Review Troy Lee Designs 7855 Armoured Shirt

[mike172]

You’ve answered your own question, anything is more than 90% out there it seems and everyone of them after a hospital trip will regret not wearing it. It is a pain in the ass compared to the freedom without ofc but is what it is.

@Zimmerframe is the legend of offs, special ones too but hasn’t gone for the full motocross stuff, maybe check what he has…

Im less protected than his config but any more and it would be too much heat/sweat for me

It’s a case of trial and error, maybe give different things a try, you can always sell and swap later

the one you picked seems to have decent enough coverage tbf, you won’t notice you have it on after a few minutes most likely

your last comment about should give up…..well by sounds you’re going to reduce your risks by loads now and reduce the level of injuries, can only be a good thing

in my group more and more are upgrading to armour these days

Yeah few guys I ride with don't go out without chest and full face even on mellow trails. I think one of them landed on the end of his handlebar with his chest once and wont go anywhere without a hard shell chest protector now. I wont ride without full face after I nearly ate a tree on a simple-ish trail. I wear elbow pads to prevent scarring on my arms more than for breakage. I usually have 1-2 bad crashes a year I'd say. I'm not a bad rider by any means but accidents happen sometimes.

This weeks crash was a bit stupid. I shouldn't have been jumping/dropping in the dark plus I had forks from another bike swapped onto the Levo that weren't setup right. I'd probably have got away with it had I had my other forks on.

Ill stick with the TLD t-Shirt then and see how I go, I've got the Alpine stars Bionic mesh suit thingfor uplift park days. I was wearing a hoodie, underlayer and IXS Trigger elbow and knee Pads and I've come away largely unscathed. Few bruises, ribs are a bit bruised hence buying a chest protector.

 

[carlbiker]

I use the knox urbane pro, it has a seperate chest piece you can insert which is great, the back is a slop of thing with poor vents and because it’s not rigid enough the grid vents get filled so I tend to swap it out with the racer pro one I have which is another good too but not as covered as others

I ate tree big time, lucky to recover almost fully from it but I had the foresight to buy armour in advance, the full face saved me that day although the beak didn’t half make my head snap back!

I’m overly cautious in woods these days

 

[Mikerb]

I crashed Wednesday wrapping myself a round a small tree after the front wheel washed out on trail debris on a very steep descent.....and I do wear armour on every ride...just not the right armour this time! I wear Leatt Airfit and shorts for harder terrains but a Leatt Roost vest and POC back protector plus the Leatt shorts for my local forest trails. I hit the tree with my side so the back protector did not help and the roost vest is just chest and shoulders with no rib protection. I actually got back on the bike after a bout 15 mins to regain my senses and contiued with the ride...a bit sore but nothing to inhibit jumping etc. Different story when I got home! I completely seized up...any movement was painfull and it has only just started easing today.
I was wearing Smith fullface and Leatt kneepads as usual...............but I think I will opt for the full Leatt Airfit in future regardless where I ride.

 

[James_C]

I still have a brand new TL 7850 for sale - £90. Will post.

 

[carlbiker]

I crashed Wednesday wrapping myself a round a small tree after the front wheel washed out on trail debris on a very steep descent.....and I do wear armour on every ride...just not the right armour this time! I wear Leatt Airfit and shorts for harder terrains but a Leatt Roost vest and POC back protector plus the Leatt shorts for my local forest trails. I hit the tree with my side so the back protector did not help and the roost vest is just chest and shoulders with no rib protection. I actually got back on the bike after a bout 15 mins to regain my senses and contiued with the ride...a bit sore but nothing to inhibit jumping etc. Different story when I got home! I completely seized up...any movement was painfull and it has only just started easing today.
I was wearing Smith fullface and Leatt kneepads as usual...............but I think I will opt for the full Leatt Airfit in future regardless where I ride.

I bet it gets sweaty with that one, I’ve always likes the look of it though, if I take a hit my ribs won’t be covered atm….probably should consider something really

like Zimmer said the foam makes for sweat and offers little in terms of actual protection

 

[Mikerb]

I bet it gets sweaty with that one, I’ve always likes the look of it though, if I take a hit my ribs won’t be covered atm….probably should consider something really

like Zimmer said the foam makes for sweat and offers little in terms of actual protection

I can only say as I find. I had quite a few crashes when wearing the Leatt Airfit and Shorts albeit only one that was more severe and on a rock garden.............no bad brusing or breakages....just grazing. It is pretty wraparound and I do not find it hot in the typical UK temperatures even in summer.

