The main
issue in this discussion is that if a force hits you during a crash, you do not
want the least possible of that force to reach your body. Therefore there are
several different types of products out on the market with the aim to protect
your body in that situation.
In some
cases the crashes and therefore the usage of the protector is frequent and
maybe even conscious. This is in sports where crashing is a part of doing and
learning, in some sports you even teach and learn how to crash. In other sports
crashes are not a desirable part of the sport. But, weather you use your
protectors frequently or not and consciously or not, the purpose are the same.
And most important, in any sport, the unexpected accident might be just around
the next corner, in the next turn or in the next jump.
So, the
important aspects of the protectors for different sports are not that
different:
Movement of the body. Most sports desirers protectors that
follows your body movements, there are some sports with a stiffer usage
position that allows for stiffer protectors, but few sports prefers them… So, a
flexible and movable protector – no matter which sport. The back protector D3O
Viper PRO in KORI is the markets most soft and flexible material which makes it
follow every single body movement, like an extra protective skin.
Impact forces – all protectors are developed to protect the
body from impact forces. Note that not all protectors are developed to manage
frequent impact forces, some protectors are singe-crash-products and should be
exchanged after subjected to an impact force. The D3O Viper PRO protector in
KORI is of a soft material that reacts with molecules that instantly locks on
to each other when subjected to the force and then directly returns to its
flexible form, it can be subjected again and again without loosing its
protective ability.
Body temperature – some protectors are said to be specially
developed for warm/cold situations. But most important with the protectors is
not to provide you heat or cold, rather to obtain and enhance your natural body
environment by adjusting to its temperature and humidity (sweat). What is put
underneath and on top of the protector will then keep you cool by ventilation
or keep you warm by isolation. In KORI the polyester mesh and the ventilated
D3O Viper protector helps transport and ventilate humid air (sweat) from your
body which is the most efficient aspect to enhance the body environment.
CE Certification EN1621. There is a standard for protectors;
it is based on the motorcycle standard which meets the highest standard on the
market. It is divided into Level 1 (lower) and Level 2 (higher). Note that not
all protectors are tested and certified for the standard and not all sports requires
products with the certification, but the certification is a proof of
understanding the impacts, ergonomics and the positioning – all important for
the final performance of the protector! KORI D3O Viper Pro is certified withthe higher level of protection: EN1621-2, Level 2.
So.. what differs the different sports protectors
from each other is first of all that not all protectors have the
CE-certification standard, secondly not all protectors are developed for
frequent crashes and thirdly… well thirdly there is no other difference. The differences
will come in what you personally prefer and find suitable for your body, your
movements and your needs. All sport protectors want to be comfortable and
ergonomic and, when the accident is there, all sports protectors wants to
protect…
