2WheelTimes.com Crash Tested:  Shift Vertex Road Race Suit

By Michael Hannas

It was my second lap of practice when I shut off and hit the brakes at the end of the back straight at Thunderhill, just as a went under the bridge at probably a good 125+ mph.  All of a sudden as I downshifted and started to lean in, hard on the brakes still, the rear end just stepped out as the oil in my catch pan from a defective oil filter gasket tipped out onto my rear tire.  Instantly I went into supermoto mode, trying to continue scrubbing speed off with the front brake while the rear tire was trying to pass me.  I made it half way to the turn and down to around 100 mph or so backing the CBR in until I transitioned onto the still dry edge of the tire and was flicked over the high side into the air at still around the ton mark or so.  I came crashing down to the pavement head down, butt up, so I tucked my head into my chest and managed to take the brunt of the initial impact on my shoulder instead of my head, and then tumbled onto my hip, back, other shoulder, well, you get the picture.  I tumbled and slid all the way into the corner and off into the dirt on the outside of the turn, then jumped right up like I had tipped over my pitbike in first gear.  While my bike was another story and was too damaged to race that weekend, I was fine other than a few bumps bruises, and there is no doubt in my mind that the Shift Vertex suit I was wearing is the reason for that.

I have had over a dozen different leather one-piece suits in the past decade, split right about 50-50 between custom made and off-the-rack.  While the debate between those who feel that a custom suit is worth the extra cash for the custom sizing and additional protection compared to the average off-the-rack suit and those who feel that a custom suit is just paying for a one-off design and an off-the rack offers just as good of protection for less money may never be settled, I would argue that the truth lies somewhere in between.  For people with bodies that don't fit into the average category for some reason or another, a custom suit is the only way to go, for fit and safety reasons.  A poor fitting suit will not protect you in a crash like it should, period.  However, for people whose bodies fall into the average category for the most part, there is most likely an off-the-rack suit out there that will fit you, you just may have to try a few on to find the one that fits your dimensions the best.  With the numerous different companies on the market making off-the-rack suits in a larger range of sizes than ever before, chances are most people can find an off-the-rack suit that fits almost as well as a custom suit would.  The catch is going with a company whose off-the-rack suits offer the same level of protection as a custom suit would. Just as some custom suits offer better armor and protection than others, so do the off-the-rack companies.  Shift is one company making off-the-rack suits that rival the best custom suits as far as protection goes but at a more affordable price that comes with mass production, as I found out firsthand while sliding down the track in my shiny new Shift Vertex suit.

The people at Shift have definitely done their homework, combining some of the best features in existing top-of-the-line custom and off-the-rack suits with some of their own innovation and knowledge learned from years of making dirt gear.  The Shift Vertex suit offers a level of protection on par with the best custom suits at a fraction of the cost, as well as groundbreaking levels of maneuverability for an off-the-rack suit.  Shift uses 1.2-1.4mm premium grain leather, and although it is not the in-vogue kangaroo skin, it is a very nice cow skin that is light as well as strong without being too rigid and stiff like some lesser-grade cowhide can be.  The premium leather combines with removable CE approved shoulder, elbow, and knee armor for the ultimate in protection, while tough stitching ensures the seams won't bust open.  The Kevlar stretch panels are abrasion-resistant yet extremely flexible, and combined with the "X-Stretch" 4-way stretch crotch panel design adopted from the company's motocross pants offer unrestricted movement almost unheard of in road race leathers.  There is the standard aero back hump for stability and protection, a removable washable liner, TPU knee sliders, and even an integrated back protector pocket.  The whole suit is constructed with much more quality than you typically see in an off-the-rack design, and if you had to guess you would probably say it was designed by an Italian company rather than an American one.  The reason for this is part of the lead design team for the suit spent some time in the custom race department at Alpinestars before coming to Shift a few years ago.  The best part is the Shift Vertex offers all this for $1200, less than half of what an equivalent custom suit would run you.

I have crashed in some of the very best custom suits made, from Alpinestars to Vanson, and can 100% say without a doubt that I feel just as safe if not safer in the Shift Vertex suit as I do in any custom suit.  After tumbling down the track at over 100 mph the suit was still completely wearable besides a small tear in the Kevlar on the inside of the elbow, most likely from the ground-down footpeg of the bike as it tumbled into me.  I had no scratch at all there myself.  The shoulder that took the initial impact had a small hole through the leather on top of the shoulder armor, but the shoulder seams were all intact.  Other than some abrasions on the leather on the arms, legs, and butt area, the suit suffered no other damage.  I feel that a custom suit would also require repair after such a crash, and have worn some custom suits that I feel would have destroyed themselves even worse in that crash, to the point where I could have suffered severe abrasions.  Like I said, I would gladly put my faith in the Shift Vertex suit again, as do current AMA riders Josh Herrin and Michael Beck.

The fit of the suit is designed for a little leeway, but seems to be designed more for a taller, slimmer athletic type of build than a stockier build.  More like a Josh Herrin or Doug Chandler body-type than a Roger Lee Hayden or Jake Zemke.  This makes sense since Chandler had input in the first Shift suits and Herrin is now Shift's #1 rider.  I am a shorter guy myself, so I found the suit was a little taller and tighter than I would have liked in a few spots, but definitely close enough.  I have had custom suits that I was personally measured for by the guy making the suit that have had the same problem areas, so it definitely wasn't anything major, more my personal physical attributes.  Basically for me the legs were a little bit long in the ankle area and tight in the thighs, and the arms were a bit longer than I wanted and the forearms a little tight.  Luckily the Kevlar stretch panels allowed enough movement in those areas where it wasn't an issue while riding, only when putting the suit on.  I'd say if you are fairly average it will most likely fit well, but try before you buy, like any off-the-rack suit you haven't worn before.  For the rest of you, well, face it, there just isn't quite enough demand for Size 60 or XXXX-Tall suits quite yet.

As far as looks go, I think the design looks awesome, and many people have stopped me in the suit to complement it.  Shift definitely brought a little of their MX style to the Vertex suit as well, which is definitely a good thing.  The white or the black version stands out from the crowd with looking like it is trying to, and is a design that should look good even a few years from now.

I would definitely recommend the Shift Vertex suit and can say it is by far the nicest off-the-rack suit I have ever worn, and better than most custom suits I have had.  For anyone who can fit into an off-the-rack suit and appreciates the cutting-edge styling, don't be afraid of something new.  Shift is bringing a whole new energy and innovation into the street gear market, and I wouldn't underestimate them.  The Vertex is proof of what they can do, and I'm sure they are just getting started.  For more info, check out www.shiftracing.com.

2WheelTimes Tested Report Card: Shift Vertex Road Race Suit

Fit/Comfort:        A-
Style:                    A
Durability:            A
Performance:      A
Value:                   A

2WeelTimes Moto G.P.A. = 3.95