Design the Best Balaclava
03-03-2015, 05:38 PM
#31
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Do you know the blend of material on the ones that hold up the best?
Yeah, I had a lot of complaints on them being too thick, especially with Stilo helmets. I even talked with a couple of pros that stop wearing one altogether for the same reason. (not a good idea)
Thanks! Great info!
Yeah, I had a lot of complaints on them being too thick, especially with Stilo helmets. I even talked with a couple of pros that stop wearing one altogether for the same reason. (not a good idea)
Thanks! Great info!
I took a brand new Stilo helmet to Sebring, and when the balaclava bunched up it exerted so much pressure on the front of my forehead I felt like I was going to through up and had to come in. I have the largest size helmet they make. One of the coaches worked the front of the helmet pad with the back of a screwdriver and I made sure to position my balaclava correctly.
It is amazing how a thin piece of material can feel like a wooden block in terms of exerting pressure.
03-04-2015, 03:52 PM
#32
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Wow thanks guys! Just got back today from NASCAR team BK Racing. Did a turn and burn to Charlotte yesterday. Huge opportunities there! They love our stuff.
I'm working up a Beta Program for new products and would like you guys to help out...especially ones that have offered advice here and in the past. It is vital to get good feedback from people like us. I'm an avid driver, but I certainly don't have all the answers and I believe that the best product ideas come from the people that use them. As I said before, TraqGear is about making things better, not just putting our name on an item to have something to sell.
Anyway, with that said, please PM me if you are interested in the Beta Program. Currently, I have two Podium model LCG prototypes that I would like to get someone to try. The are moisture wicking, antimicrobial and fire retardant...so a safe alternative to almost evertything out there. My goal is to have a safe, performing shirt at a cost that is very attractive.
One is an XL, so good if you are about a XXL in a normal shirt.
The other is a medium, so good if you are normally a large. They need to fit tight.
Preferrably, someone that can try them in the next few weeks, no longer than 3 weeks for feedback. No cost, no strings..just honest feedback. It pays to be a Rennlist member!!
I'm working up a Beta Program for new products and would like you guys to help out...especially ones that have offered advice here and in the past. It is vital to get good feedback from people like us. I'm an avid driver, but I certainly don't have all the answers and I believe that the best product ideas come from the people that use them. As I said before, TraqGear is about making things better, not just putting our name on an item to have something to sell.
Anyway, with that said, please PM me if you are interested in the Beta Program. Currently, I have two Podium model LCG prototypes that I would like to get someone to try. The are moisture wicking, antimicrobial and fire retardant...so a safe alternative to almost evertything out there. My goal is to have a safe, performing shirt at a cost that is very attractive.
One is an XL, so good if you are about a XXL in a normal shirt.
The other is a medium, so good if you are normally a large. They need to fit tight.
Preferrably, someone that can try them in the next few weeks, no longer than 3 weeks for feedback. No cost, no strings..just honest feedback. It pays to be a Rennlist member!!
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03-04-2015, 03:58 PM
#33
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I think the Sparco was just a little smaller. I have one of the soft-touch and a Carmyth. The Carmyth is less stretchy than the other but still fits okay. A little too much bulk around the neck though on both. These are some of the problems with "one size fits all" garments. For reference wear a Med helmet and have a 15-15.5 neck.
We just received our first batch of the new stand21 lid lifters. They are new so we have not received any feedback on them yet.
http://http://www.apexperformance.net/prod-2755.htm
This is much better than the eject system that can break or expires. Plus emergency personnel need a special pump to operate the eject
The stand21 lid lifter requires no tools and is very simple to use
I think if you could incorporate some type of helmet removal along with something to accommodate eyeglasses, it would be a win-win for all
http://http://www.apexperformance.net/prod-2755.htm
This is much better than the eject system that can break or expires. Plus emergency personnel need a special pump to operate the eject
The stand21 lid lifter requires no tools and is very simple to use
I think if you could incorporate some type of helmet removal along with something to accommodate eyeglasses, it would be a win-win for all
03-04-2015, 04:02 PM
#34
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Funny, My niece made a headsock like that for me over 3 years ago. It is an obvious innovation and no doctor helped me design it.
IMO headsocks fit fine if you buy your helmet with your headsock on. The problem sounds like here people bought shoes then decided to wear socks. Nothing is going to make those shoes more comfortable. You got to put your socks on then try on the shoes if you want a great fit.
IMO headsocks fit fine if you buy your helmet with your headsock on. The problem sounds like here people bought shoes then decided to wear socks. Nothing is going to make those shoes more comfortable. You got to put your socks on then try on the shoes if you want a great fit.
I have seen the stand21 lid lifters at a safety session at MSX. The speaker asked me to help with a demo. It works really simple and really well. Just pull the two loops horizontally and the helmet pops up easily. It does not exert any pulling force on the neck which could be a life saver after an accident.
03-04-2015, 04:18 PM
#35
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I wear prescription sunglasses. It is a little difficult getting the arms to slip in past the balaclava with my stilo helmet but doable. I pull down the opening primarily so I can use the drink bottle. Haven't had an issue with seams but none on top seems like a good idea.
ive tried a number. my favorite are the new alpinestars. for me, i like them super thin and there is something with that alpinestars material that makes it whispy thin, almost feels like it wouldnt be compliant, fire proof, but it is.
then i would make sure there is a hole in the mouth area for the earbud 1/8" plug to come through head out to the plug in on the helmet. i might even put a small flap over that earbud exit hold so once you push the plug through, some material lays down on top of it and somewhat covers that hole.
then i would make sure there is a hole in the mouth area for the earbud 1/8" plug to come through head out to the plug in on the helmet. i might even put a small flap over that earbud exit hold so once you push the plug through, some material lays down on top of it and somewhat covers that hole.
