Point Two vs Hit Air Inflatable Vests Point Two: 1. Very transparent with all data. Looking through their website, you can find all the information you are looking for. You can also message them on FB and they reply quickly. Calls are answered promptly as well. I do prefer speaking to their UK office rather than the US office. 2. Lifetime warranty on air bag and trigger system if serviced annually. Servicing means they check it, test it, and upgrade it so it's like new again. They recommend you service it annually, after every 6 inflations, or after a particularly bad crash. 3. Discount for AERC Members 4. One single air bag, no separate chambers, no narrow passages to choke the CO2 dispersion or chambers that can fold over on each other when a bend in the body occurs. 5. Fastest Inflation Time - 0.080 seconds to inflate. 6. May feel heavier/bulkier in hand due to substantial materials and Level 1 foam in critical areas. 38.60oz vs 34.30 oz according to Hit Air's comparison chart (depending on model). 7. Offers a "Grow with us" Program - they will change the size of the vest for a fee 8. Takes 84 lbs of pressure to pull the pin 9. Offers several different products so you can pick the one that best suits your style. Hybrid Vests also available that combines foam and air bags. 10. Fully Certified: SATRA M38, BETA Level 3 11. 3 years research with a Spinal Surgeon. Hit Air: 1. Cheaper up front 2. No real data offered on their website. Messaged them on FB, they've seen it, but haven't replied back. Called and spoke with Rebecca, but we got disconnected. I called back and left messages but they haven't called back. 3. Multiple air chambers 4. Inflation Time 0.09 to 0.25 second - depending on model. 5. Takes 66 lbs of pressure to pull the pin 6. Safety Certifications? - can't find any data on this anywhere. 7. More head support/bigger head air bag - but has a "hinge" that leaves spine between shoulder blades vulnerable. 8. Had some major issues with earlier models that seem to be addressed now with newer models: air canister went into the rib cage of the rider because the air bag was over the canister and there was nothing protecting between rib cage and canister, No service plan - they just recommended you replace every 2 years, No bleed valve. Hit Air has since changed the design so the air bag is under the canister, they do offer servicing, and they did add a compulsory bleed valve now. 9. Their "Servicing" is questionable. Sounds like all they do is deploy it. They don't take it apart to check everything, run it through all the certified tests and upgrade parts. Call and speak with them to find out what their "Servicing" entails. 10. 1 year Limited Warranty on defects - no accident replacement. 11. 1 person did report a malfunction where it should have deployed but it didn't. Sent back to Hit Air and they replied that even though it is very rare…it does happen. Nothing is 100%, but… . 12. PEDCO (Hit Air Distributor) Replacement Plan available for certain Hit Air vests severely damaged/destroyed in an accident within 3 years of purchase. Only 1 accident replacement per new vest purchased. This plan allows for 20-50% off retail price of your replacement vest depending on year of ownership and model of vest. 13. Optional Back and Chest Padding available for purchase to add even more safety to your vest (might be model dependent). Notes on Inflatable Vests in General: 1. Don't wear anything hard between your body and the vest. When it deploys, it will exert a lot of pressure on your body. 2. Don't wear anything tight over the vest - it needs room to deploy 3. Be mindful of how you insert the CO2 Cartridge - user error can result in malfunction 4. Wearing an inflatable vest alone is one of the lightest, coolest, easiest form of safety available on the market. This option does have limitations on the amount of safety it can provide, so be aware of that. Closing Thought: Both Brands are very popular. Inflatable vests in general are always recommended to be worn over a foam vest since they are only protective if they deploy and only for a few seconds while they are mostly inflated. By having the foam vest on underneath, you cover all your bases. Many casual riders in the US do not follow this recommendation and do fine with it - so it's your personal choice. Take a look at your data, decide where your priorities lie and go from there. The most protective vest in the world that is too miserable for you to wear - will do nothing for you as you leave it behind. Choose the one that is most protective for you AND you can commit to wearing.

• published: 03 Feb 2018
• views: 3