What body protector do you have?

A

Abbeygale

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 January 2008
Messages
3,995
Location
Never Never Land
Visit site
I am looking at getting a new body protector - as am planning on not only *shock* jumping this year, but also doing some x-country.

Now I have a body protector, but I have had it in my possession at least 10 years, and it wasn't new when I got it.... So I think a new BP is in order :D

I tried a couple on at the weekend, and didn't really like them. The one I have is one with the Velcro tabs that you pull in around you rather than a zip up the middle - I think I would prefer another like this, but am open to opinions.

So please can you tell me what BPs you all have, what your body shape is, And what you have found the good and bad points of your BP are

Thankies in advance - any hints and tips for BP shopping much appreciated - as you can probably gather its been some while since I last did BP shopping :D
 
I only hack out but bought a body protector following a fall which, although it wasn't that bad, took me about one month to recover fully. As a bus pass owner I don't bounce that well.

The body protector I chose is the Airowear Reiver which is the tabard style. I had if fitted at a local saddler. I also tried the zip up one, but like yourself I didn't get on with it.
 
I have a Racesafe body protector. It is so comfortable i forget that i am wearing it, and I wear it everytime i ride.

If I had to replace it I would definitely buy another! I think it might be best if you have a large tack shop around and go and try lots of them on.
 
I'm small and skinny and the one I have is a racesafe. It is mega lightweight and moulds to your shape perfectly, doesn't affect flexibility and is so comfortable I barely notice I am wearing it (only really use it for xc now although did ride out racers for quite a while). I will definitely replace it with another the same :D

Kanteq are the other bp that come highly recommended, especially with any 'curvier' women. They are made of a different sort of foam which doesn't degrade the way other bp's do so in theory will be usable for longer. Their customer service is also spot on :)

Neither of these is the cheapest available but I wouldn't get anything else! RS wins for me due to my shape (or lack of :rolleyes:) but everyone I know with Kans love them too.

ETA the racesafe has lacing at the sides to make it fit perfectly, and a zip front.
 
Another vote for Racesafe. The best body protector I've ever had! Bought it at Olympia after trying on loads of different ones and it was the lightest and most comfortable one of the lot.

Wouldn't consider anything else now and worth every penny!
 
I don't use one any more as I only hack/ SJ/ jump hunt jumps when I do ride.

However, sister does. She has a Racesafe with shoulder pads and loves it- it fits her like a glove and she's had some really nasty falls in it and got back on and carried on- a lot of peple worry about the 'gaps' allowing puncture wounds from studs, but she's had a studded hoof land on her and not pierce the skin so I'm not convinced by that argument. It's also hugely flexible- there have been some impressively near near-misses wearing it and it didn't impede her movement at all.

Previously, she used Rodney Powell BPs, but found it was too heavy and restrictive for her- after her round she would be struggling for breath despite it fitting her (it wasn't because she was unfit either, she's very active). However, some people love theirs and have never had that problem...

The Kan-Teq is a new one on the market that does seem really remarkable and worth looking at. Lots of people on here rave about them, and they offer fantastic protection but at a high price compared to other BPs... You never have to replace them though.

Your best bet is to try loads on and see what happens. I know I'd go for a Racesafe if I needed a BP as they fit pretty much everyone and offer great protection.
 
Another vote for racesafe. I am not flat chested but suits me fine. As you can let it out at the side my mum who is 66 and large chested also wear it occassionally. Try as many as you can :)
 
Fab - thanks for all the replies guys. Racesafe is one I was interested in - I am aware that they aren't the cheapest on the market, but I much prefer to buy something that really does the job and is easy to wear / lightweight than buy something just because it is cheaper.

Am I right in thinking that the racesafe is zipped up the front?

I'm sure the last time I looked at BPs there werent so many so it made it a bit easier!!! :)
 
I've got an Aerowear outlyne and obviously should've got a Racesafe!
Don't get on with it, it never feels comfortable and it was fitted by my local tack shop. It's clumpy, heavy,stiff and hot and feels like it rides up off my shoulders and round my ears almost.
Don't like it.
 
I've got the RS2010. I am quite absurdly busty and it fits fine. I hate wearing a bp but will just about tolerate my racesafe. I upgraded from the RS2000 so I pretty much knew what I wanted :)
 
Lolo said:
Previously, she used Rodney Powell BPs, but found it was too heavy and restrictive for her- after her round she would be struggling for breath despite it fitting her (it wasn't because she was unfit either, she's very active). However, some people love theirs and have never had that problem...
Click to expand...

I have a Rodney Powel bp and it damages my back and shoulders! I refuse to wear it now! I tried on a race safe point 2 air jacket at burghley- got blown up in it and I was surprised at how flexible it was when I was on the saddle, but also how secure I felt when it has exploded. I'm saving up for one!!
 
I haven't worn a BP in 10 years and same as you, aiming to XC this year so got a racesafe for Xmas.

First day I wore it, pony leaped about like a madman and took off (and I stayed on and didn't find it interfered with my riding), although TBF, she's been off work for 4 months.

Body shape - Slightly overweight and not small in chest area :p
 
Tinsel Trouble said:
I have a Rodney Powel bp and it damages my back and shoulders! I refuse to wear it now! I tried on a race safe point 2 air jacket at burghley- got blown up in it and I was surprised at how flexible it was when I was on the saddle, but also how secure I felt when it has exploded. I'm saving up for one!!
Click to expand...

