Body protectors 2 point or racesafe?

Jasmine86

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After retiring my trusted jumping partner I have found myself falling off horses. Clearly he was too good to me as I no longer have any ability to sit to a dirty stop.

I'm no amazing rider, don't do anything even remotely spectacular and if I go out to compete its realistically 75cm SJ or if I have the brave pants on a 70cm XC bit of schooling. I was wearing a friends BP when i had a XC fall but still hurt the base of my back (3 days on the sofa sorted it though).

After a bad fall (SJ schooling) husband, parents, non-horsey people have closed rank and declared i MUST wear a BP. I'm not convinced this will provide the miracle never be injured again that they think it will but I'm certain that I will get no sympathy if I don't wear one

So here's my question - racesafe or a 2 point?

Does it seem ridiculous having a 2 point if you're pretty much a happy hacker? this sounds awful but would I be too embarassed to wear it on a 2ft clear round night - does that even matter?
Do people wear them other than just for XC?

Can you really lean back in the racesafes? (tried one on liked it but due to a current slipped disk wasn't the most bendy)

oh and can't really afford both at the moment so realistically would be one or the other for a few years

Thanks
 
I have a race safe & I'm mainly a happy hacker. I bought one after a friend broke her back, ribs & neck falling in a rubber school!!! When I saw her in hospital strapped to the bed it didn't seem worth not wearing one. I don't wear it for dressage or lessons as I don't feel I can sit & work properly.. But for hacking you never know what might happen & I do wear it if I jump.
 
After retiring my trusted jumping partner I have found myself falling off horses. Clearly he was too good to me as I no longer have any ability to sit to a dirty stop.

I'm no amazing rider, don't do anything even remotely spectacular and if I go out to compete its realistically 75cm SJ or if I have the brave pants on a 70cm XC bit of schooling. I was wearing a friends BP when i had a XC fall but still hurt the base of my back (3 days on the sofa sorted it though).

After a bad fall (SJ schooling) husband, parents, non-horsey people have closed rank and declared i MUST wear a BP. I'm not convinced this will provide the miracle never be injured again that they think it will but I'm certain that I will get no sympathy if I don't wear oneJ

So here's my question - racesafe or a 2 point?

Does it seem ridiculous having a 2 point if you're pretty much a happy hacker? this sounds awful but would I be too embarassed to wear it on a 2ft clear round night - does that even matter?
Do people wear them other than just for XC?

Can you really lean back in the racesafes? (tried one on liked it but due to a current slipped disk wasn't the most bendy)

oh and can't really afford both at the moment so realistically would be one or the other for a few years

Thanks [thanks]

Yes you can lean back in the race safe but is you have boobs there's one I think it's an airo wear that is shaped for ladies chest my race safe is not comfy on the boobs.
I think you need to go a big saddlery place and try on several.
I am about to replace mine and have asked eventing friends whether I should go for a point 2 jacket and a BP or the all in one BP and air jacket the general view is that that the air jacket will out last the BP ( as long as you service it properly )
So that's what I'm thinking of at the moment .
 
My sister has a race safe and she jumps, schools and hacks in it......I am going to get on as I currently don't have a bp and I hate not having it in the tack room.
 
if you are going XC then you have to have a conventional BP under an air bag so if you're only buying one then it will need to be the conventional.
 
Thanks for your all your replies and help, I do have an old rock solid board type one but don't wear it as its uncomfortable, stiff, restrictive etc. so I could wear that the 2 or so times a year I do Xc.

The aero women's ones I have tried on but preferred the race safe and I decided that it needed to be properly fitted and comfortable enough to wear each time I ride or I wouldn't end up wearing it.

Does anyone use the 2 point for just everyday use? It seems to have a fold down flap which inflates and means you avoid the age old - BP stuck on or bouncing off the back of the saddle and I always manage to land on the bit between my back and bum that ordinary BPs can't really protect from.

In my head I'm thinking a race safe and mb in a few years an air bag but not sure if the other way round would actually be more sensible

Thanks for all your help
 
I know some people hunt in just a point two jacket and I can see the reasons for that.
I broke my back in a BP so don't expect much from them really .
It's hard to work out which is best in your situation but perhaps you should think carefully about the only point to two jacket option in your situation I think I would research that.
 
Thanks for your all your replies and help, I do have an old rock solid board type one but don't wear it as its uncomfortable, stiff, restrictive etc. so I could wear that the 2 or so times a year I do Xc.

The aero women's ones I have tried on but preferred the race safe and I decided that it needed to be properly fitted and comfortable enough to wear each time I ride or I wouldn't end up wearing it.

Does anyone use the 2 point for just everyday use? It seems to have a fold down flap which inflates and means you avoid the age old - BP stuck on or bouncing off the back of the saddle and I always manage to land on the bit between my back and bum that ordinary BPs can't really protect from.

In my head I'm thinking a race safe and mb in a few years an air bag but not sure if the other way round would actually be more sensible

Thanks for all your help

I land on the same place and that's why I use a P2 for most things. The original P2 doesn't have a flap.
 
I use a Racesafe for what I do, which is hacking and a bit of school work. I find it comfortable and gives a nice layer of warmth in winter! I've been known to come back from a hack and do the mucking out in it forgetting that I've got it on - it's only when I've got in the car to come home, that I realise it's still on!
 
Ditto Goldenstar .... you need to try on as many diffrnt makes as poss until you find one that fits you and you are comfy , if its not comfy you wont want to wear it and be fidgeting all the time. Make sure the people are trained in the fitting , take your riding hat ( if you do any jumping , you can go into jumping position and see if the BP pushes your hat forward) and make sure you sit on a saddle to make sure there is a hands width between end of BP and seat of saddle . You should wear a BP as close to the body as poss , so over a Tshirt type of thickness of top. The back length ... BP only come to just below the waist band on a regular pair of jeans, sort of between the tops of the back pockets and the waistband , any longer and the BP will catch on the cantle and force you up and out of the saddle. I've looked at the P2 and wasnt keen on the flappy bit and the price as well ! Im sticking to my Air-o-Wear for the moment . If you are not happy dont buy !!
 
I have had my racesafe for years (should probably be updated soon ;) ) and i love it! It doesn't restrict your movement, make you feel like a robot or anything...

I would definately recommend one... you can just get a plain black one if you don't want anything OTT.

I wouldn't get any other bp than a racesafe personally as I really like them!

Hope this helps your decision :)
 
My friend rides in her Point 2 most of the time - schooling, hacking, whatever. She broke her back falling off schooling about 3 years ago and rightly is paranoid about hurting herself again.

At the end of the day, it's your body and your choice. So if you feel safer in a BP, wear one. Who cares about what other people think? If they're not going to be there to push your wheelchair should the worst happen, they've got no right to judge.

Personally, I think a Point 2 is probably nicer to wear than a BP, especially in hot weather, as it just looks like a gilet.
 
I have a Racesafe - it saved my life last year so I never ride without it and I'd love to get a Hit-Air but finances won't allow me that luxury right at this particular time. I favour a Hit-air over a Point 2 because it inflates outwardly and covers lower down your spine.
 
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