body protectors??

I have a tipperary and since they are not approved I am getting a new vest for christmas. But i'm not sure what to get. If I am going to spend a few hundred dollars on one I want it to be safe but also comfortable. I've tried charles owen and flex riders and they are very bulky, stiff, uncomfortable, and for me difficult to ride in. I have found 2 that are rated and seem more comfortable. None of the tack stores around here have them so if anyone has tried one of the ones below let me know how it is!

Airowear Outlyne Vest

Kanteq body protector - Kanteq body protector

Also, has anyone tried the inflatable vest? Point Two Inflatable Air Jackets

I'd be afraid that it wouldnt inflate in time (even though it says it takes .1 seconds) or something. If it works as good as it says then I am definitely getting one of these and will probably wear it over my tipperary just for added protection. So does anyone know anything about these? Any personal experience?

:) happy riding be safe

A) I plan on getting a rohdney Powell vest, heard AMAZING things about them!
B) If you get the point two vest, don't forget to unclip as you get off! And I would think that if you got thrown around a little on accident it might inflate..... that would be kinda funny

I'd forgotten about rodney powell. I'll look into those also.
As for the point two vest, I was kinda wondering the same thing.. but they have a picture on the website of someone going down a drop, leaning all the way back and the cord is stretched but I guess it's long enough not to break. Only thing I would worry about is if you have a run out right in front of a jump, and you going flying into the jump, you might hit the jump before the cord actually breaks.

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If you don't have the money to get the Rodney Powell vest, just go for the Intec Ladies Flex Rider



I have this vest and I love it. I even went with a friend to a tack store that is juts getting into eventing and he tried one on and he loved it as well.

This vest is ASTM approved and certified, with the stamp of certification on the vest itself, and also - it does meet Beta Level 3 Standards of protection.

I love this vest, and I've used it for years now with no issues. Holding strong, comfortabl *in my opinion* and I forget it is on when I am riding.

MIEventer. I started out in a flex rider and had it for a few years, I personally hated it. It was just so stiff and uncomfortable.

But it is certified, approved and will protect you. The Charles owen is the same and so is the Rodney Powell.

That Airowear is nice, but who has that kind of money to put down on a vest? Not me, I'd wrather put that on Events while using my Intec Flex Rider, knowing that, that particular vest does just the same as the most popular vest in the Eventing World - the Rodney Powell.

Same with the Kanteq - that is a $300 vest. I definitely don't have that kind of money.

If you have the money, go for it, by all means. Just make sure the vest is Approved, Certified and meets Beta level 3 standards.

That inflatable vest, is absolutely rediculous - lol. I guess it'll come in handy if you come off in the water obsticle.

^and if you can't swim!!!!! Hahahahahaha! You crack me up!

Just as an aside: What happened to the tips? They used to be certified/approved/whatever you want to call it. Then they changed it in 2000 (I think).

I have one - not getting rid of it til I need to. If it's good enough to make the rounds at Rolex - it's good enough for training... Plus I realize the problem comes from the little "slats" between the "blocks", but to be honest (as one of my friends says) i'm not too worried about getting stabbed on xc ;)