Has anyone tried the approved Tipperary Eventer Pro 3015 vest yet? I need to replace my old original style Tipperary. I love how comfortable my old one is, but I don’t want to spend the $ on a new one that isn’t approved right now, since it seems inevitable that the ASTM certification will become required soon. So I want to know is the new 3015 still comfortable and flexible despite being beefed up? Are there other approved models out there to consider? I don’t want to spend $350 on something I hate to wear, but I can’t seem to find any reviews on the 3015 despite it being out for a while now. Help!
I have tried it on, but not while riding. It is more flexible than the Charles Owen and similar solid “plate foam” type vests. Instead of the single layer of foam rectangles in the older Tipperary, the Pro has two layers of thinner rectangles that overlap to eliminate empty spaces. There are also two panels that sit under the laces, which are now elastic and have a plastic keeper instead of tying. I thought it is pretty comfortable for an approved vest.
Several people I know (myself included) got them this summer and I really like it. It fits a bit more snuggly around the arms so it doesn’t have a tendency to ride up like the old ones and is a little stiffer but once I’m riding I don’t notice at all.
There aren’t color customization options but I switched my laces from my old vest to my new one to at least add a bit of color.
Makes me want to get this vest even more! The fact that it doesn’t ride up would be amazing. The one I have now makes me look like a hunchback because it pops up in the back.
I have put them on, but not while riding. It is lighter than the Charles Owen, but I think I prefer the AiroWear one, I liked being able to customize every aspect to get a really good fit. I’m short through the torso, and being able to have good coverage in the front as well as the back not hitting the saddle is why I like it better. Also, the colors are super fun!
I love meeting with the reps for all the companies, it gives me a chance to preview everything before we have it online and at shows. The new Tipperary’s are nice. But the AiroWear’s are one to look at and compare to.
I’ve tried them on twice - at Rolex 2013 when they first hit the market and again this past year at Rolex 2015. The first year, I wasn’t ready to replace my vest but wanted to try it since it was new. I liked the fit enough that it went on my wishlist for the future.
This past year I was seriously shopping for a new vest and honestly thought that was the one I was going to buy so I tried it on first. I like the general design of it and felt it was still flexible like my old Tipperary, but more solid at the same time with the coverage on the sides and newer type foam (molds to your body as it heats up). Now, I’ve never had the issue of my old Tipps riding up like others have stated, so maybe that plays a part in this… but I found the newer design around the arms/collar bone more uncomfortable. It hit me in a weird way when I put my arms forward into riding position. I think I could have gotten used to it, but it was enough to make me try on a bunch of other vests.
So, I also tried on the AiroWear (couldn’t find a combo long enough for my very long torso and to fit my chest, it left too much space around my lower ribcage), CO, and then the KanTeq. I fell in love with and bought the KanTeq, with the new Tipperary as my second choice. If I’d wanted to save money on my initial purchase, I probably would have gone with the Tipp. But, the KanTeq was worth the extra cost for me since it never degrades/has to be replaced and felt safer on its own (I do not wear an airvest and have no plans to do so). The only con of the KanTeq to me in comparison with the Tipperary was weight - but I really don’t notice it once it is on.
Basically, I think you have to try one on to know if you like the new design. And I recommend trying several different vests if you can - depending on your build and personal preferences, you may like one, love one and hate another. If you are like me and don’t have anywhere close that you can try on vests to know which to buy, I’d either wait for an opportunity like that (like I did with Rolex) or buy from somewhere with a good return policy in case you don’t like it.
I bought mine at Rolex after my endocrinologist lost his mind when I said I was riding again. Osteoporosis, schmosteoporosis.
To ease everyone’s minds, I wear it every single ride, which makes me look like a eventer wannabe or a giant doofus or both. Anyway, I find it snug but quite comfortable, and worth the $$$ for the peace of mind.
I ordered mine at Rolex 2013 when they first hit the market (and you could get custom colors - mine is yellow!) I much prefer it to my old Tipp - I also had the problem of riding up and the new one doesn’t do that. I find it pretty comfortable.
I have one and love it…didn’t notice it when schooling cross country with my barn for two hours in 95 degree heat
Love it!
