Review: Body Protector for short-waisted people or anyone who hates stiff body protectors, but wants a Beta 3 Certified model

[IFG]

I have held off posting, but I wanted to share my experience with the Champion Adult Titanium TI22 Protector. I am short-waisted, vertically challenged, and middle-age. Not an easy fit for a BP. I also tend to overheat very quickly and found competing mid-summer in my vest pretty awful.

I have tried just about every vest and owned several, including Charles Owen and Tipperary. I hated them all. I tried on the Airowear and thought that I would never be able to ride in it. I wanted something that was Beta 3, but I felt all of the ones that I tried (at Dover and Smartpak) would never work. I over-heated in my CO. The Tipp was not a great fit and was not certified to boot. When I retired y horse from eventing in 2008, I sold them all.

I got a young horse, and, although, I know the BP will not protect my spine, protection against bruising is a plus. So I began my search anew to see if any of the newer models might be an improvement over the older designs. I ordered just about all of the ones I could try from Smartpak and none were comfortable.

Then I saw an ad for the Champion. It has a short size, so that was a real attraction. The price was pretty high, but I found it on Ebay really cheaply and bit the bullet. My measurements were between a small and a medium, and I ordered the medium. It seemed good , but a bit big. So I ordered the small short, and I am in love. It has a reflective lining to help dissipate the heat, and I think that it helps. It has sections like the Tipp, so it is flexible, but it is Beta 3 certified. I have been riding in it several times a week for the last two months, and it is the best vest that I have had.

So any of you vertically challenged folks who have trouble finding a vest, you may want to try the Champion. I suspect that taller folks will like the regular and tall sizes, but finding something when you are short-waisted is a real plus.

[Jealoushe]

I had a similar experience! I love my Champion vest SO much!

http://bossmareeventing.blogspot.com/2019/06/product-review-champion-titanium-ti22.html

[IFG]

@Jealoushe

I had a similar experience! I love my Champion vest SO much!

http://bossmareeventing.blogspot.com/2019/06/product-review-champion-titanium-ti22.html

Too funny. Had not seen that blog before now. It is so much better compared with the hard vests like Airowear and CO, it is unbelievable.

[add_leg]

I’m also really interested in one of these, but between sizes - how did you end up finding the chest measurement fit? True to size? My Airowear is SO tight, I want it to be safe, but… I’d also like to be able to breathe.

[Jealoushe]

@IFG

Too funny. Had not seen that blog before now. It is so much better compared with the hard vests like Airowear and CO, it is unbelievable.

I know! and I had to ride in the new Eventer Pro Tipperary this weekend because I forgot my vest in my trailer at my friends, and I still think the Champion is miles above!

[Jealoushe]

@add leg

I’m also really interested in one of these, but between sizes - how did you end up finding the chest measurement fit? True to size? My Airowear is SO tight, I want it to be safe, but… I’d also like to be able to breathe.

There is room for your chest, the great thing is the area where the laces are is really flexible for size, so there is a wide range between sizes. The chest on other vests was my biggest concern, I am about a 28 waist and 36C/D chest, I wear the small and you could go bigger or smaller still in mine.

[IFG]

I measure about 37" chest and 30 waist (on a good day). I bought both the small and medium, and I found the medium too big. I am just fitting length-wise into the small, but it just feels better. I was lucky to get them for about $150 each on Ebay, so sold the medium no problem. The shorter length means that the vest does not hit the saddle. I swear my last fall was because the back of my CO bumped the saddle when I was off balance, just tipping me off.

[IFG]

Also, when I zip it, it seems tight, but it completely eases in a minute or so, and it never feels tight or constricting when I am riding. I watched the Pippa Funnell video, then kept feeling for where my ribs were. I felt a bit crazy, but the vest seems about the length fit-wise on me that it seems on her. I think maybe a touch shorter than some vests, but getting tipped out of the saddle by the vest sucks.

[vineyridge]

If anyone wants one, there are two ebay sellers that have them less than half the price Smartpak and other outlets want. The ebay sellers’ prices range from $105 to $170.

[Lusoluv]

Thanks - you COTH enablers! I’m a lower level eventer who’s been riding in a Tipp Youth Large for the last 3 years. The Tipp adult small was too long. It was like new on Ebay for < $100. I was waiting for the USEA to require a rated vest before investing in a better one, but the OP’s review and then Vineyridge’s Ebay tip was too much to pass up. Just ordered the Adult Small based on the size chart. I’m very average in height/weight, etc. so I hope it fits

[IFG]

@Lusoluv

Thanks - you COTH enablers! I’m a lower level eventer who’s been riding in a Tipp Youth Large for the last 3 years. The Tipp adult small was too long. It was like new on Ebay for < $100. I was waiting for the USEA to require a rated vest before investing in a better one, but the OP’s review and then Vineyridge’s Ebay tip was too much to pass up. Just ordered the Adult Small based on the size chart. I’m very average in height/weight, etc. so I hope it fits

I hope it works! Please keep us updated.

