Body Protectors - Racesafe or Champion

[Reacher]

Bumping an old thread, but how did you get on with the Racesafe Provent 3 once you rode in it?

I'm off to a big saddlery store soon to get fitted for a back protector. At home I ride in a Hit Air vest, but I'm soon to start refresher riding lessons at a riding school and an air jacket is not appropriate for that scenario.

Looking for a non restrictive body protector that will give good protection to a tall (5'10") but small boobed body shape. I bought my last BP well over 20 years ago, it was a very bulky thing. I believe that BP design has improved a lot since then!

I have a racesafe - it is lightweight and comfortable to wear. It was fitted in the shop - but it isn’t very closely fitting and I feel it looks bulky. I also bought the shoulder protectors - I find they move around a bit - my main gripe is the clear plastic on the medical card pocket disintegrated very quickly.

The racesafe zip fell to bits after just over 2 years use. This seems to be a common complaint.(photo below) Due to the thickness there isn’t really any way to replace the zip.


I recently replaced it with the champion titanium which due to the smaller panels on the back fits me much better and looks much more tidy. Other than that they are very similar. (I am small boobed but have a short back so can’t comment on how well it would fit you but they do come in different lengths iirc)

Edited to say I’m thinking of the champion which comes in different lengths - don’t know about the RS

 

[TealH0rse]

I have a racesafe - it is lightweight and comfortable to wear. It was fitted in the shop - but it isn’t very closely fitting and I feel it looks bulky. I also bought the shoulder protectors - I find they move around a bit - my main gripe is the clear plastic on the medical card pocket disintegrated very quickly.

The racesafe zip fell to bits after just over 2 years use. This seems to be a common complaint.(photo below) Due to the thickness there isn’t really any way to replace the zip.
View attachment 86783

I recently replaced it with the champion titanium which due to the smaller panels on the back fits me much better and looks much more tidy. Other than that they are very similar. (I am small boobed but have a short back so can’t comment on how well it would fit you but they do come in different lengths iirc)

I am fairly sure you can send them back to racesafe for a new zip.

 

[TealH0rse]

There is no race safe to fit me (they said) but my first bp was a Champion and laced up the sides.

The problem with bps that lace up the side is that one cant tighten then at the waist without also tightening over ones bust.

I would just go in and try some on, they’re quite flexible in sizes. Racesafe laces up the sides but because of how flexible the segments are it just wraps around my bust and doesn’t tighten around it. I’ve seen a champion in person since buying my racesafe and it’s rigid in comparison, so I can see how it would tighten around the bust too.

 

[black and brown]

The zip on my Racesafe is also starting to give up. Has anyone sent a bp back to Racesafe for a replacement zip to be fitted? I would be interested to hear experiences.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It's rather alarming to hear about the failing zip problems on the Racesafe BPs .

BPs are rather spendy items, and a good sturdy zip is a vital part.

Oh well, I'll go to the fitting with an open mind.

ycbm, I'm the same height but a tad more sturdily built than you , but thanks for the heads up about which size you went for, that would be a good starting point to try. Did you get your BP at HVS @ Somerford? I'm presuming that they will have the best choice in the area, and I've found them previously very good with fitting advice for hats and boots, and they had lots of stock.

 

[ycbm]

I bought it mail order based on the measurements they gave. I'm very happy with the fit, price was exorbitant and I'm not happy to see zip pictures like that! On the other hand I will only be wearing mine in clinics and an air jacket the rest of the time, so it won't get much use.
.

 

[Reacher]

In a thread about the zip someone thought that the zips in older models can be replaced but not the provent. From looking at my provent I really didn’t see that it could be replaced.

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/racesafe-provent-bp.777851/

Photo to illustrate


This is a photo of the plastic medical card pocket (on the shoulder protectors) which disintegrated within a year - it was not damaged, it just disintegrated. I’ve tried to patch it up with sellotape.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

TP, I have the RSafe and no zip issues, you need to be careful in zipping up. So many people do not adjust at all on the sides when they add layers under on colder days but just keep pulling front together and straining to do zip up. My friends son did this, zip went in a year.
Friend and I bought ours at same time, 4 yrs ago now at Windsor both BPs in full working order despite being used regularly on almost daily basis (I use mine every time I ride).

