Question re body protectors with side lacing (not velcro)

[2ndtimearound]

At some point in the next few weeks I'll be looking to replace my current body protector, mainly due to its age. I currently have an Airowear Airmesh, which fits my body shape (Racesafe don't fit me properly, unfortunately), and I'm looking to replace this with the same again (albeit the newer version).
Due to the ratio of my chest to waist, I need to adjust it considerably tighter on the waist than on the chest. This is easily doable with having two velcro side fastenings, but I've found with my current one that the velcro is now starting to wear out - not in terms of grip, but the straps themselves are getting worn at the bottom, and the buckle of the chest strap on the left hand side keeps twisting at an angle instead of staying vertical.
There are now two Airmesh versions available, one with velcro fastenings and one with lacing at the sides, which is slightly more expensive. I think the latter might last better than the velcro version.
So, for those of you who currently have a body protector with lacing at the side rather than velcro, can these easily be adjusted so that the waist is tighter than the chest (i.e. making an upside down triangle shape at the sides)? Also is there any give in the laces themselves? I'm not sure if they are elasticated or more solid (not having seen one in person).
Thanks!

 

[SpotsandBays]

I have a racesafe so can only speak about that brand, but the laces have no give at all and are solid. (Think like thick shoelaces). I haven’t yet figured a way to make the waist tighter than the chest, but I’m not blessed in the breast department so it’s not too much of an issue for me. (The only time I have a cleavage is when I’ve got my BP on! ?)

 

[2ndtimearound]

I have a racesafe so can only speak about that brand, but the laces have no give at all and are solid. (Think like thick shoelaces). I haven’t yet figured a way to make the waist tighter than the chest, but I’m not blessed in the breast department so it’s not too much of an issue for me. (The only time I have a cleavage is when I’ve got my BP on! ?)

Thanks for this. It sounds like I might be stuck with the velcro. I wish I was similarly less blessed! ? At least body protectors make a great sports bra!

 

[criso]

I've got a racesafe and an e cup. There's no give in the older models, i think some of the newer ones have different systems.

I can adjust when it's off, tightening at the bottom and looser at the top but no when i put it on. So it's a case of spending ages adjusting at home, then it fixed.

However i don't mind a little tightness as it then operates as a sports bra

 

[SpotsandBays]

Thanks for this. It sounds like I might be stuck with the velcro. I wish I was similarly less blessed! ? At least body protectors make a great sports bra!

Yeah it’s a shame it would look extremely silly under a nice dress though ?, might be worth going to a local tack shop and trying them both on to see which is more comfortable for you

 

[2ndtimearound]

I've got a racesafe and an e cup. There's no give in the older models, i think some of the newer ones have different systems.

I can adjust when it's off, tightening at the bottom and looser at the top but no when i put it on. So it's a case of spending ages adjusting at home, then it fixed.

However i don't mind a little tightness as it then operates as a sports bra

Thanks, that’s good to know. I’m with you on the tightness too! I‘d recommend you check out out Freya Dynamic sports bras; I’ve just got one recently and it’s blooming brilliant (and I’m a larger cup size), if you don’t mind non-wired.

 

[2ndtimearound]

Yeah it’s a shame it would look extremely silly under a nice dress though ?, might be worth going to a local tack shop and trying them both on to see which is more comfortable for you

That’s very true! ? Normally, I would go for a proper fitting, but my favourite local tack shop (which is also the only place I’ve seen so far that has the laced version of the Airmesh) isn’t open right now as it’s quite small and would struggle with social distancing. They are open online though.

 

[Kat]

I'm sure the laces are elasticated on my racesafe......


If not you could try two laces each side, it works with hiking boots if you have broad feet and narrow ankles.

 

[criso]

I'm sure the laces are elasticated on my racesafe......


If not you could try two laces each side, it works with hiking boots if you have broad feet and narrow ankles.

I had a feeling the newer ones were elasticated. I think they also do a ladies cut.

 

[criso]

Thanks, that’s good to know. I’m with you on the tightness too! I‘d recommend you check out out Freya Dynamic sports bras; I’ve just got one recently and it’s blooming brilliant (and I’m a larger cup size), if you don’t mind non-wired.

I prefer wired. I've got a berlei horse riding bra but they've stopped making them.

 

[2ndtimearound]

I'm sure the laces are elasticated on my racesafe......


If not you could try two laces each side, it works with hiking boots if you have broad feet and narrow ankles.

Thanks, that’s true. Or I could replace them with elastic laces (which I do with most of my trainers and laced boots). Hmm ?

 

[2ndtimearound]

I prefer wired. I've got a berlei horse riding bra but they've stopped making them.

That’s a shame. The Panache underwired ones are pretty good too, though.

 

[Bernster]

I’ve got a racesafe and it’s got elasticated laces each side. not A lot of scope to have it graduated on each side and seems to tighten up fairly evenly through each side. The end popped off mine but otherwise it pretty comfy for me.

 

[SpotsandBays]

I'm sure the laces are elasticated on my racesafe......


If not you could try two laces each side, it works with hiking boots if you have broad feet and narrow ankles.

Yes mine is the older version, due for an upgrade!

 

[irishdraft]

I have a champion one which has laces up both sides . My friend is very well endowed and has hers as you describe an up side down triangle so it's doable .

 

[2ndtimearound]

I have a champion one which has laces up both sides . My friend is very well endowed and has hers as you describe an up side down triangle so it's doable .

Thanks, that’s good to know! ? Sounds like the Champion one might be a decent alternative to the Airowear.

 

[2ndtimearound]

I’ve got a racesafe and it’s got elasticated laces each side. not A lot of scope to have it graduated on each side and seems to tighten up fairly evenly through each side. The end popped off mine but otherwise it pretty comfy for me.

Thanks, two of my friends with Racesafes seem to have them done up evenly, but they aren’t as curvy as I am, so I wasn’t sure.

 

[teddypops]

I’m slim with big boobs and my racesafe with elastic laced sides is absolutely fine and very comfortable.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I’m slim with big boobs and my racesafe with elastic laced sides is absolutely fine and very comfortable.

Ditto, except I'm not slim ☺

 

[Lammy]

I looked at getting the newer version of the racesafe but they are elasticated and there was no way to tighten the waist without also tightening the chest. I tried it on but just couldn’t make it work. I am an F cup size 10 though so I was asking quite a bit of the elastic ? I got an older version of the racesafe online and it fits perfectly as the old strings mean you can tighten some parts more than others.

 

[2ndtimearound]

Thanks folks. Definitely seems like there’s quite a bit of variation! I’m probably just going to have to go to my tack shop and try them, aren’t I? ? Always the best option anyway. It looks like the place I was going to go to is actually open at the minute, though they are moving location soon. At least they sell Airowear, Racesafe and Champion ones.

 

[C1airey]

The new Racesafe have elasticated lacing up the sides: plenty of ‘give’ (you can breath, for example) and you can get a very close, comfy fit around a curvier figure. They have also shaped the panels so that they don’t rub at the hips.