Body protectors

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B.F.G

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I was wondering if anyone has problems wearing them?
I have to buy one to be able to compete at one day events etc so have been trying on a variety of ones but each one I've tried has made me feel very claustrophobic and nearing a panic attack.
Does anyone else feel like that and how do you overcome it? I need one to compete. Arghh why? ?
 
Im not sure how much help this is as i have had some that were quite restrictive but never made me feel like you do. There are definitely ones that people prefer so keep trying them, i personally prefer the airowear with zip front and then velcro straps that you can tighten. When you try them the fitters quite often do them up tight to ensure a secure fit, maybe tell them of your concerns first and do them up slowly even if you do it yourself a bit so you are in control. I would then try to wear it around the shop for a bit so you walk in it and try to forget about it.

You may even need to buy an old second hand one cheap and wear it at home to get used to it and then do the same when you have your own fitted, also try to ride in it as frequently as you can so it becomes part of your gear.
 
I needed one to do TREC, and found a good deal on a Dainese protector.

It's a kind of a mesh construction, zipped up front with elastic tabs along the bottom edge to attach to a belt to stop it from riding up. In the mesh are sections of hexagonal padding in sections, the idea being that the mesh stretches, letting air between the sections of padding.

For now, while the weather is relatively cool, I'm wearing it for my regular Sunday lessons, in the hope that my body will get used to the heat that this thing traps.

But it's cut well away from the fronts of the shoulders and from around the neck, so it doesn't feel like it limits my movement.
 
I know they are a bit pricier but the ones jockeys wear are fab. I cant for the life of me remember the name of them - and I took my own one off 10mins ago! They are lightweight and very flexible and these days have an elastic toggle thingy on the sides to tighten it and a zip up the front.

I will go find one online ...

I really am a dipstick at times ??? they are Racesafe ones! Makes sense really! I think you need a level 3? For xc? Jockeys and stable staff can wear level 1's.

https://www.treehouseonline.co.uk/p/racesafe_prorace_1_0
 
I love my Racesafe, it's awkward to get on (I've put a bit of weight on since buying) and it's bloody tight, but tbh after 5 minutes I forget I'm even wearing it.
 
I've always worn my body protector each time I ride, I used to have an aero wear but now have a race safe provent and it is so much more flexible I didnt mind the aero wear but now would only want race safe
 
I tried lots of different ones on and they all felt very restrictive so I’m going to get an air vest instead
Parachute ?
 
B.F.G said:
I was wondering if anyone has problems wearing them?
I have to buy one to be able to compete at one day events etc so have been trying on a variety of ones but each one I've tried has made me feel very claustrophobic and nearing a panic attack.
Does anyone else feel like that and how do you overcome it? I need one to compete. Arghh why? ?
Click to expand...

If you are female!! A kanteq body protector.

Shaped, so does not feel tight across the chest. Totally recommend.

Fiona
 
My airowear one feels very snug when I put it on and fasten it and I always have a moment of “oh god how am I going to ride in this?!” but it warms up and softens very quickly so I forget I’m wearing it. I second the idea of wearing it around the house and doing it up gently! On the plus side, I love the extra warmth it gives me hacking in the winter ?
 
Follysmum said:
I tried lots of different ones on and they all felt very restrictive so I’m going to get an air vest instead
Parachute ?
Click to expand...

Be aware that most places require you to wear a level 3 body protector and an air vest is not considered such but can be used as an extra, its a lot of money to spend to find it doesn't meet requirements.
 
Go somewhere really good and get fitted. They can feel horrible but a good one well fitted is so much better. I am looking for a new on as my old one that caused me difficulty breathing (due to large boobs) is out of standard.

I found that the vast majority did not fit me, either there would not be enough difference between chest and waist measurements (and I don't have a tiny waist), or to get the width they would be too long, or the arm holes would be too small or they would rise up on my shoulders.

I have tried on quite a few and the Racesafe Provent 3.0 felt so much better than the others, lighter, more flexible and better fitting. They have a good range of sizes and can be customised to an extent too. Not cheap but you get what you pay for.

The other one to give serious consideration to is the Kan Teq which is custom fitted, you just supply all your measurements to them. They are designed for women and also have some give in them for breathing.
 
An air vest is not the equivalent of a bp. It can suffer mechanical failure and if you come off out hacking an air vest once in flated cant be used again till you have fitted a new cannister.
It seems not to have been mentioned that sme bps like the race safe and my first bp. a Champion, laces up the sides so if one tightens then above the waist they tighten across one's bust too. With airowear, you adjust separately for bust and waist.

You do need them to be close fitting, worn over the base layer only. And they do feel tight when one first puts them on. But as they warm up and soften you forget you are wearing them. I fell off regularly while learning to ride in old age and thanks to the bp, my only bad injury has been a knock to the back of my head.

