How to Wear an Air Vest with a Show Coat

A polished show look has always been an essential part of competitive riding, but in recent years, riders have increasingly recognized that safety is just as important. While helmets have long been a staple and protect your head, they don’t shield the rest of your body. In the event of a fall, your torso is also at risk of injury—that’s where safety vests come in.

Safety vests are nothing new for cross-country riders, but riders in other disciplines are starting to opt for extra safety gear as well, with air vests becoming especially popular. If you’re thinking about adding an air vest to your show ensemble, we’re here to help. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about air vests and how to layer one with your show coat without sacrificing safety or style.

What is an equestrian air vest?

An equestrian air vest is a type of safety vest with an airbag system that quickly inflates when a rider falls from the saddle. When the airbag deploys, it cushions your back, ribs, and vital organs from the impact of the fall to reduce the risk or severity of injuries.

Air vests are most common in high-speed equestrian sports like cross-country, eventing, and show jumping, where riders experience a greater impact from falls, but any rider wanting torso protection can wear one to school or show. Because young horses are unpredictable, riders may also choose to wear an air vest when training them to jump.

How do air vests work?

Air vests use a simple system made up of three main components: the vest, a detachable lanyard, and a CO₂ canister. Here’s how this system works during a fall:

• The lanyard attaches to the saddle and serves as the trigger.

• If the rider separates from the saddle, the tension on the lanyard activates a release mechanism.

• That release punctures the CO₂ canister, sending air into the vest’s chambers.

• The vest inflates almost instantly, providing protection by the time the rider reaches the ground. 

After a fall, check the vest for any tears or visible damage to ensure it will continue to work properly. If everything looks intact, you can reset the lanyard mechanism and replace the air canister. The canister is stored inside a zippered pocket on the vest, making it easy to swap out before you continue riding. Most manufacturers recommend having the vest inspected annually or after about six inflations.

Because deployment depends on the rider separating from the saddle, the vest may not inflate in situations where both horse and rider fall together unless there’s enough force to pull the lanyard.

Are air vests worth it?

Because there’s not a lot of research on the effectiveness of air vests, it’s heavily debated whether or not riders should wear them. Some claim they experience fewer or less severe injuries when they fall with an air vest compared to without, while others are hesitant to use protective gear that isn’t proven to be effective.

We’re not here to settle this debate, but here are a few reasons riders choose to wear or not to wear equestrian air vests.

Pros

• Provides extra protection: Air vests deploy quickly and inflate around the neck, sternum, ribs, and abdomen to provide a cushion between you and the ground.

• Designed for reuse: With replaceable air canisters, air vests are reusable after you fall and can be repaired after more extreme falls.

• Built for comfort: Air vests are made with breathable fabrics, ventilated in strategic areas to keep you cool, and designed for freedom of movement.

• Available in sleek styles: Over years of development, air vests have become more flattering and stylish, allowing you to maintain a polished show look.

Cons

• Requires extra equipment: To continue using an air vest after a fall, you must carry a replacement air canister with you.

• Must be clipped: You must clip and unclip the air vest to the saddle when mounting and dismounting the horse. Otherwise, the vest will not work when you are riding or will deploy when you dismount.

• Startles some horses: The air canister makes a loud popping sound when the vest is deployed, which can spook some horses.

• Lacks research: Air vests are a new safety technology, so there’s little data on how effectively they prevent injuries and whether they cause unnecessary harm to the rider.

Ultimately, you should choose to wear or not to wear an air vest based on what makes you feel more comfortable. If you’re constantly worried about the air vest deploying, you will not be focused on your performance. On the other hand, wearing an air vest may help you feel more confident and push yourself. Consider these pros and cons of equestrian air vests when making the decision that’s best for you.

How to choose the best air vest

Choosing the right air vest comes down to finding an option that fits well, performs reliably, and feels comfortable for your riding style. Here are the key factors riders typically consider when comparing different models:

Check that it meets current safety standards

Look for vests that comply with the NF S72-800-2022 standard, which regulates protective coverage, inflation speed, and impact testing. Reading reviews and feedback from other riders can also provide helpful insight into how well a vest performs in real-world situations.

Get professionally fitted

Because air vests rely on proper fit to deploy as intended, meeting with a knowledgeable sales associate is strongly recommended. An expert can help ensure the vest sits correctly on your torso and that its length, coverage, and adjustability are appropriate for your body type and riding discipline.

