Women and body protectors.

highlandponygirl

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What body protectors do you lasses wear?

I'm finding it quite difficult to find a decent one to buy that fits a woman's shape. I either struggle to get the boobies in (then it's too tight and can't breathe ;)) or get the next size up so boobies fit, but then it doesn't fit everywhere else :rolleyes3:

I recently gave up with and sold the 2 that I had as they were just so uncomfortable. They were both really rigid/ ungiving, so difficult to move in and one was a little long in the back (i'm a shorty :p)

I've been looking at the Racesafe ones, they look a lot more flexible and might suit a woman's shape more? Anyone got one?
 
Ive got a Racesafe one. I find it much more comfy to wear than the more rigid ones and found that it does indeed suit my ... erm... curves better :)
 
I have a Racesafe one, as i am larger up top than anywhere else, i like the fact i can undo the laces around the top but have them tighter further down.

I still despise wearing one though, darn things, but my OH insists as im riding my 3 year old who can be very sharp.

I haven't tried an Outlyne, but i don't like the solid type body protectors, and the Racesafe do seem more flexible.

On the plus side, they keep you warm when its cold and for the *ahem cough* larger lady it acts as a blooming good sports bra, as it stops you bouncing around all over the place
 
It's more for the boobage and the shorter back options. I did like the look of the Racesafe one because of being able to adjust with the laces and having the zip up. Will have to try them both I think.
 
I tried on the outlyne one and a race safe and as soon as I put the race safe on I was like ok im buying this lol! its so comfy, light weight, easy to do up and the laces mean you can adjust it easily! I wear it when im hacking and jumping and barely notice it!
 
I tried on a tonne, or do it felt at the time!

I have a Racesafe, which I love as it's really lightweight, flexible & I forget I'm wearing it - I often start mucking out having turned my horse out after riding & only realise I'm wearing it still when I realise I'm a bit hot! I have boobs too and they don't feel squashed or restricted in it.

I can mount from the ground in it, pick out feet, sit on jump blocks, duck under fencing etc all with it on.

I tried the Outlyne, but compared to the Racesafe, it felt bulky & rigid.

I really didn't like Rodney Powell body protectors, I think I tried a Harry Hall & another Champion make too, but for me none came close to the Racesafe.
 
Defo try them all on the variation is fits is surprising! The Outlyne was the only one to fit me snugy and cover all the relevant bits, then I ha to go for the long back slim small adult..(no boobs!)
 
It's more for the boobage and the shorter back options. I did like the look of the Racesafe one because of being able to adjust with the laces and having the zip up. Will have to try them both I think.

This is another reason why i plumped for Racesafe, i tried one on at the Treehouse stand at Chatsworth in May, i had to have extra short back, so mine wasn't off the peg job, but they measured me up and sent it ut to me once it was done
 
Sorry to hi-jack thread. But have the same problem, larger up top than anywhere else!

I have a really old rodney powell body protector that I bought years ago and never really used as never ended up doing much jumping in the end. But now am starting to get back on the cross crountry trail and am going to have to get another, It is soooooo uncomfortable!

Race safe and Outlyne have been recommended previously to me so will go check them out also as OP seems to be doing.

But how much airflow do either of these body protectors allow through?

My rodney Powell one really doesn't, my shirt had changed colour in sweat by time I had finished XC schooling the other day - yuk!! But it was in a nice body protector shape. lol!
 
I preferred the flexibility of the racesafe, but unfortunately it didn't fit me properly. It was too long at the back. I went for the outlyne as the fit was much better (safer). Despite it bring quite ridged I'm very happy with it. I'm a bit of a BP freak and I wear it every day
 
Can't speak for the Racesafe but have to say having gone xc a few times this summer and done a 10 mile sponsored ride in the 20/21 degrees I didn't even notise the outlyne, yep I was sweaty but not overly hot and it's not stinky either.
 
i gave up bp altogether a little while back...
get an air jacket...
:(

Air jacket should be used with a BP for maximum protection...

