‘Eco-friendly safety but it’s not cheap’
Forcefield Gtech Level-2 armoured clothing Jacket £179.99, pants £164.99 www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com
THE CLAIM
“A high-performing, wicking, breathable fabric constructed from the latest in recycled yarns to achieve comfort and protection in an ecologically responsible garment. It contains recycled polyester from ocean-waste plastics which uses 90% less water and 80% less CO2 in manufacture compared to virgin polyester and is 100% recyclable.”
THE REALITY
It’s near-impossible to ignore the impact humans have on the planet and so
Forcefield’s latest range is aimed at the environmentally-conscious.
Lower-spec than the top-line Pro XV range, the Gtech is far more comfortable. Though it’s made from old bottles, the fabric is baby-blanket soft and flat seams mean no pressure points or aggravating lumps. It’s thicker, less breathable and noticeably warmer too though, so might not be as suitable for very physical rides or high summer.
Getting in is a faff as the chunky armour twists up the material but, once it’s on, the whole lot is barely noticeable. Elastic stirrups on the ankles are a welcome addition to stop them riding up when putting your boots on, but it’s a shame not to have thumb loops on the shirt for the same reason. It’s mercifully machine-washable and easy to take the armour out and replace when you do.
The Isolator CE2 armour itself isn’t new. But it’s light, moulds to the contours of your body and is very comfortable. It also passes all four areas of the CE2 test (works when wet, cold, hot) and can be reused after a spill.
On a five-hour, 60-mile, wintry trail ride, I hit a tree forearm-first avoiding another rider and later high-sided off a raised grass bank, coming down hard on my shoulder, head, then hip. Aside from a few bruises, I rode away from both.
£345 is still a lot of money to drop on armoured underwear but it’s excellent quality, all-day comfy and does exactly what it’s designed for when you need it to.