[FREDDY SANDOVAL]

Brock

In reality all of those rib protector manufactures you mentioned are all good.

As for comfort goes, it is hard to tell, as what is comfortable to you may be uncomfortable to others, the main thing is to stay safe, and being able to move somewhat freely, and staying wedged and packed pretty good inside your seat.

Those bulky vests are very helpful once you get used to them, another thing to consider is that rib cage bruising and small hairline fractures caused by G force  and being tossed around and bounced in the corners are a lot more painful and uncomfortable.

The answer to your other question is: Ask your club what the proper age it is for your kid to stop wearing a chest protector, some clubs are different than others, but honestly I would say wear it no matter what, for his own safety, you just never know when it’s gonna happen, but when it does you want him to be ready to absorb and insulate the impact of a steering wheel or someone else’s tire or chassis.

Now let’s move on to padding on the seat. If he likes it the way it is, then leave it alone, but if he complains of pain on the sides where the seat strut bolts and washers are, then either get a 1/4 padded seat or fill it up with patio floor mat or boat carpet and padding.

 

Those are my 2 cents. Hope that helps. Fast Freddy.  ;)

[Brock Weiss]

Thanks that was very helpful information

[Daniel Justice]

I can vouch for the SPK-7, though I’m a bit biased as it’s the only vest I’ve worn (only started karting a year and a half ago). I have no complaints about it, fits nicely and is otherwise unnoticeable on the track. Being one of the cheapest choices in the rib and chest protector market is a big plus too. And for all the protection you get from it (ribs, spine, chest and some shoulder) you can’t go wrong with it.

[Patrick Roth]

I have worn a Ribtect for several years and am extremely satisfied with the product.  I find the Ribtect 4 to be quite comfortable and very durable.  It also helps that Robby Mott is a big supporter of the karting community and is a great guy!

 

[Tim Koyen]

I think TJ is currently using the FreeM one and likes it, although for years he ran the P1 Kevlar vest and it was good as well.  He also tried the Ribtect and said it was fine too.  I know P1 has a new one with memory foam on the inside that Jamie at Franklin Motorsports was showing me the other day.  Looks pretty nice.  Its all about finding what is comfortable for your driver.  Personally, I don’t think a chest protector is necessary for anyone beyond the smaller kids, but that’s your choice.  Most of the above mentioned vests already have some type of padding/plating in the front, just as an added bonus.

Regarding the seat, keep it fairly snug.  You don’t want to be bouncing around, that’s how you get hurt.  If you need to tighten up a certain area, that really dense foam that you can buy in squares from any chain store, (I think they sell it as an exercise mat) works really good and is super cheap.  It cuts easily and provides good padding.  Hold it in place with tape.  I used to glue it in TJ’s seats using Shoo Goo, but that makes it permanent, and when the kids are growing fast, it’s nice to be able to take it out and change the shape.

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