Kan bp opinions? Anyone that *doesn't* like them and why?

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Jinx94

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Looking at getting a Kan, have just emailed the company to ask if they have anyone down my way that fits them..

They really appeal to me and sound like the best out of everything I've looked at, should I take the plunge and order one?

I'm just worried that I'll be the oddball that hates it :o It is a lot of money after all....
 
Website says they have a smallish number of fitters around the country, so I'm contacting to ask where the closest one is to me..

As the bp costs so much, I'm hesitant to have to travel 100 miles or something to have it fitted - petrol cost on top could be a problem :/
 
I got a Kan after researching which ones were the best. I have to say I didn't like it. I found it extremely restrictive, I felt like a turtle inside it! As well as that the zip was always dodgy on it and if I was by myself I'd have trouble doing it up.

I can't fault the quality of the protective material in it, and i'd say its the brand that would protect you the most if you fell, but I just was never comfortable wearing it. It just felt too bulky and too restrictive. I switched to a racesafe and much much prefer it, was more freedom to move, and much lighter. Saying that, I know people swear by the kans, so maybe i'm just odd!
 
I know it is meant to be about the negatives.... and I love mine..... but when I was investigating them as a new BP ( my previous one had taken a bashing, and I was advised to replace it ), I struggled to find a local fitter. When I contacted the main site by email, and Wendy contacted me back and arranged to meet at a mutually convenient road services, when she was on the way from one show to another. I'm not saying she would def be able to do the same now - this was 3 years ago - but she went out of her way to help me try one, with no expectation of me actually buying it.
 
paddi22 said:
I got a Kan after researching which ones were the best. I have to say I didn't like it. I found it extremely restrictive, I felt like a turtle inside it! As well as that the zip was always dodgy on it and if I was by myself I'd have trouble doing it up.

I can't fault the quality of the protective material in it, and i'd say its the brand that would protect you the most if you fell, but I just was never comfortable wearing it. It just felt too bulky and too restrictive. I switched to a racesafe and much much prefer it, was more freedom to move, and much lighter. Saying that, I know people swear by the kans, so maybe i'm just odd!
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I was the same - just didn't feel comfortable wearing it at all.It seemed to sort of rise up and I felt like it sat quite high.

Got a new Rodney powell in the end, which is what I'd had previously. And I love it! Don't even notice it once onboard.
 
Thanks for the replies guys! I tried on a friends Rodney Powell the other day (we are the same size) but it felt like I was strapped to a board - really didn't like it..

Will definitely have one fitted - having found people that don't like it, it would be very daft to spend so much money on a chance :o
 
saalsk said:
I know it is meant to be about the negatives.... and I love mine..... but when I was investigating them as a new BP ( my previous one had taken a bashing, and I was advised to replace it ), I struggled to find a local fitter. When I contacted the main site by email, and Wendy contacted me back and arranged to meet at a mutually convenient road services, when she was on the way from one show to another. I'm not saying she would def be able to do the same now - this was 3 years ago - but she went out of her way to help me try one, with no expectation of me actually buying it.
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This was my experience too. Wendy met me at a ferry terminal. That was a few years ago.

I have recently been in contact with Wendy regarding a panel in my Kan. She has offered to replace it free of charge.

Regarding the zip. I did find this really troublesome to start with but it did loosen and get easier to do. I still have to lean against a wall on one side whilst pushing the other side but Im used to it now and wouldnt have anything else.
 
Think I am off to get one next week as kan normally have a stand at bramham horse trials based in the local saddler's main stand.
 
Got nothing negative to say about them, apart from the weight of lugging it about from tack room to car ;) lol, can't feel the weight of it once its on, have had a double barrel kick to the chest with it on and although was winded no broken bones!! fallen off into jumps with sticky youngsters, thrown into post and rail. not been badly injured *touch wood* Cant say enough good about mine!
 
So did you all get yours personally fitted? or did you just order online?

I was only looking for negative points to convince myself that plugging my measurements into the website and waving goodbye to £235 wasn't a sensible idea :p
 
I got someone to help with measurements before I ordered.
Wendy phoned to go over everything before she processed the order and when my Kan arrived, it fitted perfectly.

I will shamefully admit that I haven't yet worn it whilst riding but it's comfy enough to wear around the house :p
 
ladyt25 said:
Think I am off to get one next week as kan normally have a stand at bramham horse trials based in the local saddler's main stand.
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I don't think they will be there. I have been trying to get a chance to try one on for ages. They weren't at Badmington or Burghley and when I emailed Wendy they aren't going to be at any events in the North East in the near future as they are concentrating on the US.
She advised a telephone consultation but I don't want to spend that much without check the products suitability first.
 
Bought one online after measuring myself as instructed on the website. When I received couldn't do it up unaided and phoned Wendy in a panic. She told me to ride in a few times and sure enough it eased and now fits perfectly. Don't hack out or jump without it. Super comfy and know from experience it's effective after horse bucked me off.
 
I love mine too, although the zip is a bit dodgy. I bought mine on line but wendy rang up and went through all the measurements and remeasured some bits of me on the phone:) I found them really helpful. Ive had a rotational fall since with horse landing full on my chest and escaped with a cracked sternum, which amazed the medics. I wear a point two on top of mine. Fell very safe, and the back sits away from the saddle so doesnt interfer, which I found with my racesafe.
 
paddi22 said:
I got a Kan after researching which ones were the best. I have to say I didn't like it. I found it extremely restrictive, I felt like a turtle inside it! As well as that the zip was always dodgy on it and if I was by myself I'd have trouble doing it up.

