Body Protectors

[carolinec]

I was wondering what body protectors everyone wore (if any).

I did the Fun Ride in my Just Togs protector and although it was quite comfortable, it is a few years old and quite bulky.

I am considering investing in a new Protector but can't decide whether to save up for a Point 2 or just buy a normal protector that's more stream-lined.
I've been looking at the Air-o-wear Outlyne protector for Women & that looks quite nice but I thought I'd ask for recommendations on here first.

[heathera]

Most people I asked recommended a RaceSafe as they are, apparently, flexible and more comfortable than many others. I wanted to try one on before buying though and couldn't find anywhere near me or on the trade stands at the shows that sold them.

I tried on a Kanteq and liked the idea but they are pretty hot looking (not in a sexy way ) and the lady selling them at the show seemed very distracted and I wasn't sure the after sales service would be there as it would be buying from someone with no local base to me.

In the end I went to Derby House and was professionally assessed and given a good fitting with three different makes of BP. I've ended up with an Air-o-wear Outlyne for ladies and it was a bit uncomfy to start with (as they all are!) but has now moulded to my shape and I don't really notice I'm wearing it once I'm on board. The new back shape is fabulous and the shaped front accommodates your boobs well.

It's what I'm wearing here:

Back view


DSCF9499 by BeechTree, on Flickr

Front view


DSCF9504 by BeechTree, on Flickr

You can't see it here as it's under the jacket but I'm flexible enough whilst wearing it to do up dressage girths from on board, leap on and off, do gates whilst mounted and, most importantly for the ponies, give them treats.


Treats are good and encourage flexion by BeechTree, on Flickr

[carolinec]

Thanks Heather.
The Outlyne is the one I'm interested in if I go for a "normal" protector. I really like the Point 2 jackets but they are stupidly expensive & I resent the fact that they've nearly tripled the price since they were originally released for sale I'm also concerned that the airbag may not always deploy (they don't always in cars) so I might feel better with a normal protector. Saying that, I don't wear a protector most of the time but might be encouraged to wear it if it didn't feel restrictive.....

I keep going around in circles. At the moment I'd only wear a protector for the Pleasure rides....

[tinkerdorisalison]

Racesafe every time for me.

The others had no room for the boobs

[harleydales]

Racesafe has been the comfiest for me so far, though I haven't bought one yet.

heather - is that one a short backed one? I find a lot of them with a 'tailed' back too long and the push the protector up my back and round my ears.

[SuzieP]

Apr 26, 2011 9:28:18 GMT -1 heathera said:

I tried on a Kanteq and liked the idea but they are pretty hot looking (not in a sexy way ) and the lady selling them at the show seemed very distracted and I wasn't sure the after sales service would be there as it would be buying from someone with no local base to me.

Just to assure peeps - in my experience Wendy from Kantaq gives outstanding after-sales services. She will give individual advice on what size to get if you email or phone and will alter the back length of any BP to fit.

I have a Kanteq and love it. There's boob room and it allows me to breathe freely, which no other BP I've tried does. The drawback is that it feels heavy when you first lift it up, but once on it fits so well that I hardly notice it.

I like the look of Heather's though - it's very neat and probably fits under a jacket better than my Kan does.

The Just Togs BPs really aren't flattering are they? I tried one once and felt like a Ninja Turtle in it!!!

[carolinec]

That's a very good description Sue - that''s exactly what I think I look like
It does the job & was actually quite comfortable but there must be somthing nicer on the market now surely.........

[harveydales]

I've got a race safe and never wear it. It's been sat on a shelf for the last 5 years! I bought a Point2 18months ago (before the big price rise thankfully) and I rarely ride without it now. You really don't know you have it on. Obviously it is a bit warm on a very hot day but nothing like as bad as a normal body protector.

The one time it went off when Harvey slipped and came down on the road, it saved me from bruising and it was like falling onto a matress. I wasn't aware that it had gone off until I stood up! Well worth saving up for imo.

[heathera]

The Outlyne does have room for boobage I really would like an air inflating one but I refuse to pay the absurdly blatant profiteering price of over£400 for one.

I'm keeping an eye on the market and will look to buy one when competitors come out and the prices come down as a result.

For me I'd probably wear both. At the moment I wear the Outlyne every ride as it's so unnoticeable once on and warmed up. it is a short back Jane -v I sat in a saddle in the tack shop and leant back and forth rapidly like a cowboy on a bucking rodeo pony (whilst the shop assistant and i giggled) so i could see what would happen.

As I lean back the lower part actually flexes and comes more into contact with my lower spine and sacrum so there's no way it could become hooked over the cantle. It is also shorter than they used to make them so no more risk of breaking my neck at the C1/skull joint as the BP whacks into the back of it I think many of them are like this now so it's worth a look and trying a few makes on if you're looking to buy a new one.

Like any garment I don't think any one make will suit everybody which is why I wanted to buy one that I'd had a chance to wear in the shop for a bit, sit in a saddle in and know an expert had fitted.

I'll keep an eye out for the Racesafe ones at the Highland and Blair this year as I hope I'll need a size smaller by Blair but I'm equally happy to stick with the Outlyne.

[tomasnrichy]

been interesting reading and following this thread , i have never worn a body protector, i do think they look Cool , yet they are all very Expensive, going to use just trust in Pony god and good Will, and my trusted Hat of course I do know Mountain horse does a jacket with Protection inside that can be removed ... I think only not any good in summer riding , fab for cold days

[carolinec]

I had a look at the Racesafe protector today in my local feed/tack store but I didn't like it.
I think I'm going to go with the Outlyne as I just can't get over my mis-givings about the Point 2.

[carolinec]

I ordered the Outlyne Body Protector for ladies in Size L3.
It's nice & light and doesn't make me look like a Ninja Turtle so I'm very pleased so far ;D

[heathera]

I've actually now had a fall in mine and it did protect me very well.

It absorbed a lot of the impact of the fall, I wasn't even winded and didn't bruise at all. From previous experience (honestly, I try not to make falling off into a habit ) without it I think I'd have torn some intercostal muscles and possibly cracked a rib or two. I did need some chiro on my neck and was sore where I wrenched a biceps muscle but that's all.

I did need a new hat though and have also purchased the shoulder protectors now.

Interestingly the hat looked fine inside and out. As I'd decided to buy a new one anyway we took it apart and you could see where the polystyrene stuff inside had compacted to absorb the impact, it would have been useless in a further fall.

[zeldalithgow]

That's is really interesting re your hat Heather, did you hit your head hard when you fell? I suppose any head impact means you should replace your hat

[harleydales]

You don't have to hit your head hard to ruin your hat, a bump is enough. Just not worth risking it.