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Airowear vest opinions?

6K views 31 replies 9 participants last post by  40232 
#1 ·
So, it's time for a new vest. I really like the Tipperary eventer, but my mom won't let me get it because it's not certified. So next on my list is the Airowear. I tried on my friends a while back, and I really liked it. It did seem pretty bulky, though, is that noticed while riding?.

Anyone have opinions?
 
#5 ·
Beta 3 is a british standard ASTM is american and ASTM standard F2681-08meets or exceeds Beta 3. Also from an interview,
"Phoenix Performance’s Tipperary body-protector vests are certified to meet the ASTM standard by SATRA, a third-party company in England. Phoenix Performance President David Anderson explained the choice was made because it’s more sensible for them to use one centralized testing agency since they market their products in different countries"


Also for the Competitor XP specifically says for the eventer, Granted I'll admit I dont know what would make a vest an eventer vest or not other than it says eventing uses the stronger Beta 3 level certification which according to tippery the competitors meet.
 
#6 ·
Okay i'm sitting here bashing my head off the table right now because I was looking at Tipperary last summer and the only one they had certified was not an eventing vest.

Excuse me while I go scream in frustration because I almost bought it then was told not to as it wasn't for eventing. I just looked at the web site and go figure they do have them for eventing now *grumbles and storms away*
 
#7 ·
I am thinking they got on the ball this past year and started gettign them certified, as alot of people were doing what the OPS mom was doing and bulking due to a lack of certification , I'll be ordering soon when I figure out which is big enough for me, hopefully this year I will find the right crazy AY-RAB,,,,
 
#8 ·
the thing about having a vest that is BETA 3 certified, is they actually enforce their standards. to meet ASTM standards they basically just have to say they follow the guidelines.
 
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#11 ·
I love my Airowear vest. Very comfortable, and I got mine in navy/wine colors from the UK. I forget it's on even on the hotter days. I like that it covers more of the tailbone region since that's where I always seem to hit first if I fall. I think Dover had these on sale very recently.
 
#14 ·
Oh boy, now I'm torn. The thing is that I'm not going to be able to try on the Tipperary Competitor as I work at a tack shop and I'd be special ordering it. I havent seen the Competitor line in any tack shops, actually. But at the same time, I have to wear my vest whenever I jump, so I want something lightweight and barely noticeable.
 
#15 ·
I personaly have 2 body protectors.
I love both my racesafe (totaly non bulky and what I use under my showjacket) and my Rodney powell (day to day use).
Rodney powell do a made to measure service at no extra cost

Both Beta 3 approved
 
#16 ·
i love my rodney powell. i think i had to take 16 measurements for it ! so it is really made just for you. i dont even notice its on.
 
#17 ·
I would definitely go with the airowear! I used mine for the first time last summer, and within 2 minutes of putting it on it was shaped to my woman curves (; I barely even noticed it was there! I love the look of it too, it's just so simple, and not all blocky.

I really wouldn't want to take chances with a vest that you are unsure about if it is certified or not. That's just me though.
 
#18 ·
I would definitely go with the airowear! I used mine for the first time last summer, and within 2 minutes of putting it on it was shaped to my woman curves
I've been planning on getting the Airowear for a while, but I can only get the female version.

Do you think where it's shaped a little differently in front to allow "extra room" that it would be a problem for a guy? I guess I'm wondering if the gap would be big enough for concern? I know vests are supposed to be snug all around and since I can't try it on before ordering... I'm a bit conflicted if it's worth ordering or not.
 
#19 ·
Well considering there are a lot of women who are very flat chested you would be okay. If you take all the right measurements everywhere there should be no issue. I would call their customer service though to double check.
 
#20 ·
Yeah. I've had the measurements taken by a friend, then measured myself a handful of times and always get the same numbers so I'm confident the sizing will be at least right. It was just the gap in front I was worried about, but you're right... plenty of flat chested people out there! Sigh. Maybe one day they will grow in. :(

I'm going to send an email to Airowear and see what they say.
 
#30 ·
Warning: Ipad pictures :p

Okay here is my airowear vest, right when I grabbed it off the hanger. It was very stiff and flat when I grabbed it, since it is activated with heat to conform to a body. In the summer it was a lot easier to mold with just my hands, but it was 90F out then, and it's 40F right now.
http://db.tt/yyhhfBsm

I put it on and it was tight around my curves, but within 5 minutes it shape to my body and kind of "disappeared" where I barely noticed it.
http://db.tt/LETNQPg0
The picture does not do it justice at all.

I took it off after 5 minutes, and it went flat to having indentions to where my breasts are.
http://db.tt/l7R4cA0w


I really, really wish I had a working camera right now to really show the molding effect these vests have. I love how the shoulders have adjustments on them, and the sides. If you are flat chested, it will mold to that. I wear a medium about as half as tight as it can go, and I am a B32. I would just look at a sizing chart and go from there. I actually ordered medium and large at the same time, and tried them both on to see, and sent the large back :) Hope this helps!
 
#31 ·
Oh nice! That looks perfect, thank you!

I'm so excited to get my vest. I tried on the Tipperary Competitor but didn't like the cut of it. I've been hearing so many good things about the Airowear Outlyne, I can't wait to give it a try. I'm ordering from eBay (UK Tack Shop) saving almost $100 if I were to buy it in Canada / USA, so hopefully I get the measurements right lol.
 
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