chest protectors as a result of I overheat so briefly. However this iXS Hex Pull-Over has modified my outlook. Such a lot so, that I’ve began dressed in it (and unintentionally impact-testing it) on my maximum 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 industrial quality DH higher coverage. Like a lighter coverage jacket for gravity racers. Then, they began to explain it extra to me, even announcing that the pull-over used to be from time to time a “model remark” that gravity riders may just blow their own horns within the bikepark carry strains.
My quick impulse used to be to snigger that view off… till I considered it a little bit extra. If truth be told, I notice that my spouse incessantly wears a equivalent coverage vest (from time to time below, from time to time over her jersey) on maximum technical enduro and all bikepark rides. It after all provides her an additional stage of coverage. However it additionally has made her extra assured in her using, much less nervous about getting injured in a crash.
Now I notice that MTB coverage corporations have made it cool to put on extra coverage.
And whilst I by no means regarded as dressed in the hardshell protector that my spouse makes use of. This extra open and extra versatile iXS HEX Pull-Over turns out like a wonderfully affordable addition for numerous my technical mountain motorcycle using. Even if there’s numerous mountaineering on heat days.
Tech main points
What makes the iXS Hex Pull-Over chest and again protector paintings is beautiful thick and reasonably stiff hexagon-shaped TPU coverage layer at the chest and again, subsidized up via a comfortable mesh-covered EVA foam layer that sits towards your frame. A collection of padded adjustable straps over your shoulders, and stretchy adjustable facet straps stay the large protectors in position as you journey. And a few facet clips make it simple to take off and on, even over a full-face helmet.
The ones semi-hardshell (and patented) anatomic thermoplastic elastomer coverage plates range from round 7-20mm in thickness, with its 3-d-extruded honeycomb. And it is going from totally closed off to hex openings as much as 15mm throughout, to supply further influence coverage in explicit spaces. And a low-friction floor that will help you slide to a prevent in a crash. The entire thing manages to really feel tremendous difficult and slightly inflexible in key spaces, but nonetheless versatile sufficient that it confirms on your frame as you progress round at the motorcycle. iXS additionally explains that it turns into extra versatile and features on your frame as you warmth up whilst using.
The Hex Pull-Over provides degree 2 again coverage (to EN 1621-2:2014) and degree 1 chest coverage (to EN 1621-3). iXS additionally says it additionally meets the “stone defend usual” which mainly defines the outlet not to permit a 15mm tapered rock to get via.
Using Evaluation
The Swiss other people at iXS talked me into testing their new Hex Pull-Over, and via the top of my 2d or 3rd journey, I believe I used to be bought at the supreme of the pull-over chest and again protector combo. It doesn’t harm, that I’ve been trying out a couple of new mountain motorcycles which might be in reality making me trade 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 coverage has been my good friend.
Bikepark season hasn’t in reality kicked off but. So, I’ve been pedaling up steep hills so much. And it’s been unseasonably heat.
At the motorcycle
I’ve been dressed in the brand new iXS Hex Pull-Over slightly continuously (and a relatively much less protecting however equivalent possibility from some other logo… evaluation coming quickly there, too). And I believe the pull-over has turn into one thing I’ll take with me on just about any journey now that comes to steep rocky or rooty drop-ins or any actual jumps. And that just about covers nearly each little bit of my native mountain cycling outdoor of the vintage XC racer singletrack rides.
At the journey up, I typically simply unclip one of the vital facet buckles to let it hold clear of my chest for a little bit of additional airflow. On longer, warmer climbs, I’ve taken the Pull-Over off fully, and hung it from my bars on huge wooded area street climbs. A easy few twists of the chest relative to the again and snappy it again in combination we could it hold immediately off the top of my bar. Or a little bit extra competitive rolling and folding (like I did to get it at the scale) makes it much more compact to hold off the motorcycle as I pedal up.
Now, as soon as our native bikepark opens totally in two weeks, I believe the iXS Hex Pull-Over will totally change my standard baselayer-based again protectors. Simplest after I go for a complete coverage go well with (with shoulder and elbow protection) for extra gravity racing or attempting loopy new options, will I most likely pick out 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, whilst the larger protection huge & further huge (L/XL) is slightly a little bit extra at 980g.
Curiously, the brand new Hex Pull-Over is similar worth as the larger, heavier zip-up mesh Hex Higher Frame jacket that still comprises shoulder and elbow protectors. Even supposing, I individually really feel that the easy Pull-Over is extra flexible, and one thing I’m much more likely to put on extra incessantly. And everyone knows the most efficient coverage is the only you in fact use.