[DLo]

I've searched a ton, and I've narrowed it down to these two. Can't make up my mind. I put on my friend's rockgardn, and it felt great - it was a size big for me though, so I'm not sure. I don't know anybody who has a 661 around here so I can't try one of those on. Anybody have some pointers to steer me in one direction? I'm leaning more towards the rockgardn. One thing that I looked at was side protection, seems like most body armor doesn't have much of it?

 

[Guard]

Rockgardn, definitely! I have the 661 SP-1 and if isn't user friendly. The zipper zips up your right side. This makes unzipping a pain when you are riding the lift up. Also the chest area doesn't offer much protection. A friend has a Rockgardn and loves it. However both are hot to wear. I ended up pulling out my old Azonic (which the zipper was out of) and using shoes laces to strap the front together. I'll keep doing that until I can afford a Rockgardn! Oh yeah, the Azonic is cooler and does offer actual plastic padding on the chest area.

 

[jimmydean]

My lbs just got in the new 661 stuff. The arm, back and shoulder coverage is nice, but there is little in the way of rib protection, chest is a little thin and the kidney belt seemed pointless. I thought the RockGardn jacket was much nicer, but that's just me.

 

[The Kadvang]

DLo, I assume you are Dlo off MSDHW. I have a pressure suit that I love, and you could try it on if you wanna meet somewhere in the Bay Area sometime. Its a small though, fits me well at 5'8", so I dunno if it will even fit you.

 

[DLo]

Yeah man, I'm in Sunnyvale. Maybe I can drop by later today? I think I will spring for the rockgardn anyway, just seems like it has more protection. Ordering later then

 

[Acadian]

Maybe it's just me, but to me they both look exactly the same other than a few minor things?

I have last years 661 upper and don’t like it much. I’m getting a Dainese upper next.

 

[The Kadvang]

Yeah man, I'm in Sunnyvale. Maybe I can drop by later today? I think I will spring for the rockgardn anyway, just seems like it has more protection. Ordering later then

Yeah, I'm just about to go to work so no go for today at least. Order away if you wish .

 

[Zark]

I don't know how the 661 stuff fits but Rockgardn fits BIG! I'd wear a large jacket in Dianesse and a small in Rockgardn (well kinda, I'd need a medium kidney belt to fit my gut )

Something to think about.

 

[Acadian]

I don't know how the 661 stuff fits but Rockgardn fits BIG! I'd wear a large jacket in Dianesse and a small in Rockgardn (well kinda, I'd need a medium kidney belt to fit my gut )

Something to think about.

yup...I wear a Large Dainese Jacket and the small 661 is almost too big! The med was gigantic!!!

 

[MikeD]

The latest 661 stuff is really cheaply made and ugly, IMHO. My rockgardn 2003 model is superb, however.

MD

 

[Monkeybidnezz]

If youre in the bay area, head on over to Vision Cyclery. I think..It's near the Goldengate park. They have the pressure suits in stock and you should be able to at least try the size on to see if you like it.

 

[Matt D]

Rockgardn, definitely! I have the 661 SP-1 and if isn't user friendly. The zipper zips up your right side. This makes unzipping a pain when you are riding the lift up. Also the chest area doesn't offer much protection. A friend has a Rockgardn and loves it. However both are hot to wear. I ended up pulling out my old Azonic (which the zipper was out of) and using shoes laces to strap the front together. I'll keep doing that until I can afford a Rockgardn! Oh yeah, the Azonic is cooler and does offer actual plastic padding on the chest area.

How does having a zipper a couple inches to the side making it a pain to unzip? And you like the horrid Azonic suit better??? That was one of the cheapest made products I have ever bought.

The 661 compared to the Azonic is much better quality IMO.

The kidney belt on the 661 keeps the suit from riding up. I don't think it offers any real protection. I haven't tried on RG stuff, only touched it, but I like the 661 PS (I've got the 2004).

I think you'll be happy with either, but try the RG stuff to make sure!

I think you'll be happy either way.

 

[Jeremy R]

How does having a zipper a couple inches to the side making it a pain to unzip? And you like the horrid Azonic suit better??? .

Hey, maybe he only has one arm.
I love the 661 SP-1 suit that I have as well.
The reason I like it is simple.
It REALLY protects me in crashes.
I don't see how people can pick up armor and look at it,
and then decide they do not like it, because their magic
8-ball told them it was not made out of good materials.
Whatever, it you want to comment on armor, run yourself into some
trees with it on.
I like the huge shoulder cups, and the bulky bicep pads on the SP-1.
The spine protection is good, and there is hard plate in the chest that I have been lucky enough not to use yet.
The SP-1 works well for me simply because I have walked away from some sketchy crashes in them.
Can't comment on the RG stuff, because I have no "tree" time with them.

