Accident/TechVest??????????

[whitedust]

Over thinking/analysis you are right. That is a fault of mine!!! But trying vests before in the wrong way is possibly why I was not comfortable. Many good ideas, or likes on here is a real help to maybe get it right this time around. I appreciate all of your thoughts. Front zipper, side entry, or over your head. many ways to go.

Abe the 661 is a very comfortable protection vest. If you want a vest to beat with a sledge hammer this not it. Lol When time to purchase a protection vest you do your homework which you have done then comit to your choice and make it work for you. You can x the box for 661 comfort never heard anyone complain about 661 comfort. Protection wise what Dan and I were looking for and for me snowmobiling is a dangerous sport so I bought 661 to make an accident a safer event. I whack something at triple digits and everyone can say Pete died doing something he loved to do just the way I approach life at 70.

 

[dfattack]

Me, my wife, my son and a friend of mine all wear the tekvest super sport. We have worn one for over 10 years now. I personally like mine and don't have any complaints wearing it, bunching up in my arm pits, being to hot (not breathing)...nothing. I do take off the collar since it bunches up with my helmet and reduces my range of motion too much. I get dressed and after putting on the bibs (on top of the bibs) I put on my vest then my jacket. You need to size your jacket to wear the vest if you choose to have under the jacket as apposed to wear over the jacket. Like others have said, I feel like I'm missing something if I don't have it on. I believe it has full coverage for all the essential organs and has worked for me just fine. I do realize they are pricey, but it's worth it to me.

 

[xcsp]

Same as dfattack with using the TekVest Supersport.

I like the front zipper entry-easy on/off, trailside or pitstop access. 1st TekVest I bought was an over-the-head style vest that I returned as I figured it would be a hassle, glad to go with the Supersport.

All I can say is pick some type of protective vest that you are comfortable with so you do wear it all the time when you ride! Never know when you'll really need it.

 

[dmsrx]

Brad460 I can be "Frank" about that accident. He is lucky he survived. At least he had a long ride in the ambulance to figure out why he didn't stop turning before he went off the road!

 

[durphee]

Purchased mine when a business offered a good discount through JD several years ago, always wear it. A dealer in my area sells them cheap, they had a rider die on one of their trips, vest might have helped.

 

[POLARISDAN]

Abe the 661 is a very comfortable protection vest. If you want a vest to beat with a sledge hammer this not it. Lol When time to purchase a protection vest you do your homework which you have done then comit to your choice and make it work for you. You can x the box for 661 comfort never heard anyone complain about 661 comfort. Protection wise what Dan and I were looking for and for me snowmobiling is a dangerous sport so I bought 661 to make an accident a safer event. I whack something at triple digits and everyone can say Pete died doing something he loved to do just the way I approach life at 70.

70 fkn what..years or mph

cuz i just dumped 101

- - - Updated - - -

70 fkn what..years or mph

cuz i just dumped 101

r u "older than dust?

 

[old abe]

Purchased mine when a business offered a good discount through JD several years ago, always wear it. A dealer in my area sells them cheap, they had a rider die on one of their trips, vest might have helped.[/QUO


durphee, could you give the dealers name, and location? Your not that far from me to travel to.

 

[skidoowi]

I wear a TekVest Freestyle and won't ride without it. Medium and I am 6'1" and 180. I wear under my Castle coat (size large).

Bought the Demon Hyper X D30 Top V2 direct from demonunited $130 for the wife and daughter and both didn't like it as it rides up to high on chest and shoulders. I tried it on and agree. No issues returning, I just had to pay shipping.

I might try the 661 Core Saver next.

 

[cuzzinolaf]

I used to always ride with a vest and got a little relaxed with it over the last two years. I wore it my first ride of this season and will always where it from now on. Had the sled roll directly over top of me (my back) and I think I'd be seriously hurt if it wasn't for the vest. Never again will I ride without one.

 

[old abe]

I would like to thank everyone who contributed they're thoughts, and input to this tread. I, and a rider bud have bought TekVest Freerides though a dealer who I found out promotes "rider safety" through out the entire year by offering a very, very good price on this product, due to a tragedy some years back. It was well worth the 1 hour drive to get there. Very nice, good, and knowledgeable sales people, who knew what they were doing on the fitting part of getting the proper sized vest, so as to protect you properly when riding. Very nice to be able to buy from people who like, and support snowmobiling. They have been in the business since 1968!!!

Thanks again, old abe.

 

[Hoosier]

I would like to thank everyone who contributed they're thoughts, and input to this tread. I, and a rider bud have bought TekVest Freerides though a dealer who I found out promotes "rider safety" through out the entire year by offering a very, very good price on this product, due to a tragedy some years back. It was well worth the 1 hour drive to get there. Very nice, good, and knowledgeable sales people, who knew what they were doing on the fitting part of getting the proper sized vest, so as to protect you properly when riding. Very nice to be able to buy from people who like, and support snowmobiling. They have been in the business since 1968!!!

