Air jackets?

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Bexx

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This has probably been done before but I'm wanting to get myself an air jacket. I'm a size 6-8 and fairly short in the body. I'll be eventing at 90-100 and have a normal airoware body protector. Can anyone give me any insight into which would be the best one for me?
 
Best thing to do is go to a shop and ask to try the 3 main types. Until they have been blown up on you it is difficult to tell. But if it helps my daughter is a similar size to you and she has a Helite. We started with a Pro2 when they were the only ones available and she did great in that as a child for hunting. When she needed to move up to a small adult size we looked at all 3. We found the Hit Air too long in the back for her - it tipped her head forward on expansion - whereas the Helite just snugged the back of her hat to hold her neck. The new Pro2 and the Helite (which was the old style pro2) are very similar so we opted for the helite as that was the jacket with the formal safety testing. We didn't try the all in one PRS2 type styles as we wanted separate options - that said she never wears the jacket alone.
 
I'm the same size as you and compete at the same level, I've got a Hit Air. Found it much less bulky than the Point 2 and it saved my neck (quite literally) during a fall XC in the summer. The neck part inflated so much I couldn't tip my head back and without it the fall could have done a lot more damage! It also protects the lower back and either side of the spine specifically whereas (I believe... Could be wrong!) that the Point 2 inflates everywhere...? The Hit Air can also be worn without a back protector (like when hacking or schooling etc) as it inflates outwards rather than inwards. Hope this helps - I sound like I'm selling the blooming thing, sorry! Good luck :D
 
r0g said:
why do not you try looking in online store, such as ebay, amazon etc
Click to expand...

With any safety gear such as hat, body protector and air jacket correct fit is of utmost importance and I would always go to a tack shop with experienced fitters to help get the right size and best make/model for my needs.

I have a hit air for pretty much the same reasons Megan gives above.
 
Megan97 is right the Helite expands all over - so protects ribs and collar bones as well. But it is certainly more bulky than the Hit-Air and quite possibly more constricting when inflated. The only issue we found with it was than when expanded it was simply too long to be safe on my shorter daughter. Like anything - fit is paramount! If we hadn't tried vests on - and had them all blown on her - we would not have known the fit was unsuitable until it was too late.
 
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