Testing | Bluegrass Seamless back protector: uncompromising comfort - Vojo Magazine

With its Seamless, Bluegrass has a clear objective: to shake up the world of back protection thanks to a technical and resolutely top-of-the-range product combining comfort, breathability and an anti-odor effect. But are these great ambitions confirmed on the ground? Answer :

We already presented this new back protector to you in detail when it arrived on the market last March. A presentation can be found here: https://www.vojomag.com/news/nouveaute-bluegrass-seamless-d3o-la-dorsale-premiere-couche

We are therefore faced with a "seamless" back protector, in other words seamless, made in one piece and to be put on like a t-shirt. But rather than a t-shirt, we should in fact speak of a technical first layer since the whole philosophy of the product is there: a protective vest worn as close as possible to the body, with a second skin effect, like technical underwear that we wear under the jersey in summer when it is hot to regulate humidity and body temperature. We will see later that this backbone is not limited to summer use.

For the construction of its vest, Bluegrass uses Dryarn, a technical and particularly stretchy fabric developed by an Italian company, which allows the brand to offer a unisex product and to decline it in only two sizes: S/M and L/XL. The mesh of the fabric is classic on the majority of the vest, with the exception of the belly, the upper chest, the sides and a good part of the dorsal area, above the plate, where we find a much more open mesh, with the aim of maximizing ventilation.

Made of D3O – this basic flexible material but which solidifies on impact -, the back plate is removable, relatively thick but above all pierced with a multitude of holes, again for the sake of maximum breathability. Two small pockets are placed at the height of the bottom of the plate, in the middle of the back, a configuration voluntarily limited according to Bluegrass, just to avoid placing too large objects there which would protrude from the plate and could injure the pilot in fall case.

Finally, note that this back protector is available in two versions: sleeveless (Seamless Lite) – the more minimalist of the two -, and with short sleeves and removable shoulder protectors in D3O (Seamless B&S, for body and shoulders), placed so to be able to coexist with the straps of a backpack. They are respectively displayed at the public price of 190€ and 250€, but a quick look on the net shows prices a few tens of euros lower in real life. Does it still remain a good low budget, in line with the high-end positioning of the product... and with the services in the field? Let's see it right away:

Bluegrass Seamless D3O backbone in the field

The dorsal impresses above all by… its small size! Without the plate inside, the vest is indeed very compact and it looks like a product for children. But once the plate is inserted and the Seamless is on, it's a revelation: very stretchy, the fabric is also very soft and perfectly hugs the curves of the body without compressing it. The comfort is really impressive, and this is reinforced by the length of the back protector which allows it to stay in place in shorts or pants. Whether the anatomy is male or female, no problem, the textile adapts. It is certainly not the easiest back protector to put on or take off given the absence of a zip, but we touch here on the very concept of the product. Still, in the event of a crash and a visit to the emergency room, it will hurt your heart to see your precious backbone being cut with scissors to be able to remove it...

The first outings will quickly confirm these good impressions in static. We would be lying if we said that the backbone does not feel, but honestly, we are really not far from it. Nothing gets in the way, nothing rubs, nothing scratches, the comfort is there in all circumstances. It's also reassuring to feel that the plate fits perfectly in place thanks to the close-fitting design. We tested the Seamless in a multitude of conditions, including long enduro rides in very hot weather with quite a bit of elevation. If we would necessarily have been less hot without a backbone, this clearly makes it possible to limit the rise in temperature. You can feel the air circulating where the mesh is wider, while the generously perforated plate also contributes to the regulation of body temperature. For personal preference, we have only used the B&S version very little (the one equipped with short sleeves) with the shoulder protectors in place, but it can be worn without any problem as it is without providing a real surplus of heat compared to the Lite version, without sleeves. This is a very good point for those who would like to benefit from both configurations, with or without shoulder pads.

Not to spoil anything on this already very positive picture, the fabric seems to dry quickly or in any case never gives the impression of "wet", which avoids cooling down on the descent just after sweating on the climb. Pleasant in summer, but also appreciable when the temperatures drop like now, in winter, where we continue to use this backbone without problems. This quick drying is a little less true after washing the vest by hand (Bluegrass does not recommend machine washing) on ​​the other hand. While some technical base layers, such as merino, are usually dry overnight, Seamless takes a while to dry after washing and may still be damp in the morning. Fortunately, this backbone is absolutely not conducive to the development of bad odors, even when you have perspired a lot in it. You can therefore easily do several days of riding without having to go through the washing box. Out of curiosity, we put the backbone in the washing machine a few times, in a protective net. It came out intact and drier than after a hand wash thanks to the spin cycle of the machine. On the other hand, we did not take the risk of testing the passage to the dryer.

A small downside all the same: on the ground, access to the two rear pockets quickly appeared to us a little tricky. To take something out of it, it's still fine (when it protrudes from the pocket), but it's when putting it back that you have to be dexterous to find the pocket first, then to pass beyond it elastic that marks the entrance. It's all the more unfortunate that if the pockets seem tiny at first glance, the very stretchy fabric actually allows you to put objects much larger than you think. For example, they can easily accommodate a modern smartphone over 6 inches.

Verdict

When the promises are numerous, we tend to be wary. And yet, it is clear that here they are well and truly held by Bluegrass. Comfort, breathability, lightness, impeccable fit, no odors: the Seamless ticks all the boxes! The concept itself means that it's not the easiest back protector to put on and take off, but we get by. There remains access to the back pockets which is not always easy - especially when it comes to putting something back -, and the price, high but justified given the excellent performance of the product. In any case, the Seamless has become the favorite backbone of several editorial staff for enduro outings. A real favorite ! It is even rumored in the EWS paddocks that quite a few drivers have made the same choice, including those who are not sponsored by Bluegrass…

Dorsal Bluegrass Seamless

More info: https://www.met-helmets.com/en/bluegrass-stories/bluegrass-seamless-d3o-back-protectors/