Inexpensive safety vests for the non-eventer (Lami-Cell, Tip knock-offs)

[KarenC]

I am not really an eventer, but enjoy popping over the occasional jump and going cross country schooling on rare occasions as part of a fun barn outing. Since I’ll likely only wear a vest 2-3 times per year, I don’t want to spend a lot of money. But I do need a vest in order to school off the farm.

I ordered this vest: http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=14bdc78a-68cb-41aa-9ea2-50cc1673b170
and I have tried it on, and it feels REALLY bulky. However, I have borrowed a barn buddy’s Airowear vest for a past schooling outing and I thought I was going to die at first but completely forgot I was wearing it very quickly.

So, do I stick it out with this bulky thing? I don’t dare ride in it and ruin my chances for returning it if it doesn’t work out. If not, has anyone ordered one of the Tipperary knock-off’s from ebay? I had a Tipperary in the past and it was fine for occasional use, I just don’t want to shell out the bucks for a brand new one.

[TrakHack]

I bought this last year for $85: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Horse-Riding-Safety-Eventing-Equestrian-Protective-eventer-white-Vest-Protector-/251323151098?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3a8406f2fa

They are OEM instead of Tipperary branded, but when I compare it to my friend’s Tipperary, it appears to be the same thing.

[KarenC]

TrakHack, that’s exactly the one I was looking at.

[KarenC]

TrakHack, did you get the same size you would get in the Tipperary? I’m an XS in the Tipperary (and pretty much every other brand), but based on the size chart on the ebay listing I would be a M, which doesn’t sound right at all.

[visorvet]

The knock-off Tips are just fine. The sizing is quite different so be sure to buy from a vendor that will exchange if need be.

[TrakHack]

I went by the size chart and ended up exchanging for either one size larger or smaller, I can’t remember. The seller was fine with the exchange, I just had to send a check for the shipment of the new size.

[shayaalliard]

I have one as well- they ran a bit larger than expected, but it has been ok. I love it- super comfy, worn two years and several falls now.The zippers are not terribly sturdy, so be easy with them- had to exchange one for a bad zipper in the ones I got for my kids.

[jcraig10]

I bought a barely used Tipperary from eBay for $100 - I did have to check everyday for a few weeks before one in my size popped up but it finally did & I think I got a great deal.

[vineyridge]

Just remember that the Lami-Cell is certified at the top level of certification. The old Tipperarys and the knockoffs are uncertified.

[OTTBs]

I just received my Ebay Tipp knockoff, nearly indistinguishable from my real Tipp. Biggest difference is there’s no well-padded flap behind the zipper. There were 2 vendors of these, one of which had sizing that put me in XL. I went with the one whose sizing had me as M, since that was one size up from the one I had, ahem, outgrown. Vest was shipped from China (or so they said) and arrived in 2 weeks.