 

[mike172]

Had my first decent crash wearing this, first ride after having covid and 2 weeks off the bike I was a bit tired. Attempting a small double jump which some of you may recognise (I am not good at jumping and honestly find the hill Im riding on here quite technical if you know it), I'd cleared it, then gone back up again to redo it and sat there for a moment knowing full well I shouldnt be doing it a 2nd time, ended up landing too far left in the loose and made a mistake trying to correct it

Pic is me about to headbutt the sycamore tree. Video is quite funny, I literally bounce off the tree like a tennis ball. But the experience was not funny.

I'm confident that I would have hurt myself badly were it not for this TLD shirt, I went for the long sleeve in the end as thats all I could get hold of. I do remember feeling as though the TLD shirt provided my upper body with an almost airbag like feeling during this crash if that makes sense. It wasn't that bad given Ive basically walked away with some scratching and a badly bruised thumb and aching shoulder.

That said, my forearm and elbow are badly scratched despite having what I thought were good elbow and forearm coverage, I assume the shirt mesh/elbow pads have twisted and moved during the crash as the scrapes are where the elbow pads should have been. For this reason I want to take a look to see if I can cut the shirt down and remove them so I can wear proper elbow protection again.

My shoulder is now fine a couple of weeks on from this crash, but it hurt for a week, definitely took a major knock to the shoulder which I think the padding has managed to prevent serious injury. Again, confident this would have been much worse without it.

I'm pleased with it though

In terms of heat, its warm. I think I've managed some spring 17c rides here in Surrey, UK (gets humid too) so far with it and honestly on the non ebike it gets uncomfortably hot (I wear a TLD 'air' long sleeve jersey with all the perforated holes). On the ebike its not been a problem yet, although still warm. I am not looking forward to 25c+ days with it, I may look to remove some of the random padding on it, cut the arms off and wear elbow pads, and wear a short sleeve jersey, usually keep long sleeve on for sunburn/keeping dirt out of scratches.

Might have said it before but its all too much protection until you need it so ill be thinking carefully about butchering the shirt, the shoulder protection has already been useful.

Edit to add, my thumb is broken I think, not bad considering.

 

[James_C]

Sounds like you need a short sleeved one. Luckily I have one for sale. Now just £70 and brand new!

 

[GMLS]

Agree will all your points.I ride Surrey Hills too and defo hot on the analogue but I know the day I don't bother I'll regret it as ride solo more than not

 

[Swiss Roll]

I use the knox urbane pro, it has a seperate chest piece you can insert which is great, the back is a slop of thing with poor vents and because it’s not rigid enough the grid vents get filled so I tend to swap it out with the racer pro one I have which is another good too but not as covered as others

I ate tree big time, lucky to recover almost fully from it but I had the foresight to buy armour in advance, the full face saved me that day although the beak didn’t half make my head snap back!

I’m overly cautious in woods these days

Did you crash in the urbane pro? I just recently got one, pretty happy with it, but not crashed yet, touch wood, no pun intended. This is the problem with armour, noone is prepared to take one for the team, in the name of science!

 

[carlbiker]

Did you crash in the urbane pro? I just recently got one, pretty happy with it, but not crashed yet, touch wood, no pun intended. This is the problem with armour, noone is prepared to take one for the team, in the name of science!

Touch Wood not yet but I replaced the back with one from the racer as it’s too heavy/sweaty and quite droopy like some of local round my way

 

[Swiss Roll]

Touch Wood not yet but I replaced the back with one from the racer as it’s too heavy/sweaty and quite droopy like some of local round my way

Oh please crash in it, for science! I nearly crashed the other day, and as time slowed down, i thought, "this is gonna hurt, oh wait, maybe not, I got this fancy armoured shirt, it will be informative", but then I didn't crash, so sorry for that, hehe.
How fragile are the pads? I saw a review of the ixs shirt, the pads seem to tear quite easily when removing/inserting. I had a quick shufti at the back pad, feels like it might tear quite easily.

 

[brentonb]

Has anyone tried the 6.5 or 5.5 leatt chest protectors? leaning more to the 6.5 as it has more back and side.

I am interested in these but probably not using the shoulder pads. Looking for chest back and side protection. Will use the fox baseframe pro base layer that we already have with only the shoulder pads in it but the tshirt being the under layer for comfort.
Then use normal elbow pads and gloves

This would be used purely for downhill

 

[skinipenem]

Has anyone tried the 6.5 or 5.5 leatt chest protectors? leaning more to the 6.5 as it has more back and side.

This would be used purely for downhill

Yes for moto and dh. It is a lot to wear though. Great protection; have crashed multiple times and been unscathed. Stitching comes apart on forearms and axillary. I do not think the shoulders are removable; may be better options for solely chest and back protection. In would wear less if o didn't need my arms for work

 

[urastus]

yes you are saying right, it is same as you are saying!

is that from Dr Seuss?

