I’m not an eventer, but a disabled rider with some history in Dressage. What’s the best protective vest for under $100?
My real question is that I was going to get a vest from Hillason, but perhaps that’s not the best idea. Most of my riding will be on a horse that’s <15 hh, and will be at a walk. However it would not be unheard of for me to fall off. I’ve been riding in a waterski vest because it helps provide stability.
Try on various vests. You can then narrow down your choices.
If you can find a rated vest for under $100, then point me that way! I just purchased a Beta level 3 vest, which, I believe, is the highest rated vest. After a Rolex discount, I paid almost $300.
Good luck! I hope that you can find something. BTW, the old style Tipperary vests are not rated at all.
Smartpak has one by Intec for $141.95 The item# is 18332 there are 14 reviews.
If I’m never going to compete, does rated matter?
[QUOTE=ivym;8680373]
If I’m never going to compete, does rated matter?[/QUOTE]
Depends on how safe you want to be, if its not a big deal to you then no it doesn’t matter.
By rated, they mean safety rated or approved. Approved (tested to a certain level by either BETA or ASTM) are more expensive than “riding vests” like the Intec one mentioned. An approved vest will run you around $300 new. If you can try a variety on you’ll find one that fits well and works for you. Then, perhaps you can find a used one to buy for less on Ebay and the like.
I want to be safe, but since I’m rarely going to leave the walk, bashing into obstacles isn’t likely.
I bought a protective vest when I started riding again after a fall (in a riding ring, from a trot, from a not very tall horse) in which I broke 4 ribs.
So, first, it doesn’t really matter if you intend to be bashing into obstacles or not; you can still do significant damage to yourself in a fall.
Second, I did a ton of research on protective vests. I spent 6 weeks sitting in a recliner all day. I had plenty of time on my hands and a laptop. :lol:
My conclusion is that the less expensive, unrated vests, like the Tipperary Ride-Lite vest (I own one of these), are going to protect you from things like road rash from hitting the ground and skidding, or scraping your back as you slide down the wall of the indoor. And I think they will provide some stabilization to your spine in a fall, since the vest will, to a certain extent, keep you from crumpling up.
But, the more expensive, rated vests, like the Airoware Outlyne (I also own one of these) provide significantly more impact protection and structure. I have had one fall in my Outlyne - from a tall horse having a bucking fit (which was entirely a result of my own stupidity). And I will note that the horse was actually standing still when the debacle started. I landed flat on my back, although my hip did hit first. The area that was covered by my vest was entirely unaffected. No bumps, no bruises, no sore spots, no spinal damage, nothing. I do not believe that my Ride-Lite would have provided that level of protection.
My hip/butt cheek was an entirely different story. Too bad they don’t sell protective shorts. :lol:
So, yes, even an inexpensive, unrated vest will provide some protection from some types of injury in a fall. But, don’t expect any more from it than it is able to provide. You’re going to have to assess your personal risk level and tolerance for that risk and decide based on that.
You can get a beta 3 rated vest for around $100. I posted a link to one the other day. I will see if I can find it.
ETA: Here it is.
There’s this one as well: http://www.txtack.com/_e/Helmets_Safety_Gear/product/P304610/LAMI_CELL_Body_Protector_ADULT_SIZES.htm
From the pictures the Hilason one looks very thin, substantially thinner than the newer Tipperary vests. I’ve seen some pretty nasty falls into fences/ walls etc. happen on the flat, and IMO if you’re going to voluntarily wear a vest, it is worth wearing one that will give you some protection.
I bought an Intec Flex Rider vest like this when Smartpak had them on closeout: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intec-flex-rider-eventing-vest-size-medium-/282046417055?hash=item41ab46c89f:g:vY4AAOSw8vZXOSCw . Before that, I had one of the Tipperary’s with the laces at the sides. I actually prefer the Intec because it feels safer. No offense to those who love the Tipp’s, but I always felt like a ninja turtle in mine (it was green). :winkgrin:
Does anyone know if the unrated vests, like the Ride Lite, protect in impact?
We ride in the Ride-Lite vests http://www.adamshorsesupplies.com/phoenix-ride-lite-vest-short-back-adult-2120008, but don’t do eventing, rather mainly dressage and trail riding. They are unlike the old style, super-flexible, previously very popular with eventers Tipperary vests (which we had tried on at Dover) http://www.doversaddlery.com/tipperary-eventer-protective-riding-vest/p/X1-4045/.
The Ride-Lites don’t have a bunch of small pieces of foam, for instance, nor do they lace up the sides, and they seemed thicker to us than the other style. We liked the fact that they are relatively short in back, as we are sitting down in our saddles almost all the time, rather than being up in two-point. But, we’ve never had falls, so can’t speak from personal experience about the impact protection.
Adams is having a 15% off sale for Memorial Day, so that would get the price down some.
[QUOTE=ivym;8682368]
Does anyone know if the unrated vests, like the Ride Lite, protect in impact?[/QUOTE]
Yes. Anything that will absorb/distribute the force of impact will provide protection. Even wrapping yourself in several layers of bubble wrap will offer some impact protection. The questions that you need to ask are “How much impact protection does this vest offer?” and “Is that enough to meet my needs?”
The only vests for which any quantitative answer can be made are those that have been tested and certified under some certification scheme (Beta, ASTM, ANSI…). Uncertified/unrated vests have not been tested (or at least the results of the testing aren’t known to the consumer), so the best that anyone can say is that those from reputable manufacturers probably do provide some level of impact protection.
Smartpak is having a sale for Memorial Day 15% off over $75.00. Other retailers having sales are listed on the thread in Off Course.
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