I’m shopping for a new body protector for my daughter for xc. Some are ASTM certified and others are Beta level 3 certified. I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find any real information about what is actually tested and what the standards are. Can anyone point me to this information? Does anyone know if one is stricter than the other. I know they both have requirements for coverage and for impact. I’m trying to find out more about the impact testing and what’s required for each standard.
http://www.beta-uk.org/pages/safety-equipment/body-protectors.php
http://www.astm.org/Standards/F1937.htm
Not eventing but useful list for racing http://www.horseracingofficials.com/resources/Safety%20Equipment%20Booklet_2013print.pdf
Thanks. I had found those links, but the beta one doesn’t tell you anything (even if you follow other links to the actual EN standard) and the ASTM one you have to pay for, and I don’t know if it would tell me anything either. It’s disappointing that these things are so hard to find and seem somewhat secretive. I don’t get it.
Ok after more searching, I did find this on another message board. I don’t know if it’s accurate/correct. If it is, it’s a little alarming that the ASTM standard is only as good as BETA level 1.
http://www.horseforum.com/english-riding/woof-body-protector-80004/page2/
BETA is the British Equestrian Testing Association. The WoofWear company is based in England, so they use the British standard. The BETA standard is the same as the European standard, EN 13158 (which you might see referenced on some body protectors). They have 3 levels of protection. Level 1 (the lowest) is for jockeys only. Level 3 (the highest) is recommended for most riding, including jumping, young/untrained horses, and riding on roads.
ASTM is the American Society for Testing and Materials. Companies that are in the USA are more likely to use the ASTM standard, which is ASTM F1937. There’s only one level of protection in this standard.
Some companies will have their body protectors tested to both standards, but that costs more, of course. Most countries except the USA and Canada use the BETA/EN 13158 standard.
The ASTM and BETA/EN 13158 standards can’t be directly compared to each other, because they measure different things. However, if you just look at the severity of the impacts that are used in the tests, then the ASTM F1937 tests are about the same severity as the BETA/EN 13158 Level 1 tests.
ASTM F1937: 24.5 Joules of kinetic energy.
BETA/EN 13158 Level 1: 20 - 25 Joules of kinetic energy.
BETA/EN 13158 Level 3: 35 - 45 Joules of kinetic energy.)
Personally, I like to wear a body protector that meets the BETA/EN 13158 Level 3 tests. The latest version of this standard was published in 2009, so you want the BETA:2009 Level 3. This will be clearly marked on the body protector. You want to check the label on the protector itself, because the information in the online catalogues is usually incomplete.
The previous version was the BETA:2000, and the tests in this version are the same severity as the 2009 version. The newer standard has more requirements on covering the zippers and things like that. If your body protector says BETA:2000 Level 3, it’s probably just as good, but is an older one.
If you see a body protector that just says “BETA” or anything other than BETA:2000 or BETA:2009, then it was probably tested to an older version of BETA (Prior to the year 2000), and is out of date.
Wow! Thanks for doing the legwork and sharing this info ^^^
Well, as I said, I have no idea of that information is accurate. But I think I’ve decided that I want my daughter to have a Beta level 3 vest. I was looking at the Charles Owen JL9. It’s ASTM certified, but only Beta level 2. And on the Charles Owen website (which I looked at to verify the rating), it doesn’t even list this vest on the British site. It only has it on the US site. I think in England, you can only wear a level 3 vest in competition, so they’re not making level 2 anymore. I’m not completely sure, but I thought I saw the requirement for a level 3 somewhere.
I’m considering a Kan. How the heck do you get these? I’ve emailed them from the website and sent a FB message, but no response yet. They have nothing about a return policy and since they’re kind of custom-made, I’m wondering if you can return them.
There are a few Beta level 3 vests you can get in the states from Smartpak or Dover. Charles Owen has the Kontakt 5 and they also make the Airoware vests. You can also check out the Rodney Powell or Racesafe vests. I’ve only seen the Kan at horse shows but they were way out of my price range.
When I did my shopping I also went with a Beta level 3 vest because there was more information available. So far I’ve been very happy I went that route.
What vest do you have and what do you like/not like about it?
The Kontakt5 is by far our most popular seller. It is bulkier than some of the older models of vest (Tipperary, JL) but it also gives much more complete coverage. It does warm up to your body and allows you adjust it as needed. I ride jumpers, but if I’m on a greenie, I’m in a vest, the Kontakt5 is what I wear. . . I also love that I could get it in different colors.
I would contact Shannon at Soteria. I was thankfully directed to her recently by a COTH poster and she is wonderful. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to vests, and helped me figure out which vest I want, as I was really a bit lost with all the choices out there. http://www.soteriausa.com/
There are also some less expensive Beta 3 vests. If you go to the Beta site, get a list of their Level 3 vest manufacturers and then google the names. I found several in really odd places; one was a mostly Western site–Supraflex for $145. http://www.bigblackhorse.com/BBH01/supraflex-body-protector.html I know Lami-Cell makes one that is less expensive, but it is manufactured to the Beta 2000 standard which it met. I’m not saying they are as comfortable, but they are definitely cheaper–I found one for $107 at Chick’s. http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/ABP110
Soteria Safety has Racesafe ($275) and Kan-Teq (S475). http://www.soteriausa.com/collections/racesafe/products/rs2010-body-protector
Thanks for the links, especially the US Kan dealer. I’m definitely looking at the less expensive ones, but also want to explore the Kan.
I went with the Kontakt 5 because it was the best fit. It does feel bulky at first but it’s actually very comfortable. I originally wanted the Racesafe vest but it was too long in the back for me and would hit my saddle.
If you are purchasing the Airowear, I bought mine from Amira Equi for much less than they sell in the US even with international shipping
Turns out Soteria isn’t too too far away, so I think we’ll hit that and Dover to actually try things on, then decide.
We went to Soteria today–Shannon was awesome. My daughter tried on a lot of different vests and we ended up with the Kanteq vest, which I was hoping for, but had to see what my daughter felt comfortable in. We also got a Helite air vest. I think we were there for nearly 3 hours one-on-one with Shannon. That’s customer service!
Pheasantknoll
Thanks for the info about Amira. I just bought an Airoware in a long, for much less than the same in the US- and it would have been a special order. Came in a week! Very pleased!
You’re very welcome. Here’s to a great season!
