Bliss Protection

Vertical LD Top

Before you throw your bike in the bed of your truck to go try out a newly finished flow trail near your house, layer the Bliss Protection Vertical LD Top under your jersey in case things get a little rowdier than planned. Stretchy and breathable, this body armor won't trap you under heavy padding, compromising your freedom of movement while you're pedaling.

Instead, Bliss uses flexible Armourgel pads in the Vertical's slim design. The padding stretches and yields to your movements while you're cleaning rock gardens and railing berms but stiffens during scrapes or bigger crashes. According to Bliss, Armourgel absorbs up to 80% of the impact energy, but whether you're one for numbers or not, know that it'll definitely make a difference to your shoulders, spine, and elbows when it's standing between you and a rock. A side zipper makes the form-fitting top easy to slide in and out of, and flatlock stitching promises not to chafe or rub, even after hours on the trail.