New body protector

If you were fitted at a shop, is it possible to go back and explain it’s likely been fitted incorrectly and is super uncomfortable to wear? They should surely rectify that for you.

I self-measured for my Racesafe using their online guidance/videos and it’s perfect.
 
pistolpete said:
It does feel too tight.
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If you are not competing, I think it is fine to let out the bp velcro just a tad. At your own risk and using common sense. I have put on weight and hack with a cm or so of the orange velcros showing on my Airowear bp.

My current share is ultra safe, so I have only one fall to judge this bp by. It does leave the side of my ribs unprotected. But modern back protectors also dont protect ones sides. If I move up a size to allow for my weight gain, wide ribs and lack of waist, the whole bp is too loose and will ride up in a fall.

The other question is how you feel about riding in it? A bp feels normal to me and I feel safe in it. But it is very tight when I first put it on on a cold day and I have to hold the edges together and get OH to zip it up for me.
 
Skib said:
If you are not competing, I think it is fine to let out the bp velcro just a tad. At your own risk and using common sense. I have put on weight and hack with a cm or so of the orange velcros showing on my Airowear bp.

My current share is ultra safe, so I have only one fall to judge this bp by. It does leave the side of my ribs unprotected. But modern back protectors also dont protect ones sides. If I move up a size to allow for my weight gain, wide ribs and lack of waist, the whole bp is too loose and will ride up in a fall.

The other question is how you feel about riding in it? A bp feels normal to me and I feel safe in it. But it is very tight when I first put it on on a cold day and I have to hold the edges together and get OH to zip it up for me.
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I feel ok getting it on but it’s so uncomfortable. Restricting bulky and digs in in places.
 
I hate wearing body protectors. I have compromised by buying a back protector. I only hack and the two falls I had over the last four years have had me landing on my back. I realise I am not as safe as I could be but I really cannot relax in a body protector.
 
planete said:
I hate wearing body protectors. I have compromised by buying a back protector. I only hack and the two falls I had over the last four years have had me landing on my back. I realise I am not as safe as I could be but I really cannot relax in a body protector.
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I have a Dainese level one and it's very light and comfortable. It's definitely a compromise but I find a full body protector too uncomfortable and am not sure about the air vests.
 
Fieldlife said:
Was in comfortable in the shop? Mine was. And I dont notice it riding, I forget I am wearing it until I go to take saddle off when I notice it again.
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Can’t say it was comfortable. I just hoped it would mould to me. I’ve done four and a half hours in it now. Still no better.
 
pistolpete said:
I feel ok getting it on but it’s so uncomfortable. Restricting bulky and digs in in places.
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If it's digging in, that is going to be a pressure point if/ when you take an impact. I would be ditching this one.

I have the most basic, cheapest foam brick airowear BP going and it is bulky and heavy and so extremely unfashionable but it does the job, for about £70 4 years ago. If I had paid £280 for something digging in and compressing me like a block of tofu I would be getting that £280 back!
 
pistolpete said:
I just hoped it would mould to me. I’ve done four and a half hours in it now. Still no better.
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It should only take a short time to warm up, if one is indoors. In winter one is likely to be indoors when putting it on as the bp goes under ones fleece and winter jacket.
Unlike a new hat, I have never tested a bp by wearing it indoors. (Except in the shop) The bp (or my Airowear) is pretty rigid. When riding, I find it quite difficult to rotate in the saddle to check on a rider behind me. Why should it mould to you? If it is soft enough to mould it surely wont protect you in a fall?
I am narrow shouldered and one needs to lengthen the shoulders of the bp to prevent the thickness under ones arm pits forcing ones arms out from ones sides.
 
Skib said:
If it is soft enough to mould it surely wont protect you in a fall?
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That's not really how they work - they're designed to compress and absorb impact, rather than being a hard shell. So they absolutely should mould to your body. I would argue that if it's actually restricting your ability to move in the saddle then it's not really increasing your safety.

beta-uk.org

Body Protectors - BETA-UK British Equestrian Trade Association

beta-uk.org beta-uk.org
 
I agree with the others saying that it doesn't sound like it fits properly. I'd be tempted to try another shop and ask them to fit you and see what they reccomend. If it's different then hopefully it might feel more comfortable and you can approach the other shop and ask to swap/ refund so you can get the other size/ type. Body Protectors used to be uncomfortable but my experience of the ones these days is that they're a lot easier to wear and you do almost forget you're wearing them once they're on.