Consider your layers

It’s important to talk with your fit expert about what you’ll wear underneath your air vest, especially during shows or colder months. Some riders prefer lightweight, breathable layers; others may need additional room for thicker clothing, so it’s a good idea to bring some of those layers with you to try on during your fitting. Your fit expert will help you make sure the vest you choose accommodates the layers you expect to ride in.

Air vest vs. body protector

A body protector is a lightweight foam protective riding vest designed to reduce the impact of a fall. Unlike air vests, body protectors have been researched and proven to protect the torso from impact. While they do shield the chest, ribs, and internal organs, they do not protect against spinal, crushing, or soft tissue injuries. Since body protectors are known to be effective, they’re required for cross-country riding and allowed in most other disciplines.

Air vests, on the other hand, are not required in any discipline, but riders can opt to wear one. They offer an extra layer of protection, covering areas a body protector does not, including the spine. Many air vests also inflate around the jaw to stabilize the rider’s head and neck. Although air vests and body protectors do protect some of the same areas, riders may wear an air vest in addition to a body protector if they chose to do so.

How to wear an equestrian air vest

If you decide to wear an air vest, it’s important to layer it correctly for proper fit and comfort. If you are choosing to wear a body protector in addition to an air vest, it should be worn snugly over your show shirt. The next layer is determined by your show coat’s compatibility with air vests. If your show coat is air vest compatible, you will add your air vest first, then your show coat on top. If your show coat is not air vest compatible, you will put your coat on first, then your air vest over the top. 

Depending on the coat’s compatibility, riders can wear an air vest either over or under a show coat, but each option has its own fit and styling considerations. Here’s what you need to know about both ways of wearing an air vest.

Under your coat

Some riders prefer to keep their air vest hidden and choose to wear it under their show coat. But this is only possible with an air vest compatible show coat. These coats are lab-tested by air vest manufacturers, available from a few select brands, and generally more expensive than traditional show coats.

To accommodate an inflated air vest, an air vest compatible coat must be able to stretch without ripping or blocking air from reaching the chambers of the vest. Because these coats must meet specific safety standards, they’re relatively inaccessible with limited style options. Contact your vest manufacturer to learn more about how and when to wear your vest under your coat.

Over your coat

Most riders choose to wear their air vest over their show coat. Not only is this the more convenient and affordable option, but modern air vests feature sleek, streamlined profiles that don’t detract from your show outfit. You can wear an air vest over any show coat, making the show outfit possibilities endless.

If you’re going for a subtle, seamless look, pair your air vest with a dark navy or black show coat. For a more eye-catching, sporty style, opt for a coat in a contrasting color to make the vest stand out.

Learn how to buy equestrian show coats →

Styling air vests with R.J. Classics show coats

Seeing air vests styled with R.J. Classics show coats makes it easy to imagine how different looks come together in the ring. Whether you prefer a sleek, classic outfit or a modern, sporty ensemble, the right coat can complement your air vest while keeping your overall look polished.

Here are a few examples from R.J. Sponsored Riders showing how their R.J. show coats pair with air vests for versatile show outfit options.

Lauren Fischer, an international show jumping athlete, pairs the Monterey Show Coat in Black with her air vest for a seamless, polished ring look.

For a sportier style, Lauren Fischer layers her air vest over the Harmony Mesh Show Coat in Grey, creating a modern, athletic silhouette.

National Hunter Rider Sandy Ferrell wears the Monterey Show Coat in Navy, achieving a traditional, elegant look with her air vest layered on top.

Safety doesn’t have to be out of style

Deciding whether or not to wear an air vest is a personal choice you make based on what helps you feel secure and focused in the saddle. Consider your preferences and needs to choose the setup that lets you ride with the most confidence.

If you do opt to show in an air vest, R.J. Classics offers men’s, women’s and girls’ show coats that pair beautifully underneath vests. Modern mesh show coats provide lightweight breathability under the vest, while classic designs bring timeless elegance to your show-ring look.

Explore our full collection of show coats to find the style that keeps your ride safe, comfortable, and polished.

You might also like:

• What to Wear When Riding Horses? An Equestrian Clothing Guide

• Horseback Riding Outfit Ideas by Discipline

• The Definitive Horse Show Packing List