Race safe vs airowear

[Queenbee]

I currently have a Rodney Powell back protector, and was looking into going and getting a race safe, because of the additional flexibility they afford. I was in my local tack shop looking for something else and saw they stock them, however, the sales assistant tried to persuade me that the airowear was the way to go, that they (despite being designed like the RP) afforded more flexibility than the race safe. I must say, I wasn't all that sold on her spiel and when I checked on their website the only BP they have on there is the airowear, despite the fact that they have the race safe and the Rodney Powell in their shops so I suspect they are pushing it because of profit margins.

However, I would be interested to hear people's views and experiences on the race save vs the airowear back protectors before I go and purchase one.

 

[Wagtail]

I have not tried the race safe one. But I have just bought the aerowear outline and think it's lovely. Really comfortable, fits well and very bendy and flexible.

 

[Baileybones]

Interested to hear views on this as after a heavy fall I purchased a race safe but I just can't seem to get comfortable in it. I feel really clumpy on my upper half and like my arms are too far away from my body. After reading the rave reviews on here regarding the airowear I'm feeling tempted to cut my losses and try one of them instead.

 

[zoelouisem]

I'm getting my daughter a new bp and went into the tack shop to try on the racesafe she's Also had a airoware previously and like that. I asked the assistant and she said safety wise their exactly the same, the only diffrence is racesafe a immediately contour to the the body and airowares take 1/2 or so to contour as bodyheat is needed! Not much good on a freezing cold morning.
I'm going for a racesafe daughter said I'd was more comfy and considering the little difference in money may aswell go with the racesafe, which also have a better resale value once outgrown!!

 

[dreamcometrue]

I have the aerowear outlyne and find it very light and comfortable. The only time I notice it really is when mounting and dismounting.

 

[PingPongPony]

I've tried and ridden in both, hated the racesafe, i couldn't get comfortable in it and i just generally didn't like it. I own an Airowear Outlyne and i absolutely love it, its comfy, bendy and light, i forget i have it on! Plus its easily adjusted around waist, boobs and on the shoulders, so you can adjust it to fit you perfectly. I will definitely be getting another airowear when the time comes to change this one

 

[Skib]

You need to check both to see which fits you best. OH wears Racesafe, I wear Airowear. Differences to bear in mind. Small panels in Racesafe don't extend right down the back and the panel construction makes it harder to adjust sizes at the shoulder, if the standard sizes are not right for you. Racesafe and other lace fastening bps which lace up the side do not allow separate adjustment at bust and waist.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Ive always had a racesafe and chose it because it was lower profile and under a blouson or gilet you wouldnt know it was there. However i do find the outlyne more comfy and finds it moulds to your shape better, it is however a bit bulkier.

 

[Queenbee]

Thanks all, really interested in all responses as I don't want to fork out for a new one and then have to fork out again, my RP is absolutely fine, but I just don't think it affords me the flexibility the newer ones do. Zoelouise, the assistant did say that heat played a huge factor in the AW's flexibility to me. I just found it very odd that they only endorse them on their website when the actually stock three brands.

 

[Queenbee]

I've tried and ridden in both, hated the racesafe, i couldn't get comfortable in it and i just generally didn't like it. I own an Airowear Outlyne and i absolutely love it, its comfy, bendy and light, i forget i have it on! Plus its easily adjusted around waist, boobs and on the shoulders, so you can adjust it to fit you perfectly. I will definitely be getting another airowear when the time comes to change this one

You need to check both to see which fits you best. OH wears Racesafe, I wear Airowear. Differences to bear in mind. Small panels in Racesafe don't extend right down the back and the panel construction makes it harder to adjust sizes at the shoulder, if the standard sizes are not right for you. Racesafe and other lace fastening bps which lace up the side do not allow separate adjustment at bust and waist.

