Kidney belts

The Kidney Belt
It leads a shadowy existence, does not look particularly spectacular, and is therefore rarely displayed in the showcase. We are talking about the kidney belt. An indispensable component for fully functional protective clothing?

The Kidneys
Humans should take good care of them, as they are of immense importance for detoxifying the body, purifying the blood, regulating blood pressure, and maintaining fluid balance. To prevent painful and potentially lengthy kidney diseases that can only be partially treated by medical intervention, motorcyclists are advised to wear a kidney belt. After all, they are exposed to the wind while riding, which can cool the organs, leading to poorer blood circulation and thus making them more susceptible to inflammation. This is according to tradition.SkepticismHowever, when asked, a urologist from the University Hospital Zurich stated after thorough research in the specialist literature that cold exposure (wind) could potentially harm the kidneys only to the extent that the blood vessels in the mucosal areas of the urinary tract could constrict. The consequence would be an increased risk of infection. However, this is merely the expert's assumption. By the way, the urologist has never heard of kidneys that would lower due to mechanical vibrations (which is often claimed). Even the consulting nephrologist, responsible for the diagnostics and therapy of kidney diseases, cannot imagine that the wind while riding a motorcycle negatively affects the kidneys. Justification: It has not been scientifically proven that cold from the wind damages the kidneys. Therefore, it is possible that the kidney belt has little to do with the kidneys.However, what is astonishing is that both the urologist and nephrologist, who are both motorcyclists, regularly use kidney belts. However, this is with the goal of purely mechanical protection in the event of a fall. Furthermore, they note that the kidney belt supports the lower back.Although the benefits are not unequivocally established, the kidney belt contributes to physical well-being, supports the lower back of those riders who are incorrectly or sportily riding in a hunchback position, and protects - if equipped with an integrated back protector - the spine.

Does it fit?
Kidney belts - whether with or without a back protector - continue to sell very well in Switzerland. Products based on breathable textiles are particularly suitable for summer days. On frosty days, one can opt for belts with sewn-in fleece. For women with an accentuated waist or men with a sporty V-shape, there are specialized kidney belts available that are tailored accordingly and therefore do not slip. The kidney belt should fit snugly against the body. Therefore, the belt must be carefully tried on - especially with an integrated back protector. It may be that the back protector fits well while standing but hits the neck when in a crouched position. A fall could have fatal consequences. It is therefore important to get advice from professionals when purchasing and to verify while sitting on the (if possible own) motorcycle that the protector fits properly in length.