Body protector or air vest?

[Barklands]

It sounds like your HitAir is too tight in the middle. It absolutely shouldn't be so tight it makes you feel winded. You should be able to fit your fist between you and the vest around your ribs when you're wearing it.

This was it properly fitted including a fist sized gap however, it may have been the way I fell as landed flat on my back but was terribly winded - so much so that I could barely speak and would never wear one again without BP!

 

[Barklands]

I don't know if this is true of Hit Air but it definitely isn't true of P2. I had one of the first ever P2 jackets which were originally produced as a safari style waistcoat.

It was BE that insisted they could only be worn with a body protector. Outside of the cross country course, most P2 users wear them alone.

They originally came from motor cycle users and the first I heard of them was that the Japanese Police motorcyclists had them.

A jacket that winds the user is fitted too tight. It should hug close, not leave you breathless.
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This was it properly fitted by a specialist when I bought it although it may have been to do with how I landed when I fell! It was definitely recommended to me by the supplier not to be worn without a BP and I believe hit air are about to come out with one specially designed to be worn without a BP but I may of course be wrong!

 

[ycbm]

I now have to find a way of anchoring it securely to the Torsion saddle.

A really strong piece of nylon string (you can buy kevlar but it's very difficult to cut! A long bootlace will work.) threaded through each stirrup loop and tied with a loop or a ring in it at the pommel with do the job nicely.
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[ponynutz]

I've always assumed it's standard to have a body protector and an airvest just in case airvest doesn't inflate.

 

[ycbm]

I went round the shops yesterday, tried a few body protectors, hated them as much as I did twenty years ago when I had one foisted on me. Tried a few air vests and gilets and finally bought a Seaver Safefit as the option I am most likely to wear. I now have to find a way of anchoring it securely to the Torsion saddle. Oh, and I got a Uvvex hat, incredibly light compared to my old pudding basin. No idea if it was the wisest choices but I probably would leave the things in the cupboard after a few weeks if I did not feel comfortable in them.

There's nothing on their site about servicing costs or intervals, did they mention that in the shop?
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[ycbm]

I've always assumed it's standard to have a body protector and an airvest just in case airvest doesn't inflate.

What do you mean by "it's standard"? The vast majority of people I know who ride with one and aren't on an xc course ride only with the air jacket. I have only one friend who rides with both.
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[ponynutz]

What do you mean by "it's standard"? The vast majority of people I know who ride with one and aren't on an xc course ride only with the air jacket. I have only one friend who rides with both.
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I was referring to eventing, I believe it's standard to need both? Fair enough though, I've never met anyone who rides with only an air vest but clearly that is a thing

 

[MereChristmas]

I was referring to eventing, I believe it's standard to need both? Fair enough though, I've never met anyone who rides with only an air vest but clearly that is a thing

I always ride with a Point 2 air jacket, for hacking and lessons. I have a new Racesafe body protector, bought early last summer. I’ve worn it once on mini XC at Camp.

 

[ycbm]

I was referring to eventing, I believe it's standard to need both? Fair enough though, I've never met anyone who rides with only an air vest but clearly that is a thing

It's an absolute rule. You can't event XC without a body protector on. You can wear only a body protector.
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[planete]

A really strong piece of nylon string (you can buy kevlar but it's very difficult to cut! A long bootlace will work.) threaded through each stirrup loop and tied with a loop or a ring in it at the pommel with do the job nicely.
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Thanks. I was told it needs a strong anchor, kevlar should do it!

There's nothing on their site about servicing costs or intervals, did they mention that in the shop?
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The website gives an email address to contact for service. I have not enquired any further yet.

 

[ponynutz]

Apologies, my mistake.

 

[Sossigpoker]

This was it properly fitted including a fist sized gap however, it may have been the way I fell as landed flat on my back but was terribly winded - so much so that I could barely speak and would never wear one again without BP!

You were probably winded from the impact itself....yes the vest should be snug when it goes off but if it's uncomfortably tight then it's fitted too tight on you.

 

[ycbm]

I've had a good look at the Seaver which is the new kid on the block. I absolutely get that it looks by far the most elegant and sounds by far the most comfortable on the market. I also get that if that makes somebody actually wear it when they wouldn't wear one of the others, then it's a really good safety device. But it has absolutely zero protection for the lower back, and in that respect it's very different in design from the three other air jackets.

They also need to be more upfront about servicing. There's no price list and it makes a huge difference to lifetime costs of ownership how much gets charged for what.
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[planete]

I've had a good look at the Seaver which is the new kid on the block. I absolutely get that it looks by far the most elegant and sounds by far the most comfortable on the market. I also get that if that makes somebody actually wear it when they wouldn't wear one of the others, then it's a really good safety device. But it has absolutely zero protection for the lower back, and in that respect it's very different in design from the three other air jackets.

They also need to be more upfront about servicing. There's no price list and it makes a huge difference to lifetime costs of ownership how much gets charged for what.
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You are absolutely right. Its slight saving grace for me is the fact that I have such a short torso the one I have comes half way down my hips while fitting well around me. I went to two shops which had four different makes between them. Nothing else fitted my small short frame. The lower part is also supposed to inflate all around you which should help. I have also analysed what happened and am changing my riding accordingly. More in hand work in places high risk with Woody, ie. along hedge lined roads and tracks, they are his scary places, while he is bomb proof in woodland, open countryside and heavy traffic.

 

[ycbm]

You are absolutely right. Its slight saving grace for me is the fact that I have such a short torso the one I have comes half way down my hips while fitting well around me. I went to two shops which had four different makes between them. Nothing else fitted my small short frame. The lower part is also supposed to inflate all around you which should help. I have also analysed what happened and am changing my riding accordingly. More in hand work in places high risk with Woody, ie. along hedge lined roads and tracks, they are his scary places, while he is bomb proof in woodland, open countryside and heavy traffic.

I'm so pleased you didn't take that the wrong way. P2 original shape in particular are a bad fit for short torsos. It's a great deal better than no protection at all. I hope you also find that £20 to replace the canister is a great incentive not to fall off, like I did