safety wear that doesnt make you melt out hacking?!

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inthehills

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I'm just wondering what others wear in terms of hat/body protector in the summer, or if it's a case of putting up with it!

Today was hardly a scorcher but hot enough really, and I was completely melting in my hat and body protector. Things weren't helped by having to get off to lead up a very steep, rocky hill, by the time I got to the top I'd had to unzip my BP (an airowear outline) and carry my hat!

is there any lighter gear you can get that doesn't compromise safety (if endurance riders wear the same as me...i'm impressed by their stamina :) )

my hat is just a bog standard Charles owen, I have seen vented hats but don't know if they make much difference?

Of course, I could leave the BP at home but I don't ride as well as I used to, and definitely don't bounce like I used to!
 
Clothing and high viz wise have a look at running wear. I bought a very thin floaty Nike vest in special wicking fabric in louminous yellow!
I also ride in Nike running tights when it's hot. Again very technical wicking fabric and super comfy.
Can't help with BP's think you'd cook in any brand at the moment!
 
I have a samshield vented helmet which is very 'cool' to ride in. I can feel the air coming through the vents which means I dont end up with a horrid sweaty head.
BP - I dont hack in one, but I do currently hack my youngster in an air jacket. I find it much more comfortable in the warm weather whilst still having a safety net should something go wrong.
 
There are not a huge number of vented hats that meet current standards - but there are a few. Good quality wicking material in the under garments helps a lot. Your BP is obviously no use if you take it off so you could look at something like the helite Gilet. The protection isn't as good without a BP underneath - but it is better than nothing. The bottom line is that any protection that relies on a layer of insulating foam is not going to be comfortable in the heat!
 
BP wise, I've just bought one in the new Airowear Airmesh style. It's the same fit as an Outlyne, but the outer fabric is mesh and there are holes through the foam. I've not ridden in it yet, and it's still likely to be hot, but hopefully a little less so! To be fair I didn't buy it simply for that reason, as I needed a new one anyway, but thought I may as well go for the 'cooler' version.
 
2ndtimearound said:
BP wise, I've just bought one in the new Airowear Airmesh style. It's the same fit as an Outlyne, but the outer fabric is mesh and there are holes through the foam. I've not ridden in it yet, and it's still likely to be hot, but hopefully a little less so! To be fair I didn't buy it simply for that reason, as I needed a new one anyway, but thought I may as well go for the 'cooler' version.
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I have the vented racesafe and having the mesh and holes in the foam makes a difference, it is still warm, but nowhere near as warm as the older style.

Summer jods (check out Decathlon) and light runnning tshirts might help as well.
 
I find my hit air jacket a lot more pleasant than a BP and I also feel it is more likely to save me if I come off so it's a no brainer for hacking. I always wear it. Because it's not as tight fitting as a BP it's not as hot. I do have a lighter weight vented hat but having had a few serious falls and becoming more of a wimp every day, I wear my skull cap all the time now. It does have small air holes but it's still pretty hot. However I just put up with it as I feel safer.
 
I think if I'm melting then it's to warm to be out. So I ride earlier in the morning or don't ride. I wear a normal Champion hat , high viz under an air jacket and find that usually cool enough. I'm not sure I'd trust a vented hat , I'm getting on and my brain cells are delicate enough ;)
 
Vented hats do make a big difference, definitely a good investment

Not really much you can do about BP other than remove which really isn't ideal, but focusing on what you wear underneath can help, good wicking fabrics to draw the sweat away will make you more comfortable
 
I used to have an Aerowesr Outlyne but switched to a Racesafe and find it much less hot and more comfortable for wearing for longer periods of time!
 
xxKatxx said:
I used to have an Aerowesr Outlyne but switched to a Racesafe and find it much less hot and more comfortable for wearing for longer periods of time!
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Another vote here for RS - comfortable and light. Can't compare to the Outlyne but would always recommend RS.
 
Many thanks for the replies :-)
It's good to know there are other options, and I'll have to have a trip to the horsey store to try a few things on.
I'm hoping to get going with long distance riding and can see my current gear just making things less than fun if it's hot.
Interesting too about running/lightweight clothing, hadn't thought of that either :-)
 
vented hats are amazing. My yo does a lot of endurance and has just switched from a body protector to an air vest and says it makes a huge difference
 
I have a Gatehouse vented hat that is loads more comfortable than a skull. It also has a removable washable liner to keep it fresh. It is out of standard for competition but fine for hacking and schooling for another couple of years.

I don't wear a BP to hack but I have a vented one and wear it with a technical base layer when I do need to use it. Will need to replace that soon too though due to the standards changing.

I buy cycling hi viz as it is normally more lightweight and technical.
 
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