Body Protectors - Recommendations/Advice please...

RainbowDash

RainbowDash

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 February 2012
Messages
1,184
Location
Nottingham
Visit site
Hi all,

As title really. I'm looking for a good quality, well fitting body protector - for hacking, schooling and the odd jumping session.

I want to be able to move - but also be protected.

MY budget is approx - £80 - I've already been looking around and the makes seem to vary as to how they fit. I reckon it's a good time to look now seeing as last years models are on sale.

MY question is this - what should I be looking out for?, which makes to go for/avoid?, how much protection do they offer for lower back?

I'm only 5ft 2 so do I need to be careful on length of BP as to not restrict movement etc.??

Thanks in advance,

Can't offer more than a homemade Shortbread and glass of vino. :)
 
I always ride with mine now. It keeps me nice and warm and I don't actually feel it once I'm zipped in. Sometimes forget to remove it after my ride and try to get back in the car..:rolleyes:
It's an Airoware Outlyne. The shop I got it from had a well trained fitter so they tried various styles and sizes before declaring they were satisfied. It's more than your budget but maybe you could shop around :) whatever you get make sure it fits snugly.
 
I have a racesafe slighty out of your budget but worth finding the extra pennys for , id try various ones before that over the years and always found them uncomfotable, you dont even know your wearing the racesafe and you can buy the short backed one, id save a little longer and purchase one of those.
 
i also have the racesafe. i wear it all the time for schooling,hacking and when im warming up for a dressage test. They are so flexible.Ive been thrown from my 16.3 boy 3 times and not an injury to my back at all. i wpuld give them a call they are really helpful with sizes. i will post on here the website. they really are worth the extra bit of money.
 
Your best bet is to go somewhere local that knows how to fit them, ime different body shapes tend to suit different brands, & if you haven't had one before they will also show you how to adjust it so it fits correctly.
 
You want the best protection that money can buy so go for Level 3 (Purple label).

The BETA 2000 and 2009 Body Protector Standard meets all the requirements of the European standard (EN 13158:2000). A revised edition of the BETA 2000 and 2009 standard was published and adopted by BETA in April 2009. The BETA 2000 and 2009 version will continue as a current stanard for the next 2 years. Under the BETA Standard, garments are additionally re-tested annually for consistency of quality of materials used and manufacture.

The BETA Standard sets criteria for shock-absorption, controls the area of the body that must be covered and ensures there are minimal gaps between the protective foam panels. It encompasses three levels, each designed for different activities and denoted by a colour-coded label on the garment.

Level 1 (black label) provides the lowest level of protection that is only considered appropriate for licensed jockeys while racing.
Level 2 (brown label) offers a lower than normal level of protection so is considered suitable for low risk situations - not including jumping, riding on theroads, riding young or excitable horses or riding while inexperienced.
Level 3 (purple label) is considered appropriate for general riding, competitions including eventing and working with horses. Level 3 body protectors should prevent minor bruising that wouldhave produced stiffness and pain, reduce soft tissue injuries and prevent a limited number of rib fractures.
 
I really wanted a racesafe one after reading the reviews, but when I got to Rideaway the assistant insisted that they were for race riders and weren't protective enough :( He wasn't my friend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top