I have started riding again after an almost 8 year hiatus. What are people using now as protective vests? The foam type padded vests? The exploding air canister type? Both? Any research to show what works?
Thanks! “A”
The canister air vests have to be used along with a “standard” foam type or EXO vest. Unless they are hybrids, the air vests can’t be used alone.
I can’t imagine using an air vest with the (no longer manufactured) EXO.
There is 0 research on the safety of air vests so for that reason alone I personally stay away from them.
I have a tipperary and I love it. 
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Thanks all!
Tipperary. Although I think I may need to trim the tail bone area a bit since it would sometimes hit the cantle and move up on me or sometimes be sitting on it.
Still no research. All funds are going into marketing and have created quite the cult.
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Foam type padded vests aka body protectors are tested according to BETA standards. Info here http://www.beta-uk.org/pages/safety-equipment/body-protectors.php The exploding canister types aka air vests not subject to the same testing regime.
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I have been riding in the regular (non-certified) Tipperary and really like it (been riding in them for years). However, I just bought a new “certified” vest - the Racesafe Provent 3.0. I didn’t get the certified Tipperary because it didn’t have shoulder pads as an option. Some research suggestions they offer a significant decrease to the risk of a broken collar bone, so I thought if I was going to “upgrade”, I wanted them as well as a certified vest. Note the standards for BETA Level 3 (standard required for recognized eventing in the UK) is far higher than the ASTM standard in the US (recommended, but not required). The “certified” Tipperary only meets the ASTM standard, not the BETA Level 3 standard. The Racesafe Provent 3.0 looks very similar to the Tipperary in design, has great reviews for comfort, is much more customizable for fit, offers shoulder protection, meets the BETA Level 3 standard, and is comparably priced (cheaper if you buy from the UK).
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One vest I was looking at is the Airowear Outlyne Safety Vest. Anyone have any experience?
I have it. It was a change from the floppy Tipperary I had before, and at first it seemed too bulky and restrictive, but it seems to mold to your body after being on for 5m, and is hardly noticeable after. It is very adjustable. I have a problem with finding vests that accommodate a large chest but not large midline, but this vest does that very well. Other protective vests tend to be too loose/saggy in the abdomen or too tight in the chest.
I feel very safe in it and it does not interfere in any way XC.
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From what I’ve read, the Kanteq vest is probably as safe or safer as any foam vest out there. It’s expensive and really needs to be fitted to the rider by an expert, but they are almost always at the former Rolex in the trade fair. It uses a foam that is used by motorcycle racers and has the property of hardening when it’s hit. And it’s designed for women. It is now BETA 2009 Level 3 certified.
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I’ve been curious to try the airowear hybrid. Has anyone had experience?
Those Kanteq vests look flashy! I am still not convinced about the canister air vests -the research on them is hit or miss. I think they can explode post broken rib and puncture lungs after the fact.
I have the Airowear Outlyne too and love it. It feels bulky for about 20 seconds when I put it on and then I forget about it.
http://www.emsaonline.net/research/
I found this interesting. Truly no unbiased research regarding air vests. I hope someone is documenting whether riders were wearing them when they file RF reports.
I have an Airowear airmesh vest and love it. If it’s hot when you plan to use the vest, the extra ventilation makes a difference. Also the Airowear vests come in a variety of sizes and lengths to fit your chest and torso length. I have a short torso and this made a big difference in how comfortable the vest was. I had a Charles Owen before, and it was good, but hotter- and for my short torso, a little long and bulky.
In British Eventing all falls are recorded by the fence judges on a detailed, 2-sided fall report form that includes such detail as ‘air vest activated?’ as well as fence type, weather and ground conditions etc etc. They can be a real pain if one has a busy fence BUT everyone recognises their importance. Data is analysed and annual safety reports are available on the BE website. Moreover, course designers, fence builders, TAs, organisers all use the information to continually assess and learn.
The key difference between body protectors and air vests is ‘passive’ v ‘active’ protection. The body protectors are passive protection in that the padding is always present and so works in every situation. Air vests are active protection and work in response to a situation when the lanyard is jerked with sufficient force. If not correctly fitted they can inflate by accident. They have been known to inflate on the flat or over a jump. It is possible to fall and the air vest not inflate. People can forget to attach the lanyard before they go xc. The vests have to be serviced and air canisters correctly fitted and charged. Some people swear by them and say they have prevented injury: many use both types of protection as a kind of ‘belt and braces’ approach. Given we all accept eventing is a risk sport, why not? Possibly the most important aspect of a vest is the confidence it engenders, that makes for better riding.
It is possible to objectively test the passive protection of body protectors. Far harder to objectively test the active protection offered by air vests.
That makes sense Willesdon. I understand results are conflicted and inconsistent and they can’t really be objective to not include “unlatched lanyards” and other problems in data. I’m sort of shocked they can’t replicate some sort of “crash test dummy.” I suppose if people are buying them without research, it doesn’t matter to the sellers. I do know several people that have fallen in them and have reported them reducing their injury. They think they did, anyway.
