Body Protectors & Coats

[MuddyMonster]

I've never routinely worn a body protector before this year, but now wear it everytime I ride.

It's been fine during the Summer as always worn it over the top of whatever top I've been wearing.

But what do people do when wearing coats - do you put the BP over the top? Do you put it underneath? I'm not certain all my coats could take a BP underneath & it would get very expensive to replace all my coats!

 

[Spottyappy]

Put mine underneath, too bulky on top. I do like looser fitting coats anyway, so buy a size up.

 

[2ndtimearound]

I wear my coat over the top of mine, and I tend to wear blouson style ones (except for my long waterproof) or men’s ones as ladies’ jackets cut to have a waist don’t work with a body protector. However, all my current jackets have been bought since starting to wear a body protector, so it’s less of an issue.

Though I can’t quite believe that not a single manufacturer of equestrian gear has thought to design jackets/coats to properly fit over a body protector - they’re definitely missing a trick there!

 

[alexomahony]

Yep go blousen to ride then you can wear your BP under it with no issues Remember they're pretty warm to wear too so you might not need as warm a jacket!

 

[albeg]

Jacket over, otherwise I'd need to adjust BP every time as it's fitted over a tshirt/base layer. I wear a light softshell jacket over mine as I find there's more give, and it's usually enough weight over the top.

 

[tda]

I have a Hit Air, so it goes over the top of my jacket. It's easily adjustable

 

[Cocorules]

If it is cold and dry I wear a thin top and a microfleece polo neck and put the body protector over that and don't wear a coat. It might be initially slightly chilly but I get warm very quickly.

When it is raining I have one very light weight and oversized mac that I put on over the top.

 

[Violet]

Always underneath as it mustn't restrict the blow up mechanism.
I have used them for many winters now and never been cold even though jacket is fairly thin. I wear a warm top underneath, there are quite a number of different brands of thin tops available.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

A solid body protector I would only wear over a thin shirt or base layer and therefore under a coat. My Point Two I wear over the top of my coat it just has to be adjusted to account for a thicker layer underneath to ensure it fits for inflation.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Thanks everyone

It's a BP rather than an air jacket so will see if my current Mark Todd blouson will fit, otherwise I'll get another one bloudon type.

Cold and dry days are fine as the BP has lace up sides so adjustable to fit over various base layers and or fleeces or softshell tops.

I'd love an air jacket, but difficult to justify the price tag when I only ride at weekends in the winter.

 

[Skib]

I think one is supposed to wear a bp over just a base layer with any fleeces and jackets on top. I wear a bp every time i ride and all my normal riding jackets go over it - summer blouson and heavy winter waterproof and /or fleece.

 

[Fransurrey]

I have a winter setting and summer setting on my BP (adjusted with ties), so I can put it over my jacket.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I wear my body protector under my coat, if its really cold and I have a thick hoodie on too I put the hoodie on then the body protector with the ties loosened slightly then the coat on top, i also wear blouson coats.

The only bad thing about racesafe is you have to take your coat off to get it off whereas my old Aerowear you could undo one side of the BP and slide it out from underneath without removing a layer of warmth. Speed is essential in the freezing cold!

 

[Chappie]

I always wear a BP for riding but feel so restricted with a coat on top of it - I know we're meant to wear it as close as possible to the body, but I find wearing a polo shirt/base layer/thin fleece, then a thin lightweight quilted Regatta jacket, then BP, then hi vis vest is the best solution for me.
The jacket is almost like a top rather than a coat but gives a bit of protection against chill/wind/rain. I'm very thin in the upper body and appreciate the little extra padding it gives me!
My BP isnt a great fit, could probably do with a new one soon, then would maybe change back to a blouson type coat over it.
If the weathers dreadful I will put my oversized faux(!) wax jacket over all that or my Jack Murphy.
I absolutely hate feeling all trussed up! Wish there were coats designed specifically for wearing with BPs in winter!