Is the Forcefield Pro Sub-4 worth buying? Discuss...

[keith_d]

Last time we had a thread about back protectors about half the posters wrote, "Buy Forcefield". There is a new and possibly better back protector on the market in the US which is reviewed here:-

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/back-...eld-pro-sub-4/

Here's the place to discuss whether it's worth bothering with (to avoid messing up a group buy thread).

Let the tantrums commence,

Keith.

Hello Keith,
The Pro Sub 4 looks awesome. I saw your other group buy thread estimating the cost and I was wondering whether you'd considered the customs and VAT that will be added. Any idea what the total cost would be including these?
cheers
matt

[Viney]

I thought this was going to be a thread about Sub Woofers. Oh well!

This looks interesting. I was about to buy a Pro L2 so this would certainly take the cake if it is what the review says.

[Spiderman]

Looks a lot bulkier than my forcefield one, which i guess is how they get it to perform so well (according to the article).
I know my forcefield can get very warm to wear in the summer months that ive had it, feeling a tad uncomfortable, especially under the wrap arund belt bit. Conversely i guess this will be a good thing in the winter as it will keep me warner longer and the belt bit will act like a kidney belt aslo and help keep core temp up.

So imho, all in all it looks a decent product. But how much is it?

I use a knox back protector and find that can get a bit warm in the summer.
The knox is a series of linked plastic plates with padding behind.
This one looks to have more material padding and looks a lot bulkier.
Any back protector is a good thing to have but if its going to get uncomfortable to wear wouldnt it spoil the ride?

When I first saw this and read up on it, I immediately wanted it. It is thicker than previous ones but the fact that it is safer out weighs the slight discomfort you will feel when you get hot.

Ste

Also the review mentions that it's still more comfortable than the others they have hanging up. Also this is the UK when's it ever that hot here! The summers always a washout!

for regular crasher's i think it'd be worth it.

[embee]

I too find the T-Pro can get a bit on the warm side, the upside of this is as said by others that it does keep you nicely warm in colder conditions, especially round the kidney area. When I've been in "too hot" conditions, typically touring southern Europe in 30+C, then I do ride with the belt undone (close the velcro with the belt behind my back) and it makes it a lot cooler.

Yes I know this will risk the protector moving and not offering the best protection in the event of an off, but in life you have to be realistic and practical, and if it's simply too hot to wear in the "correct" way then what good is that? The alternatives are remove it completely or not ride. Being too hot is potentially very dangerous. I reckon in this way I've probably got better protection than many (most?) other proprietary fitted protector inserts anyway.

The Sub-4 is a good example of how manufacturers are continuing to develop improved products, though there obviously comes a point where practicality is in question and if the protector is too thick to be comfortable/convenient it will have limited appeal. I hope it is just as good to use in real life as the level-2 products.