I can't fault the quality of the protective material in it, and i'd say its the brand that would protect you the most if you fell, but I just was never comfortable wearing it. It just felt too bulky and too restrictive. I switched to a racesafe and much much prefer it, was more freedom to move, and much lighter. Saying that, I know people swear by the kans, so maybe i'm just odd!
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Fanatical said:
I was the same - just didn't feel comfortable wearing it at all.It seemed to sort of rise up and I felt like it sat quite high.
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ditto the above. I got one, wanted to love it, hated the damned thing.:( Found it uncomfy and restrictive; couldnt get the zip up; it rode up off my shoulders..

on top of all that they arent tested to the newest 2009 standard either and are only BETA 2000.

I went back to racesafe and love mine. I fallen in it loads lol.
 
Vodkagirly said:
I don't think they will be there. I have been trying to get a chance to try one on for ages. They weren't at Badmington or Burghley and when I emailed Wendy they aren't going to be at any events in the North East in the near future as they are concentrating on the US.
She advised a telephone consultation but I don't want to spend that much without check the products suitability first.
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Well, that's a b*gger!! :(

She's normally there every year. I guess I can only wait and see and see ifthe tack shop still have some there anyway as i think they stock them/take orders for them
 
I love mine - I researched it, tried on some other BPs and found they rode up to the point that they pressed on my throat and didn't even cover my bottom ribs. My local saddlers had two in stock (in the sale!) and the largest one was a perfect fit. Having gained about a stone it's now a bit too snug. Positives - I feel as if it would give me good protection. Negatives - very hot, the shoulder protectors stop me lifting my arms up high enough to bridle my horse (reach his ears), and it's catching on the back of my Ideal Grandee, although I never had a problem with the Wintec. Would I recommend it? Yes, but I simply won't cope with riding in it everyday, and I'm waiting for a Joy-Riderz jacket to arrive for my everyday protection.
 
I've had one for over a year.

The best selling point for me was that they don't have to be replaced every so many years like other body protectors. So even though it seems like you're spending more money up front, you're really saving in the long-term.

My only issues with fit were in regards to the cover, not the panels themselves. I sent Wendy photos and also did a consultation via phone, and it wasn't that hard to get the right cover. All I had to do was send the others back.

I've never had it catch on the back of the saddle, and it can be a bit warm during the summer, but what body protector isn't? I wouldn't call it excessively hot by any means though. On the flip side, it's super toasty during the winter months! I've never found it to be restrictive or getting in the way of riding.
 
I gave Wendy my measurements and she sent mine. I wear it all the time (keeps me warm mucking out in winter!) And I feel like you could drive a truck over me in it and I'd be ok! ;)
 
paddi22 said:
I got a Kan after researching which ones were the best. I have to say I didn't like it. I found it extremely restrictive, I felt like a turtle inside it! As well as that the zip was always dodgy on it and if I was by myself I'd have trouble doing it up.

I can't fault the quality of the protective material in it, and i'd say its the brand that would protect you the most if you fell, but I just was never comfortable wearing it. It just felt too bulky and too restrictive. I switched to a racesafe and much much prefer it, was more freedom to move, and much lighter. Saying that, I know people swear by the kans, so maybe i'm just odd!
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I'm so glad I'm not alone - you have said everything I was going to!
I decided to take the plunge & buy a KAN after hearing endless good things about them - I wanted something really protective, as I'd just purchased a nutcase of a horse with the aim of eventing, so wanted something that was going to offer as much protection as possible for when she chucked me off & ran for the hills. Yes, they are very expensive - but in the long run, they don't need replacing every few years like standard BP's, so I thought it was worth it (after hearing so many good reviews ;) )
I gave Wendy a call about them first, to see if there were any near me which I could go and have a look at / try on, as I'd never seen them before. Unfortunately there wasn't anyone remotely near me and the only close-ish events were quite far off, and as I wanted one sooner rather than later I just gave her my measurements over the phone (off the top of my head I think it was chest / bra size, waist, height) and ordered it hoping for the best :o
I can't fault Wendy's customer service, she is a lovely lady and was so helpful and took all my comments into consideration (I said that I didn't want anything that would catch on the back of the saddle, she made the back a little shorter). The KAN arrived ridiculously quickly which was a lovely surprise!
But unfortunately I just could not get on with it. I wore it around the house (with all the labels on!) for a few days to try and get used to it, but I didn't find it that comfortable. I called Wendy up to discuss it and she said to ride in it a few times as it would be more comfortable in the saddle (I hadn't wanted to ride in it when I wasn't sure & thought it might be going back, but she convinced me that it would be fine!)
I desperately wanted to like it, but just did not find it suited me. Material-wise, I believe that it really is the most protective - it is absolutely rock solid! I did feel confident riding in it as I'm sure I wouldn't have felt a thing had I come off. However, I felt a bit "trapped" in it - it was beautifully fitted to me, but I couldn't turn around easily (to check for cars coming up behind), and I found the shoulder pads so restrictive. I know they're there for a reason & they are a fantastic design, but I couldn't reach up to my horse to put the bridle on and did find them annoying. Unfortunately there isn't a shoulder-less option as there is nothing beneath when you remove them. I also found it very hot - but then, many BPs are.
So not for me sadly - I felt awful sending it back (especially as it was made for me!) but realistically I didn't think I would wear it - and the whole idea was that I would wear it for everything. Its a lot of money to spend if you're not sure.

In the end I went the racesafe route, they are extremely lightweight & not at all restrictive - I'm sure they can't offer the same level of protection as the Kan, but I've been in a nasty riding accident wearing one before and had many falls in the past, and they have protected me amazingly every time.
 
D1 wears hers by choice, even high she's eighteen now so has the right to choose not to :cool:. Never seen her in a rush I take it off either, which sys a lot for its fit and wearability I think :D

When there's less of me I'll get one :D
 
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