Would you wear a used body protector?

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neddymad

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As title really. I wondered if any of you would consider buying a used body protector. I have looked at the prices of body protectors and they have certainly gone up in price since I was a child! I want it mainly to take my pony (yes I am an adult pony rider ;) ) cross country training :D
 
No, because most Protectors have foam that degrades over time and should be replaced after about 5 years, also you don't know if they have had damage already. I also know that when its cheap we don't always fit it properly
When I come off I need all the protection I can get and saving probably in the region of £50/60 isn't worth the equivalent time off work.
I also wouldn't do a second hand hat and can't even think about the amount of sweat generated when wearing a body protector to put on some one else's!

BTW have fun!
 
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Thank you for your reply I wouldn't but a second hand hat and don't really want to buy a used bp either but it was just the price. I didn't know about the degrading of the foam so thanks for that. I guess I will be saving for a little longer then. I can always go cross country schooling next year!! :(
 
Yep, I bought a new (only worn a bunch of times) racesafe, it is a good one at a bargain price. I do mainly dressage now but plan on taking advantage of the new yards gallops and xc course but wont be wearing it daily so didnt want to spend a fortune.
 
It's very tempting but I personally wouldn't risk it, as you just don't know how honest the seller is being when they describe it. For example - my body protector looks brand new, pristine & not a scratch on it - but i was in a really nasty fall last year where I got flung from the horse and then completely trampled. That body protector took a huge amount of the impact and I'm saving for a new one as I realise it won't be as effective (if at all!) as it used to be if I fall again, but if I was dishonest it would be very easy to sell it because it was covered by a coat and doesn't look damaged.
So be very careful!
The only one I would consider buying second hand is a "Kan / kan teq" body protector as their padding doesn't deteriorate like the foam in other body protectors does, so is designed to be used again and again after a fall.
 
I bought one that seems pretty new with tags as I figured a used one is better than nothing, but only using it for hacking not XC or anything like that :-)
 
My daughters BP's come apart so the covers can be washed. It is easy to check what state the foam is in. In my opinion, completely different from buying a secondhand hat. Yes I would buy one secondhand, or accept a good used one as a gift from someone I knew and trusted.
 
When I was having my body protector fitting training, I was told that unless you have a really horrific fall, the foam shouldn't need replacing every time you come off. It isn't like a hat - as long as it isn't too old or obviously dented (depending on the type you can usually take off the cover and check the foam itself) I think it should be fine.
 
Nope I wouldn't! I have a back protector that looks new but have had 3 falls in last couple mths! But to the naked eye it looks perfect. Would be concerned that sellers wouldn't be honest, always buy back protectors and hats new.
 
At the riding school, Parents that have kids that ride usually give the back protectors to the owner to sell on, but only if they havn;t had a fall. We know the history of back protector, if it's never come into contact with the ground, and is reasonably new, then yes, they get sold on, but you have to be careful!!!
I wouldn't dream of buying one second hand from someone i didnt know!!!
 
I usually don't wear one, so anything is better than nothing and so have no issues at all in using a 2nd hand one when I do use one.
 
Bought my racesafe off eBay about 2 years ago. Had a couple of good falls in it and it did it's job but I don't really use it any more although I'm keeping it!
 
Depends how old and used that it looks. But I have bought second-hand and my current Racesafe was also not brand new although it had only been worn a couple of times....
 
Thank you for all your replies so great to get all your feedback. I will keep saving but will consider a used one if I can check it out first rather that buying on Ebay.
 
My old back protector is over 10 yers old, I ve never had a fall in it and also the foam looks the same as it did new. I wear it every time I ride and don't even notice it now. I will buy a secondhand one for my husband when he gets his horse in a few weeks time. I don't think its the same as buying a secondhand hat, which I would never do.
 
Yep I would and I have. It's not like at hat, I wouldn't replace it if I had a fall in it for example so don't really mind if someone has had a fall in it before me.
 
No but I would consider a second hand Kan one as the foam does not dent or degrade as other brands do.

Also worth keeping and eye on the Robinsons bargin pages as they often have brand new ones and rock bottom prices. Or try equestrian clearance.
 
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