The concern I have with the hybrids is that if you 'blow' the canister of the air jacket during a round, you will either have to retire or wait until the 'airbags' have deflated - as you cannot complete without a body protector. Surely having the 2 separately makes more sense as then you can simply remove the air jacket and still complete legally with the racesafe :confused: If you're happy with one fall and out then fine (though there have been a few cases of them blowing without the rider falling) but that would really p*ss me off! :D

Personally I'm yet to be convinced by airjackets though :)
 
rhino said:
The concern I have with the hybrids is that if you 'blow' the canister of the air jacket during a round, you will either have to retire or wait until the 'airbags' have deflated - as you cannot complete without a body protector. Surely having the 2 separately makes more sense as then you can simply remove the air jacket and still complete legally with the racesafe :confused: If you're happy with one fall and out then fine (though there have been a few cases of them blowing without the rider falling) but that would really p*ss me off! :D

Personally I'm yet to be convinced by airjackets though :)
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you- but I was sold on these when I saw a girl get dragged and kicked in the chest and leg falling off XC. the chest shot didn't hurt her at all- her leg was badly bruised!
Also my sister's ex had a rotational fall at a 2* event and walked away with a few bruises to his thighs, and a sprained wrist! Just have to remember to unclip it when you jump off- and carry a spare cannister to comps/ XC Schooling
 
I'm tall and really skinny and I have a rodney powell one, its got a zip up the middle. Is really comfy and does its job well. Am thinking of getting a new one though and think I'll probably go for a racesafe :)
 
Tinsel Trouble said:
I completely agree with you- but I was sold on these when I saw a girl get dragged and kicked in the chest and leg falling off XC. the chest shot didn't hurt her at all- her leg was badly bruised!
Also my sister's ex had a rotational fall at a 2* event and walked away with a few bruises to his thighs, and a sprained wrist! Just have to remember to unclip it when you jump off- and carry a spare cannister to comps/ XC Schooling
Click to expand...

Sorry - I would be more sold on the body protector underneath! ;)
Also, there is absolutely no way of telling if, in the event of a fall, it was your BP, or the addition of a 'bag' that protected you. It is, I think, quite telling that you can XC in 'just' a BP, but not rely solely on a 'bag'.
 
It's difficult when it comes down to personal experience - I have witnessed a rider suffer fairly serious injuries when wearing a Point 2 (which P2 originally denied :rolleyes:) and plenty of falls, including rotationals, when riders have walked away totally unscathed when not wearing a P2 - or sometimes no bp at all!

Unfortunately I think I'm also letting the misleading advertising, attempts to discredit other body protectors and some of the sales methods of that particular company colour my judgement

http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2011/3/Point-Two-Ltd/TF_ADJ_49969.aspx

And carrying a spare canister is fine but what happens when you blow one on course - you cannot continue :confused:
 
I can remember quite recently going XC schooling, and there was Pro on course, schooling a youngster wearing just a P2. I asked the course owner if his insurance didn't specify that BPs had to be worn? He said, yes it did, but it was OK as the said Pro was wearing a BP :eek: I explained that a P2 was not, in fact, a stand alone BP, and in the event of a fall the only thing keeping the front of the bag from the back of the bag was a set of ribs - hardly effective with half a ton of horse on top of you! I was also surprised at the Pro - who had far more to lose than most of us, if unable to ride. Apart from, of course, the obvious possible loss - of life. :(
 
dunkley said:
I can remember quite recently going XC schooling, and there was Pro on course, schooling a youngster wearing just a P2.
Click to expand...

It's not particularly unusual for people to wear them as stand-alone, as they will provide *some* protection under *some* circumstances. BE/RC/PC all insist that they are supplementary and a regular bp is essential, but it would be down to the wording of the insurance/contracts for other competitions/schooling centres that both are needed.

Surprised at the pro? How many still don't even wear hats? :rolleyes: :confused:
 
dunkley said:
I explained that a P2 was not, in fact, a stand alone BP, and in the event of a fall the only thing keeping the front of the bag from the back of the bag was a set of ribs - hardly effective with half a ton of horse on top of you! (
Click to expand...

This is no different from any body protector except the Exo which is no longer commercially available. In fact in this situation, the air will spread the weight of the horse over a greater area than a standard body protector will, and also dissipate the force by displacing the air to some extent. A hit air or P2 alone is, in my opinion, more protective in a rotational fall than any other body protector except the Exo.

Have you thought of the possibility that the Pro actually knows what they are doing, and that in their extensive experience wearing a standard BP under an air jacket offers them so little extra protection that they don't feel it's worth wearing?
 
Last edited:
I think it was A Rodney Powell one that was one of them I tried on at the weekend and while I realise they will all feel a bit awkward til worn in to and extent, it just didn't feel "right".

Unfortunately the saddlerys round me havent got a huge selection in stock so trying on before buying is a bit tricky.

I had a brief look at the Kan earlier and I will have a bit more of a read later on I think, as it sounds interesting.

Thanks for all the replies and help everyone :)
 
I have a rodney powell and more recently bought a KAn and love them both although the Kan is now used all the time when jumping tbh
 
rhino said:
It's not particularly unusual for people to wear them as stand-alone, as they will provide *some* protection under *some* circumstances. BE/RC/PC all insist that they are supplementary and a regular bp is essential, but it would be down to the wording of the insurance/contracts for other competitions/schooling centres that both are needed.

Surprised at the pro? How many still don't even wear hats? :rolleyes: :confused:
Click to expand...

Yes, good point! :rolleyes:

And IMHO, a.n.other point is total tosh, but I'll keep quiet.
 
dunkley said:
Yes, good point! :rolleyes:

And IMHO, a.n.other point is total tosh, but I'll keep quiet.
Click to expand...

Agreed. And funnily enough I know quite a few people who have bought EXOs very recently ;) So still available :D

And a P2 is completely useless in those rotational falls where the rider is trapped too close to the horse during the fall to allow the lanyard to 'pop' the airbags.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top