POC VPD 2.0 Spine Pack 25 and Knee Protector

by John · 02/12/2013

POC VPD 2.0 Spine Pack 25 and Knee Protector

By Alastair McNeill

POC VPD 2.0 Spine Pack 25 and VPD 2.0 Knee Protector

My plan is to get out on my mountain bike for some single track night riding, so it seems only logical that my next review items are two key pieces of body armour courtesy of POC, with the VPD 2.0 Spine Pack 25 and VPD 2.0 Knee Protector.

POC VPD 2.0 Spine Pack

Again, those familiar with Swedish brand POC will know that their products are designed with a very clear brief in mind: “To do everything we possibly can to save lives and to reduce consequences of accidents, for gravity sports athletes, by developing and renewing what personal protection is all about”.

POC VPD 2.0 Spine Pack features some of the most innovative protection available

This they achieve by taking a highly scientific approach to product and material development, working with engineers, material specialists, industrial and graphic designers, neurologists and back specialists in order to produce some of the most innovative protective products on the market.

POC Spine Pack is a useful 25 litres

First up is the VPD 2.0 Spine Pack 25 backpack. This 25 litre pack incorporates an integrated back protector made from Poc’s trademark VPD (Visco-Elastic Polymer Dough) which is designed to offer extreme impact absorption, whilst also providing an ergonomic fit for the user. What is also interesting about this material is that Poc state that in the event of a single accident users are often subjected to a series of impacts, with each one generating more energy and therefore damage through to body. So in layman’s terms the first hit hurts, the next hurts more and so on. VDP is designed to absorb each impact effectively so that the in the event of a big fall it protects as well on the first impact as on any subsequent hits.

Some serious protection

Combine this technology with some high end detailing and design and the VPD 2.0 Spine Pack 25 is a very interesting piece of kit aimed squarely at off road cycling and skiing / snow boarding. Whilst I’m not intending to put the high impact claim to the test, I will certainly be putting the VPD 2.0 Spine Pack 25 through its paces, off road and on snow. A detailed review to follow.

VDP 2.0 Knee Protector

From the same range, and incorporating the same materials technology and attention to detail I also have a pair of Poc VDP 2.0 Knee Protectors. Here the VPD is designed to offer the wearer a high degree of movement by adapting to the shape of the body, but in the event of impact to stiffen and provide extreme impact absorption.

POC VPD 2.0 Knee Protector

The back of the pad is made of kevlar reinforced stretch fabric, with an optional elastic strap to secure if required.
Like the VDP 2.0 Spine Pack 25 it comes in Poc’s trademark “Uranium Black” colour scheme, and just for good measure has “permanent Odor Control” technology.