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 are now 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 style.
What is an equestrian air vest?
An equestrian air vest is a type of safety vest that inflates when triggered during a fall. When the airbag inflates, it cushions your back, ribs, and vital organs from the impact of the fall to reduce the risk or severity of injuries. They’re 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 an air vest to school or show. Because young horses are unpredictable, riders may also choose to wear an air vest when training them to jump.
When choosing an air vest, check if it meets safety standards and has good reviews for effectively protecting other riders. Ensure it fits properly without restricting your breathing or freedom of movement. It’s best to meet with a sales associate that is well-versed in the proper fit of safety vests since air vests can cause more harm if deployed with incorrect fit. Equestrian air vests provide the best protection when they deploy effectively and fit comfortably.
How do air vests work?
Air vests have three main components: an air canister, a lanyard, and the vest itself. The air canister, responsible for inflating the vest, is stored inside a zippered pocket of the vest. The lanyard attaches the air vest to the saddle and is what triggers the vest to inflate. When the rider falls, the tug of the lanyard punctures the air canister to fill the chambers of the vest. This happens almost instantly, providing protection by the time the rider hits the ground. However, if the horse and rider both fall, the air vest will not be triggered to inflate unless the rider is separated from the saddle enough to pull the lanyard.
After a fall, you should check the air vest for any tears to ensure it will continue to work properly. If the vest is not damaged, you can reset the lanyard mechanism, replace the air canister, and continue riding. Once you’ve used your vest for a year or it’s inflated six times, you should have it inspected by the manufacturer.
Pros and cons of equestrian vests
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
Cons
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.
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 injury. While they do shield the chest, ribs, and internal organs, they do not protect the rider from 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. Air vests offer an extra layer of protection, covering areas that body protectors do not, including the spine. Many air vests also inflate around the jaw to stabilize the rider’s head and neck. Although body protectors and air vests do protect several of the same areas, riders may wear one in addition to a body protector, not instead of one. Some body protectors are made to integrate with an air vest, securing it to the body protector to keep it from moving around as much as you ride.
How do you wear an equestrian air vest?
If you choose to wear an air vest, make sure you wear it correctly for maximum protection. Body protectors are meant to sit close to the body, so you should wear one over your show shirt. The air vest goes over that, either over or under an air vest compatible show coat. Modern designs leave this up to the rider’s preference, but there are a few things you should know about each way of wearing an air vest.
Under your coat
Some riders prefer to keep their air vest hidden, so they choose to wear it under their show coat. But this is only possible with an air vest compatible show coat. This type of show coat is lab-tested by an air vest manufacturer, only offered by a few brands, and tends to be more expensive than traditional show coats. To enable the inflated air vest to fit underneath it, an air vest compatible show coat must be able to stretch without ripping or blocking air from getting to the chambers of the vest. However, 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 come in sleek designs 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 looking for a subtle way to wear an air vest over your show coat, stick to dark navy or black show coats for a seamless ensemble. For a sporty look, opt for a show coat in a contrasting color.
Learn how to buy equestrian show coats →
R.J. Classics offers men’s, women’s, and girls’ show coats in a variety of colors and styles, so you can pick a coat that expresses your personal style and perfectly complements your air vest. For a lightweight, breathable layer under your air vest, shop our mesh show coats. They offer maximum comfort and flexibility without compromising the traditional equestrian look, so you can look and feel your best as you perform.
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