Which body protector? Kan or Point Two?

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RIDMagic

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The Kan body protector has really good reviews. I understand it’s made from some kind of foam which moulds to your body and is very light and comfortable, but hardens on impact so offers a high level of protection. It also seems to cover the lower back so I think it protects the spine more than many others. This one is about £250.

The other one I’m looking at is Point Two, the air jacket that’s built onto a RaceSafe body protector. This is double the price at £500 but is it worth the extra money? Does it offer any more protection than the Kan BP?

If it matters, I mainly do hacking and schooling. I’m not into eventing, showjumping, hunting etc. Any recommendations would help as they both look good and I don’t know which one to buy!
 
I personally have a Race Safe and a Hit Air jacket, I have fallen off a few times in the air jacket and I can honestly say I would not be without it. Personally I wouldn't purchase the two in one as if one part is damaged the whole product needs to be repurchased. Just go with what fits and feels the best.
 
If you are interested in the Kan it is worth going to a trade stand if you can to look before you buy - plus they can make it to measure for no extra cost.
I wouldnt agree it is light though, the foam is quite heavy though feels lighter when it is on. I find it a bit restrictive feeling.
 
I have a Kan which I wear for XC and it's very comfortable. Alas it won't fit over or under my hunt coat, so I have a Point Two - just the air jacket, not the air jacket plus Point Two - for hunting.

Worth having a think about how you want to wear it - with layers over / under - and trying both on before you buy.
 
I love my Kan, it is heavy at 5Kg but wou don't feel the weight when it's on, it's snug and comfortable. Having said all that it's currently parked up and I'm riding in my Joy-Riderz jacket, very impressed with it. I too mainly hack.
 
Highly recommend Kan. It is heavier on the hanger than a normal BP, but you don't feel it once it's on and its a small price to pay for the very good protection. Because the panels are curved, it really fits well and is very comfy. I wouldn't go back to a PVC nitrile BP now.
 
magicmoose said:
Highly recommend Kan. It is heavier on the hanger than a normal BP, but you don't feel it once it's on and its a small price to pay for the very good protection. Because the panels are curved, it really fits well and is very comfy. I wouldn't go back to a PVC nitrile BP now.
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I agree with magicmoose. The customer service at Kan is very good too
 
Thanks for replies. So it looks like the Kan BP comes highly recommended. I wonder which one would give the most support to the spine in the event of a fall? The air jacket seems like the obvious answer, as it’s basically a big airbag that inflates around you, but then there are people who have had horrendous accidents wearing the Kan BP and come out unscathed. Maybe they’re all much of a muchness!
 
I think that you probably need to go and try them on, I know I personally wouldn't wear anything other than my Racesafe, as its comfy I can move in it and its not too heavy.
Would love an air jacket but I am not doing XC currently so don't really see the point in having one lying around!
 
Yes dianchi trying them on is probably the best idea. I also used to think the air jackets weren't really necessary unless I was going to do eventing or hunting, or what I would class as high risk, but apparently most accidents happen whilst out hacking or schooling, not just competing, so I've just started to think about wearing one for hacking. I guess you just never know what's round the corner, and better to be safe than sorry!
 
Well at least you're already doing better than me, as I've never worn a body protector in my life! But since my horse galloped off with me (albeit more my fault than hers), then freaked out over a motorbike, it's just got me thinking about trying to protect myself just in case. There's just so many different ones to choose from and they are all different, it's hard to know which to go for. I think I'll end up with the Kan.
 
I've fallen twice wearing my BP now. The 2nd fall would probably have resulted in broken ribs or serious bruising as I landed on Tarmac with horse on my leg. I'm so grateful I was wearing it. I'd almost not bothered that day as it was quite warm. So in my mind a great habit to get into as you never know what'll happen no matter how good the horse. Mines really comfy to wear and not restrictive at all (Aerowear Outlyne)
 
A body protector is only any good if you actually wear it! I had a Rodney Powell for ages that only came out for XC as it was so uncomfortable, rigid and squished my lady lumps. I wear the Kan even if I'm just schooling or hacking.

I will hold fire on buying an air jacket until there is a proper CE standard for the garment.
 
