Back protection

[Wheresthehoofpick]

So... after a bad fall this week I have promised to get myself better protected.

My kids wear back protectors but I don't. ?

I have huge boobs. 34 JJ so when I have tried a back protector I have struggled to get one that doesn't just project out in front of me.

Are air vests a better idea?

I've come to terms with the cost rather than hospitalisation!

I've tried to google info but I can't find decent info rather than a sales pitch.

What do I need to know? Where do I start?

 

[Sossigpoker]

I broke my back in a body protector - they offer little to no protection against serious injuries. I now won't even get on without my air jacket. They are in a completely different league when it comes to protection. Yes they are expensive but had i been wearing one when I fell off I probably wouldn't have broken my back.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

I broke my back in a body protector - they offer little to no protection against serious injuries. I now won't even get on without my air jacket. They are in a completely different league when it comes to protection. Yes they are expensive but had i been wearing one when I fell off I probably wouldn't have broken my back.

That's what I have heard. Presumably it would mould better to huge boobs...

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

If I am going air vest. Which one? I've been reading reviews but I am baffled.

 

[Batgirl]

I have a large chest! I forget I'm wearing my Air Jacket.

I use Hit Air as I prefer the additional protection to hips and neck when it goes off (it has a big extra flap that come down over pelvis.

It was the only one that really went big enough when I checked

 

[QuantockHills]

I have large boobs and always wear an air jacket. I rarely wear the normal body protector, unless I have to for XC and when I do, I need help getting the zip done up as they aren't a helpful shape if you are large in the boob department! My air jacket is also a hit air and you can wear them without a normal BP underneath. They inflate outwards not inwards like the point 2, so you wear them like a body warmer / gillet. I find it really comfortable and dont feel like i'm weatring a BP at all! had my first fall in a field a couple of weeks ago... silly bugger tripped over in trot! I was fine and the canister was easy to change. Make sure you get it fitted properly.

 

[Annagain]

I'm blessed (or more likely cursed) in the chest department. I have an Aerowear Outlyne which is specifically shaped for ladies and has all sorts of size variations to account for ample boobage. Mine's a bit stiff to begin with but once it warms up it moves with you a bit more and it doesn't stick out anywhere. I only wear it for jumping though. I also have an air jacket that I wear every time I ride (on top of the BP if jumping). I have the tree house sporting colours gilet one as I'm vain and want it to look as 'normal' as possible. The actual air vest bit zips into an outer layer - a gilet, a softshell jacket or a show jumping / hunting jacket and (if you're a millionaire) you can swap the outers to suit what you're doing / the weather or even just have a different colour if you're a billionaire / don't care about eating. Needless to say I just have the one outer.

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

Have decided an air vest is cheaper than a new horse in the current market ??

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I have the air o wear outlyne but the segmented race safe look good and I’d have a hit air if I could get myself organised…

 

[SpotsandBays]

If you’re going to get an air jacket just make sure it is one that is safe to use without a body protector! I think some need to be worn with one?
A friends sister had a nasty fall from her horse because of the noise of one going off so that’s one thing to consider. I’d maybe go try some stuff in a local shop and see what you find comfy?

 

[Sossigpoker]

Have decided an air vest is cheaper than a new horse in the current market ??

Definitely lol!
It is just like wearing a gilet when it's not inflated and when you get it fitted they will get it fitting around your chest.
I've gone fit HitAir as it has the extras of blowing up around your lower back and most importantly around your neck. I felt that the Point2 offers less protection particularly around the neck.
But you must get it fitted to make sure you not only buy the right size but also that it fits correctly around you. If it's too tight it could cause damage and if too loose it might not hold you in place sufficiently should it go off.
It is really quite snug when it goes off, i guess the idea being that you're less likely to break your neck if it's protected from being twisted!

 

[ycbm]

If you’re going to get an air jacket just make sure it is one that is safe to use without a body protector! I think some need to be worn with one?

None of them need to be worn with a body protector except under BE rules when they all do.
.

 

[SpotsandBays]

None of them need to be worn with a body protector except under BE rules when they all do.
.

Ahhh gotcha. Ok ignore my above (apart from the noise thing!)

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I've set my air jacket off twice now and to be honest didn't hear a thing!!

 

[asmp]

Another one for a Hit Air if you have big boobs (not me I hasten to add!)

If, by chance, you have insurance with KBIS (my trailer is insured with them) you can get 15% off Wychanger, which is how I bought my Hit Air

 

[ycbm]

I've set my air jacket off twice now and to be honest didn't hear a thing!!

I've set mine off more times than I can count now (I've had one since they first came on the market, I don't fall that often! ). I've never scared my own horse, far less anyone else's.

I've seen lots of horses scared by another horse doing something that causes a fall or by another rider just falling off, and I'm not sure whether an additional pop from an air jacket is really what scares other horses, or the fall that caused the pop.
.

 

[bluehorse]

Jumping in on this thread, which one offers the best pelvic/hip protection? I’m currently leaning towards the Hit Air…

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

I've phones around local tack shops and all only sell the point 2. Can I measure myself and buy online - I am curious as people have said get it fitted

 

[Sossigpoker]

No you will need to get it fitted.

 

[asmp]

When my daughter got hers fitted, she tried on a few makes to see what was comfortable and then, when we decided on a Hit Air, they set it off so she could see what it felt like. As I’d also tried them at the time plus I had my daughter‘s to try on for size I felt i was able to buy online at a later date (I wanted the hi viz one which not many people stock)

 

[Coblover63]

Point Two's open inwards so you have to wear them baggy to allow for inflation. Hit-Airs open outwards so they fit more snugly. I have a Hit-Air and love it

Bear in mind that some XC venues will insist you wear a BP, which an air-vest isn't (you'd wear it - optionally - over the top, so double protection). I have a Racesafe Provent which I also love, but I'm not blessed with much in the chest department ?

I think Kanteq cater better for the bigger-chested ladies, their BP's have more shape to them.

I had a nasty accident wearing my old (ex) Racesafe 2010 and the doctors are convinced it saved my life. But I guess it's all about how you land....

 

[ycbm]

Point Two's open inwards

They don't. They just blow up, they don't blow up inwards. Hit Air are designed to only blow up outwards so they require a closer fit. The looser fit of a P2 is an advantage for air flow in summer and space for more clothes in winter, I find.
.