Body protectors

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AmberThePony

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Just wondering what the opinions are on types of body protectors, as I don't have one but I probably should! I've heard they are slightly difficult to ride in, but are the ones that go further down your back more difficult than the shorter ones? Thanks
 
The best advice I have is to go to a tack shop and try on some different brands. A big tack shop will possibly have a saddle on a model horse for you to sit on to make sure it is comfortable when seated.

A lot will also depend on price. You can get a cheaper one for around £50 but IMO they are like wearing a straight jacket. I love the Dainese, very comfy and flexible, but over £250. There are many in-between, and the Outlyne and Racesafe seem popular with many people.
 
Go to a tack shop with a range of different ones and get it fitted by someone who knows what they're doing. I've got an Airowear Outlyne, I wear it every time I ride and now I barely notice it's there :)
 
Go and try as many on as you can. I have an airowear outlyne and once it's been on for a few minutes and warmed up I hardly notice it's there. A properly fitted body guard shouldn't interfere with your riding or cause you any discomfort. A badly fitting one can cause a lot of damage so do get it fitted professionally.
 
Definitely get fitted for one, I went convinced I was buying a USG I liked on the internet, I was between sizes so not an option, tried airowear and couldn't move in it (boobs an issue too!) ended up with a racesafe as amazing fit and I never ride without it (saved me the day after I bought it when my mare did her favourite spook and 180 degree spin and (I obviously wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been) flung me out the side door and I landed flat as a pancake face down on a very dry hard field!

Moral of the story... Every brand fits a different body shape/size better so it's not something you can buy online.
 
Thanks for all your replies I will definitely go and try lots on, it sounds like racesafe is good. But once you find one you like is it alright to buy second hand, or are they like helmets so you should only buy them new?
 
I would say buy new if you possibly can but if that would be difficult, you would be better off having a second hand one sooner than a new one later. I'm almost certain a body protector has saved me from worse internal injuries on more than one occasion (and I didn't change it after each fall) so personally, I wouldn't delay. If cost is an issue, I'd suggest picking up a second hand one for the interim and saving for a new one in the near future.
 
Orca said:
I would say buy new if you possibly can but if that would be difficult, you would be better off having a second hand one sooner than a new one later. I'm almost certain a body protector has saved me from worse internal injuries on more than one occasion (and I didn't change it after each fall) so personally, I wouldn't delay. If cost is an issue, I'd suggest picking up a second hand one for the interim and saving for a new one in the near future.
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Agree with others, you must be certain the body protector fits properly, but if cost is an issue then as above is a good idea, but make sure the safety standard is the latest date possible and has not been damaged. I don't think there's a lot of point in buying an out-of-date one.
 
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