Which body protector?

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jennie1000

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Hi,
I've just recently started jumping my mare and think I should consider a body protector. I've never ridden in one so don't have a clue where to start. They look very restrictive. :-/

I went to robinsons and asp the oval Saddlry and was surprised to see they only stocked 3 types. Are they just not popular? Or am I looking in the wrong place? Or do they need to be specialt fitted?

It's not like we compete cross county every week. We hack out mainly. Started jumping 2ft 6 show jumps in school and will jump knee high logs out on fun rides.

Recomedations for products and shops Please.
 
loads of threads on here worth searching and having a read

you really need to try on several types and be fitted by a trained person.

personally i like my racesafe and also have an airowear outlyne which is fab. Lots of people like the kan but i couldn't stand the one i tried. Horses for courses.
 
I recommed RaceSafe back protectors, you need to find a retailer to fit them for you but i use mine a lot and find it the most flexible of the lot.
If your not on a budget, try a Point2 air jacket, very light and just like wearing a thin jacket.
 
I love my airowear, you just need to try on and find one that suits both your shape and your pocket! Airowear, kan and racesafe are probably the most popular.
 
It's not that they're not popular, it's more that a couple of companies specialize in making them - presumably because they need to be rigorously tested and get the necessary safety accreditation.

Here are some companies that are often recommended on the board -
* Racesafe
* Kan Teq
* Airowear

It may feel a bit strange when you start wearing it, but after a while you will probably forget about it if it is well fitted.

Hope this helps!
 
wewillshowthem said:
If your not on a budget, try a Point2 air jacket, very light and just like wearing a thin jacket.
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The P2 is not a body protector, it is an air jacket and designed for specific accidents/circumstances. Although some people choose to use one on its own for general riding, if you compete you need to use it IN ADDITION to a regular body protector. It does not cover the range of protection a body protector does.

I am another racesafe fan, have found them the least restrictive of all the ones I've tried. It does depend on your shape though, I know a huge number of people who really rate the Kanteqs as they are shaped to fit 'curvier' women. Another advantage of the Kans is that they are made from a different type of foam which does not degrade and therefore won't need to be replaced as often as a regular bp.

Whichever one you choose you need to make sure it fits. Kan and racesafe will both give a lot of advice over the phone and will be able to recommend your nearest trained stockist/fitter.

When you do get one it's worth wearing it about your house for a while first, helps it mould to your shape and you adjust to wearing one.
 
I also recommend the Racesafe body protectors, they're the only ones I can wear as I find others so restrictive! If you get a correctly fitted Racesafe then they're flexible and easy to move in - also very effective in the event of a fall as I had a nasty one last year where I got trampled and kicked to pieces and didn't have any soreness or bruising where my body protector had been, but the rest of me was black and blue! They also do a shorter version too if you find the original version catches on the back of the saddle. Highly recommend them :)
 
I really like the Racesafe - doesn't bother me wearing it at all - and I do wear it even for hacking because I got all health and safety about being a Mum with 2 little kids who needed me...etc. But they are all very hot - that is the only disadvantage.

I find I am much more worried about my health and safety in winter- when it works as another useful layer of clothing - than in summer!
 
Afraid I cant afford a racesafe but have just bought a new Rodney Powell elite ESP X2. Hasnt arrived yet but I currently have an older Rodney Powell one that has served me well, fairly comfy and I always feel safe - I have the matching shoulder pads too but have never used them!

Obviously in light of Chicos recent surgery my new one wont see any action for a few months!
 
I bought mine from badminton horse trials in 2010 and it still fits, so they are definately worth the investment.
Airowear is a very good make, and breathable! You should get them fitted properly though if your buying one as there are so many different sizes/shapes.
 
Love my Airowear - used to have one of the old style protectors that was soooo uncomfortable. Airowear feels supportive but comfy! try one first though, my friend found it hurts her shoulder, she uses racesafe I think.
 
