Charles Owen Body Protectors

[batman_the_horse]

I will be taking my 5 yr old TB mare out to her first schooling 3-phase in May. I normally foxhunt, and do not own a safety vest. I have borrowed my friend’s CO vest (not sure which model), and found it to be bulky, but fine to ride in. I noticed that CO has 3 models of protective vests - the Ultra-Lite (foam), the jL9 (gel), and the Kontakt5.

I honestly do not see myself going over training level for several years, so my main priority is flexibility and heat. I understand that I could get a Tipperary, but the CO vests are not much more expensive and have a higher safety rating.

Can anyone educate me on the differences between the CO vests?

[Sedona]

I have the Kontakt 5. And I love it. I will say that when you first put it on, it feels like a cage. But it molds to your body via body heat. I forget about it after I get on and start riding. And honestly in the heat, you are going to be hot anyway. I don’t feel like I need to rip it off as soon as I stop schooling. I haven’t had to test it yet knock on wood but it feels substantial. It was my first vest, and I will probably get another down the road. I highly recommend. Heck, my instructor tried mine on and wants one when she needs a new vest!

[riderboy]

I have a CO vest, not sure which model, and my only real complaint is the zipper. It’s a tiny little zipper like a pants zipper which can be a little difficult when the vest is tight from wearing layers of clothes or my hands are cold, the vest is stiff, or the zipper is dirty. The Airowear vest, which I believe is a CO product, has an oversize zipper and is extremely well made.

[yellowbritches]

I have the JL9 and really like it. It feels god awful at first, but as soon as it warms up (doesn’t take long…usually before I get on) it is unnoticeable to me.

[gr8fulrider]

The Air O Wear body protector has the same safety rating as the CO and is a similar shape but is priced much better. I tried both on and found the way Air O Wear much less restrictive.

[AKB]

I use a Kontakt 5 trail riding and find it very comfortable because it molds to your body… I tried a Tipperary but sent it back because it was really uncomfortable.

[batman_the_horse]

What is in the Kontakt5? Gel? Foam? Something else?

[Emilia]

I am another JL9 owner. I like the vest very much. It does not interfere with my movement at all. I can hardly tell, I have it on.

The only thing is that I had to keep it at a room temperature during winter. Otherwise, the gel would get too stiff and the warm-up time would take forever.

[skipollo]

I have the JL9. I really like how quickly it warms up and molds to your body shape. You can custom order it too if you need different sized pieces than the “off the rack” one. I’m 5’2", 120 lbs, bought an off-the-rack small and it fits perfectly, if you need a reference for size!

I do agree that the zipper is small and kind of cheap though.