Dave Ryding’s ‘Game-Changing’ New Kit
28th February 2025
Last modified on March 4th, 2025
GB’s greatest ever alpine ski racer, Dave Ryding, has taken a big step towards protecting his body this season. The 38-year-old tells PlanetSKI he’s upgraded his traditional foam-padded racesuit for something more high-tech.
The slalom specialist has teamed up with Armaurto, a company that has developed an innovative range of products to protect athletes from the battering they take from their sport.
The Rocket has been testing the new ARMA range designed to protect the body from impact and injury.
The energy-absorbing material is polymer-based and can be incorporated directly into a garment to shield against impacts and abrasions.
It’s claimed it will absorb 80% of impact energy.
For Britain’s most successful alpine skier, 1970s foam padding is a thing of the past.
He says he won’t be going back to it. Ever.
And today it’s been announced that he is now, officially, Armaurto’s lead snowsports ambassador.
Dave Ryding, ambassador for Armaurto body protection. Image c/o Armaurto
“From my very first meeting with Armaurto, I knew they were onto something game-changing that could be ideal for skiing and improve safety on the slopes for everyone,” Dave told PlanetSKI.
“Their cutting-edge impact protection was a no-brainer for me. Traditional foam is bulky, breaks down over time, and simply doesn’t meet the needs of modern ski racing.
“As a racer, I’m always searching for every possible advantage and integrating Armaurto’s protection into an undersuit is a breakthrough – delivering a sleeker, more aerodynamic fit while offering superior protection compared to foam.
“In a sport where hundredths of a second make the difference, I know I’ve just gained some.”
Dave made sporting history when he became the first Briton to win an Alpine World Cup race, at Kitzbühel, in 2022.
Dave Ryding, winning in Kitzbühel in January 2022. Image © Juergen Klecha
He has 7 World Cup podiums in his career to date.
This year he finished 6th at the Alpine World Championships in Saalbach, the best result by a British male alpine skier at a World Championships since 1934.
He’s next due in World Cup action on Sunday, 2 March, at Kranjska Gora in Slovenia.
Dave says that after racing all this season with the Armaurto protection he can confidently say he trusts it 100%.
“Their proven success in cycling – a sport that shares so much crossover with skiing for training and performance – makes this collaboration even more exciting.
“I’m thrilled to be working alongside the Armaurto team to push the limits of ski protection, not just for racers but for everyday skiers too.
“This is just the beginning of an incredible journey, and I can’t wait to see where we take it.”
Chris Battin, Director of Armaurto, said they had been keen to see how their new range performed for alpine skiers at the World Cup level.
“Each ski season, crashes and accidents have ruined months of hard training and preparation,” he told PlanetSKI.
“Pre-season training camps have been disrupted due to accidents; team tactics are thrown out the window as key members crash out and chances of claiming victory in races lay in tatters due to impacts.
“Slalom skiers take some serious hits and, when it comes to protection, only the best will do.
“That’s exactly what Armaurto delivers – game-changing ski protection.”
Dave Ryding, ambassador for Armaurto body protection. Image c/o Armaurto
For more information about Dave’s new ‘armour’, visit www.armaurto.com
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