Thanks everyone..... I looked up all the suggestions. Can try the airowear ones at robinsons. I do like how flexible the racesafe ones look so will try and find a stockist in Cheshire where I can try one on and see if it's worth paying the extra money for the comfort.
 
jennie1000 said:
Thanks everyone..... I looked up all the suggestions. Can try the airowear ones at robinsons. I do like how flexible the racesafe ones look so will try and find a stockist in Cheshire where I can try one on and see if it's worth paying the extra money for the comfort.
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i actually find the airowear outlyne more flexible, once it warms up to your body temp its really pliable so be sure to wear it for a good 10 mins.I left mine in the car last week and it went floppy in the sun!
 
I have a Rodney Powell and I love it. I forget I'm wearing it once its been on for 10mins as it mould to my shape.
 
rhino said:
Another advantage of the Kans is that they are made from a different type of foam which does not degrade and therefore won't need to be replaced as often as a regular bp.
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Rhino - I didn't even think about if/when a bp should be replaced. Can I ask how long should a bp last before I should think about replacing it?


I've got a Rodney Powell one (as PaintMeProud has said it was in my price bracket), but even though I've worn it every ride for the last couple of years I'm not as flexibile in it as without it. Oddly I now find it hard to mount from the ground (which I don't do very often), as I can't seem to 'curve' my body up over as I jump up.

Since being on this forum I've heard so much about how good and flexible the Racesafe ones are that as/when I need to replace my bp I might save up and try and get one of those.
 
I also love my airowear outlyne. It moulds really well to me and I don't really notice I'm wearing it. It definitely makes me feel more secure than when I used to ride without one. I've yet to wear it for a hot summer though, so not tested out how breathable it is yet.
 
HappyNeds said:
Rhino - I didn't even think about if/when a bp should be replaced. Can I ask how long should a bp last before I should think about replacing it?
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There's no real set advice; obviously if you have a fall and the foam is damaged then it should be replaced (another reason I like the racesafes as the separate blocks can be replaced without having to buy a new b.p). It does degrade over time though.

Barring falls, the suggestion is every 3 - 5 years as far as I remember. You should also not keep them in direct sunlight or in cars (NSN :mad: :D) as that is not good for them.

I must admit my RS is about 8 years old now but I do look after it and have never actually fallen off wearing it!
 
rhino said:
There's no real set advice; obviously if you have a fall and the foam is damaged then it should be replaced (another reason I like the racesafes as the separate blocks can be replaced without having to buy a new b.p). It does degrade over time though.

Barring falls, the suggestion is every 3 - 5 years as far as I remember. You should also not keep them in direct sunlight or in cars (NSN :mad: :D) as that is not good for them.
!
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loli know - laaaazy me, couldnt be assed taking my stuff in the from the car:p defo a good experiment in comparing the foams of the 2 though, the RS doesnt go as squishy lol

i got the new RS last year and on the label attached to it it recommended replacing it after 3-5 years , there is a link to something on the beta website saying the same, im sure ive posted it before,cant find it just now though

eta, airowear suggest after 5 years, see 'repairs to older bp's'
http://www.airowear.co.uk/faqs.php

found it - 'getting the most out of your bp'
http://www.beta-uk.org/pages/riders/news/body-protectors-for-the-season-ahead.php
 
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HollyhedgePippa said:
I have the airowear outlyne, it's great very flexible and comfortable!
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I'm going to pop to Robinsons and see how these feel when fitted... They don't look particularly roomy around the top in the photos on the site though...:o

I have looked at the Kan tec but (online at least) they only go up to an E cup which wouldn't give enough room up top...

Racesafe is a bit outside my budget...
 
Ladydragon said:
I'm going to pop to Robinsons and see how these feel when fitted... They don't look particularly roomy around the top in the photos on the site though...:o

I have looked at the Kan tec but (online at least) they only go up to an E cup which wouldn't give enough room up top...

Racesafe is a bit outside my budget...
Click to expand...

the reason i have both the RS ad outlyne, is *cough*:o umm, because once i was past about 24 weeks pregnant i coudlnt do up the RS, so had to get the outlyne as it was more adjustable round my increasing curves, Im 35 weeks now, it still fits ;)
 
I love my racesafe, after having it on for two minutes it is barely noticeable, just feels like wearing a gilet :D

You can adjust the racesafe sizing via the laces at the side. I've had mine about 3 years now, and can adjust the fit up top but keep the fit around waist area.
 
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