TRAVERSE 103
An all-female crossing of Australia ’ s Simpson Desert , the world ’ s largest parallel sand dune desert . What Stephanie noticed was something that many female riders had witnessed while riding motorcycles , there ’ s no female specific impact protection armour on the market . And with that was born Fempro Armour …
The marketplace is beginning to change , many manufacturers are taking on what riders want yet there are still gaps and with it Stephanie saw that she could do something about the aiding of women who , in the past , were forced to wear gear designed for the vastly different male body .
“ Female bodies are not made to fit a male garment ,” she explained . “ We can wear it , but this doesn ’ t mean that it ’ s comfortable or will fit right .”
Research indicated that the problem wasn ’ t just confined to motorcycling , many impact sports didn ’ t provide gear suited to the female form .
“ It was made more from a male pattern and then adjusted to sort of fit a female . The apparel is still very boxy with no shapes and ill-fitting lengths .”
Information came through feedback from over 5,000 female motorcycle riders , leading to further research conducted into form fitting armour designed to protect the female chest .
Stephanie took a chance launching the first , and to date , only Viscoelastic foam chest protection for women who ride motorcycles or take part in impact sports .
Many riders sing the virtues of the Fempro Armour , including Lisa Campbell , General Manager of Race and Road .
“ When I started dirt bike riding a few years ago , I found my gear never sat right ,” explained Lisa . “( It ) used to move around everywhere and I felt awkward with it .
“ I started to look around at what other protective gear I could wear dirt bike riding , and this is where I came across MissMxG / Fempro armour .”
Lisa , who works within the motorcycle accessories industry found that Fempro is a product that works well , offering a simple , yet effective solution .
“ I was particularly interested in the ‘ built in armoured ’ jersey to protect my every move and be an ‘ all in one solution ’ that I was searching for and ticked off the box for me ,” she continued . “ Then to be able to pull out the Breast / Chest armour and insert this into my racing leathers and road leather jacket enabled me to step up my chest protection even further .”
Lisa says she thought it was crazy that no other company had created a product dedicated to women riders . Impressed so much with the Fempro Armour Lisa ’ s Race and Road were the first retailer to stock the product . It ’ s a similar story for Mountain Bike Rider , Zoe Baker . “ I think the armour is a must have ,” explained Zoe . “ I