I bring this up because I believe in race cars that the balaclava part that is covered by the helmet does NOT need to be as thick as the places that are not covered by the helmet. Specifically, the area around the largest circumference of the head, and the top of the head... do we really need extra layers if it is already covered in a helmet?
03-04-2015, 04:27 PM
#36
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I still wear the same basic OMP single layer, single eye port balaclava I've had for 8 years. I've never had issues with comfort when using it. something more form fitting would be nice but I don't think it would be cost effective since we all have different shaped heads.
Curious how much the Stand21 adds to the thickness. Side to side is generally not a probably - for me it is front to back.
I took a brand new Stilo helmet to Sebring, and when the balaclava bunched up it exerted so much pressure on the front of my forehead I felt like I was going to through up and had to come in. I have the largest size helmet they make. One of the coaches worked the front of the helmet pad with the back of a screwdriver and I made sure to position my balaclava correctly.
It is amazing how a thin piece of material can feel like a wooden block in terms of exerting pressure.
I took a brand new Stilo helmet to Sebring, and when the balaclava bunched up it exerted so much pressure on the front of my forehead I felt like I was going to through up and had to come in. I have the largest size helmet they make. One of the coaches worked the front of the helmet pad with the back of a screwdriver and I made sure to position my balaclava correctly.
It is amazing how a thin piece of material can feel like a wooden block in terms of exerting pressure.
03-04-2015, 09:44 PM
#38
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Wow thanks guys! Just got back today from NASCAR team BK Racing. Did a turn and burn to Charlotte yesterday. Huge opportunities there! They love our stuff.
I'm working up a Beta Program for new products and would like you guys to help out...especially ones that have offered advice here and in the past. It is vital to get good feedback from people like us. I'm an avid driver, but I certainly don't have all the answers and I believe that the best product ideas come from the people that use them. As I said before, TraqGear is about making things better, not just putting our name on an item to have something to sell.
Anyway, with that said, please PM me if you are interested in the Beta Program. Currently, I have two Podium model LCG prototypes that I would like to get someone to try. The are moisture wicking, antimicrobial and fire retardant...so a safe alternative to almost evertything out there. My goal is to have a safe, performing shirt at a cost that is very attractive.
One is an XL, so good if you are about a XXL in a normal shirt.
The other is a medium, so good if you are normally a large. They need to fit tight.
Preferrably, someone that can try them in the next few weeks, no longer than 3 weeks for feedback. No cost, no strings..just honest feedback. It pays to be a Rennlist member!!
I'm working up a Beta Program for new products and would like you guys to help out...especially ones that have offered advice here and in the past. It is vital to get good feedback from people like us. I'm an avid driver, but I certainly don't have all the answers and I believe that the best product ideas come from the people that use them. As I said before, TraqGear is about making things better, not just putting our name on an item to have something to sell.
Anyway, with that said, please PM me if you are interested in the Beta Program. Currently, I have two Podium model LCG prototypes that I would like to get someone to try. The are moisture wicking, antimicrobial and fire retardant...so a safe alternative to almost evertything out there. My goal is to have a safe, performing shirt at a cost that is very attractive.
One is an XL, so good if you are about a XXL in a normal shirt.
The other is a medium, so good if you are normally a large. They need to fit tight.
Preferrably, someone that can try them in the next few weeks, no longer than 3 weeks for feedback. No cost, no strings..just honest feedback. It pays to be a Rennlist member!!
Looking forward to your perfecting this. Just remember to start work on the shorts soon! Potential slogan - "Protect all your parts!"
03-05-2015, 08:29 AM
#39
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Well, I'm an XXL but sadly my first day on the track will be 4/7. Lime Rock early April I would probably want to put hot water through the tubes!
Looking forward to your perfecting this. Just remember to start work on the shorts soon! Potential slogan - "Protect all your parts!"
Looking forward to your perfecting this. Just remember to start work on the shorts soon! Potential slogan - "Protect all your parts!"
Shoot me your addy to rogerburdette@gmail.com and let me get you on the Beta list. We are always making new ones and perfecting things.
Good news/bad news on the bottoms. New material won't be ready until April 27th for them. So, I should have the first round on May 1st..we'll start taking preorders in April. BUT, since all the delays I've finally secured a wonderful, comfortable waistband that is safe and SFI approved!! It is way better than wrapping elastic inside material. I've tested different ones for 8 months and this one is it!! Funny thing is that none of the FR Nomex would pass SFI. Only the viscose based ones performed well with flammability tests, which is way more comfy on the skin. Not to mention, they look SO much better. Super excited!
God watched out for us on this one!!
03-05-2015, 11:39 AM
#40
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The seams in my Omp balaclavas that run down the center of my forehead drive me crazy. I have one from a different source without the seam which gets the use.
03-05-2015, 12:37 PM
#41
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03-05-2015, 03:17 PM
#42
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Another prescription glasses wearer. Never in a million years could i get s Stilo helmet on.
03-05-2015, 04:58 PM
#43
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03-05-2015, 07:51 PM
#44
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HJC. Spent over an hour last year at Stable Energies trying on helmets. Only the HJC and some of the Bell's fit. Then i take the helmet (and balaclava) to the eye glass store when it's time to switch LOL. the joys of wearing glasses.
03-05-2015, 07:57 PM
#45
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Helmet fitments
HJC and Stilo tend to fit more oval shaped heads. Bell is kind of in the middle. Zamp/Gforce tend to fit more round shaped heads. It pays to try them on!
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