Which back protector?

I think KANs are the be all and end all :p I am hugely claustrophobic and I hold my breath when jumping, in any other BP I feel trapped and that I can't catch my breath. Before my KAN, my BP would be off the second I crossed the finish line, however I can happily keep my KAN on until the horse is cooled off. It is soo easy to breath in, I don't think I hold my breath in it at all, I finish XC not out of puff anyway!
I am also 6ft, with big boobs and a small waist, off the peg T-Shirts don't fit me, let alone off the pegs BPs!

The KAN does feel heavy to pick up, but when your wearing it although you feel protected, it's not heavy at all.
 
Who wears an air jacket over their Kan? Getting my first Point 2 tomorrow, credit card alert....

I have an AOW zippa that must be 6 years old but its soooo comfy, but really needs replacing. Tried on the newer Outlyne but can't get on with it, seems bulkier under the arms. Tried a racesafe, but it seems a bit flimsy compared to mine, fussy I know!

Was going to get a new bp at Badminton on Sunday, can you only buy direct or do shops stock the Kan?

Thanks.
 
Coop said:
Who wears an air jacket over their Kan? Getting my first Point 2 tomorrow, credit card alert....
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Nicola Wilson does.

Coop said:
Was going to get a new bp at Badminton on Sunday, can you only buy direct or do shops stock the Kan?
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some shops stock them, but i think you're best buying direct as Wendy is brilliant at getting a perfect fit (for most body types!) In contrast to Kirsty, I'm pretty flat-chested, but equally long-waisted, ditto quite hard to fit clothes to, and my Kan fits like a glove. Love it. I, too, forget I have it on. (Getting back in the car and driving in it usually reminds me... the curved back doesn't suit a car seat's back, put it that way...)
Or, if you're in the Midlands, there's a Kan fitter in that area...
 
A question for the Kan-Krew ;) - how far do they come down over your ribs down your side (sort of in a line from under your arms to above your hips)?

It's just that a friend and I were looking at some event pictures recently, and there was one of an HHOer (for obvious reasons I won't say who/which event or post a link) but it was blatantly obvious that there was a large area of her ribs unprotected.

Now I'm not sure if this was just the way this Kan was fitted or if they're all like that but I am very sure that my own BP provides more protection in that area and if she was to fall and land on a XC fence she would have some very sore ribs :eek:
 
meardsall_millie said:
A question for the Kan-Krew ;) - how far do they come down over your ribs down your side (sort of in a line from under your arms to above your hips)?

It's just that a friend and I were looking at some event pictures recently, and there was one of an HHOer (for obvious reasons I won't say who/which event or post a link) but it was blatantly obvious that there was a large area of her ribs unprotected.

Now I'm not sure if this was just the way this Kan was fitted or if they're all like that but I am very sure that my own BP provides more protection in that area and if she was to fall and land on a XC fence she would have some very sore ribs :eek:
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A body protector should just cover your ribs, bt not be so long to stop you folding over a jump. I'm really tall so always need a long in the aow. Thanks for the info guys, will call them!
 
Thats v.interesting m_m. My comments are based on what a trusted retailer advised me about the fitting of Kans, and how difficult they find fittin Kans without adjustment from Wendy, which the retailer wasn't happy about as she couldnt understand how theyd still be BETA approved with different parts, because body protectors should be tested with every possible variable which is impossible if bits are being cut off etc!

I also found it wasnt as comfortable as I expected, and with the modern foams that are used elsewhere which are lwt and safe, I was happy with a cheaper make.
 
The bit about ribs could perhaps do with the size of rider. For example I am 5ft7 but fit in a child's x-large bp! (not a kan though.)

I tried this one on and a adult small. The shop said the child xl was the only one i could have as the adult one came below my ribs, and would cause more serious injury if I fell of and it pushed up into my insides!
 
KatB said:
Thats v.interesting m_m. My comments are based on what a trusted retailer advised me about the fitting of Kans, and how difficult they find fittin Kans without adjustment from Wendy, which the retailer wasn't happy about as she couldnt understand how theyd still be BETA approved with different parts, because body protectors should be tested with every possible variable which is impossible if bits are being cut off etc!