Thanks again, old abe.

I just ordered a couple vests today, as there are no dealers near me. I ordered freestyle and a demon vest. I figured I'd try each one and keep the one that fits better.

 

[buddah2]

For those wondering about wearing a TekVest under their jackets, I have a friend, a very LARGE friend (6'3" 300+) who wore his TekVest outside for years until he lost weight(they tell you on the material that comes with them that they are designed to be worn either way)....now he wears it inside jacket.....I've worn mine for 10 or so yrs and never go out without it.....

As to the hitting solid object at speed, don't know if it would have saved rider but it does distribute force of impact over a larger area so every little bit helps.......

 

[Hoosier]

As to the hitting solid object at speed, don't know if it would have saved rider but it does distribute force of impact over a larger area so every little bit helps.......

That's kind of my thoughts on it too. It's supposed to keep you warm and is comfortable, so there's no downside to wearing one. The upside is if you need it, it should reduce the the impact at least.

 

[elf]

I wear a tek vest and a couple yrs ago hit a rock playing on a river and jammed my throttle control and bar into my chest. Very painful for several days and a huge bruise. I hate to imagine what it would have been without the vest. As others have said, I feel naked riding without it.

 

[indy_500]

1st day at Tog this week, stuffed sled into a drop-off and ate the bars. I saw stars for a few minutes, almost had the wind knocked out of me. Good possibility I'd have broken a rib if it werent for my tekvest. 2nd day I smoked a tree, ripped my ski off, foot caught in my footwell, twisted my knee and sprained it, and threw my body into another tree. Needless to say my riding was done for the week after that but felt good to have my tekvest on again...

 

[old abe]

1st day at Tog this week, stuffed sled into a drop-off and ate the bars. I saw stars for a few minutes, almost had the wind knocked out of me. Good possibility I'd have broken a rib if it werent for my tekvest. 2nd day I smoked a tree, ripped my ski off, foot caught in my footwell, twisted my knee and sprained it, and threw my body into another tree. Needless to say my riding was done for the week after that but felt good to have my tekvest on again...

Wow!!! All I can say is that's dedication indy!!! Best wishes in healing up!!!

 

[Hoosier]

So not being in the snow belt, I ordered an XL tek vest and an XL demon snow vest online to try out. The demon vest is way too small and the tek vest seems too big. I suppose with the tek vest I could tighten the straps way up, but the plastic pieces over the shoulder still seem huge.

Both only go down to my navel too. I figured they'd go down a bit further. I'm 6' 3" 240 lb. Long torso with a decent beer gut...

Wish they made them in tall sizes.

 

[snobuilder]

This is mine. Couldn't make the shoulder protectors fit my jacket, but they are detachable. Comes down to my gut. Forget it's on til I take my jacket off at the bar.

 

[Hoosier]

This is mine. Couldn't make the shoulder protectors fit my jacket, but they are detachable. Comes down to my gut. Forget it's on til I take my jacket off at the bar.

That looks a lot how the tek vest is built, except maybe the straps over the shoulders aren't as bulky. I'll look into that.

 

[old abe]

So not being in the snow belt, I ordered an XL tek vest and an XL demon snow vest online to try out. The demon vest is way too small and the tek vest seems too big. I suppose with the tek vest I could tighten the straps way up, but the plastic pieces over the shoulder still seem huge.

Both only go down to my navel too. I figured they'd go down a bit further. I'm 6' 3" 240 lb. Long torso with a decent beer gut...

Wish they made them in tall sizes.

I was afraid I would be uncomfortable with any kind of vest. That is not the case at all. I purchased a TekVest "FreeRide"/Klim and don't even know it's on. Proper fitting is the best way to go. Where I got mine the dealers personal knew how to properly fit them. I wear it over the bibs, under the coat. I have found that I would not be happy without the front zipper for on and off purposes. I'm 5'8", 180, 40/42 chest. , and she put me in the large. The extra large was as Hoosier described at the shoulders. And ya, I have some what of a belly. Beer??? Not!!! It's just below the middle of the adjustment range. Found that I prefer it on the snug side some what, but not anywhere near tight. I was some what concerned as Hoosier said about the length, and the lower abdomen, and back. We also tried on a TekVest "SuperSport"/Ski-Doo, as they are some what longer, but did not like the fit as well when sitting on a sled. Perhaps these would work for you Hoosier??? They seemed to push up, and be uncomfortable for us while sitting on the sled. This dealer promotes "rider safety" with deals on the vests due to a tragedy on one of their trips some years back. My hat is of to them for their support, and commitment to the snowmobiling sport. Very much appreciated by us!!! Good luck!!!