This last year safety has been at the forefront of my mind as the injuries on sleds continue to rise.

We have slowed down our trail speeds, axed the beer until after the ride so safety gear is the next logical step at being a respponsible rider.

I have been looking at the tek type vests for over a year now and after reading a few posts I think it is now on my must have list. I just bought last week a floatation jacket for the ice for the same reason. I don't know if it is because I've been in a few wrecks and realize it does happen to you or just because of my age. My imortality phase is over and things are starting to break and wear out.

On Saturday night tired after riding serious woops for 65 miles I hit a tough spot on the trail and my sled took one of those unexpected hard left-right mega darts and almost dropped me on the side of the trail. It scared the S*** out of me. Maybe that was a sign. The trail was narrow and of course tree lined as usual. I have a wife and kids expecting me home. I thought of that right after. Funny enough my riding buddy had the same thought earlier. Omen - I think so. Even with our reduction in cruising speed close calls still do happen.

Anyways who wears one and what brand?

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. I think with all the recommendations to get one as of late there is a great interest in your comments and thoughts.

Any other safety items that should be considered a must have?

I'm addicted and will always ride, I just want to increase my odds at arriving home safe.

Sled Dog, you should pay heed. You have had enough hints this week I think.

I just purchased a tek vest that's marketed by A/C, its the same as the stn versions just has green accent colours. I wore it for about 10 mins under my regular coat and found it way too warm expecially since it was just below freezing. My thought is that I'll have to buy some sort of a shell coat for the warmer weather when wearing the vest but it should work out fine with my regular jacket on the colder days.
My reason for purchasing it was the same as yours, got away with far too many close calls not to take notice that one day it might just save my life.

Rick.

Bought the Super Sport Tek-vest, same as described by ZR Sled Head through Planet A/C. Just bought it this summer, worn it on a few rides this year. Readsome posts last year about them and their warmth, moved up a size in jackets. Now I layer, with the tek vest under a Gore-tex or nylon shell. I ride agressively, but didn't find it limiting my movements in any way. Strongly urge anyone to wear one. Also wear a kidney belt. I have also considered other protective equipment, but haven't done that yet..i.e: elbow, shin pads etc.

I know I said this in a post a few months ago, but since you showed great concern (and why not, your right, you have a lot at stake), i'll say it again.
I had a Tek-Vest laying around from my short lived grass drag cerear. I got tired of seeing $240 worth of safety equip. hanging on a hook and decieded to start wearing it.
I had to get a diff. jacket because like the previous poster said...them things are warm.
On my last ride of the 02' season I got turned around/confused while playing in a gravel pit and went sailing off the edge of what i thought was a cool looking jump compleate with a cornice hanging over it.
When I busted through the cornice and shot straight up in the air, it was then I realized there was nothing on the other side except a large scooped out pit. The wall went striaight down, about 15 ft. Ad another 4-5 ft. to that just from my momentum. The sled went vertical and landed straight down on the tail.
I was on the sled all the way down. When it hit, I landed on my back/head. There was a lot of fist sized rocks down there and of course as luck would have it, I found one dead center of my back. Yeah, I was banged up and bruised real bad, and too sore to ride the next day. But
I really believe the Tek-Vest saved my life (or spine).
I won't be caught dead without it (literally).
Hope this is just one more reason for you to invest in one.
If not, I can give you several more of them (they live right in your house!)

Trapper

PS. Oh yeah, My buds gave me a lot of S*@t about wearing it at first (ie, "oh, now your a racer eh"...etc)
Don't listen to ignorant talk like that!

Great posts guys, I've never thought about one of the vests but reading this, makes me want to pick one up and soon. :withstupid:

I decided to get a tec-vest after hitting a moose on my sled last winter. It broke it's back, and both rear legs and sent it flying off into the edge of the bush. All that happened to me was a dislocated left pinky finger.

:cussing:

After that 3 coupon ride it really got me thinking. The vest won't prevent you from getting hurt, but it will help prevent getting stabbed by sticks, ski's, or studs if you were to be run over. They are real comfortable to ride with, they don't restrict movement and when you figure how much money you have tied up in your sled, trailer, suit and brain bucket, why not buy one more saftey item, like a vest?

:D

Great information guy's.It is too too easy to start riding beond your own ability.But will the vest give a false sence of security to the wearer?In effect starting to ride harder than the norm thus creating more oppourtunity test yourself and your skill when you maybe should not.I should get one myself and test the theory.Now only if it would snow here in good ol Michigan we could get some riding in before April.Happy New Year to all

My brother and I have been wearing terk super sport for three
seasons now.I started wearing them after three wrecks in the
winter of 99-2000 (due to the way I ride-hard)getting older but maybe not wiser.
I said my not be so lucky the next time(concusions,passing
blood ,ribs,sline burised etc)invested in one and the best
money I ever spent .A man died here last weekend cause the
handlebar came back in went into his chest at a very low speed.A
vest might have helped.It is like people buying cheap helmets
cause guess they think they don`t need to spring for a good one
unless its DOT Shell M2000 it shouldn`t go on your head.I cracked one
in half after taking out a highway sigh at nearly 100mph after being
forced of the trail.With nothing but a sore neck and an other concussion
it saved my life.Your family needs you pay now or pay the hard way.
Cape Breton Stock................

I wear a Tek-Vest Prolite everywhere I ride.. It's too easy to get dumb and get hurt. My vest has numerous indentations on it where it has saved me in the past.

