Safety Vests--I need one!

WOW! Look at all of those replies, thank you so much everyone! To Stormy, I would NEVER go out XC for the first time without a trainer, hehe. I just got a jumping trainer (first one) so she will be going with me. :)

So I would go with..?

Ladies' Intec Flex-Rider Body Protector* - Dover Saddlery.

Yep, that one is great. I own it and ride in it and I love it. That particular vest is ASTM approved and meets BETA level 3 standards.

Yeah interesting fact is that the tipperary's are not approved neither are the intecs that look like the tipperarys!

There is one tipperary that is approved and I really like it. It's called the tipperary air esprit, its very easy on the budget, Its quite comfortable, it protects the back REALY well, its like a turtle shell, but its not to bulky. Its also easy on the wallet. I wouldnt recomend the origanal tipperary and defenatly not the tipperary ride light, people have told me they like theirs but when I try one those on I just think, THIS is supposed to protect my back, it has about as much protection as a clothing vest! Defanatly agree with the others about sitting in a saddle first, I have a long torsoe so catching on the saddle wasnt a big problem for me. I've heard tha you should pop over a jump to make sure it doest catch, cause somtimes just sitting wont but coming out of the 2 point might.
I hope this helps!

Agreed with above. But if they don't let you take it out of the shop, while sitting in the saddle, just pretend jump;)

I tried on a medium of the Intec vest in a tack shop, and it was WAY to big for me, lol. I was expecting it to be the perfect fit. Maybe it was in Mens for something though. I normally fit in medium tops/vests. If you don't mind me asking, but MIE, what size vest do you wear?

I have a Tipperary and I was sure that I would be a medium, and the small fits like a glove. I truley love my Tipperary, even though it is not approved I have falled quite a few times pretty hard and it has always pulled through :)