I would suggest going somewhere there is a large range of makes and sizes in stock so you can try lot of different ones on.

You could also consider a Kan, as these are designed for ladies. I also saw this make of BP at Burghley: http://www.myselleria.com/P2040-protective-vest-dainese-balios-3 They are very flexible, and could possibly be worth a try.

However, for me I am lucky, I fit into a childs extra large BP, and got my last one in the sale for £30!
 
I have the Racesafe, for me nothing came close to it! So comfortable and the new model is very lightweight yet still very protective. I haven't ever been unbearably hot in an RS. x
 
I am also short backed, large breasted plus I have no neck to speak of and that makes them all jump up and hit me in the face or even on my riding hat.

I've tried the Outlyne, the one that fitted around my bust was far far too large everywhere else. The racesafe was slightly better but still didn't fit. None of the 'solid' protectors have fitted so far. I'm debating between the link posted earlier and the Equisafety one at the moment, trying to find places that actually have either to try on is proving difficult though. Will be interesting to see if any other makes are suggested as I'm pretty desperate! The only one that fits me is the very old Caldene one, sadly they aren't the current required standard so no xc for us right now.
 
Have you tried sending your bust and waist measurements to Airowear with a query?

I have found them helpful. If there is a gap in their sizing or any other problem, they like to know.

The theoretical difference between airowear and race safe is that the bust adjustment on airowear is separate from the adjustment at the waist.
On a racesafe the laces go the whole way up the side and there is no way of tightening the waist without tightening the bust as well. When I was younger and slimmer I started out with a lace up style body protector -a Champion - which I loved. But, if a woman needs to accommodate a larger bust, it is better to have one that has two adjusting straps each side which allows more space on top, but which can be adjusted below to stop it riding up round one's neck.
 
Can't speak for the Racesafe but have to say having gone xc a few times this summer and done a 10 mile sponsored ride in the 20/21 degrees I didn't even notise the outlyne, yep I was sweaty but not overly hot and it's not stinky either.
Same here. I started wearing it in cool weather and I though I'd bake in it in summer but even on really hot days it was pretty good. I've also had two falls in it recently and I'm really pleased how well it did its job. Once it's on and warms up it moulds to your body and is really comfy. I find the side adjusting Velcro straps easy to do up too.
 
I have an older but still current Racesafe, and a newer Outline, and the Outline is best for me. I liked the idea of the smaller blocks of the Racesafe, but in practice the tailored but flexible Outline was more comfortable. I use it on its own for SJ, and with an air jacket for XC. I have also found the customer service for the Outline to be FAB, a friend had a heavy fall on their back to a gate post, and they sold just the back panel for a cost effective replacement for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
 
The theoretical difference between airowear and race safe is that the bust adjustment on airowear is separate from the adjustment at the waist.
On a racesafe the laces go the whole way up the side and there is no way of tightening the waist without tightening the bust as well. .

Would it be possible to use 2 laces instead of one? then could adjust separately
 
Love my Kan/Kanteq - fits beautifully, I tried a few of the wrap around types (the one that Lucinda.... event rider, wears a lot of pink) endorses, and if rode up and pressed on my throat and barely covered the bottom of my boobs! The K doesn't move - heavy yes, but the added bonus is that it doesn't have to be chucked in the bin after a fall.
 
I tried a Kanteq on and vowed on the spot that if I ever need a new BP to wear regularly I will buy a Kan. Try one and see, my Charles Owen BP isn't bad but the Kan is fab!
 
Yes I have got one, and I have what you could say is a fuller figure and I think mine is a large (was really pleased that I didn't need an extra large-personal goals you know...) but it is quite snug but is adjustable at the sides with lace ties, is there any way you could try one out to see... but I would recommend mine as they are quite flexible unlike most of the other body protectors...

good luck..

dizz4
 
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