I always thought the foam braces where only for reducing neck fatigue from the helmet, and would actually do nothing in a crash?
Not true!
They may no longer be the best thing out there, but they are a ton better than nothing!
One of the most serious neck injuries I have had is from tripping and falling while wearing a helmet....I ould've been better off without the helmet!
When I started racing neck braces were not required in all but the top levels of racing. Alot of guys got injuries just from even small collisions simply from the weight of the helmet slinging their head around.
In 2008 I was thrown off my mower, landing on my head on pavement. I was wearing one of those cheap worthless foam collars, my neck was never even sore from the crash.
Just because someone does not wear the latest and greatest design doesn't mean he isn't serious about safety. Maybe he just hasn't yet been convinced of the latest and greatest design! Some of us take a little longer to trust new things. Or maybe the guy just isn't educated about the new designs? That is why we have Heymow!