| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Eeyore |
Posted - 08 Nov 2010 : 4:27:46 PM
My husband is insisting I have a body protector so I went to try some on and couldn't find one that didn't feel like an instrument of torture. It was almost as bad as bikini shopping for convincing me that I am an abnormal shape but just slightly less depressing.
I'm guessing none are going to be particularly comfortable but are there any that are better than others?
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| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| pascoe |
Posted - 09 Nov 2010 : 4:28:29 PM
Good advice Templars, I nearly bought my Rodney Powell from Derby house!! That would have been a very exspensive mistake as I would have orderd completly the wrong size, make sure you get one professionaly fitted. |
| templars |
Posted - 09 Nov 2010 : 2:13:47 PM
Point Two air jackets need a standard body protector with them as well - they aren't a replacement, so even if you go to the expense of buying one (and all the fill up cannisters), you'll still need a body protector. And agree with you - very expensive for hacking. You wouldn't believe the number of people who hop off and inadvertently inflate themselves!
There are also some issues yet to be resolved when they do inflate following a nasty fall because if the rider is unconscious they may restrict breathing. As a British Eventing Fence Judge, we've received conflicting advice - some BE Technical Teams say unzip them and others say to leave them zipped up to prevent spinal damage.
I'm not knocking them but I do think they have a specific role to complement existing equipment.
Evie uses the shoulder protectors all the time with her Rodney Powell and they are very comfy - some other brands can rub quite badly at the top of the arm where the velco sits but these have plenty of strap room. Remember to flex your muscles when doing up the arm straps so that your arm isn't restricted when you're riding.
And do have it fitted properly for the length. Go to a trained fitter otherwise you'll be spending a lot of money for something that isn't doing its job properly.
:) |
| pascoe |
Posted - 09 Nov 2010 : 2:04:52 PM
Im a fan of the Rodney Powell, i paid £200.00 for mine, but i had a custom fit in custom ccolors with the shoulder protectors. I have not used the sshoulderbits yet. I love my Rodney Powell and would not buy any thing else,I did try the Racesafe one, but did not make me feel as safe as my Rodney Powell. I would add that in the winter it takes a llittlelonger to mould and feel ccomfortable but I still LOVE IT X |
| angelarab |
Posted - 09 Nov 2010 : 08:17:25 AM
We sell the new 2010 Rodeny Powell one's i had to model (yeah right me model ) one for two hours during an equine open evening we had, it was sooooo cumfy £90.00 dead easy to fit and really moulded to my shape, on my Christmas wish list!!! |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 09 Nov 2010 : 08:06:42 AM
I have an Airowear one - you do get used to them, but I should have bought a Kan one like Callisto but I was too mean! The Kan ones were a bit more comfortable.
I tried a 'Point two' inflatable one but I didnt think that they would be good for hacking because if you fell off you'd have to replace the cannister which would mean remembering it. Also I thought I was quite likely to dismount without detaching it because I'm a bit vague. Good for jumping in the school though I suppose. |
| impy |
Posted - 09 Nov 2010 : 06:27:18 AM
I now have a Racesafe one. Made up of smell blocks so more flexible. Come in different sizes/lengths/colours. I have small with short back had to buy direct though as the tack shop I went to didnt know they did short backs! Lucky for me people at my yard all wear these and I'd managed to try one of their's on.I used to have a airowear but I thought it was bulky. A company now make ones that are like an air bag - a cord attaches to your saddle and if you happen to be the cord which I think is attached on the saddle pulls and inflated the body protector - can't imagine they are cheap though! |
| alex_22 |
Posted - 08 Nov 2010 : 11:23:05 PM
I have an airowear body protector that is much better than previous ones I've owned!! I compete on a very bouncy friesian x hackney (there is a definite reason they are generally carriage horses!!!) and it lets me move with her very extravagant movement with ease! I would definitely recommend it!
Alex x |
| Callisto |
Posted - 08 Nov 2010 : 6:37:16 PM
Having found myself unable to breathe in my original body protector, I tried a Kan one, they feel quite heavy when you are off a horse but amazingly confortable when you are on. They are 'lady shaped' (I'm quite busty), and I can breathe in it , they are pricy but worth every penny as far as I am concerned. They come in 2 body lengths so I would recommend trying one on - my sister and I are the same height but need different lengths because she is high waisted and I am not. |
| jillandlomond |
Posted - 08 Nov 2010 : 6:34:02 PM
I ride in a Rodney Powell and would recommend it. My one is a custom fit, so it isn't too long at the back. I wear it every time I ride, and don't even notice I'm wearing it now |
| sab2 |
Posted - 08 Nov 2010 : 6:11:29 PM
Eeyore after running downstairs after i posted this i am sorry to say my brain isn,t working, i too own the Rodney Powell one, its an age thing i think. Once again good luck |
| templars |
Posted - 08 Nov 2010 : 6:04:23 PM
Try the Rodney Powell one - they do a female fitting which is slightly more comfortable and it's shaped better. When Evie's competing, she's in hers for hours and she finds it really comfy (well - comfy as they can be!) |
| sab2 |
Posted - 08 Nov 2010 : 5:40:16 PM
I dont think any of them are very comfortable, i have the Mark Todd one, once i am on the horse and moving im fine but after getting off can,t wait to take it off. Good luck. |
