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Parabolica protects
31 July 2026
Parabolica protects
Fondly recalling a reckless riding youth spent on the track, an older and allegedly wiser Paul Browne is nonetheless pleased to see some fresh armoured kit that looks, well, fresh.
Back in my younger days I used to do an awful lot of track days in Mondello.
I got fairly good at it.
By fairly good I might mean a bit too stupid to realise that I was poking the laws of physics in the eye with a stick and it was all going to go horribly wrong.
This, of course, it did.
Several times.
The third Fireblade that I wrecked I did in a nice wide right hand corner at the bottom of the circuit.
It’s the lowest point on the track and that day it was the lowest point of my week.
Taking a turn
For the unimaginative that corner is called ‘Turn 5’, for us more interesting folk it goes by ‘Parabolica’, drawn fact fans, from the mathematical term parabola.
That’s a u-shaped curve to you and me.
Anyway, the word Parabolica still makes me smile as I think of that ‘immortal’ young man.
So, you could only imagine my delight when I was perusing the Rev’it site and came across an armoured hoodie of the same name.
The Paribolica has been designed for those of us who ride in the city and would like to look casual and stylish, rather than ready to ride rough across a continent.
The trick here is to build in the necessary safety, so that we still look ‘latte desirable’ after we come off second best in an unanticipated catch up with a Merc on the Stillorgan dual carriageway.
So on the safety front the main features are the bits of armour.
The company’s own SEESMART protectors make an appearance on the elbows and the shoulders.
A back protector can be added and placed in the appropriate pocket on the back of the hoodie, or it’ll accommodate an Avertum TechAir airbag system. This gives it an AA rating – defined as a high level of protection for everyday road use.
Good in the hood
The hood features some reflectors and can be detached.
The whole thing uses thinner pockets for the armour so as not to make it look too bulky, while the thumb loops at the end of the wrists and the jeans loop hold the hoodies shape. After all, looking like you’ve already been run over by a bus before you’ve even got on your bike just wouldn’t do.
Velcro is out and foldable pockets are in, while the waist is lightly elasticated.
There is a pair of trousers to match, but they might match a bit too well and create the impression that you may well be riding someone else’s bike.
Try a pair of the Lombard jeans instead…
The Parabolica is available from Danfay Newlands, where one will run you €229.
