Spine VPD Vest Back Protector

red dot: best of the best
red dot award: product design 2009

The design of protection
They love the thrill of a very special kind, combined with a particular lifestyle and with fun. Gravity sports athletes are technophile individuals engaging in extreme and exceptional sports centred on personallytuned oversized skateboards, bicycles or metal bobsleighs for downhill racing. Achieving peak speeds of up to 100 km/h, such downhill races are often performed on the most adventuresome tracks. Although it is compulsory for these races and competitions to wear helmets and protective clothing, it is inevitable that participants fall over or even bump against one another due to the sheer speed. The Spine VPD Vest system was thoughtfully and meticulously designed to protect in case of accidents and strong force peaks. Featuring innovative materials and a mobility-oriented design, this vest is a highly consistent product for these extreme sports. The new back protector concept is made of a visco-elastic polymer dough called dual density VPD. This material is highly compact giving a high level of protection as well as the capability to adapt its shape to the body of the vest wearer. Offering mobility and comfort, it incorporates spinal and torso protection so that any impact energy on these body parts is well absorbed. This innovative protection system is integrated into the Spine VPD Vest to form a product of reduced design that largely does without graphics, and instead focuses above all on its protective function. Following a design approach with high target-group affinity has resulted in a clear and self-explanatory protection system that augments the mobility of the athletes and acts as a reliable and comfortable partner while engaging in their sports.