I think you're the wrong part of the country but Treehouse are excellent at fitting body protectors.
 
Widgeon said:
if it's actually restricting your ability to move in the saddle then it's not really increasing your safety.
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My experience of various bps for self and OH over 25 years is that they do restrict rotational movement in the saddle. If I twist my ribs round to the side to look over my shoulder, the bp rotates too and the tip of the back edge of the bp is going to touch my hip.

I do actually feel safe riding in it, but then I am used to it.
 
Hope this helps someone. Wore it again today with my hi viz over the top only and felt so much better. Such a relief. Think my only issue is going to be the handful of warm warm days we have!
 
I have the same issue! My old Racesafe fit like a glove, bought a new one last year. Rode in it once with an equidry coat on and it gave actual shoulder pain, really unpleasant. If I ride in it in my lightweight equisafety it’s fine.
 
Hi all, sorry to hijack the thread but was wondering if anyone had a comparison between racesafe HX3 and champion ti22? Or any opinions on ti22?

I was specifically looking at the new HX3 from Racesafe but I am not too convinced on the airflow on the back. Basically I am worried it will sit flat against the back and the air will only get where the hole is. Ti22 looks like it has also air canals flowing through it (like the other Racesafe models) as well as the holes. On people it also looks more "malleable" in terms of fitting to body shape and movement restriction (or lack thereof)

Any firm favourites? I am not eventing but I am getting a vest to ride my dressage youngster in so ideally level 3 (insurance reasons, I am not uk based).

My main concern is - I do not want to boil in it and I want to be as flexible as possible
 
donkeyboy said:
I do not want to boil in it and I want to be as flexible as possible
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Sadly I think that is impossible. One does boil when the weather is hot and one is less flexible in a bp.
But it is years since I cantered without a bp and to be relaxed and happy cantering, is for me the essential. I remind myself that eventers wear bps. flying along cross country and think that if they can whizz about like that in their bp.s, then I can too.
 
Skib said:
Sadly I think that is impossible. One does boil when the weather is hot and one is less flexible in a bp.
But it is years since I cantered without a bp and to be relaxed and happy cantering, is for me the essential. I remind myself that eventers wear bps. flying along cross country and think that if they can whizz about like that in their bp.s, then I can too.
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Okay, well maybe I should rephrase: I would like to pick level 3 bp that I will boil the least and be flexible within reason :)

I already know I need one and there is no question about wearing it or not. I know air vests are good too but I am too concerned about falling with the horse where such vest would not activate. Thus why I'm looking for a normal one. I just need help deciding which one will be a better choice. Sadly I can't try or view them myself as they are unavailable to try on where I am now.
 
None of us can tell you which bp will fit you best.
You need to get someone to measure you up carefully. One cant do it oneself. Then examine the size charts for the various brands.
It is ridiculous to say you cant try them on "where you are now".
If you are riding cross country where you are now, there must be ways of buying the required protectors.

Even in non horsey life one needs a good fit for shoes and bras. Safety helmets too. One has to try things on. And the same is true for bps. I myself am between sizes so I recognise it is hard.

There have been countless threads on this forum about bps. The major differences are
Some have a zip down the front which allows for a better fitting than tabard ones which dont.
Some have two separate straps to adjust the size at your bust and lower on your rib cage, others do not, they lace up down the sides.
Some offer different lengths so you can avoid the back of the bp catching on the back of your saddle.

Most good saddlers have a person qualified to fit bps and you would do well to phone or email when they are working, to give them your measurements and to get their advice on which bp might be best for you
 
Skib, jeez I am not asking for fitting advice. This is not what I am asking for at all. I am merely asking for any opinions on HX3 ideally compared to Ti22 because I can't find many opinions on either one of those. Racesafe HX3 has just been released few months ago, Ti22 has been around for a while. What I can find online I already know and I did not find a lot. Thus why I posted question here.

And well, it is not ridiculous to say I can't just go and and look at them myself if there are no Champion stockist in this country and nearest Racesafe one is 7hrs away. You could say - why not try something local - well because other options are stiff bps that mould to the body shape and are not that breathable as these above seem to be.

Anyway, to be clear - fitting advice is not what I am looking for - I already consulted each manufacturer, I know which size I need. What I am looking for opinions only, specifically on breathability and flexibility, from the actual users not manufacturers who try to sell it. That's all.
 
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