Have you ever gone downhill with your arms straight? The developers at Ion haven't either. Does anyone actually ride downhill with their arms extended? Certainly not. That's why Ion has designed the E Pact with a bending angle of almost 90°. This fit prevents creasing and the mesh material from cutting into the elbow, thus reducing premature fatigue. Since freedom of movement is essential for intuitive steering maneuvers, the E Pact combines viscoelastic foams with a hard shell. The high-quality HD memory foam adapts perfectly to the body's contours and has proven its durability in Ion's kite surfing hip belts over the years. The hard shell takes the fear out of sharp stones, distributes the impact energy over a large area, and thanks to the thin padding used, the protector appears visually sleek.