After all the Leatt buzz, I decided to go with a neck protector this season. Took me a while to decide, given all the options (not to mention the "it broke my collar bone" controversies). I tried on pretty much everything available including the sport and club versions of the Leatt, the more expensive version of the Alpinestars brace, the EVS brace, and the Omega Brace. A few things to note, all of which are only my opinion, so you may have a different experience. The Leatt brace was where I started, and I simply could not get over the feeling that I had strapped a dinner plate to the front of my neck. I did not find it overly comfortable, but I could see how you might get used to it in a few rides. I did find that the way it distributes the load to the thoracic spine was a bit sketchy for me. I don't know if it was just hitting me in a tender spot or something, but it just never felt quite right. Next I tried on the A-Stars, and found it to feel very similar to the Leatt, with all the same complaints. The EVS brace, although only a fraction of the price, was to be blunt, silly. It felt HUGE, and made looking around difficult. Not only that but it does not provide anywhere near the same level of protection of the Leatt or A-Stars brace. Nor did it work with my current body armor (Rockgard'n Flak Jacket). No thanks.
The last one I tried was the Omega Brace. It was a bit harder to find info on this one, but what I was told is that one of the designers of it was associated with Leatt, but left due to some disagreements about the way the Leatt design distributes loads to the t-spine and the collarbone. The Omega distributes force differently, sending it down across the chest and shoulder blades. The brace is suspended above the collarbone by straps which are adjustable (very easy). I suspect that this would help spread the force of an impact away from the area. Right away it felt more comfortable than the others. I liked the open front design, (no dinner plate) and it is highly adjustable, but not highly complex. It works well with the Flak Jacket, and basically struck me as a well designed piece of equipment.
OK, ride impressions. I have never ridden with a neck brace, so I was not sure what to expect. It took me a minute to figure out how the straps all went, but then all was good. I wear it partly under my jersey, and there is no need to cut any holes for the straps or anything. The brace does restrict head movement - as it should - but it did not interfere with my riding in any way. It becomes a bit more noticeable when turning to look behind while riding, but not by all that much. What I noticed was that the brace felt like it was making me look further ahead on the trail, which was actually a good thing - no more staring at the front wheel when riding skinnies. To be honest, and I know this is a bit cliche, but I did not even think about it after the first minute or so on the trail. It pretty much disappeared.
I have not crash tested it, nor do I intend to any time soon. It is nice to know that the extra protection is there - just in case. The other good thing is that the brace can be had for ~$300. Not exactly cheap, but a whole lot less expensive than a broken neck. Overall, I am really happy with my decision to go with the Omega.
The last one I tried was the Omega Brace. It was a bit harder to find info on this one, but what I was told is that one of the designers of it was associated with Leatt, but left due to some disagreements about the way the Leatt design distributes loads to the t-spine and the collarbone. The Omega distributes force differently, sending it down across the chest and shoulder blades. The brace is suspended above the collarbone by straps which are adjustable (very easy). I suspect that this would help spread the force of an impact away from the area. Right away it felt more comfortable than the others. I liked the open front design, (no dinner plate) and it is highly adjustable, but not highly complex. It works well with the Flak Jacket, and basically struck me as a well designed piece of equipment.
OK, ride impressions. I have never ridden with a neck brace, so I was not sure what to expect. It took me a minute to figure out how the straps all went, but then all was good. I wear it partly under my jersey, and there is no need to cut any holes for the straps or anything. The brace does restrict head movement - as it should - but it did not interfere with my riding in any way. It becomes a bit more noticeable when turning to look behind while riding, but not by all that much. What I noticed was that the brace felt like it was making me look further ahead on the trail, which was actually a good thing - no more staring at the front wheel when riding skinnies. To be honest, and I know this is a bit cliche, but I did not even think about it after the first minute or so on the trail. It pretty much disappeared.
I have not crash tested it, nor do I intend to any time soon. It is nice to know that the extra protection is there - just in case. The other good thing is that the brace can be had for ~$300. Not exactly cheap, but a whole lot less expensive than a broken neck. Overall, I am really happy with my decision to go with the Omega.
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