 

[Guard]

I have a 04 SP-1 and it zips from my neck to my arm pit and down my side. Which does make it difficult if you are wearing a jersey over it. Also my SP-1 doesn't have a hard plastic in the chest, just a light padding. I'll give 661 credit the shoulder and spinal areas are impressive. As far as trying armor out, unfortunately I regular put them to the test :nuts: Someone once told me that if your not wrecking, your not pushing yourself...of course I believe that was my doctor! Of course he may have other motivies$$$

 

[James | Go-Ride]

We were never too impressed with the Rockgarden armor. Between the guys here at the shop, we were never able to get it to fit right on anybody. Last year's 661 garb was in the same boat, but for '04 they fixed most of the major flaws.

Personally I'm an Azonic Z5 guy, the fit of the jacket is obviously going to depend a lot on your size and shape, but most of our customers that try on the 661 and then the Azonic cough up the extra $20 or whatever for the Z5. If you're not buying the jacket for a while, you might want to wait until after interbike. A little bird tells me a company whose name rhymes with "Shmoy Shmee DeShmines" is altering their supermoto jacket at the request of Nathan Rennie, Steve Peat, and others to make it useable for downhilling.

 

[Guard]

Cool deal, thanks for the fyi

 

[DLo]

A little bird tells me a company whose name rhymes with "Shmoy Shmee DeShmines" is altering their supermoto jacket at the request of Nathan Rennie, Steve Peat, and others to make it useable for downhilling.

DARN. I already ordered the RockGardn. I love TLD junk Thanks for the heads up anyhow.

 

[dw]

I have the RockGardn Flak Jacket, and I have to say it rules! It is pretty breathable, washes easily, and takes a hell of a beating. I highly recommend this jacket to others.

Dave

 

[buildyourown]

Dianese.
I know it's a lot more but I have never regreted buying mine. My justification is that the more comfortable a piece of gear is, the more likely I will be to wear it. Bad things always seem to happen when your NOT wearing your pads. I bought the Dianese knee/shin for the same reason. Less protection than my old Azonic but half as hot and i could fit them in my pack so I would wear them when freeriding. My knees are happy.

 

[Matt D]

Dianese.
I know it's a lot more but I have never regreted buying mine. My justification is that the more comfortable a piece of gear is, the more likely I will be to wear it. Bad things always seem to happen when your NOT wearing your pads. I bought the Dianese knee/shin for the same reason. Less protection than my old Azonic but half as hot and i could fit them in my pack so I would wear them when freeriding. My knees are happy.

Why do people do this? He asked to choose between RG and 661, not for suggestions on other manufacturers. I went through the same thing and it just makes it harder when people throw out all different kinds of stuff.

If some has narrowed a bike choice to an Ironhorse and a Giant, don't suggest a Santa Cruz just because you have one.

Rant over.

 

[DLo]

So the Dianese does offer less protection? That's not the first time I've heard that. And that's exactly why I threw that out as an option. I don't care about heat. I'm through with taking chances, I would rather stay safe and keep away from the hospital, even if armor doesn't make me totally bulletproof. I figure if it's that hot anyway, I probably won't be riding. *shrug*

Just got the jacket anyhow. That was pretty fast. Feels pretty good, could feel the heat immediately, but I'll just bring more water on the trail. One question. The rib plating ends right at the last rib. Is that the way it's supposed to be, or is it supposed to go down a little further? The end of the jacket itself (not the kidney belt) ends right at my belly button. Followed exactly what the site said for measurements, and that's what the guys at RG recommended as well.

 

[mplutodh1]

Again, like I have said many times before. RG stuff is not the same as 661, 661 is cheap made, my Flak Jacket though I have abused and it holds up great, feels comfy, isnt too hot like everyone claims (with only looking at it, until you wear one keep your trap shut folks) and Mark's an awesome guy behind a great company. RG stuff over 661 any day, the 661 stuff is on blow out cuz they are trying to probably reinvent their product line yet again, while RG is just improving an already great product... choose for yourself though.

 

[Bullit21]

Rockgardn stuff is fantastic. DLO you will not be sorry. I am 5'10" 180lbs and I wear a medium. It is a bit snug in the stomach but the kidney belt lets you adjust the snugness of the bottom of the suit nicely. It feels very cool even at Big Bear. The customer service is also second to none. Mark has been great answering any questions that I have had.