The Bluegrass Eagle Armour Lite D3O is a lightweight and simple vented spine protector.
A San Diego mountain biker finds a barbed wire trail trap and a rider in Colorado leaves the scene of another trap with several broken bones.
There's a lot of hype about the new WaveCel structure in new Bontrager helmets. Competitor responses came just as quickly, and it's hard to recognize who's right in the end.
We check out mountain bike multi-tools from top brands like Pro, SIlca, Pedro's, Topeak and Pro Bike Tool.
New 12-speed hub options, alongside a more affordable 4-piston brake and 203mm rotor option, show Shimano's dedication to entry-level riders.
Link your Singletracks and Wahoo accounts to get free mountain bike trail routes on your GPS.
It's easy to let negative externalities ruin mountain biking's moments. Here are a few tips and philosophies to focus on the now.
Pro mountain bikers like Katy Curd know how to adapt and learn a new game. Katy shares her tips for building skills and managing fear.
We test ride the new Revel Rascal trail bike in Moab.
The Clear Creek 10 is Mountainsmith's first hydration pack marketed for mountain bike. It's fairly simple and affordable.
This week we get news on who's dominating the EWS, new bikes from Diamondback and Bold, and another NICA expansion.
Check out the trails, bikes, skills, and good times from the 2019 Singletracks Ride-N-Rally.
The Leatt DBX 4.0 pants are tailored, tough, and ready for the trail.
A Georgia mountain biker takes on the Huracan bikepacking race for the third time, and find new challenges along the way.
Online retailer Moosejaw is now offering complete mountain bikes for sale from brands including Evil and Niner.
The Pisgah Stage Race is already well known for five days of riding the best mountain bike trails in Pisgah. Key changes for 2019 seek to make the 11th edition the best one yet.
The way a rider treats their mountain bike will affect its lifespan. Here are five things you can do to keep your bike healthy for the long haul.
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, I ask Jeff Kendall-Weed about his inspirations, favorite places to ride, skills progression, and how he makes time for riding.
Adding an eMTB category to the EWS has some riders calling it the EEWS.
This new product allows mountain bikers to ditch packs of any form and fit cargo directly on their lumbar.
Pick up trash during your mountain bike rides in April to join in the plogging phenomenon. Share photos of your haul on Instagram to win prizes from Singletracks. @singletracks #bikeplog
Life is busy, but often it's easier than not to ride with friends. Matt reflects on a trip years ago that formed lasting friendships.
Crankworx Rotorua and Absa Cape Epic results, Revelstoke gets a lift and new trails, plus new Teravail MTB tires and etnies shoes.
Geometry changes a lot from bike to bike, but a fit should always suit the rider. Gerow goes over a few fitting tips to help all the bikes in your stable feel comfortable and consistent.
The Dirtlej Dirtsuit is a wet-weather onesie for mountain biking.
Is it worth spending good money to enter a mountain bike race? Dillon says yes, and shares 5 reasons why you should sign up.
Rachel Walker sheds light on what Hopetech Women is and what the mountain bike brand is up to these days.
The Kuat Transfer is an entry-level rack that can be converted from a single to a double bike hitch rack. The Pivot get mountain bikes them out of the way to get to the trunk or truck bed.
Exploring beautiful singletrack mountain bike rides along the Basque coast of northern Spain.
World famous mountain biker Chris Akrigg shares his winning approach to challenging conditions, both on the bike and off. Want to know what it takes to build incredible bike-handling skills? Listen to find out!
Cities around the US are working to attract new workers with mountain bike trails. For some places, this gamble more important than ever.
The MET Roam MIPS mountain bike helmet balances comfort and protection.
Hannah Bergemann talks about racing with Kona, her ambitions in the sport, and why the most important mountain bike race of her year is the one she'll race with her dad.
Riding the enduro-worthy singletrack mountain bike trails in northern Spain. In Part 3, Lee and his group ride in Val de Tena near the towns of Biescas and Panticosa.
New mountain bike shoes from Rapha, a taste of the Pivot Phoenix 29 downhill bike, new Stans rims, and more in the MTB News Mix.
In this first Pro Skills article, we get advice on recovery from endurance mountain biker Payson McElveen.
Gerow talks with IMBA EU to find out how mountain bike advocacy is going in Europe.
Exploring the best trails in the Spanish Pyrenees by bike, Lee and his group ride Cotiella, Ainsa, and Zona Zero, including an EWS stage route.
Dillon shares his strategy for fueling before, during, and after the ride, and provides a sample template for varying mountain bike ride lengths.
Trek / Bontrager claims their new mountain bike helmets reduce the chance of concussion significantly.
The Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt A50 is an affordable and fun trail bike with price-minded performance.
Matt reviews the aluminum Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt trail bike and shows it in action!
The new Santa Cruz Megatower 29er is a long travel enduro mountain bike with 160mm of suspension front and rear.
Gerow checks out jerseys, shorts, and gloves from European mountain bike clothing brand Madison.
Everything you need to know about mountain bike racing, including what to eat, pack, and wear on race day.
What's the best way to store MTB tools while you ride? Put them on your bike. Gerow checks out several MTB tool storage options.
European brand Bluegrass makes a lightweight, carbon, full-face mountain bike helmet that offers MIPS protection and good ventilation.
Exploring the best singletrack mountain bike trails in Aran and Val Benasque in the Spanish Pyrenees.
![[feature]<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-259078" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/D30-front-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780">
The <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-reviews/Body-Armor/Bluegrass-Armourlite-D30_16198">Armour Lite D3O </a>back protector from Bluegrass Eagle is about as simple as spine safety comes. It's a highly breathable base-layer vest that holds a fantastically engineered protection device in place. That's all.
When testing mountain bike protection gear my three primary criteria, in order of importance, are protection capabilities, comfort, and breathability. The last two could fold into one, though there is certainly gear that doesn't breathe well but feels like a hug on colder rides.
<h2>The vest</h2>
[caption id="attachment_259071" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-259071 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BG-inner-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> The grooves and ventilation channels in the D3O back protector are visible through the breathable mesh vest. The protector can be removed on laundry day.[/caption]
Like full-face helmets and kneepads, body armor can be unpleasantly hot to pedal in. The Armour Lite vest is breathable in every way possible, allowing riders to stay reasonably cool on summer rides or in races when spine protection is mandatory, or when it's just a good idea. The only material on the vest that is not a transparent mesh screen is around the arms and shoulders, where stretchy lycra adds flexibility to help body movement.
The full-length zipper opens the vest up for maximum cool off time on the chairlift, shuttle bench, or while pedaling a long climb.
[caption id="attachment_259070" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-259070 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BG-protector-silicone-1170x704.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="704"> A silicone strip around the waistline helps keep the vest in place.[/caption]
<h2>The D3O protector</h2>
[caption id="attachment_259072" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-259072 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BD-D30-protector--1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> The form adaptable D3O protector is well vented to provide as much airflow as possible while keeping the spine safe.[/caption]
<a href="https://www.d3o.com/what-is-d3o/company/">D3O</a> is a company that designs impact protection solutions for a wide variety of sport and industrial applications. In the mountain bike world, their creations fortify the kneepads, elbow pads, and body armor of several brands. This protection device in the Armorlite vest covers a large portion of your back, forming with the curve of your spine inside its sleeve. The flexible material is hard to the touch, without being abrasive against your skin.
The side that faces your body has a smooth surface, covered in vent channels and twelve holes, each roughly 1cm in diameter, to release perspiration and help riders cool off. The outer shell has a grippy fabric designed to keep the spine protector in place when you slide across the ground.
<ul>
<li>€149 (about $170USD)</li>
<li>Actual weight: 498g, size medium</li>
<li>Size medium protector dimensions: 49cm tall x 25cm wide x 12mm thick</li>
<li>Designed to fit under a jersey</li>
<li>Neck brace compatible</li>
<li>Protection certification: EN 1621-2 Level 1</li>
<li>Vest materials: 40% polyester, 30% nylon, 10% polyurethane fiber, 5% other</li>
<li>Designed in Italy</li>
</ul>
<a class="btn btn-lg btn-info" href="https://www.awin1.com/pclick.php?p=21747614569&a=482741&m=12444">Buy from Wiggle.com</a>
<h2>Final word</h2>
The <a href="https://www.bluegrasseagle.com/products/armours/armour-lite-d3o">Armour Lite D3O from Bluegrass</a> is a fantastic piece of year-round protection and a solid choice for enduro racers who will need to climb with their protective gear on. I haven't yet crashed while wearing the vest, thankfully, but I can attest to its comfort and well-designed ventilation. Given the feel of the material, its certification ratings, and its broad coverage, this piece of gear has given me confidence that It will do its protective job when the ground comes calling. If Bluegrass added a couple of snack pockets in the future it could be <em>even better</em>, though adding any fabric will take away from the vest's superb breathability. Likely it is worth keeping the vest simple, and using other pockets or pouches for trail treats.
<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-259079" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/D30-rear--1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780">[/feature]
<em>We would like to thank Bluegrass Eagle for sending the Armour Lite D3O vest for review. </em>](https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Barb_Wire.jpg)
5