 

[brentonb]

Yes for moto and dh. It is a lot to wear though. Great protection; have crashed multiple times and been unscathed. Stitching comes apart on forearms and axillary. I do not think the shoulders are removable; may be better options for solely chest and back protection. In would wear less if o didn't need my arms for work

Sounds like you had the jacket, I was looking at the simpler roost vest so chest, back and shoulders. Was it to hot foe DH? my son and I have started racing and surprise surprise a few more crashes are happening..........

 

[skinipenem]

Sounds like you had the jacket, I was looking at the simpler roost vest so chest, back and shoulders. Was it to hot foe DH? my son and I have started racing and surprise surprise a few more crashes are happening..........

Sorry for late reply... just saw this

Jacket not too hot. I wear it for moto and dh. I've worn it in 90f in he desert before... that was too hot no matter what... poured water on the jacket for evaporative cooling.

 

[AJB]

Has anyone tried the 6.5 or 5.5 leatt chest protectors? leaning more to the 6.5 as it has more back and side.

I am interested in these but probably not using the shoulder pads. Looking for chest back and side protection. Will use the fox baseframe pro base layer that we already have with only the shoulder pads in it but the tshirt being the under layer for comfort.
Then use normal elbow pads and gloves

This would be used purely for downhill

Found the quality a little suspect! Heavy gear, even for DH - but can honestly say the 6.5 protects where it needs to! I've had mine repaired on the seams with some double stitching so should last a while longer.

 

[Hamina]

Has anyone tried the 6.5 or 5.5 leatt chest protectors? leaning more to the 6.5 as it has more back and side.

I am interested in these but probably not using the shoulder pads. Looking for chest back and side protection. Will use the fox baseframe pro base layer that we already have with only the shoulder pads in it but the tshirt being the under layer for comfort.
Then use normal elbow pads and gloves

This would be used purely for downhill

Works great in DH. I got used to the weight quite fast. Normally I wear Under Armour heatgear shortsleeve shirt under it and it seem to work also in hot conditions (30'C). Bought also 6.5 neckbrace and integration to the body armour is great with red rubberbands on sides.

My plan was to use the 6.5 protective shirt in trail riding but I've ended up using the whole system only in DH.

 

[Pivot]

I found a suit that might be of interest:

 

[Lee c]

Just looking into getting some body protection, mainly do trail centres but doing more and off piste riding and after riding Innerleithen thought it might be worth while I was looking at the tl 7855 shirt & the Leatt air flex stealth or is there anything better now @Zimmerframe

 

[Zimmerframe]

The best armour is the armour you actually wear.

OK, it may not be the most protective, but if you're more likely to put it on, then it's going to do more than if it's sitting in a cupboard !

I quite like the RXR protect (with the predator shoulders/elbows) for out and out protection whilst still being reasonably light, easy to put on/off. BUT it does lack airflow so can get warm (there's a thread somewhere about modding it) plus mine has the beer taps still as I haven't got round to ordering the tap free air bags and the beer taps stick out and are weird).

I hate to say it, but the 7855 is still my first quick grab option. Yes, I've had some nasty injuries with it, but they'd have been significantly worse without it. I've also had so many falls without injury which wouldn't have been like that if I'd not had it on. It's still the lightest, coolest. Can be a pain in the arse to take off if you're hot or injured as it's a pullover style. But then there's no zips to damage.

Elbows are great - still my favourite elbows on anything . Upgrade the shoulders - they're sh1t and you can afford to take a slight weight/heat penalty there as it's a high impact area. Just good basic armour with an excellent coverage area.

Really can't see anyone ever making anything lighter unless they use some kind of aerogel and I've no idea what that's like as an impact absorber.

 

[Lee c]

The best armour is the armour you actually wear.

OK, it may not be the most protective, but if you're more likely to put it on, then it's going to do more than if it's sitting in a cupboard !

I quite like the RXR protect (with the predator shoulders/elbows) for out and out protection whilst still being reasonably light, easy to put on/off. BUT it does lack airflow so can get warm (there's a thread somewhere about modding it) plus mine has the beer taps still as I haven't got round to ordering the tap free air bags and the beer taps stick out and are weird).

I hate to say it, but the 7855 is still my first quick grab option. Yes, I've had some nasty injuries with it, but they'd have been significantly worse without it. I've also had so many falls without injury which wouldn't have been like that if I'd not had it on. It's still the lightest, coolest. Can be a pain in the arse to take off if you're hot or injured as it's a pullover style. But then there's no zips to damage.

Elbows are great - still my favourite elbows on anything . Upgrade the shoulders - they're sh1t and you can afford to take a slight weight/heat penalty there as it's a high impact area. Just good basic armour with an excellent coverage area.