Thank you both, some really useful stuff there

 

[m1stify]

I had an aerowear 1st thought it was fine until I got my racesafe which I abs love

 

[PingPongPony]

Thanks all, really interested in all responses as I don't want to fork out for a new one and then have to fork out again, my RP is absolutely fine, but I just don't think it affords me the flexibility the newer ones do. Zoelouise, the assistant did say that heat played a huge factor in the AW's flexibility to me. I just found it very odd that they only endorse them on their website when the actually stock three brands.

I found that heat only played part for the first few weeks, after that my BP is shaped to my body so it just stays in that position. The more you ride in it the more flexible it gets as well, after 3 years of riding in mine i can pretty much fold it in half

 

[AmyHack]

Racesafe definitely! My friend has an airowear which she hates. I love my racesafe, so comfy I could wear it all the time if I didn't get so hot in it!

 

[el_Snowflakes]

another vote for the racesafe..it shouldn't feel bulky, if it does I would suspect its incorrectly fitted. I ended up getting a childs XL even though I am about 5.7ft & quite busty

 

[longdog]

We sell all 3 makes & the AW outsells everything else by miles. It seems to be far more adjustable for different body shapes. The RS2010 offers less adjustment so has to really fit in the body length whereas the AW & RP both have adj over the shoulders. This is why it is so important to have them fitted by someone who really knows body protectors & can give proper fitting advice

 

[Spoiled cob]

I've just updated mine and I went to get a race safe but came away with the outlyne. It was much more comfortable and much neater on me. Haven't had a chance to wear it yet but it fits perfectly and is much more adjustable. The saddlery were great I even took my saddle in to sit on to make sure the length was right

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I like both but bought the Airowear Outlyne as it was that extra bit more comfy. The RS felt too bulky under the arms, can't explain but just less comfy

 

[coloured_c0b]

Another that went to buy race safe and came away with aerowear. The race safe was so bulky at the shoulders for me and even in the short version was catching the saddle. Tried aerowear and loved it felt a little bulky to start with but after two years I don't even realise I'm wearing it and I can mount and dismount fine in it. Once this needs replacing unless they have changed the design I'll be replacing it with another aerowear bp.

 

[OldNag]

I have an AO which is fab.
I recently bought one of the new ones for my daughter and it's even more fab - extremely flexible before you even put it in. I shall be upgrading!

 

[webble]

I tried both on in the shop and found the racesafe more instantly comfy. I ride in it every day even just to walk down the lane and love it.

That said people have told me that you have to let the airowear warm up and mould to you a bit for it to be comfy which I didnt do, that does put me off wearing one on a cold day though

My tip would be try both on and walk around the shop for ten mins and make sure you get the right size

 

[Skib]

I feel really clumpy on my upper half and like my arms are too far away from my body.

Big problem for me too when trying on bps. If that is happening, yours hasnt been properly fitted on you.

One is supposed to replace body protectors every 4 or 5 years. Since I last bought one, the regulations had stipulated an extra layer of foam (for all brands). The extra foam makes it bulkier round one's ribs and that forces your arms out from your side. I tried about five different brands and all were the same.
If you are narrow across the shoulders yet need a medium size bp, that extra width round the ribs and waist may bring the padding up too wide under your arms. And the Outlyne design which allows for women's figures has actually made it worse for people like me by making them less generous at the waist.
But I do suggest writing to airowear and explaining your problem. That is what I did. Because unless people like us give feedback the manufacturers are not going to provide for us.
Both airowear and race safe will make bps to measure. Thanks to a specialist local fitter (and my not competing) I didnt need that in the end.
Racesafe can also be adjusted at the shoulder but only by removing a whole panel. They told me they couldnt fit me.

 

[Mince Pie]

I have a racesafe and love it, but then I haven't got a big bust! I love the fact that it is adjustable so if, in the winter I am wearing more layers, I can adjust it to fit

 

[arlosmum]

Another vote for Racesafe here.Mine is so comfy, even with the large bosooms!
If only I'd been wearing mine when I came off. They're useless left hanging up in the tack room.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.