 

[Skib]

When one has a bp with velcro fastenings, one loosens them, then does the zip up with the bp a bit loose and then re-tightens the velcro.

 

[2ndtimearound]

There is no race safe to fit me (they said) but my first bp was a Champion and laced up the sides.

The problem with bps that lace up the side is that one cant tighten then at the waist without also tightening over ones bust.

Actually, you can to an extent; you need to change the lacing so that it laces down from the top, and then you can leave the top slightly looser than the bottom. It does need adjusting back every so often, though. I've done this with my Champion, and it seems to be able to account for my waist to boob difference pretty well (and there's a lot to account for). It also has more shaping towards the waist than my Airowear Provent did. No idea if this would work with a Racesafe, though.

 

[Stenners]

This post has made me think! I haven't competed in 3 years and just about to start again and I have a Rodney Powell Body Proector - very rigid and bulky!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I've just got a Racesafe for the same reason, TP, group lessons. The thing about Racesafes is the huge size range you can get. I have a long fronted (tall) extra long back, medium fit. Check out the size chart before you go for a fitting so they don't try to sell you what they have in stock when longer would give you even more protection.

Is the least uncomfortable body protector I've ever had.
.

Is it this one? I'm going to be very similar sizing, I think.
There's a huge range of fittings, aren't there . My refresher lessons are starting next week, I need to crack on! I might punt on a next day delivery.

 

[Lyle]

I have a racesafe provent, it is used daily on multiple horses. Even in the heat of summer (35°c+) I can still wear it (yes, I do get sweaty, but while riding I feel fine) zip appears to be fines still, too!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Racesafe Provent in size medium, tall, long ordered on line for delivery tomorrow.

I did go for a fitting today to a local tackshop, and while they were super helpful, they only had the medium in the regular length, which was as expected too short. They contacted Racesafe direct while I was there, who quoted a 12 week lead time if I ordered one from them.

Tackshop was very understanding, and while I hate going elsewhere, I really need this BP asap.

Local tackshop are likely to be selling me a Uvex MIPs hat soon, though.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Update to my post above. I've now ridden three times (3 x 45 minute lessons) in my new Racesafe Provent 3 body protector.

While initially I was very aware of it, I now forget that it's there. The length is spot on. I have the medium fit, which fits nicely over a fleece jumper when the side adjustors are on the looser setting, or over a polo shirt when they are adjusted tightly. If I wear a jacket, it goes over the BP.

I am pleased with my purchase .

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Glad you are happy with it TP, I wear mine on a daily basis as I do gloves and hat. Never notice it.
Occasionally I've even stuffed my phone (in a leather case) in the top, sits sideways ?

 

[MuddyMonster]

Bumping this as looking to upgrade my BP.

I currently have a RaceSafe RS2010 (the shiny one with the foam squares) and now looking at the Provent 3.

Does the Provent fit the same as the 2010 (so could just order online in my size) or am I better getting fitted again if there are subtle differences?

 

[SpotsandBays]

Bumping this as looking to upgrade my BP.

I currently have a RaceSafe RS2010 (the shiny one with the foam squares) and now looking at the Provent 3.

Does the Provent fit the same as the 2010 (so could just order online in my size) or am I better getting fitted again if there are subtle differences?

There is a fitting guide on the racesafe website so that you can measure yourself up at home (that’s what I did!)
Although I think my sizes were the same in the 2010 and the provent. I must say though that the provent is SOOO much comfier!

 

[MuddyMonster]

There is a fitting guide on the racesafe website so that you can measure yourself up at home (that’s what I did!)
Although I think my sizes were the same in the 2010 and the provent. I must say though that the provent is SOOO much comfier!

Oh that is fab, thank you! I'll take a look & get my tape measure out

Oh, that's promising as I find the RS2010 comfy already - I'm only looking to upgrade as I've had it a fair few years so even more comfortable would be the icing on the cake!

 

[SpotsandBays]

Oh that is fab, thank you! I'll take a look & get my tape measure out

Oh, that's promising as I find the RS2010 comfy already - I'm only looking to upgrade as I've had it a fair few years so even more comfortable would be the icing on the cake!

It’s just less restrictive and rigid I find!
I can hyperventilate much easier in it ?