If your just after a back/spine protector then the POC stuff looks well goodhttp://onebelowzero.com/proddetail.asp?prod=69250&cat=157000Big Gs got one of these and it was light and offered a stack of protection, its got the maleable dough stuff in. Get some good elbows(good meaning they stay on your elbows when you crash!) and i rekon for the small stuff/big days out it would be perfect! I rekon you could do some hardcore xc stuff in it without overheating too much!Fatdoc and myself have the Dainese Gladiator jackets which although very hefty offer max protection all over, be warned though as I often dont wear it cos it toooo hot!Lots of people get the 661 pressure suit type stuff but seem to sell it on quite quicly cos it fits badly.Top tip, get a full facer before the body armour if you have not got one already!
you MUST get a full facer.the bible of MTN bike books, by Lopes... insists that if you are over 6 yrs old and you intend to have both wheels off the ground then get one. now.going ovadebarz = teeth smash.. look at the space monkey... he has more porcelin in his gob than a museum in staffordshire. think he bust his jaw once IIRC.BTW, my full facer saved my back from real bad harm the time i landed straight on my head (i only wedged 2 vertebrae and cracked a couple of pedicles.. without the giro remedy I reckon wud of burst a vertebral body at least, that's the sort of injury that paralyses you)Put it this way, I'm not riding anywhere near you without one.compared to ankle protection this is a no brainer dude.