Non Air Safety Vest Please Help with experience

[woops]

Hello everyone , first I understand there has been
Alot of threads about Vests . I am seriously considering a Non Air Vest and based on what I continue to read and hear I strongly lean towards a non air vest.

What I am hoping for is for that everyone can help Direct me to which Brand and why you prefer.
I have to admit I would love to be able to ride with show coat over but understand if It is not possible.

I also look at the Aexos Neck Compression shirts and welcome your opinion on that too.
Please help keep this informative . Making this decision is hard . Thank you everyone!

[Jealoushe]

I LOVE my Champion titanium. It might not work under a jacket but you could wear it over. It’s very comfortable, by far the most comfortable vest I have ever worn. Doesn’t make you hot, molds to the body.

[NancyM]

Sounds like Jealoushe’s vest is better than mine. I have an old Tipperary. It’s a bit bulky, and can be hot… and I should probably get a new one. I haven’t looked at new ones, and probably should. Mine would not go under a riding coat. But I will tell you that they DO “work”, because hitting the ground while wearing it often makes a huge difference in how much it’s gonna hurt, and whether or not you get actually “injured” by the fall. I use mine when riding greenies, or if I have any “concern”. But I don’t usually jump in it, because of the bulk. Which is why I should actually go shopping. I suggest that you do your research about what is available, and go shopping, and try a bunch of them on… see how they feel. And buy what you like, what feels comfortable. Wearing one won’t guarantee anything, and there are “bits” of you that it does not protect, but it often makes a difference.

[Calvincrowe]

I suggest Racesafe— I’ve seen this brand worn in derbies at major venues. A standard vest really looks bulky and odd under a jacket. Most are worn over a hunt coat. I’ve worn my Airowear Outlyne over my coat.

[JenEM]

I just replaced my older Tip with one of the Champion Titanium vests last year. I really like it–surprisingly it’s less expensive and safety tested, and I like it better than the old unapproved Tips even.

I don’t think it would work under a coat, but it’s black, so fairly subtle, as far as vests go.

[Paisley_Pony]

At the suggestion of a Cother (I can’t remember which thread it was or how old), I purchased an Intec version of the standard Tipperary : https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Intec_Cushioned_Riding_Safety_Vest/descpage-ICRV.html I had a Tipp years ago but needed a different size and never bought another. In the meantime, I tried bulkier vests but would avoid wearing them because they were uncomfortable to me. I actually like this Intec better than my Tipp because the back isn’t quite as long, so it doesn’t hit the saddle seat.

[NeedsAdvil]

I’ve been through several protective vests in the past few years looking for my unicorn. I finally found it in the RaceSafe Provent. It is lightweight, breathable, and best of all doesn’t constantly bump into the bottom of my helmet or get hung up on the saddle. It is also very adjustable and I think flattering compared to a few others I tried.

[Willesdon]

If possible, find a store where you can try on several brands and styles because they each will fit in slightly different ways and so some will be more comfortable for your shape than others - and it is not possible to tell via an online description. Having said that, Racesafe is currently very popular in the UK.

[HipNo34]

I’m glad you asked about the Aexos compression shirts because those interest me. I had read about them in another publication but haven’t found a whole lot of discussion about them. And every time I poke around online, they seem to be out of stock. I’ll be haunting your thread, then!

[BayAreaRider]

What ever vest you choose, you may want to consider getting vests that meet at least ASTM standard and if you can meet BETA level 3 standards.

If you plan on competing in eventing in the USofA or Canada then you have to have a vest that is at least ASTM certified. As of 2015, USEA allows BETA level 3 vests as well.

BETA is the British Eventing Trade Association and they have a standard that is probably considered more stringent. In fact USEA says, “Body protectors meeting the UK’s equivalent 2009 BETA Level 3 standard are also acceptable and recommended.” Please note that the most recent standard is 2018, should you find any vest that say 2009 on them run far away from them.

If you can get to a store that has a only ASTM certified vest and a BETA Level 3 vest you will see that the BETA is thicker.

I know Tipperary makes vests that have ASTM certification and some that don’t. Buying a vest that at least meets ASTM gives you the knowledge that some thought went into designing the vest and then someone checked to make sure that some minimum standards were met.

Good luck in your search.

[Jealoushe]

Canada now requries BETA 3, ASTM is no longer enough.

[woops]

Thank you I appreciate all the input

[BayAreaRider]

Good for Canada. Looks like the USofA is still stuck at ASTM. I just checked the official rules and it only mentions ASTM.

[woops]

I am considering as a showjumper had a bad fall that iI was very fortunate with - just making me consider ?
With see so many wearing now - granted more are Air vests , it makes you wonder if it go the way helmets did years ago - required?

[RAyers]

For those touting ASTM and BETA and ISO standards, they are only valid for PUNCTURE resistance. There is not standard for impact energy absorption or injury prevention.

It is very unlikely they will ever be required as nobody is willing to fund the necessary research to prove that airvests actually do anything.

[Ponygirlmom]

My daughter and most her her friends wear them, and they put them over their show coats. I’m having difficulty imagining how putting it under would work. In theory you could do it and size up as needed in the show coat, but then I think you’d look strangely puffy and padded without an obvious reason (since the vest wouldn’t be visible), which would look more odd than just wearing it over the coat. I have not seen a version of the body protector vests that would fit under a well-fitting show coat without needing to size up.

[173north]

@Ponygirlmom

In theory you could do it and size up as needed in the show coat, but then I think you’d look strangely puffy and padded without an obvious reason (since the vest wouldn’t be visible), which would look more odd than just wearing it over the coat.

Definitely agree vest under coat would look a lot weirder than vest over coat. I see a lot of folks in vests over their coats now and the only time it looks “strange” is if the vest & coat are very mismatched in color - I saw someone recently in a light blue Tipp vest over a green show coat and that was distracting. But a black vest over a black coat… I don’t even really notice it.

[OfCourseItsAnAlter]

I’ve got an Airowear Outlyne that I’m very happy with.

I would have to size up on my show coat if I wanted to wear it underneath. If you buy the plain black or navy blue to match your show coat, it really isn’t glaringly obvious to wear over your jacket.

[sherian]

where did you see that? 2022 rules on the EC website still say ASTM approved standard F1937-04 (2017), BETA Level 3 body protector standard or European standard EN 13158-2018
I just bought a new vest 2 yrs ago, have barely used it and would not be thrilled to have to replace it already

[Jealoushe]

Sorry yes that’s right, but the old tipperarys aren’t ASTM approved standard F1937-04 (2017).

Only the new ones are: https://tipperaryequestrian.com/eventer-pro-protective-horse-riding-vest-black-yxxs-durasport#

Most people have the older style.