Women-specific body armor?

[Nate at RIT]

I recently attended a talk at RIT by Georgena Terry, CEO of Terry Precision Bicycling. It was a talk, followed by a open forum type discussion. I brought up the question of women-specific body armor, mentioning that the DH/Freeride segment of the market is growing, and that women are becoming a part of the crowd as well, which is awesome in my opinion.

She seemed interested in pursuing the possibility of developing women-specific body armor, as Terry is known as one of the leaders in women-specific equipment and clothing. So I'd to hear the women's thoughts on this matter, mainly:
1. What fit issues do you run into when trying to wear armor designed for men?
2. Are there any companies out there that currently offer women-specific amor?
3. What would you like to see in women-specific armor? By this I mean colors, patterns, any possible marketing strategies that would entice women to buy it as opposed to men's armor.

Any other comments are welcomed and encouraged. I'm basically trying to see what interest there is, and what YOU'd like to see developed for you. I'd doing this partly because there seem to be issues with women trying to find armor that fits, and because it could something that I could work into a possible co-op with Terry in the future. THanks

[grizgal]

Kristina is working on a women's specific body armor line that should be out this season - www.dangergirldh.com I'm not sure exactly what's she's producing, but I think it's uppers and lowers. They should chat.

[Velocity Girl]

Just a few things of the top of my head....

upper body armor
-take our boobs into account, but still have a hard chest plate

leg armour
-we generally have slightly smaller legs then men (even those of us, like me, that have big legs for a female)

In general though, remembering that all of us females are not petite, small little things. Alot of women specific clothing I've tried on (and I haven't tried any of the Terry stuff) just doesn't account for the fact that we're athletic women who have hips, thighs, shoulders...etc. One would think that athletic apparel wouldn't fall victim to this, but some still does.

As for color....pink, purple, flowers....all that stuff is cool in my book :D

[rainbow_smoke]

the leg thing is important. I think they should have petite, regular and tall leg armor, because mine seems to long, it rubs the tops of my shoes and I keep having to pull it up.

lots of cool colors are great, like VG said!!!

[Capt. Jack Sparrow]

Here are my two cents:

I prefer armor jackets that have something that covers one's belly--like the big elastic band on the Azonic jackets. This really has nothing to do with being a woman, though.

Also, some women are actually not big on feminine-looking stuff. Me, for example. I tend to wither and whine if something pastel-colored is on my body. Pastel-colored items, when on my body, turn me into a kid being forced into a special dress for the Easter church services. Offer me a tight black dress, and I'm all over it, though.

I'm one of those women who actually likes looking like she's auditioning for "Battlestar Gallactica" when she's suited up.

[TreeSaw]

Originally posted by Capt. Jack Sparrow
Here are my two cents:

I prefer armor jackets that have something that covers one's belly--like the big elastic band on the Azonic jackets. This really has nothing to do with being a woman, though.

Also, some women are actually not big on feminine-looking stuff. Me, for example. I tend to wither and whine if something pastel-colored is on my body. Pastel-colored items, when on my body, turn me into a kid being forced into a special dress for the Easter church services. Offer me a tight black dress, and I'm all over it, though.

I'm one of those women who actually likes looking like she's auditioning for "Battlestar Gallactica" when she's suited up.

I too look for things that aren't pastel-colors & prints. I don't want to look all "girly" when I am out riding (similar childhood experiences there). The "little black dress" is a staple in my wardrobe too!

Tell me more about this "Battlestar Gallactica"...will I look tough & dangerous??? ;)

[Capt. Jack Sparrow]

Originally posted by TreeSaw

Tell me more about this "Battlestar Gallactica"...will I look tough & dangerous??? ;)
Funny that you should ask. Here's the character from "Battlestar Gallactica" that I must have been recalling. However, I realize I would rather look like Darth Vader or an Imperial Storm Trooper in my armor than him--he's not as burly as I remembered.

[MudGrrl]

Originally posted by Velocity Girl
In general though, remembering that all of us females are not petite, small little things. Alot of women specific clothing I've tried on (and I haven't tried any of the Terry stuff) just doesn't account for the fact that we're athletic women who have hips, thighs, shoulders...etc. One would think that athletic apparel wouldn't fall victim to this, but some still does.


So Right. I am 5' 11, and when I peruse the women's section, it either pisses me off or makes me laugh.
Who in the hell is in charge of design for bike clothing companies?

I don't mind wearing pink (as long as I have black with it)....but my idea of riding does not involve looking like a tarted up wedding cake on a muddy trail.

Cut it out with the short shorts, I am not out on the trail to get some @ss..... FUNCTIONALITY PEOPLE!!!!


..................rant over..............................

Maybe we MudHunnies should design some things??
Seriously, have a MudHunny logo....
Fierce yet a little feminine....

[TreeSaw]

Originally posted by MudGrrl
So Right. I am 5' 11, and when I peruse the women's section, it either pisses me off or makes me laugh.
Who in the hell is in charge of design for bike clothing companies?

I don't mind wearing pink (as long as I have black with it)....but my idea of riding does not involve looking like a tarted up wedding cake on a muddy trail.

Cut it out with the short shorts, I am not out on the trail to get some @ss..... FUNCTIONALITY PEOPLE!!!!


..................rant over..............................

Maybe we MudHunnies should design some things??
Seriously, have a MudHunny logo....
Fierce yet a little feminine....

Your rant is AWESOME!!! I totally second those remarks :D

So, a mudhunny logo??? Now I am trying to think of some designs!

[foxy]

Hey girls, i just stumbled across this topic and thought i'd have my say as well. I'm from the UK and the stuff available to girls over here is awful! Women's riding gear for DH? Yeah right! Doesn't really exist. I ride in knee and shin that fall down, upper body armour that sticks out quite a bit on the chest (dainese and boobs don't mix) and shorts that are very unflattering.
It was suggested that i should just get upper body armour without the chest plate, but no way would i do that, like that protection. If something could even be made to replace this it would be good.

[flatulant_man]

to entice women to buy it, you should advertise them like bras. say they push your boobs up more, and define your curves.