O'Neal STV Protector Shirt - Review

Sep 30, 2014 at 8:32
by Mary Wragg-Moncorge  
Pinkbike Product Picks

O neal protective shirt


The STV Protector shirt is O’Neal's take on lightweight body armor. Picture a base-layer top with integrated protection, rather than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles style hard-shell body armor. The base layer itself is made of “Flycool,” a blend of synthetic fibers, designed to help keep your body temperature cooler. O’Neal claim Flycool is also anti-bacterial and fast wicking. Integrated into the base layer, there are two types of protection: removable pads on the elbows and shoulders that allow for the use of a neck brace, and non-removable pads on the chest, spine and ribs. Reportedly, O'Neal partnered with POI designs to use their certified elbow and shoulder pads, which are compliant with the European Union standard EN1621-1, the recognized standard for mountain bike protection. The spine, chest and side panels are made from lightweight "Biofoam" and are sewn into the base layer and are therefore non-removable. Available in sizes Small to XL. Price is £84.99/ €99.90 – (about $150 USD in North America)
O'Neal

O neal protective shirt

O'Neal's STV Protector Shirt is one of the few of its kind that fits well and stays in place. It also is designed to be configured to fit under a neck brace.



Pinkbike's Take:
bigquotes We were pretty stoked to test a lightweight body armor, especially one that didn't make us look like a line-backer or restrict our movements much. We also like the fact that the STV is compatible with neck-braces. It feels much like a base-layer to put on - a bit tight fitting, but it is comfortable and natural to move around in. Removing the elbow and shoulder pads offers even more mobility. Our biggest reservations are about the shirt's spine protection. The Biofoam panels that cover the spine are only a few millimeters thick, which does not inspire confidence. The length of the spine is covered by three panels, however they do not join seamlessly, leaving your vertebrae slightly exposed in between them. What's more, they are not EU certified, only the shoulder and elbow pads meet EN1621-1 standards, and O'Neal do not provide further information on how it may perform in a crash. We liked the shape and form of the shirt, but we would choose a certified back protector every time. O'Neal suggest that the STV Protector shirt could be used in conjunction with a backpack that had certified protection, but that is an unnecessary additional expense and a bulky solution to a product that should have addressed this issue in the first place. - Mary Moncorge




