I’m not an eventer, but will be breaking a horse this winter and I’d like to replace my 12 year old Tipperary vest. Which vest on the market is the safest? I’m not sure I want to go the air vest route… please tell me the pros and cons (I’m terrified I’ll forget to unhook before dismounting!)
Hi there, I’m a lurker from dressage! Just bought a five year old [rising 6] dressage horse. In the first week of having her I read everything I could get my hands on on air-vests, thinking I would need one. Turns out she’s very sensible for her age! The HitAir is as far as I know the only one with a section that inflates around the back of the rider’s neck - and in the US not a bad price. [v. exxy here] there is a good blog from a rider who does a bit of everything with her amazing horse on these vests. Its horserookie ‘My favourite fall in 30 years’ https://horserookie.com/equestrian-hit-air-vest-review/
In the end I just wore my old Tipperary Ride Lite while we were getting to know each other, and instead of getting a air vest I invested in a new helmet. A Back on Track Lynx EQ3 with MIPs. My old one was +5 years old. Am thrilled with my EQ3 - very well fitting [with a dial] and not sweaty at all, even in an Aussie summer. Good luck.
1 Like
I bought a Champion Ti22 Titanium vest this summer and although I haven’t ‘tested it out’, I am very impressed by it. I had a Tipperary for years and was shocked by the difference in quality of champion vest. My Tipperary feels like a flimsy piece of thin foam in comparison. The champion feels like it could stop bullets.
1 Like
I have just upgraded my Tipperary with an airowear outlyne. it is a lot thicker but is still very comfortable and it is very adjustable which is nice. It has the 2018 BETA level 3 which as far as I know is the highest rating available. I definitely feel really safe in it.
ETA: for cross country you are still required to have a traditional back protector whether or not you wear an airvest (if you have an airvest it goes on top). I have never used one myself but if you are only going to buy one vest I would not get the airvest, plus they are very pricey and have heard they are actually quite warm to wear.
You should go to a tack store with a large variety and try them on… they fit differently and especially if you will be sitting in the saddle, as opposed to galloping cross country, you want to make sure it doesn’t ride up.
1 Like
Fellow hunter/jumper here. I have an airowear outlyne and really like it. It’s stiff and noticeable for around 5 minutes then it warms up and forms nicely to be the most comfortable vest I’ve worn.
Champion Titanium! By far the most comfortable, adjustable and breathable.
Champion Titanium. There is a thread on here about them. First vest that I have been able to move in. I have tested it with my 4 year old, and so far so good.