Race safe definitely dont fit me and like Templebar says, none really fit me. Airowear used to do unisex ones which were better for us small busted women.
 
I'm not keen on them and do find them restrictive but once I'm onboard and jumping I do forget I'm wearing it but remember as soon as I get off. Racesafe was the best for me as the little squares have more movement and found tightening the laces at the bottom but leaving them looser at the top helped with an EE cup and even slightly works as a sports bra.

I wonder if what you need to to is try riding in some to see if the feeling goes away once you are onboard. For that you don't want to spend much so could you borrow someones or even get really cheap ones secondhand - not to use for jumping and competition as they wouldn't be up to standard - but just to get the feel of it.
 
I used to have an airoware which I found very uncomfortable, but I have a champion now which does the job well.
 
Just out of interest - are body protectors worth wearing? Do they prevent broken ribs and anything puncturing if you fall?
Ive never used one and wondering for general leisurely rides whether its worth getting one. Being older i dont bounce back like the younger self did!
 
I had a racesafe which was the only thing I found comfortable, would recommend getting it fitted as they can be quite long in the back.
I now have a Hit Air ?
 
I have an airowear and when I first put it on it does feel restrictive especially around my neck, I just get on with it and soon you forget you are even wearing it.
 
PurBee said:
Just out of interest - are body protectors worth wearing? Do they prevent broken ribs and anything puncturing if you fall?
Ive never used one and wondering for general leisurely rides whether its worth getting one. Being older i dont bounce back like the younger self did!
Click to expand...

When I came off on the apex of a jump and landed on my feet I sustained a compression fracture at L2, and it was probably my BP that held me together as I went sliding across the school surface at some speed, thereby protecting my spinal cord. So now, instead of potentially being paralysed I just have ouches and aches, but that's a trade-off I'm more than happy with. So it's risk assessment - if things are going to get bouncy then I always wore a BP, as I now have osteoporosis in my spine the BP is a sensible precaution.
 
PurBee said:
Just out of interest - are body protectors worth wearing? Do they prevent broken ribs and anything puncturing if you fall?
Ive never used one and wondering for general leisurely rides whether its worth getting one. Being older i dont bounce back like the younger self did!
Click to expand...

It's the same as anything - if you are going to do serious damage all you can do is lesson the blow.
 
B.F.G said:
I was wondering if anyone has problems wearing them?
I have to buy one to be able to compete at one day events etc so have been trying on a variety of ones but each one I've tried has made me feel very claustrophobic and nearing a panic attack.
Does anyone else feel like that and how do you overcome it? I need one to compete. Arghh why? ?
Click to expand...

I am the same with a motor bike helmet. I always have to have the visor open a bit. So I know how you feel. I would try on with lots of parts like the racesafe or dainesse the to see if that helps. I have a kanteq though and find it very comfortable. I always disliked body protectors because of the rigid feeling but with this one I do not feel restricted at all. I am narrow in the shoulder so body protectors with bulky overlap at the side of the waist are not suitable for me making my arms go in an unnatural position.

PurBee said:
Just out of interest - are body protectors worth wearing? Do they prevent broken ribs and anything puncturing if you fall?
Ive never used one and wondering for general leisurely rides whether its worth getting one. Being older i dont bounce back like the younger self did!
Click to expand...

Mine is made from the stuff that goes into motorbike jackets. It is one smooth layer for the front another for the back and two little things like hard bra cups for the shoulders. So yes good protection against puncture wounds. Even if you landed on a knife the blade would go into you a cm or two less because of the thickness of the body protector. The force of impact is spread over a wider area so I think it would help prevent broken ribs. I have had some bad falls in mine and not even been winded and no bruising either. I have a kanteq and love it. In summer I only wear a vest so I pop a hoody on under the body protector to keep it clean when I ride.
 
I would just say try as many makes as you can and don’t just order online. Personal preference must come into it, I find one of the brands recommended on here very restrictive and uncomfortable.
I also wondered as you mention feeling claustrophobic/ panic attack whether a sports psychologist could help
 
Another shout out for Racesafe. I hated my old "solid" BP but the Racesafe is flexible and cooler. They come in different lengths/fits, I forget I'm wearing it.
 
I always wear a body protector when I’m riding, I’ve had some uncomfortable ones and some great ones which you hardly realise are their. The champion flex air body protectors are decent however the USG body protectors are the most comfortable in my experience- their both good though... I would recommend trying a few different types before you buy to see which is most comfortable and least restrictive yet still protective. Also make sure to look for the up to date safety badge as some competitions and shows wont let you compete unless you have it on your body protector. If your feeling claustrophobic in the body protector wear it as much as you can when riding before you go to competitions so you can get use to it or another method could be to get the air body protector- they are quite costly but much more comfortable and flexible. They are clipped to your saddle so if you fall of it will automatically blow up and protect you...
Good Luck x
 
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