Really can't see anyone ever making anything lighter unless they use some kind of aerogel and I've no idea what that's like as an impact absorber.

Thanks for the fast reply mate, I think I will take your advice and go with this one as your right it will only be worth it if actually put it on you said in your review it’s quite true to size too so I’ll go with my normal sizing, how do upgrade the shoulders ?

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

The best armour is the armour you actually wear.

OK, it may not be the most protective, but if you're more likely to put it on, then it's going to do more than if it's sitting in a cupboard !

I quite like the RXR protect (with the predator shoulders/elbows) for out and out protection whilst still being reasonably light, easy to put on/off. BUT it does lack airflow so can get warm (there's a thread somewhere about modding it) plus mine has the beer taps still as I haven't got round to ordering the tap free air bags and the beer taps stick out and are weird).

I hate to say it, but the 7855 is still my first quick grab option. Yes, I've had some nasty injuries with it, but they'd have been significantly worse without it. I've also had so many falls without injury which wouldn't have been like that if I'd not had it on. It's still the lightest, coolest. Can be a pain in the arse to take off if you're hot or injured as it's a pullover style. But then there's no zips to damage.

Elbows are great - still my favourite elbows on anything . Upgrade the shoulders - they're sh1t and you can afford to take a slight weight/heat penalty there as it's a high impact area. Just good basic armour with an excellent coverage area.

Really can't see anyone ever making anything lighter unless they use some kind of aerogel and I've no idea what that's like as an impact absorber.

yea second this, I wore my 7855 for the enduro last week, crashed several times and got away with bangs on the elbows etc that may well have bothered me the entire day or worse..

 

[Zimmerframe]

Thanks for the fast reply mate, I think I will take your advice and go with this one as your right it will only be worth it if actually put it on you said in your review it’s quite true to size too so I’ll go with my normal sizing, how do upgrade the shoulders ?

I think it's quite true to size.. but over time, I wonder if mines on the small size. I know someone else who bought true to size and theirs was smaller than ideal - so if you're bigger - edge to sizing up.

The shoulders pop in and out easily and the "pouches" are stretchy. I have some old style alpinestar shoulders in there, but most d3O shoulders or similar will pop in. Personally, I prefer the none reactive type (not d3O) as they generally seem to work better in real life scenarios. But D3O, SASTEC, anything like that which you can get will do the job.

 

[Lee c]

I think it's quite true to size.. but over time, I wonder if mines on the small size. I know someone else who bought true to size and theirs was smaller than ideal - so if you're bigger - edge to sizing up.

The shoulders pop in and out easily and the "pouches" are stretchy. I have some old style alpinestar shoulders in there, but most d3O shoulders or similar will pop in. Personally, I prefer the none reactive type (not d3O) as they generally seem to work better in real life scenarios. But D3O, SASTEC, anything like that which you can get will do the job.

Awesome thanks mate, I’m generally a medium just the waist line that’s a little larger

 

[Zimmerframe]

Awesome thanks mate, I’m generally a medium just the waist line that’s a little larger

I think it's pretty stretchy round there ... @dobbyhasfriends ?? ;-)

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I think it's pretty stretchy round there ... @dobbyhasfriends ?? ;-)

I dunno, I bought the XL and its still a little too small
I am 'about' a 45" chest size

 

[valecek]

Dobrý deň, vedeli by ste odporučiť chránič hrudníka a chrbtice pre chlapa s veľkým hrudníkom? Mám takmer 130 cm cez hrudník a som celoživotný riedič krvi, takže ochrana je pre mňa dôležitá. Dokonca aj malá rezná rana alebo modrina s vysokým pulzom môžu mať zlé následky.



Moderator edit :

Hello, would you be able to recommend a chest and spine protector for a guy with a large chest? I'm nearly 130cm across the chest and a lifelong blood thinner, so protection is important to me. Even a small cut or bruise with a high pulse can have bad consequences.

 

[Mikerb]

Dobrý deň, vedeli by ste odporučiť chránič hrudníka a chrbtice pre chlapa s veľkým hrudníkom? Mám takmer 130 cm cez hrudník a som celoživotný riedič krvi, takže ochrana je pre mňa dôležitá. Dokonca aj malá rezná rana alebo modrina s vysokým pulzom môžu mať zlé následky.

View attachment 112582

Moderator edit :

Hello, would you be able to recommend a chest and spine protector for a guy with a large chest? I'm nearly 130cm across the chest and a lifelong blood thinner, so protection is important to me. Even a small cut or bruise with a high pulse can have bad consequences.

You may find it easier to sort out body armour by buying a separate back protector to start with. They tend to be less critical in terms of size/fit..........check out the POC range. Your chest size is xxxl for most manufacturers but not a size often offered by the MTB brands so you may need to look at armour for MX .