Don't leave home without it!

I sell them now on our website www.snowcross.net (http://www.snowcross.net)

What are you guys wearing over your tek vests in the way of a jacket. I've tried twice to wear it under my regular jacket but have shortly thereafter taken it off cause I'm way too warm, any thoughts?

Rick.

Bubsrx, I don't think it gives a false sense of security. Again, my friends and I are pretty aggressive trail riders to begin with, but we stay in control. To me it is one more added safety factor for the what ifs....be it my fault if I do lose control, or oncoming traffic that forces me to do something I normally wouldn't. Worn it every time out this year, and to be honest after zipping it up, forget it's there until time to take it off.

ZR Sled Head---bought the Tek vest first, and tried it under a size large Gore-tex pullover I had --at that time found it way restrictive. Seeing that I had cash I ordered a new Cat Gore-tex mountain cat pullover, XL. That works out great. I usually dress with a t-neck, sweatshirt, the Tek-vest and the pullover. I stay warm as long as riding, and if we stop trailside it's usually just a few minutes, then start again. Since Santa just came, he brought me a second pullover, the Sno-Cross one in the recent Cat's Pride ...$130. I also like the fact both these pullovers have lots of orange on them...so my buddies can see me in the snowdust :p :D

ZR sledhead,
I wear the Coldwave jacket w/ removable quilted liner (and optional fleese liner which I ddn't care for).
It has zippers everywhere, under arms, accros back, each side of chest, to vent out heat and works great.
I'll never waste my money again on ski-doo jackets. I can get MUCH better quality for less $$.

Trapper

LOL man, I just finally read your post. I see you thought of me lol. Yup , I need one. My leg is all black from the last over the bar incident. I tried them on at the Novi Snow Show. I'd get nothing but a Tek Vest. But try them on as they fit very differentl between models ans sizes. The woman at the showwas off on every one for me. My broad shoulders cause me fitments nightmares like my wide feet. So i'd suggest trying them on someplace before buying online.
Caleb

Thanks for the info.

I've decided to go for the Super Sport model.

Now I just have to figure out how to get my new floatation liner, Tek vest and my Jacket on and still be able to move. I'm going to look like the Michelin man.

I never thought about my jacket until I read the post about wearing the shells. I think I'll do the same as I'll have enough on under I'll be sweating before I get moving. Unfortunately my suit is new also. I don't think I can wear everything without passing out. I was going to get the plain black bibs but no I had to get a set to match my jacket, Black with bright red and blue slashes on the side. Where will I get a shell to match this combo. I better stop now I'm sounding like my wife.

Nothing else I own matches according to her so why should I worry about this, because its sleddin gear and you gatta look good on the trail right?.

I think next week while going to Toronto I'll buzz by Royal and take my gear with me. I can try one on with my liner and jacket to see how it all fits. I was just there to get the floatation liner and new electric shield and a bag of other goodies. I can't be trusted to go in there its like a candy store.

Hey Caleb, want to see if we can get a deal on two LOL.

I did 10K around the yard tonight with the kids, I would of gone out but it was "snowing too hard" LOL.

Can't wait till tomorrow, Its riding season and I don't have to trailer. Out the door and onto the trail. Can't get better than that.

Ya Hoo!

I went ahaed and picked up a Super Sport TekVest from Royal yesterday. I tried it on with all my gear and it is quite comfortable. It fits well even with my float liner and jacket on. I put it between the float liner and my regular coat and you hardly notice it. There is a lot of adjustment on the sides to snug it up to a wide variety of body sizes without limiting the protection offered. It actually overlaps so there is no gap in the sides. This allows it to fit perfect also without my float liner on. I just hope it isn't too warm. I used to wear a sweatshirt underneath but I think a T is the way to go now.

They had some other brands on sale as well as a few others regular priced and none come close to the TekVest. It was a bit more but like everyone has said, you get what you pay for.

Helmet Note: They also had CL-12's clearing out for 99.00 cdn with double shield. I think these are snell and DOT. I have a CL-11 Snell and DOT and I love it. Never fogs and visibility is good. The 12 is supposed to be even better.


Thanks for eveyones input, it is appreciated.

I think you'll be happy with your Tek Vest purchase, and for your sake, I hope you never really have to "use" it. ;)

I am looking for a tekvest super sport..I live in illinois. Does anybody know where I can get one quick?

Update on Tek Vest.

Well I have a season in wearing my new Super Sport Tek Vest.

I found it very comforable and just the perfect warmth. It kept my lower back nice and toasty.

It does give good posture support and I found after long rides I had no sign of fatigue in my upper body at all.

I don't have any negatives to say on it and I'm very pleased with.

I only had to use it once and I wasn't even on the sled. I slipped on ice and picked off the tounge on the trailer. No problem. Not that I'm doing it again or anything but I hardly felt it in my ribs.

I would recomend one to anyone concerned with taking personal safety to the next level.

The TeK Vest body armour should be high on your list of mandatory safety gear, 1 spill (slip) and its worth it.

I was fortunate enough this year not to have to test mine out. I checked their website, and they offer "Tekrider" bibs that have body armor in the knees..and other places...a bit pricey at around $400 US (if I remember)...but I might consider a pair of those for next year.I'll have to check them out at the snow show this fall.

Bringing this back up again....if your serious about buying a Tek Vest and haven't done so yet .. I would recommend checking out their site...www.tekrider.com...they're having a spring sale with some good pricing on in stock vests and other goodies :)