If you ride a mountain bike with any regularity you probably already know that it isn’t a question of if you’ll end up crashing again, but when. Let’s face it, crashes simply come along with the sport, and the best you can do is avoid them as much as possible and keep yourself well protected from harm.
That’s where G-Form comes in. The company has been making mountain biking clothing for several years now, but what separates its apparel from the competition is an innovative system designed to help prevent serious injuries in a crash. G-Form gear actually uses a specially developed material that stiffens on impact, lessening the amount of energy transfer and preventing bruises, bumps, and breaks. The material is called RPT and it is strategically placed in high-impact zones to help keep riders safe.
We’ve had a chance to give some of G-Form’s products a test and can attest to how well they perform, often keeping us safe on those (not so) infrequent tumbles off our bikes. Here’s a look at what we’ve been testing.
Pro-X Compression Shirt
The G-Form Pro-X Compression Shirt feels a lot like just about any other technical athletic shirt you might wear when heading out for a ride. It is lightweight, comfortable, and moisture wicking, while providing UPF 50+ protection from the sun too. But, the shirt also incorporates the company’s RPT padding in the shoulders, ribs, chest, and along the collarbone, providing extra protection in those key areas. Since that material will automatically stiffen upon impact, those parts of the body can take a direct hit, and in theory they should come away unscathed.
So how well does it work? Fortunately I haven’t landed on my chest or taken a shot to the collarbone, but I have tumbled onto my shoulders and sides a time or two. Each time, the shirt has performed exactly as advertised and I’ve generally only come away with a bruised ego as a result. (Price: $129.99)
Pro-X Compression Shorts
Mirroring the level of performance of the shirt, the Pro-X Compression Shorts fit comfortable under another pair of shorts or riding pants. They offer a form-hugging fit that doesn’t impede motion in any way and provide a high level of support for a full day of riding too. In this case, the RPT material is integrated into the thighs, hips, and tailbone, ensuring that those parts of the body get the protection they need.
Once again, I’ve been fortunate enough to be wearing these shorts when I’ve set my bike down once or twice and have ended up landing on my hips along the way. In each case, I walked away with no significant injuries whatsoever, allowing me to get right back on the bike and continue the ride. (Price: $99.99)
Pro-X Knee and Elbow Pads
Having this kind of protection on your shoulders and hips is handy for sure, but lets face it; most of the time when we crash our mountain bikes, we tend to come down on our elbows and knees instead. Thankfully, G-Form makes pads with integrated RPT to cover those parts of our bodies as well. Both the knee and elbow pads fit snugly but aren’t restrictive in any way, and both have saved my poor joints on more than one occasion. At this point, I never ride without putting these pads on first. (Price: $69.99 each)
Each of these products fall into that special category of something that you hope you never need to use, but you’re sure glad you have them when the need arises. No mountain biker sets out to crash on the trail, it just happens sometimes. It is then that you’ll be happy that you have G-Form gear to help keep you safe.
And if you like what you see here, G-Form also makes gear for soccer players, skaters, baseball players, and skiers too.