I’ve been eventing in a tipperary vest for the last few years (h/j for years before that so no vest) but need to upgrade. I actually like the thicker vests (such as charles owen) & the higher safety rating is definitely a draw. However, I feel like I can’t find a vest that’s long enough except for the tipperary. What do other long torso/backed riders use? Or do I just suck it up and stay with the tipperary? I actually had a CO rep fit me at a sponsor booth at an event once and they fit the vest to sit much higher than what I’m used to (just below my waist it felt like) so perhaps I’m overthinking it and it doesn’t have to cover as far down my back as I thought? Is it dependent on vest style?
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated please.
The Tipperary vests do run pretty long in the back compared to other models, so if that’s what you’re used to it may just be throwing you off. There should be a few inches between the end of the vest and your saddle when you’re mounted, but otherwise there’s no hard and fast rule for how long it needs to be as long as it doesn’t interfere with your range of motion in the saddle.
The RaceSafe vests have the most options for sizing, so that’s what I’d look at if you want to get a really accurate fit. Each size comes with two options for the length in front and four options for the back length. There’s a lot of fitting information on their website. Ride Equisafe will also do fittings virtually or in person for all the brands they carry.
RaceSafe, they have an incredible amount of sizes and are comfortable
This is exactly what I was coming here to say. I have a longer torso and love my RaceSafe. And Ride Equisafe is a great vendor to contact about fit questions for a range of vests.
I’m 6’1 and most of it torso… not fun!! I ended up ordering the Aerowear Outlyne - but in the men’s. The women’s versions just didn’t come long enough. Now I’m lucky that I’m not endowed at all… and so don’t need to consider the ladies - but the vests are quite adjustable. So just when you’re hunting- take a look at the men’s versions for length. I also recommend looking at the manufacturer sites, as tack stores don’t always show that they can get the larger sizes.
Edit to add…
For example in the aerowear, the women’s extra long is a 56, and the men’s is a 62 for the back length 