I’ll be the dissenter here-- I hated the fit! It sits very high up in the armpit area, making it hard for me at least, to move my arms forward in a “release” move. Yes, it was the correct size for me (tried/fitted at a tack store catering to eventers), but it just felt constricting in all the wrong spots. I was trying to find an alternative to my Rodney Powell custom, and after the Tipp debacle, I bought the Airowear Outlyne…much, much better! Love mine.
And I wear it every ride, flat or jumping so I hear your pain Jolie Mom, Again! Doofuses with osteoporosis should stick together. 
[QUOTE=Calvincrowe;8325855]
I’ll be the dissenter here-- I hated the fit! It sits very high up in the armpit area, making it hard for me at least, to move my arms forward in a “release” move. Yes, it was the correct size for me (tried/fitted at a tack store catering to eventers), but it just felt constricting in all the wrong spots. I was trying to find an alternative to my Rodney Powell custom, and after the Tipp debacle, I bought the Airowear Outlyne…much, much better! Love mine.
And I wear it every ride, flat or jumping so I hear your pain Jolie Mom, Again! Doofuses with osteoporosis should stick together. :)[/QUOTE]
Where is the best place to try these on in our area?
I’m what you might call busty. My rib cage is small (32) but ah… yeah. Anyway, Tipperary Eventer Pro 3015 vest did not work for me. When it fitted snugly around the ribs, it gapped weirdly over my cleavage, and that… wasn’t workable. I ended up with the Airowear. (I had an old Charles Owen, which I did not love but it was free, so… hey. The Airowear, I like. Felt heavy when I first tried it on but I don’t notice it while riding.)
I really wanted to go with the Kantec, but I was worried about not having someone fit me in person plus there was a 20% off sale at Horsemans (and it meant getting a new vest sooner rather than later). Those factors made the decision for me.
Amarach- I went to Gallops. I also tried on some eventer friends different vests just to get an idea of general comfort and fit, even if they weren’t quite right. I really, really love my Outlyne. I am also interested in the Hickstead model that Airowear makes—designed for jumper riders, to be worn over a hunt coat.
I had the digging into the armpit area issue with a different size of vest, it should have fit better because it was supposed to be larger???but even the Dover clerk helping me agreed that the smaller vest fit better, so definitely try them on in store
I love mine. Got it at Rolex last year and ended up in a size smaller than what I would have chosen if I hadn’t tried it on first.
Love mine. Handed over my airowear to my daughter!
Sounds like I should hang on to make a final decision until I can try on both the Airowear Outlyne and the new Tipperary 3015. I’m small, 5.0", built like a gymnast. I’ve not had problems with the old Tipperary vests moving up on me and find them to be pretty comfortable. I’m mostly concerned that the approved vests will feel super bulky and restrictive, but what I’m hearing so far sounds encouraging. Anyone else here with a similar build that can share which one of these two models they prefer?
[QUOTE=Blacktree;8330634]
Sounds like I should hang on to make a final decision until I can try on both the Airowear Outlyne and the new Tipperary 3015. I’m small, 5.0", built like a gymnast. I’ve not had problems with the old Tipperary vests moving up on me and find them to be pretty comfortable. I’m mostly concerned that the approved vests will feel super bulky and restrictive, but what I’m hearing so far sounds encouraging. Anyone else here with a similar build that can share which one of these two models they prefer?[/QUOTE]
I’m 5’3" and slim. The vest is, if I remember correctly, an XS. It’s snug, but comfortable, and flexible so it doesn’t feel bulky. For me, it form fits my back from roughly the C5-C6 all the way to the S1-S2 area. I have very little in the breasticle region, so no problem there. The only time I felt miserable in it was on very, very hot days, but then again, I feel miserable PERIOD on very, very hot days.
[QUOTE=joliemom, again;8331329]
I’m 5’3" and slim. The vest is, if I remember correctly, an XS. It’s snug, but comfortable, and flexible so it doesn’t feel bulky. For me, it form fits my back from roughly the C5-C6 all the way to the S1-S2 area. I have very little in the breasticle region, so no problem there. The only time I felt miserable in it was on very, very hot days, but then again, I feel miserable PERIOD on very, very hot days.[/QUOTE]
I’m also 5’3 and slim, but have a larger chest and the XS fits me well. It seems to conform to my shape from body heat after having it on for a few minutes, so when you try it on it may feel a little stiff to start. I had a previous model Tipp and this one is way better and more comfortable.