[Janet]

@Lusoluv

I was waiting for the USEA to require a rated vest before investing in a better one,…

Don’t hold your breath.

[Lusoluv]

Janet: No, I’m not holding my breath on USEA coming up with a mandate for rated vests any longer. Guess I was using it as an excuse not to spend more $$ since I’m only running Novice. But then hearing about some injuries, etc lately- not that any vest can save a rider from ever getting hurt, I figured I should pull the trigger. If the Champion is as comfortable as my Tipp and not much more expensive, it’s worth the investment.

It should arrive late this week, so will report back. I’m about 5’6", average torso, 128lbs so hoping the fit will work based on sizing chart.

[add_leg]

Well, the large short was OOS, but I ordered the regular length to give it a whirl. Figure I can re-sell if it doesn’t work.

[IFG]

@add leg

Well, the large short was OOS, but I ordered the regular length to give it a whirl. Figure I can re-sell if it doesn’t work.

I had no trouble reselling the medium that was too large. I even made a few bucks. They buyer was getting such a good deal, she did not mind. In fact, I had buyers lining up in less than 24 hours.

[Jealoushe]

@add leg

Well, the large short was OOS, but I ordered the regular length to give it a whirl. Figure I can re-sell if it doesn’t work.

I thought I would need the short but the regular wasn’t much different.

I seriously can not get over how comfortable and cool this vest is. I completely forget it is on.

Also, Equestrian Canada mandated BETA 3 vests this year, I am shocked the US isnt doing the same.

[banmharcach]

@Jealoushe

I thought I would need the short but the regular wasn’t much different.

I seriously can not get over how comfortable and cool this vest is. I completely forget it is on.

Also, Equestrian Canada mandated BETA 3 vests this year, I am shocked the US isnt doing the same.

Actually, from your own blog–there’s an OR in there which still permits vests that didn’t necessarily choose to pay for BETA testing & remained with only ASTM certification.

: 2.1 A body protector vest is mandatory for the warm-up and the cross-country test. A body protector vest may also be worn for the warm up and during other tests.Body Protector vests must meet or exceed, and be appropriately labelled ASTM approved standard F1937 or BETA Level 3 body protector standard

[Jealoushe]

@banmharcach

Actually, from your own blog–there’s an OR in there which still permits vests that didn’t necessarily choose to pay for BETA testing & remained with only ASTM certification.

: 2.1 A body protector vest is mandatory for the warm-up and the cross-country test. A body protector vest may also be worn for the warm up and during other tests.Body Protector vests must meet or exceed, and be appropriately labelled ASTM approved standard F1937 or BETA Level 3 body protector standard

I don’t think the old vests (like Tipperary) are that ASTM standard though, the new ones are.

[Lusoluv]

I got my new Champion vest via Ebay today. I have not ridden in it yet, but I’ve worn it around the house and the Adult Sm fits me correctly. It’s more substantial than my old Tipperary vest, but that’s probably a good thing. The vented foam pieces are thicker and under the arms the seams overlap (unlike the Tipp), so it offers more protection - hence the Level 3 rating. It is much more comfortable than the Chas Owen I had or other Beta 3s I’ve tried, so I’m keeping it. Looking forward to wearing it at my upcoming horse trial. Thanks IFG for your review and to Vineyridge for the Ebay tip. Though I wasn’t planning to buy a vest this season, spending $135 was a lot easier than $350+ at the online retailers!

[IFG]

@Lusoluv

I got my new Champion vest via Ebay today. I have not ridden in it yet, but I’ve worn it around the house and the Adult Sm fits me correctly. It’s more substantial than my old Tipperary vest, but that’s probably a good thing. The vented foam pieces are thicker and under the arms the seams overlap (unlike the Tipp), so it offers more protection - hence the Level 3 rating. It is much more comfortable than the Chas Owen I had or other Beta 3s I’ve tried, so I’m keeping it. Looking forward to wearing it at my upcoming horse trial. Thanks OFP for your review and to Vineyridge for the Ebay tip. Though I wasn’t planning to buy a vest this season, spending $135 was a lot easier than $350+ at the online retailers!

Yeah, thanks for the update .