Best body protectors?

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horsey_mad123

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Hiya
I'm looking to purchase a new body protector preferably one with a zip front so either something like a racesafe. I was looking at Rodney Powell body protectors and I really like the look of them but the only thing I'm worrying is that if it is approved level3 for any pony club competitions.
Do any of you have this body protector or a race safe and the pros and cons of each?
Thanks you!
This is the Rodney Powell body protector I was looking at;http://www.wychanger.com/products/1579-rodney-powell-adults-superflex-contour-body-protector
 
This is approved to BETA level 3. The thing about body protectors is that you can have your heart set on one but when you try it on it just doesn't fit exactly - and then it just gets in the way when you are riding.

I had two falls in an older model of Rodney Powell body protector earlier this year, and after the second knew that it was time to replace it ( slammed into a tree once and the wall of the school the second). By this time I had lost enough weight that the size charts said I could fit into either the RaceSafe or the Airowear. Heart was set on the RaceSafe because everyone was telling me it was more comfortable but did the sensible thing and went for a fitting. The RaceSafe just didn't sit right on me, so ended up with the Airowear, which suits me just fine.

Bottom line, just go and try them all on - be properly fitted. Buy the one that fits you and is comfortable.
 
If money is not an issue, and you want the most comfortable level 3, then have a look at the Dainese.

It is stretchy and flexible like no other.

I am saving for one, and have the Outlyne at the moment, my previous was a Racesafe, the one before a Rodney Powell. The Dainese I was lucky enough to borrow to schools someone's horse XC when it was naughty and they needed someone to get on. It was fantastic, and I have coveted one ever since! They do a level 1 waistcoat as well as the level 3 so make sure you get the right one.
 
I love my Racesafe. I use it for all my riding whether hacking or schooling and I'm never aware that I've got it on. I even keep it on for mucking out it's so comfortable!
 
this thread also made me think back to Kanteq , a couple of years ago so many people were evangelistic about them and yet now they are barely heard of again. They have had troubles because of the change in BETA standards and are only certified to the old standard, so I believe. Personally I was never a fan. My choice would be a Dainese as well, they are so comfortable. I have an Airowear Outlyne which is fine, I only wear it for going XC with my hitair on top. Otherwise, day to day I just wear my hitair.
 
I've just bought a Racesafe Provent 3, I find it so comfortable and light to wear compared to the bygone days of stiff ones that hit the cantle and every stride! Worth the money in my opinion.
 
Dainese 100%. They're worth the money. Love mine, it's the only BP I can stand to wear as it is so flexible you really do forget you're wearing it.

If you can fit in kids sizes (as kids XL and womens XS overlap) you'll save £80 :).
 
Love my RS, I can happily leave it on after riding and not notice. Prefer it to my old Outlyne, so just goes to show you need to try and see what suits you.
 
I love my Racesafe and am hoping to look at their new one soon. I also have a Kanteq but only wore it a few times. I found it to be really heavy, restrictive to wear and made me look ridiculous. Despite the cost it is now sat in a cupboard :(
 
I sit on the British Standards Institute Personal Protective Equipment Committee which covers Equestrian Back Protectors and my advice is to check that the back protector you choose is up to the latest standard which is:
BETA 2009 Level 3 Purple Label PAS 015:2011
 
I got the Dainese Balios in 2014, by far the best body protector I've ever had. It's almost £300 though for the purple level 3 one but well worth it.

I doubt very much you'll find one until Feb though unless you can hang fire for one. I've been very unlucky and the zip on mine has broken. The one and only Dainese rep for the UK (they are Italian and he organised them from Italy into UK shops) rang me and said that he's terribly sorry about it breaking and it's highly unusual, however Dainese's safety equipment is guaranteed for 3 years so I can have a new one sent out. The only problem is that Dainese are currently re-vamping the Balios, therefore they've stopped making them and he said there's only a very small handful in the UK at the moment. The new one is due out in Feb but he said they are really secretive about it so he only knows it has a few improvements to it but wouldn't divulge what. So I'm getting a new one sent out as soon as they hit the UK. I have no doubt it will be worth waiting for though :)
 
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Red-1 said:
If money is not an issue, and you want the most comfortable level 3, then have a look at the Dainese.

It is stretchy and flexible like no other.

I am saving for one, and have the Outlyne at the moment, my previous was a Racesafe, the one before a Rodney Powell. The Dainese I was lucky enough to borrow to schools someone's horse XC when it was naughty and they needed someone to get on. It was fantastic, and I have coveted one ever since! They do a level 1 waistcoat as well as the level 3 so make sure you get the right one.
Click to expand...

If you're saving for one now, please see my above post :)
 
Hey! i have a daniese body protector which is fab! best one i have ever had. its so comfortable as it has flexible bits in it! definately worth the money XX
 
Thank you for all your replies! I've been doing some research, I really like the dainese body protectors but unfortunately its really over budget. I'm thinking a racesafe is going to be the one I'm going to go for, although once I'm able to afford a dainese body protector ( when I get a job lol) I'll definatky be going for one
 
I hated the fit of the Aerowear Outlyne but liked the Racesafe.
Have also coveted the Dainese - just found out there is a place within travelling distance where I can try them on, hooray. Then I can see whether I'd like to save up for one. <g>

I do already have the Dainese Ribot/Arion impact protection jodhpurs(not sure what the difference between those models is): they are fab. Coccyx protection is a great idea, but it's the knee padding which has come in most handy - albeit when I am on the ground rather than on the horse! Sizing on the jods comes up very small.

CheshireC, interesting what you say about the new model - hope they still have some of the old in stock for me to try on.
 
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Cheshire Chestnut said:
I got the Dainese Balios in 2014, by far the best body protector I've ever had. It's almost £300 though for the purple level 3 one but well worth it.

I doubt very much you'll find one until Feb though unless you can hang fire for one. I've been very unlucky and the zip on mine has broken. The one and only Dainese rep for the UK (they are Italian and he organised them from Italy into UK shops) rang me and said that he's terribly sorry about it breaking and it's highly unusual, however Dainese's safety equipment is guaranteed for 3 years so I can have a new one sent out. The only problem is that Dainese are currently re-vamping the Balios, therefore they've stopped making them and he said there's only a very small handful in the UK at the moment. The new one is due out in Feb but he said they are really secretive about it so he only knows it has a few improvements to it but wouldn't divulge what. So I'm getting a new one sent out as soon as they hit the UK. I have no doubt it will be worth waiting for though :)
Click to expand...

I spoke to the Dainese rep earlier in the year, he told me that not only are they revamping the Balios, but also planning to launch an air vest to complement it. The planned launch was Sep 15, but they are notoriously late.
Be careful buying one from outside the UK, it will not have the BETA3 mark and made to a different spec, according to the Dainese UK rep.
 
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