Body protector...is bulkiness under the arms normal? Help a short n00bie!

[CanteringOn]

I’m a n00b eventer this year and trying to gather my gear before the season starts. I live several hours from the nearest tack store, so I have to do a lot of buying online. I bought an Airowear Airmesh body protector (which I’ll be returning because it arrived defective — slits in the velcro as if someone had cut it inadvertently — but I’m checking out the fit while it’s here). I think it’s the right size, at least according to measurements and several YouTube videos I consulted, but even after wearing it for half an hour to see if it would soften, it’s still very stiff and bulky under my arms and I wonder if it would end up bruising them.

Since this is my first body protector, I don’t know if arm bulkiness is normal and something I’d just have to live with — ? Are there models/manufacturers that aren’t bulky under the arms?

I’m 5’ 1.5", XS/S, and have some thermoregulation issues, so I was trying to find something that wouldn’t get too blazing hot.

Thanks in advance!

[Manybees]

I have the same vest which works pretty well for my short torso. When it’s hot out, the panels soften. You could also try adjusting the straps over the shoulders to give you more room under the arms. Also I remember thinking the same thing- that the vest was uncomfortable under the arms- when I first put it on. When I actually rode in it, my arms were in a different position and it was more comfortable- could you give it a try on the horse?

If if it still doesn’t feel right, maybe a vest with articulated/jointed foam panels like a Racesafe or a Tipperary would be more comfortable? Not all versions are rated Beta level 3 though. I have never ridden in those- perhaps others can chime in? Good luck!

[CanteringOn]

Thanks, @Manybees! Good to know the panels soften when it’s hot out, that would help. Unfortunately, it was 5ºF when I went to the barn yesterday, so it’s unlikely to soften up much when I ride for the next couple of months.

I will look into the Tipp and Racesafe models. I’d really like something that’s kinder to my underarms, and unfortunately that might mean finding a vest that’s warmer than I’d prefer. (Though I must admit I found myself feeling a little too warm in the Airmesh while just sitting on the couch. Then again, there’s no wind coming in through the Airmesh holes when I’m sitting on the couch. :D)

[Brigitte]

I’m just a touch over 5’ and I feel like I’m short in the torso. Also have some heat issues. I love the feel of the segmented Tipperary. I’ve decided it is safer to be in a vest that I feel I can move in than be to “immobile”.

[CanteringOn]

That’s helpful, @Brigitte. Is the one you use the Tipperary Eventer standard vest?

[Brigitte]

It is the Tipperary Eventer. I just found it to be the most comfortable. I use it pretty much every ride on an OTTB and if it wasn’t comfortable, I think I would be less likely to use it regularly. I’ve landed on my back on some rocks with that vest and didn’t even realize the rocks were there until I got up.

[Pico_Banana]

I just bought the Tipperary Eventer to use on trail rides. It’s super comfy. If you’re only 5 ft or so, you may want to look at the youth sizes. I’m 5’4" and the XXS is almost a touch too long for me.

[leheath]

I am short in the torso and no, a good well-fitted body protector should not feel uncomfortable/bulky under the arms. I’ve used the Tipperary Eventer for many years (and been happy with it), but just “upgraded” to the higher rated RaceSafe this year and it is fabulous! More comfortable than the Tipperary because it had more sizing options (the Tipperary is a tiny bit long for me) and yet still moves with me. Lots of freedom of the arms, even with the shoulder protectors (that are not available on the Tipperary) that have been shown to reduce collar bone breakages. It also feels much more robust and protective compared to the Tipperary. I bought my RaceSafe from a UK supplier and the price was way more reasonable than if I had purchased it from a US supplier, even with shipping.

[Manybees]

There is an excellent article comparing vests in Eventing Connect today. Might be worth a look.

[quietann]

OP, you are small enough that you may want to try a Youth size rather than an adult size. That’s what ends up fitting me … I am the same height as you, but quite a bit heavier, and busty (34D) and Tipperary Youth L or XL (I don’t remember which) fits me well enough – though I had to cut one segment off the panels in the back for it not to bounce on my butt. I am not, however, riding in a model approved for eventing; I have the Ride-Lite and trail ride.

