Does anyone here have one? My Charles Owen bit the dust when I got tossed off my youngster and I need to get a new vest. The Hilason had some good reviews but I know nothing about them. This would be for general riding, not for eventing. Thanks!
OK, going to ask a stupid question - is there a difference between the safety vests one would use for general riding and one uses for eventing?
I can not see how they would be different.
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That’s not a stupid question because it’s basically my question, too! The only difference I can see is that the Hilason is $60 and the Tipperary is $360 or thereabouts.
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It looks like Hilason offers a wide variety of vests in a equally large variety of price ranges.
So to clarify, what you are asking (and I admit I did not understand that this was the original question, sorry) is, would the Hilason vest that looks just like the Tipperary Eventer work just as well as the Tipperary Eventer?
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You Might want to make sure that the vest has a safety certification.
I don’t know whether the Hilason vests are certified (I can’t see any mention of certification on their website). While a lack of certification doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re less safe, it does mean that you don’t know how safe they are or whether they’re quality controlled, etc.
Here’s the Charles Owen site that discusses the various certifications out there for vests:
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That lack of certification on bull rider vests was what prevented us from trying them. Can’t remember the brand, sold in the local tack store. They were extremely stiff in their protective build. Not sure if they had lower back padding along with the short body design . They are meant to be protective for very short rides, 10 seconds! Rider must stay upright to maintain their seat, not flexing like eventers.
Good to know! Thanks.
Most hilason models aren’t approved, and they do tell you if the model is approved. (Corrected, it sounded like they misled people which isn’t what I meant, rather that most weren’t, some are),
Caveat - this knowledge is dated. I bought a pair for my navigator and I about 5 years ago because they were one of the few vests that worked for drivers. I needed a short vest because the longer ones are not designed to use in a carriage seat, especially a marathon seat which ideally should be a snug fit. I was ok with not approved because I was at the lower levels and while we have to wear them, we aren’t required to use one with a safety rating (because finding a vest that fits you and your seat is not as straightforward as for riding).
But I’ve moved up the levels and the turns are faster and riskier, so I went with an approved. Fortunately ovation made a short one. But damn, it feels more like a body cast than a vest after all those years in the flexible hilason!
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In this situation I feel like if it is a case of no vest or the cheaper not approved vest, the cheaper not approved vest is better than nothing. (This thought does not hold true for all safety equipment, clearly. No lecture needed about that topic.)
If you can afford an approved vest and will wear the approved vest, then do buy the approved vest.
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If you want something that is certified and is a little less expensive than other vests, the RaceSafe vest is very nice and is made with segmented foam like the Tipperary. It’s not as expensive as the Tip, but it’s nowhere near as cheap as the Hilason.
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Yes, I think a schoolie program having a bunch of loaner vests like hilason would be a perk, especially if they explained that lesson kids were actively encouraged to have their own approved vest…
I looked at the Race Safe vests and I really like them, so that’s what I’ll get. Thanks, everyone!
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How timely, as I have 2 youngsters to start working with this spring. I need a new BP. I too think I will be buying a RaceSafe vest. Salty would you please give us an update on which one you bought, how it fits and feels while riding. 
RaceSafe are extremely popular in the UK, possibly the number one.
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I have the RaceSafe ProVent 3 and I like it a lot. I have worn it for about 2.5 years every ride. I find it more comfortable than my previous Charles Owen because it seems to move with me more. (The Chas Owen was slabs of foam instead of segmented; I have no complaints about the Chas Owen vest’s safety–it definitely saved me from some broken ribs in a fall I took).
I have not fallen in the RaceSafe (knock wood), but I like that it has the same safety certification as the Chas. Owen vest.
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I will give an update but it will be awhile since I still can’t ride for another 2-3 months. I found the Chas Owen to be stiff and hot, so I’m excited to try the RaceSafe.
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