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 it’s worthwhile to quiet down. After all, I perceive the protection wants for a again protector within the bikepark. However I’ve usually 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 carrying 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 generally a “vogue assertion” that gravity riders might exhibit within the bikepark carry strains.
My instant impulse was to snicker that view off… till I considered it a bit extra. In actual fact, I notice that my spouse typically wears an identical safety vest (generally below, generally over her jersey) on most technical enduro and all bikepark rides. It after all provides her an additional diploma of safety. Nevertheless it additionally has made her extra assured in her driving, much less apprehensive about getting injured in a crash.
Now I notice that MTB safety firms have made it cool to put on extra safety.
And whereas I by no means thought-about carrying 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 aspect straps preserve the massive protectors in place as you experience. And a few aspect clips make it simple to tackle and off, even over a full-face helmet.
These semi-hardshell (and patented) anatomic thermoplastic elastomer safety plates range 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 further impression safety in particular areas. And a low-friction floor that will help 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 provides 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 defend commonplace” which mainly defines the opening to not enable a 15mm tapered rock to get via.
Driving Assessment
The Swiss people at iXS talked me into attempting out their new Hex Pull-Over, and by the top of my second or third experience, I believe I used to be bought on the best 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 are genuinely making me change how I experience. And I’ve had extra time over the bars prior to now 2 months than I’ve had within the earlier 2 years. Extra safety has been my good friend.
Bikepark season hasn’t actually kicked off but. So, I’ve been pedaling up steep hills lots. And it’s been unseasonably heat.
On the bike
I’ve been carrying the brand new iXS Hex Pull-Over fairly repeatedly (and a barely much less protecting however related possibility from one other model… assessment coming quickly there, too). And I believe the pull-over has turn out to be one thing I’ll take with me on just about any experience 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 experience up, I usually simply unclip one of many aspect buckles to let it hold 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 highway climbs. A easy few twists of the chest relative to the again and snappy it again collectively lets it hold straight off the top of my bar. Or a bit extra aggressive rolling and folding (like I did to get it on the size) makes it much more compact to hold off the bike as I pedal up.
Now, as soon as our native bikepark opens absolutely in two weeks, I believe the iXS Hex Pull-Over will fully exchange my typical baselayer-based again protectors. Solely after I go for a full safety swimsuit (with shoulder and elbow protection) for extra gravity racing or attempting loopy new options, will I possible decide 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 & further massive (L/XL) is sort of a bit extra at 980g.
Curiously, the brand new Hex Pull-Over is identical 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 typically. And everyone knows one of the best safety is the one you truly use.