I use a Point Two on its own for hacking and some schooling. Used it for nearly a year now and all through summer and it is really comfortable even on the hottest days - I haven't tested it yet though and am hoping not too :eek:
 
I've heard quite a few people say the Rodney Powell BPs are uncomfortable so think I'll steer clear of them! Another thing that puts me off the Point Two is the noise - some say it's very quiet and some say it's like a gunshot. Which could cause a horse to run off. Also you're relying on it actually functioning correctly and inflating, whereas a Kan just works as soon as you put it on!
 
I've got a racesafe and it's fantastic, you don't notice it's there but I've walked away from a couple of decent falls no worse for wear. No idea about the built in air jacket though!
 
The Kan and the hitAir/Point2 or similar do 2 different things! You can wear a Kan with an air type of jacket or either on their own but the recommendation is to wear a body protector with the air jacket. Some people do wear the air jacket type on their own, but in answer to your question about which gives greater protection, it will really depend on how you fall.

Whatever you do, please do go and get fitted properly, the recommendation is that you have a BETA level 3 which now has a 2009 ticket (previous testing was 2000 and some are still under this standard), then if you do decide to compete you will be able to use it, however the point about what you can wear it with depends on fit and I don't believe that you should wear an air jacket under a coat (someone will correct me?)

I have had the Kan and found it very stiff until warmed up, it is unique in the way that the foam isn't meant to degrade like normal protectors. But now have an Airowear Outlyne as I find this more suitable to the work I do with my horses. Most other body protectors need replacing after a fall or 3-5 years, like your hat. The air inflation does make a noise but if you've come that far adrift from your horse, then you may find it doesn't make that much difference! (again each person has their own opinion on this.)

Find one that fits and is comfortable - otherwise like most, you won't wear it!
 
I am very interested in this thread as I am currently recovering from fracturing 2 vertebrae in my neck after a fall in the school. Ironically I was just schooling on the flat, so now I am interested in buying an air jacket for general use.

I fell on my head which is how I fractured my neck, and I have read somewhere that the HitAir jacket inflates further up the neck to protect against the base if the skull cap. If this is true, this would have been the only type of protector which may have possibly saved my neck.

I'd be interested to hear more from people who have them.
 
Wow that sounds like a really terrible accident. How did it happen? Did your horse spook? It sounds like you're very lucky to be able to keep riding (and brave!)
 
He spooked and took off bucking, he stepped right to avoid a jump wing and I went left!! It was a bit of a freak accident but goes to show you never know when you will come off. My hat probably saved my life.

I'm not going to be back in the saddle for another few months but I want some extra reassurance with an air jacket.
 
It really does show you just never know what's round the corner. That really must have hurt! I bet you were worried you had done some major damage at first. I saw someone out hacking a few months ago with no hat on, and just thought what an idiot. I would never ride in the school without a hat, never mind out hacking. I came off a couple of weeks ago and the back of my head took a fair whack on the ground - if I hadn't been wearing my hat I'm sure I would have at least had concussion. Well done for having such a positive attitude anyway - an accident like that would probably destroy my confidence.
 
The hit air and the point 2 both inflate to the base of the hat. Nothing but an air jacket has any protection for the neck.
 
Spot_the_Risk said:
I love my Kan, it is heavy at 5Kg but wou don't feel the weight when it's on, it's snug and comfortable. Having said all that it's currently parked up and I'm riding in my Joy-Riderz jacket, very impressed with it. I too mainly hack.
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This. I had my Kan fitted by at Bramham several yrs ago but find the JoyRiderz jacket the best thing I've found for hacking - better than MountainHorse similar jacket which doesn't come in hi-Viz
 
Rach1: I have the Hit Air and the jacket does inflate up and around your neck as well as right down your spine too. I really rate it, it's been around for 20 years (used for motorcyclists previously) and I don't ever notice it when I'm riding- I wear it without a BP underneath- mainly because we are just schooling and hacking at the minute. Well worth it in my opinion.
 
Thanks Elvis, that's exactly what I would use one for. If we were jumping I will need a BP to go underneath but my boy doesn't jump a huge amount so I will have to save up for everything once I've replaced my hat as well!
 
I got one of the new champion ladies ones at burghley - it's really comfy. i still wear my point-two over it though. i tried the kan tech and i found it quite heavy and restrictive. but that was about a year ago. maybe they have a new one?
 
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