[CanteringOn]

Thanks, everyone! I ended up ordering a Tipperary Eventer Pro. Unfortunately the Youth Large was too big for me — I’ll have to swap it out for a Youth Medium (yikes) — but it was far more comfortable for me than the Airowear Airmesh, especially under the arms, where the Airowear has a double layer of hard-ish foam.

@leheath, thank you for mentioning your happy experience with RaceSafe and comparing it to the Tipperary. I love that RaceSafe has shoulder protectors available. Having broken my collarbone from a fall off a horse 20 years ago, I would love to have that option, and it’s one of the reasons I originally ordered an Airowear.

Unfortunately, I seem to be somewhat between sizes in the Racesafe — child’s L and XL — and so would really prefer to try them on. I’m a little wary about ordering something from overseas again if I’m not 100% sure of the size. Otherwise, the UK prices are half of US ones through Dover, so it’s a great deal!

[endlessclimb]

Even with a short torso, be careful that the youth sizes are not too short in the front. I am 5’1", and tried the Tipp youth medium. It did not fully cover my ribcage, so was a no-go.

[CanteringOn]

@endlessclimb

Even with a short torso, be careful that the youth sizes are not too short in the front. I am 5’1", and tried the Tipp youth medium. It did not fully cover my ribcage, so was a no-go.

Excellent point. The YL comes down over my last rib the suggested half-inch, but there’s a bulge in the mid-back, which is why I’ll try the YM. The YM is supposed to be the same length as the YL, but it’s possible it will hang differently, so I’ll need check the front length again.

[CanteringOn]

Hooray, the Tipperary Eventer Pro 3015 in Youth Medium fits so well and is sooo comfortable. It feels like a hug!

If I were to lose any weight I might be SOL, because the sides don’t have much more room to tighten. But I don’t think I should size down. From the Tipp size chart, the Youth Small is 2 inches WIDER at the waist than the Youth Medium, so the fit would be strange.

So anyway, at my current weight, I think I’m in love with it (especially in royal blue!). Nothing rubs weirdly, no bulk under my arms to bruise me (unlike with the Airmesh), lots of shoulder freedom, and the vest doesn’t want to shift around or drift upward. It feels like a great match for my particular body type.

The only downside is that the bottom of the front of the vest hits at the last rib and not below it (though the vest is plenty long in the center). It would be nice if the vest were a tad bit longer, but with my short torso, there wouldn’t be much space to do that before it interfered with my ability to bend at the waist.

In an ideal world I’d compare it with an Intec, since their fit and shape is supposed to be similar to the Tipp — but Intec doesn’t seem to make Youth sizes. I also wish I could try a Hickstead and a Raceway, but living in the sticks means that would involve a lot of waiting time and shipping charges, and I think I’m ready to enjoy my purchase.

The fact that I keep putting it on just because I like how it feels seems like a good sign.

[CanteringOn]

Update: I was at a Dover last weekend and was able to try on a Racesafe Provent 3.0. The Provent had big blocks of foam under the arms, which would probably annoy or hurt me the same way the Airowear Airmesh did. So I guess I’ve confirmed for myself that I need a style that’s thinner there, with laces under the arms!

[leheath]

@CanteringOn I’m glad you were able to try on the Racesafe. I am surprised you found it bulky under the arms. I rode in mine for several hours this past weekend and was so pleased with how well it fit and how I basically forgot I had it on! I guess this just demonstrated how every body is different so finding the “right” body protector is definitely a matter of trial and error!

[CanteringOn]

So true, @leheath! Every body is different.

I envy those of you with big tack shops nearby, 'cause getting to try a lot on at once would really trim the decision time for a particular body type.

[AltersAreUs]

I actually needed a custom size to ride my youngster in my dressage saddle (standard length kept hitting the back of the saddle). I just ordered from Tipperary directly and they were willing to make the equivalent of a woman’s medium (with boob room) with a shorter back.

[CanteringOn]

Oooh! That’s VERY good to know, @AltersAreUs. I’m short and without a lot of boobage, so I think I would need the Youth Medium with a standard length back, just longer in the front to cover a bit more of my ribcage area.