Idea for homemade protective gear.

**e.man** · 08-23-2009 10:58 PM

So this past weekend I got a little taste for downhill. I'm used to speeds that hit 30mph if I'm lucky. Well I was up in Breckenridge, Co this weekend and found some hills that get going pretty quick. My friend and I even came along some other boarders who gave us a ride to the top! Anyway, I still have a lot to learn about speedboarding and needless to say I had to bail a few times and took a spill. Road rash isn't so fun.

That whole experience has wanted to get me into some more downhill, but I don't feel comfortable doing it in athletic shorts and a cotton t-shirt. So I figured I'd make some of my own gear. My first idea was for pants. I think I'm going to go to savers (a local thrift store) and buy a few pairs of jeans. One pair will be untouched that I can wear. The other pairs I will cut up and sew onto the wearable pair in critical areas to protect from road rash. Granted this will not be nearly as good as a pair of leathers, but much better then some athletic shorts.

Also, I probably will want something to protect my upper body. I'm thinking I'll find a few jackets and do the same basic thing with them. I'll post some pictures and maybe a quick guide up when I'm done. If figure the whole project will cost $20-$25.

I'm also going to buy a full face, and already have some knee and elbow pads lying around.

What do you guys think?

**Bookworm** · 08-23-2009 11:27 PM

if you're already going 30, that's some real downhill speed. Are you cornering at speed also?

What caused you to bail? I haven't bailed since I learned shutdowns and pendys, even when a car tried to run me off the road (though that WAS close to a bail).

**Marleyfan1101** · 08-23-2009 11:46 PM

if you can get a used leather jacket, not a moto leather jacket, but a plain jacket like this http://hypebeast.com/image/2008/04/j...llection-2.jpg at the thrift shop then that will provide pretty good protection

**TheKraken** · 08-23-2009 11:49 PM

Pretty much ANYTHING is better than gym shorts.

**Bookworm** · 08-23-2009 11:53 PM

^^^seconded. I really should go get some cheap leather things at a thrift store too.

edit, meant to second marleyfan, but that works too.

at the least, dickies are much more abrasion resistant than a lot of jeans, which tend to get fuzzy fast.

**Cann0n** · 08-23-2009 11:54 PM

Anything is better than nothing.

**e.man** · 08-24-2009 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by Bookworm

if you're already going 30, that's some real downhill speed. Are you cornering at speed also?

What caused you to bail? I haven't bailed since I learned shutdowns and pendys, even when a car tried to run me off the road (though that WAS close to a bail).

Basically the turns. The only other hill I've hit 30 on was just straight with a slight right turn. I'm just not used to sharper turns at high speeds and need to learn some better turning techniques as I've never had to do highspeed turns.

**SlyTX** · 08-24-2009 08:19 AM

Sliding gloves are the most important piece of safety gear you can have. Get them.

**Bryant@BCLongboards** · 08-24-2009 08:38 AM

With slide gloves and knee pads you can do the doggy-style-slide-to-a-stop when you have to bail.

**e.man** · 08-24-2009 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by SlyTX

Sliding gloves are the most important piece of safety gear you can have. Get them.

Yea, i'm definately getting some gloves. But I may make some of my own. I don't plan on doing anymore intense downhill until next spring. I'll probably see if my own gloves will work out for me, and if not I'll buy a pair next spring.

**Reefer** · 08-24-2009 04:40 PM

I just did my first downhill runs a couple weekends ago. The day before, I spent the money on some kneepads, and the goods to make some slide gloves.

I didn't bail, but I definitely got a confidence boost, and now I wear my gloves, and helmet everywhere. Can never be too careful man.

**Rob Shook** · 08-24-2009 04:46 PM

get carpenter pants from walmart. made by dickies, very tough, and they're what i wear to skate if its not too hot.

get kneepads. i always wear mine because it gives me the opportunity to bail onto my knees.

i also got a canvas jacket from army surplus, but ive never bailed it it. jean jacket would probably work just as well.

**partninjas** · 08-24-2009 05:23 PM

Helmet, knee pads, gloves and elbow/forearm pads are skin savers for sure. I've learned to roll in a bail and get to me hands and knees to avoid road burns.

**e.man** · 08-24-2009 05:52 PM

What suggestions do you guys have for a fullface helmet. I've looked around and seen the bell bellistic, bell drop, and giro remedy seem to be pretty popular. I'll probably buy a fullface this winter sometime, I just want to get a good idea for which one I want.

**AlG** · 08-24-2009 08:22 PM

all those helmets do the same thing. wear what fits the best.

**LiveLife** · 08-24-2009 09:56 PM

I also go with the Savers route, but I just get the $0.99 daily specials and trash em because I do not enjoy sewing.

**KJ FiveTwo** · 08-25-2009 05:45 PM

Pants: Jeans wrapped in duct tape. DONE!

Jacket: Denim (or any semi touch jacket material) Wrapped in duct tape. DONE!

Not only will this be deceptively protective, but you can easily patch it, or make it double layered wherever you want..... And it looks really ghetto... In a cool way

But you will be SAFE

**Bookworm** · 08-25-2009 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by AlG

all those helmets do the same thing. wear what fits the best.

The bellistic is a CPSC certified bile helmet, with a chin guard attached (look at it again, it's a standard bicycle helmet at the core) The drop is a CPSC bike helmet and ASTM "Downhill" helmet (Downhill MTB) and has a whole lot more engineering behind it.

duct tape would be really hot. I don't think it'd be worth it for marginally better protection.

**NC longboarder** · 08-25-2009 07:47 PM

id just go ahead and buy a pair of gloves theyll last long and you can just buy replacement pucks.

daddiesboardshop sells many different kinds. also the shipping is free with orders over 25$ =]]]

**TM_Cruzer** · 08-25-2009 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by KJ FiveTwo

Pants: Jeans wrapped in duct tape. DONE!

Jacket: Denim (or any semi touch jacket material) Wrapped in duct tape. DONE!

Not only will this be deceptively protective, but you can easily patch it, or make it double layered wherever you want..... And it looks really ghetto... In a cool way

But you will be SAFE

Sweaty much?
I got a leather jacket at a thrift store for $25 or so. Other than that, I wear jeans, knee-pads, gloves, and a fullface. That's it.