Author Info:
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Member since Jan 28, 2010
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64 Comments
  • 27 6
 Would be sweet if pinkbike started reviewing trails instead of mostly products! People would be super stoked to go out riding knowing what kind of trails they have in their backyard
  • 2 0
 bikepirate.com
  • 2 1
 Sell. Sell. Sell.
  • 10 1
 Umm, or you can just click the trail forks button on PB and rate your own trails.
  • 12 2
 Is it just me or does it look like there is a horribly shaped pad at the chest?
  • 9 2
 I don't think it was designed for women xD
  • 6 3
 Yeahhhh, this vest aint specifically designed for women... or Derek Jeter. I kinda like it though. Much better than my 661 plus 5 lbs satan football gear.
  • 2 1
 think i'll stick to my POC spine vpd 2 jacket. not that i ever wear it really, esp. not with the fucking gi-normous spine insert.
  • 5 1
 My POC spine vpd 2 jacket saved me when I washed out and rolled onto a pointy rock. I have a scar through the armor right center on two vertebrae. Yeah, I'll keep wearing it every time...
  • 7 2
 Rider with manboobs gonna look like a gundam on trail.
  • 2 1
 I like vests better than shirts/long sleeve armor. 661 could do something similar that would be more popular if they made a d30 version of the Core Saver vest.
  • 1 2
 reminds me of Ironman
  • 4 0
 i also use the poc vpd 2.0...the most comfortable thing ever and it has protected my shoulders, elbows and chest so many times. just dont get people with their tank tops and forearms full of scars. with those comfy protection vests there is actually no excuse anymore that those jackets decrease your movement etc. just my 2 cents.
  • 4 1
 I kinda like the scars on my arm
  • 2 1
 but... but... tank-tops are so IN right now, haha. I do love these fashion trends that come and go. As soon as a really good rider is wearing a tank-top or flannel, suddenly most riders are wearing them also. What a coincidence.
  • 2 0
 i use the oneal stv protector shirt and its saved me no end of times fits really well and it dosnt feel like you have it on and you can hardly see it under a jersey
  • 4 0
 I wear every scars with pride!!!
  • 2 0
 Fad? Guys have been riding in tank tops and t-shirts, as well as flannels for over 10 years. It's not a fad. Some people don't need a lot of body armor, some do, it's a personal preference.
  • 1 1
 Strange because as soon as video parts starting coming out with people in tanktops or wearing long sleeved flannel shirts, a lot of people starting wearing them, opposed to jerseys. must be aliens.
  • 5 0
 I've used this. It fits nicely, goes under a jersey, offers light protection (better than nothing, but obviously not as much as full body armor)... My main issue with this is the stitching, it doesn't last very long, the shirt is tight fitting, after a days biking, it's hard to get off and if you pull too hard stitching breaks . If you're looking for light armor, I'd go for something like evoc's or leatts armor, or if you have more money , the one from dainese. All light weight, breathable and better back protection than this.
  • 12 5
 Nahhh...
  • 2 0
 Ive got this armour. And I definitely wouldn't buy again for mtb at least! Didn't know about the point about non certification for the spine protection but the biggest problems for me are firstly that this gets so fricking hot that you mayas well have wrapped yourself in a layer of molten lava, secondly the sizing is very strange with mine having very long sleeves but tight on the body and thirdly because of these two things it's like wrestling a cat army to get the bloody thing off. I've since bought Poc spine tee protection which I can't recommend highly enough and use the oneal armour as a base layer for mid winter skiing, which actually it is much better suited for.
  • 2 0
 The TLD hot weather version is the one I got. Pads around collarbone are removable for neck brace use. 41 with 2 kids I wear everytime I ride Highland. Doesn't affect movement is certified and gives me a little more confidence to hit things faster and or bigger. Fits snug but not to snug. Stays in place and let's me get my shred on. Yeah buddy!
  • 1 0
 I have it as well. my only complaint is the shoulder pads don't feel like they'll stay put in a crash. haven't actually tested it though. Oh, and that you can't remove the chest protection that I don't need (nobody is roosting me on MTB trails, shockingly enough.) But I defy you to find armor that actually has a fully removable chest.
  • 1 0
 I like knowing if I stack on my chest at least it's there to help a little. Hear ya though would be nice if all the pads were removable if only for washing purposes.
  • 2 0
 I want to remove the pads on the chest because they seem to have an outsized effect on cooling. I'd wear the shirt in more places if it didn't feel as hot as it does(though you'll hear no argument from me that it's not really that bad, & far better than old school armor. but I live in the desert. every little bit of cooling matters.)
  • 2 0
 I live in the northeast so that doesn't affect me except for 2 months out of the year lol. But Hear you on the desert heat must be brutal. Like I said only wear at Highland not on local stuff, it would be nice to have the ability to remove though for hitter climates like yours. Keep shredding man!
  • 2 0
 I have the Raceface equivalent and love it. Much less restrictive than hard armour and so far it has provided very good protection in crashes. RF uses 3DO-like material, which is fantastic. Only complaint about the RF version, something Oneal has solved, is neck brace compatibility.
  • 1 0
 The Race Face version is awesome. I ride with a pack most times, and the giant slab of spine pad is removable to facilitate that. I'm trying to find one for my wife, but the small size is hard to track down.
  • 4 1
 Looks interesting, but who is the rocket scientist that decides to make it black. Any other color but black for any summer sports wear.
  • 3 0
 To be fair any light color unless you only ride where its 70 degrees or cooler sweat will make it look nasty pretty fast.
  • 1 0
 you wouldn't wear this as an outer layer anyways. when worn under a jersey it stays close to your skin and your sweat keeps your body cool. The wind passing between it and the jersey ventilates and keeps your core temperature down. its a popular misconception that you should wear short sleeves in hot weather. you dehydrate much faster that way.
  • 1 0
 Good point enduroelite! Also long sleeves work better than sunscreen!
  • 2 1
 I found this review confusing at best. Reading between the lines. "This is awesome piece of kit with a few small oversights that we're going to completely focus on and eventually reject the seconds before awesome piece of kit as now worthless." Perhaps im just stupid, but unhelpful review...
  • 2 1
 I experimented with tight fit soft body protection for two years now. They are good on the back but don't work on elbow, knee and shoulder. When you crash hard the pads slide off position, hole in the lycra, hole in the skin. Tight-fit slick and stretchy lycra just can't keep pads in place when you need it. My verdict is that this whole light enduro protection stuff is useless for crashes, it is just for your peace of mind until the first crash or to meet race regulations.
  • 12 7
 I don't wear pads, only a neck brace.
  • 11 1
 With an XC helmet, goggles, and an endure-sash...
  • 7 1
 Not bagging on you personally but I love the people who openly trash riders for not wearing a neck brace but themselves only wear a full face helmet and neck brace. I can't count the number of times my gear has saved my chest, shoulders... influences and personal preferences are changing for fans/followers I guess. Whatever you're most comfortable ripping with is the most important aspect so it doesn't really matter.
  • 5 0
 I started my season off trying to be like the cool kids and left the elbow/forearm guards in the truck....uhmmm, ya, that didn't go over so well...2mths of unnecessary pain and suffering later.....
  • 2 1
 Eh, I used to have this kind of set-up after I broke my collarbone. It was so incredibly suffocating and awkward it simply wasn't worth it. I'm sure it would be worthwhile if you're absolutely going all-out every run, but for the majority of riders it's overkill.
  • 1 0
 I have the T shirt version of this.