I also found it wasnt as comfortable as I expected, and with the modern foams that are used elsewhere which are lwt and safe, I was happy with a cheaper make.
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Umm, the different parts are just different sizes, played around with to give exact sizing if necessary. i suspect a lot of people are standard size 8, 10, 12, etc - I know I was! - and it's my understanding that even if different size components are used, they still overlap at the essential parts (on the sides, giving full protection but allowing full inflation of lungs!), meet up exactly at the front, etc. The only bit that's cut off afaik is the length of the back (i trimmed mine down myself, found it a little too long) and that was just personal preference because i hack out naughty ones in it and found that when i sit bolt upright, i wanted it a tiny bit shorter.

mine comes to just below my ribs, fwiw.
 
Im only repeating what I was told by a retailer who sells every make of protector! Makes no odds to me either way :D I do love the idea behind the Kans, but when it came to the crunch I was just as happy to go with another make when weighing the options up and looking at all the makes.
 
I little bit off topic, but seeing as you're talking about them...

Can anybody recommend me a good shop in/near lancashire or online to buy a racesafe from please for hubby? He wants the jockey version if that makes any difference.
 
I have a Kan and love it, worth the investment in my opinion.

I have also won a USG flexi body protector, which fits really nicely and is comfortable, but I'm going to sell it because I already have my Kan.

Does anyone know much about them? Ingrid Klimke rides in one, with the air bag option added on
 
Yes I bought my Kan off Wendy at a tradestand and I still find it uncomfortable - in fact have started not wearing it while SJ which defeats the point of having it.
Also find it far too tight to wear over a show jacket.
So do try on before buying


Chloe_GHE said:
Another vote for the Kan. :) :)

I know they may seem pricey compared to other competitor products, but really those similar products don't come close to the Kan when you look into the science and technology behind it's design so you can't logically compare them like for like. It is a body protector that stands alone.

You are buying a safety item so safety really should be your primary concern, price second (within reason). Kan's absorb 20% more impact energy than the average BP, that's 20% less impact energy when you hit the floor that will be reaching your body, they really are a superior design. I had my OH punch me in the chest and back when I had my Kan on to test it out, and yeah he's not 'My Universe' but it was a fairly hefty punch and I didn't feel a thing, the Kan took all the force.

They are FULLY adjustable and Wendy can fit them for you to a tea, just give her a call with your measurements, and she can make one up bespoke to suit you exactly (they are accommodating for lady bits too)

Honestly can't sing their praises enough, and yes I am bias having one, but whatever you do please make sure you at least try on a Kan before you make any decision, I bet you will be pleasantly surprised.

Those of you who said you couldn't get your Kan to fit, did Wendy fit it for you?....
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Realistically, no one item will ever suit all users, it's not a failing! I'm sure it's completely unintended but I find Kan's being very strongly pushed on this site at the moment. It seems at times that you can't admit to preferring another brand without immediately being questioned about it.

I like Kans. I will happily suggest them as an option if someone asks, partly from the sterling recommendations on here. I am just as happy to continue to wear my racesafe :)
 
Obviously they aren't going to suit everyone, however it's seems silly to have spent a lot of money on one and then not be happy with it, particularly when the owner will go out of her way to help.
Personally I will always recommend Kans over anything, not because I want to push them (I don't get anything out of someone else buying one) but because they are unique in the way they expand and contract with each breath - for me that is the best part of them as like I said I have a lot of trouble breathing. If another BP did the same thing (and perhaps it does, I'm willing to be corrected!) I would recommend that too.
 
kirstyhen said:
You should get back in touch with Wendy. She would be so disappointed to know you weren't happy with it. She goes out of her way to make sure every Kan fits perfectly.
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thats the thing though - they dont all fit perfectly. Great for those they do :)

rhino said:
Realistically, no one item will ever suit all users, it's not a failing! I'm sure it's completely unintended but I find Kan's being very strongly pushed on this site at the moment. It seems at times that you can't admit to preferring another brand without immediately being questioned about it.

I like Kans. I will happily suggest them as an option if someone asks, partly from the sterling recommendations on here. I am just as happy to continue to wear my racesafe :)
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ditto this - it actually puts me off, other brands dont need a sea of followers to push their products.

i find the outlyne moves as i breathe moreso than the kan i had did - it felt rigid as a brick, but each to their own. Still love my racesafe - just a shame it didnt fit my pregnant shape lol (outlyne did), hoping to get back into it soon though:cool:
 
Coop said:
Who wears an air jacket over their Kan? Getting my first Point 2 tomorrow, credit card alert....
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I do, but I have a hit air. Had a 'trial run' of inflating it the other day, super comfy, didn't really notice it.


Incidently, of course the Kan isn't going to fit everyone, aren't we forgetting about men?! :rolleyes:
 
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