Would it be worth it? BP question...

T

Thelwell_Girl

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 March 2010
Messages
4,156
Visit site
Evening all :)

I was thinking about buying myself a Racesafe BP, as I'm very short in the back but quite, erm, busty, :o so I thought that they would be perfect, as can get made to measure. Unfortunately, getting one made to measure would cost me around £140!

I ride once a week having lessons at a RS, with occasional jumping lessons, but only teeny jumps so far.

Is it worth me getting one? I would also have to buy myself a private lesson to get the fit looked at by my instructor, so its all adding up...

Thank you lovely HHO-ers, and cookies and popcorn to all :D
cookie.gif
popcorn.gif
cookie.gif
 
Okay I guess it would be a 'lifetime' investment (although im not sure if its like hats and if you have a bad fall your meant to replace them) and also if you think your going to be doing more riding in the future, it would make you feel a bit safer and if your body shape is unlikely to change then why not.

There is an argument which says that they can give a 'false sense of security' so it can make people more risky than they would other wise be. I'm not sure if thats true and if it is I'd have thought probably only applies to younger people.

It is a lot of money, but if it does save you in a nasty accident then I guess you should treat it as an investment. Badly fitting body armour could do more harm than good so defo best to get the best fit.
 
I have one [previously had the other velcro ones and others if it helps] and do find it is the nicest one I've had to wear. I had to wear mine all the time during college and it's still good as new 4 years on :).

Also am quite 'busty' too and found it very comfortable compared to previous ones as can alter the sides at different points and the design is very compensating :)

However all that said....I never wear it now out of college :/ Hunting, XC, fun rides, jumping lessons, hacking etc, and haven't worn it since I finished college tbh!

Definately worth it though, especially if you're going to use it often.
 
It is definately worth it if you are going to get good use out of it. I personally haven't had any experiences with the Racesafe BP's but a few of my friends have them a live in them! I have only heard good reviews about them.

Happy BP hunting :D
 
OP, have you actually tried one on, I only ask cos I have just bought a racesafe, small adult one, second hand but from a friend. I am similar build to you, quite short back but quite big in the bust dept and with the lace side adjustments it is a perfect fit. Do you def need to go for made to measure option?
 
Minxie, iirc most BPs have a foam life of about 5 years after which they start to deteriorate, they also can be affected if you fall off. I know that the kan has different foam which doesnt deteriorate but is £££

am not sure the racesafe is any better than the RP I have for my boobs though it was more comfy to wear all day hunting (I borrowed mum's racesafe)
 
MBC - I haven't been able to try one on, as none of the two tack shops in London sell them! I rang up Treehouse and they said they could do one to my specific measurements, as they are kind of odd! 42" chest, 32' waist and a short back, 18"!
 
If you get your BP fitted by a qualified fitter why do you need a private lesson with your instructor to check the fit?????

Seems an unnecessary expense to me.

Go to a number of different saddlers that stock a variety of BPs and try lots on then decide. Depending upon your proportions you may well find one that fits comfortably enough for the amount of wear you will give it. Often they can be customised a bit by swapping one panel for a smaller or larger size. Personally if you have been riding in lessons without one until now and aren't doing any high risk riding I wouldn't spend a lot on one for weekly lessons.

Bear in mind that the trained fitter will know more about fitting the thing than your instructor. Also bear in mind that this is not a purchase to be made by mail order - the expertise of a fitter and the ability to try on is worth paying extra for.

If you don't have many tack shops locally going to a big show might be worthwhile, badminton, burghley, your horse live etc all have lots of trade stands where you can try on ad compare a few different brands.
 
as ester says, the foam in normal bps such as the racesafe deteriorates and so you need to replace every 3-5yrs, so this won't be a 'lifetime investment'. :(
the foam in the kan is more protective (hardens on impact, then softens again) and does not deteriorate over time. it's more expensive (you can get HHO discount though) but really worth it, and if you ring the owner/designer she'll do 'made to measure' for you at no extra charge.
 
Hmm, will have to look into this! Its a shame, London only really has two tack shops, and only the one within easy distance. Has anyone here had much experience with Kan-teqs?
 
thought you guys might like to know - i emailed racesafe recently to ask how often their BP'sshould be replaced and cleaned, and they said nothing about degrading foam? is there a link or anything anywhere that explains this?

this is what they said -

Apologies for the delay in responding. No recommendations as such, depends on how much usage, and in particular if any of the foams are damaged.

Washing instructions are surface clean with a mild detergent, better still, give me your address, and I will post you a user instruction.

Regards
Jan
Hows Racesafe.
 
OP no reason you shouldn't treat yourself if you want to but before doing so bear in mind

- your RI almost certainly isn't the best person to help with fit, that should be part of the sellers job. You def don't need to pay for a lesson for this and I'd be unimpressed with a RI who came up with that idea. They are trained to help you ride not fit BPs!

- try a few on. I think, trying to recall old posts here, that you're near to College Farm in Finchley. They have a few sorts (not Racesafe but still safe!) and they /are/ trained to fit them.

If none (and you can play around with different fronts/backs) fit /then/ consider made to measure. But as a first BP you should be able to get away with ready made. E.g. Riders are a lot curvier (and frankly, fatter) than dancers. I get medium or large ballet clothes that are tight on my curvy bits but have an XS BP.

Oh, and at your level I think it is particularly important to have a BP. The last time I needed one was being bucked off a new pony at a RS I was making a 'sentimental' return trip to. I've never really needed one (although I do always /wear/ one) with my unsuitable chestnut Arab share horse but riding a variety of animals with days, health etc you know little about and moods that can be affected by so many different stimuli I'd think it silly not to.
 
Ooer, I really hadn't thought much about this! I will def go to college farm and try on what they have, they are lovely :)

And it was actually Treehouse who suggested getting my instructor to check fit, as by getting made to measure they would post it to me for trying on, then I could return if needed.

Are there any good tack shops in near-ish London, maybe Herts, that do Racesafe so I could try on?
 
PS
Just looked at your sig and you're not /that/ huge looking at all. Def try on a few if you'd rather not splash out just yet. Happy shopping!
 
it's a BETA recommendation, but not something that the bp manufacturers make public...
lots of posts in the past about Kans if you do a search. they do 2 diff shapes for the front, 1 for rather flat chested, 1 for curvy, fwiw.
 
I'm not convinced you need made to measure. I've got a Racesafe and am fairly busty and they come up really big. I'm in a medium and that's with the laces done right up as tight as possible. And I am not a medium!!! The lace at the sides makes them imo much more adjustable than other makes. And they do a short back in the standard size.

If college farm doesn't do them other places you could try in Herts are Titmuss in Wheathampstead, there's a shop at Patchetts, Coleman Croft near St Albans and I have seen them in Butterfoal farm in Brickett Wood but they may have only been child's sizes.
 
Thank you criso, will look into these options, as college farm don't do them. I wish they did, they are a fab shop otherwise! Practically everything horsey I own is from there :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top