It is very snug in a Large and i am 6'2" 85kg.

It is very good in a crash and very comfortable to ride in when it goes up as well as down.

Needs pairing with a good pair of elbow pads.

If i'm on uplift etc then i go with the 661 pressure suit.

Horses for courses really.
  • 3 0
 It's interesting to watch how armor changes over the years. Somebody famous gets hurt and real armor comes back into style, then people start to forget.
  • 1 0
 Bit like the use of condoms in the porn industry. Just sayin
  • 1 0
 Spot on!
  • 1 0
 Ive owned this, and the TLD vest version of *lite armour*, the TLD is way less hot.. And with my crash record.. I'm happy to put it out there its as good as an oldafahioned pressure suit, it shouldn't, but it really is. And u can move in it. I sold the O'neal. The TLD vest is now 4 years old, as good as it was born.. Crashes include blowing off Schlyer, full speed OTB in FoD, washing out in Cwmcarn, coming up mad short on local trails. Seriously recommended. ( crash record sounds appalling... I'm not as bad as it sounds.. Honest!)... It's cheap too... ( I wear separate elbows, also TLD )
  • 1 0
 I already own something like this from 661. After already having more heavy and heavy duty padding I would advise this for the endure rider looking for a light protection. I don't find the padding adequate for DH, unless your the type to ride without padding at all in which case it will suit you fine. It's fall now in the great white north, This easily fits under any jersey or t-shirt and keeps you warmer and dryer than your run of the mill pressure suite. Definitely an item to put on your wish list!!!
  • 4 0
 Shoulder pads are back!?!
  • 19 0
 Makes me look more defined.
  • 1 0
 if you are throwing backflips to faceplants this ain't for you, if you're racing this ain't for you........for everyone else you're not going to war....slow down and ride smarter and wear a hoody or a t-shit....shitson! CM!
  • 4 1
 I haven't got that old an scared to ride yet. Pass
  • 2 0
 Will only wear armor when they're proven to prevent AC/collarbone injuries.
  • 1 0
 I stand corrected.
  • 1 0
 I currently use this and love it. ..only problem is the sizing mines come up a bit small for the size so I've ragged it a bit taking it off when I'm sweaty and sticky
  • 1 0
 Good protection rules! I wear a Leatt 3DF long sleeved upper body protector and a Full face with a brace even on XC oriented group rides Big Grin
  • 1 0
 I'm guessing this is probably a far sight better than a wish and a prayer. Thanks for the honest review, Mary!
  • 1 0
 I swear I thought it said STD at first
  • 1 0
 I don't know, the chest thing looks really uncomfortable
  • 2 2
 I'd use it, but like most stuff in the world I can't afford it.
  • 3 3
 "nice pads bro, you look like a storm trooper reject" said the weenie.
  • 2 2
 And the fabric is probably tear apart on the first big crash
  • 1 0
 No, the fabric is very sturdy and tear resistant. in any case you would wear this under a jersey or t-shirt, not as an outside layer.
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