What brand airvest blends in for the hunter ring?

[ceh17555]

I am thinking of getting an airvest after hearing some stories from friends after being hesitant for the last few years because of the lack of research. I am a physician so it’s hard for me to trust something without a lot of research lol, but from my own knowledge of anatomy and from my career I don’t think they will cause more harm than good. I have decided (for myself and from my own experiences) that the worst that can happen is it doesn’t help, and the best that can happen is it prevents a serious injury.

With that being said, I ride in the hunters and am looking for an air vest that would look sleek over my navy show coat. Which do you guys use in the hunter ring?

[pnwstomp]

Horse pilot has a navy one! They are really nicely fitted and are less bulky than other brands imo. RideEquisafe has a virtual fitting option and will recommend brands that are the best fit for your measurements.

[Mallard]

I have a Helite

[Rumorhasit93]

I’m a huge supporter of airvests, as I’ve broken my back (while wearing one - I believe it would’ve been much worse without! Another story for another time :)) and I have the Helite jacket. I wear it in the adult hunters with both my black and navy jackets and it looks sleek on top of both.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

I have a Penelope Helite vest. That being said… I’m a big jerk and have owned it for a year now and haven’t worn it. If you’re in Ocala for winter and wear a size XS/Small, you’re welcome to take mine for a spin. One of my 2025 resolutions is to get more comfortable wearing it and having it as a resource.
Also, if you’re in Ocala, you can check out Ride Equisafe. They’re in vendor courtyard at WEC and they’re the best advocates i’ve found for fitting and discussing the right vest for your specific needs in the ring and at home. They also have a homebase in Tryon, so if that’s closer, also an option. I’ve found that they’re extremely helpful and if you check their website, they also go other places, as well. My bff just had her daughter fitted by them in Maryland at MD 5*.

[MHM]

Honestly, so many people show in vests now that they are a very common sight. So there’s no need to worry too much about how it looks.

[gerut]

I have the Seaver and it looks and feels great. Catherine Winter, Owner of Ride EquiSafe, is your best resource!

[Foitin]

Equisafe is good for airvests and other safety products, including stirrups. I have Helite vests (from equisafe). I wear them in the hunters over any color coat, including my army green coat. Nobody cares or if they do, I don’t! Paige Walkenbach was wearing a vest over her green coat on Babylon and her other hunters last season: granted, pretty sure she would wear a purple coat and nobody would bat an eye, but just sayin’. Do what you want in terms of safety equipment.

[Bristol_Bay]

Love your horse!

Also the polka dot helmet.

[Rumorhasit93]

Thank you! I got to borrow him for the season…he’s a sales horse that made all my ammy hunter dreams come true while my jumper mare came back from an injury. He’s my lottery dream horse.

And the helmet! Oh no - I never realized the polka dot effect the lights had on my shiny helmet a new look in the hunter ring

[Tha_Ridge]

The Penelope vests are actually made by Freejump, but essentially same technology and cartridges as the Helite.

[KandC]

I have a Seaver in a very dark navy that matches a lot of navy coats. Ironically for the first time in 20 years, my primary show coats are not navy. IMO the Horse Pilot navy one isn’t as attractive. I used Ride EquiSafe and got fitted for mine.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Fair enough. It hasn’t left it’s cloth bag where it’s stored for over a year.
I think I’ve worn it once and that was not clipped in and just trying to get comfortable with the weight and clunkiness.

[mika0116]

Are you from FL or somewhere very warm & had the pleasure of never riding anywhere where the average temp drops below 50 degrees? If so, damn I am jealous

I find my Horse Pilot air vest less clunky than just about anything I’ve worn to ride in NJ/VA/MD/WA during the fall / winter / early spring. Who here remembers riding in Carhartt overalls over top of fleece lined beeches with base layer, merino sweater, and wool socks and “winter” riding boots LOLOL. I still remember a clinic in an indoor (unheated) in 33 degrees in the PNW…omg the number of layers was astronomical bc it was also typically WET.

even SoCal winters when the avg temp of 48 here in January…my layers were “more” than the vest.

If yours feels clunky you might not have the right vest for your anatomy - especially if you’re an XS - it might not be the right “length” for your torso. XS can be hard to fit because if not the right proportions you can “feel it move” at the canter/ over fences

But if you got fitted by Equisafe, then it’s probs just a sensory issue / barrier - good thing we have these air vests rather than those hard vests for XC/ exercise riding - oof those things feel so awkward for ages…

[Mallard]

It is very important that you try on several different brands and styles and get the best one for you.
I’m a petite senior wearing - and loving - my Helite vest. Most of the other were too long for me.