Neck collar. What's the best one?

[Bob Spedding]

We are just getting into karting. My son is 15 and I need to buy him a neck collar.  What is better, the Evs R4 or the Valhalla 360 device?  And why?

Thanks!

[Ty mitchell]

I own both the vahalla and the EVS neck brace and while the EVS is better looking and more sleek the Vahalla is the better brace when it comes to neck protection. Reason being is that the vahalla keeps from hyper extending ( head going to far back) and it also has more protection twards the top of your spine; protects the top of your back that is above the seat incase someone were to accidently run up into the back of your kart. The Vahalla is the better brace however you might looking into the leatt brace if your willing to pay alittle more Money; definatly the best brace on the market as of right now.

[Peter Zambos]

Agreed. Between the two that you mentioned, Valhalla makes the better product. The EVS flexes too much and does not prevent enough potentially injurious movement. However, the Valhalla is bulky.
The Leatt is definitely more pricey, but lighter and not as restrictive as the Valhalla. It’s definitely worth the additional cost.

[Kirt Burcroff]

My 16 year old son has worn the Leatt brace for two years and has been very happy with it. They make a great product.

[Dale Daugherty]

Ditto on the above; I have the Valhalla as well, and I love it. I have not had the chance to test it yet (thankfully), but I am fairly confident that it is going to be better than a neck roll, or the EVS.

2010 Spirit [Birel] SP32 // SRS CR125 - Stock Honda [#08]
Hill Country Kart Club - New Braunfels, Texas - http://daledaugherty.wordpress.com/

[Brock Weiss]

Quick question what to you guys think about the foam type braces?  My son wears just a plain wrap around foam type collar and I was wondering how that is for protection

[Peter Zambos]

The foam collar does nothing. It will not protect against the hyperextention, hyperflexion, and compression that the braces do (or at least try to do), nor does it protect against collar bone injuries caused by the helmet during the event of an accident (this was the reasoning once given to me by a WKA official).

[Steven Peters]

Brock,  look at it this way also…

Any time you can take a piece of “safety equipment” that’s roughly 1.5″ to 2″ thick, squeeze it between your fingers and you’re able to compress it to about 1/4″, it’s not really doing much of anything.

Granted, with the introduction of the Leatt neck brace and the 360 Plus Device, a number of the foam collars have gotten more dense, but they’re not the same.

Just my opinion.

Steven Peters
Team Valhalla Racing

[Walt Gifford]

Who has the best price on the Leatt brace?

FAA certified jet engine and aircraft technician,
Nicholson Speedway class champion 2001,
Yamaha KT100 Service Center,
41 years karting experience

[Peter Zambos]

Most have the price at $395 for the karting version.

[Ty mitchell]

Watch accelerarion karting or comet kart sales, every once and a while you can catch a Leatt on Sale.

[Walt Gifford]

What’s special about the kart version? I see them on Amazon for $55.

FAA certified jet engine and aircraft technician,
Nicholson Speedway class champion 2001,
Yamaha KT100 Service Center,
41 years karting experience

[Finch Guenther]

Gif, I believe what your seeing for $55 is just different color padding and not the actual brace itself.

Finch Guenther

#51 CRG KPV

[Doug Ring]

Leatt Brace.  Used a foam collar for years, changed to the Leatt a few years ago and I’d never go back.  The purpose of a neck support system should be to minimize hyperextension/hyperflexion if called upon.  The foam neck roll will just compress with the relatively sharp edge of the helmet digs into it; the Leatt has been tested and certified to meet the appropriate requirements.

Regarding cost, don’t let this be a factor.  The brace will last for many years – just like a well-serviced helmet.

[Author]

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