Last Updated on February 27, 2023
Considering buying a new safety vest, but sick of trawling through equestrian safety vest reviews to find the right product for you? Look no further – we’ve got the ultimate guide right here!
If you are interested in riding cross country, trails, or endurance, you may be considering investing in a riders’ equestrian safety vest! These vests act as a protection to your core organs and bone structure, should you fall off your horse and land on a hard surface, such as a log or a dirt path. They also give you some protection from accidental blows from your horse’s hooves in the event of a fall.
Safety vests are often compulsory for competitive cross-country events and are becoming more common for trail riders and endurance riders. It is now becoming more commonplace to see safety vests worn for any type of equestrian discipline, even a quiet leisure ride or schooling session.
Many different companies make safety vests, although a few standout amount the others. Today we will be summarizing the best equestrian safety vest reviews to help you find the perfect product.
Best Equestrian Safety Vest Reviews
#1 Ovation Adult Comfort Flex Body Protector
The Ovation Adult Comfort Flex Body Protector is a great mid-budget vest for competitive cross-country riders, or anyone seeking a higher level of protection. It would be a good option for trail and endurance riders, as well as novice riders starting with higher-risk activities such as jumping. This vest comes in black and ranges from an extra small to a large.
The Ovation Adult Comfort Flex Body Protector features a front zipper, and adjustable Velcro hook-and-loop fastenings on the sides and the shoulders. These ensure a comfortable and snug fit, and reviewers report that there is little movement in this vest during riding activities.
While many vests have large, rigid panels, this vest is more flexible whilst still providing a layer of solid protective cushioning. However, some reviews report that this vest can feel quite bulky to wear, especially if you are not used to wearing a vest.
This vest is an excellent mid-budget range option for everyday leisure riders, or those starting at low-level competitions. It is SEI-ASTM, CE level 3, and Beta level 3 certified, making it suitable for many competitive events.
| Pros | Cons |
| Mid-budget | Bulky |
| Certified | Can restrict movement |
#2 Tipperary Eventer Pro Vest
Good For: High-risk and competitive equestrian sports
The Tipperary Eventer Pro Vest is the ideal vest for a competitive eventer or anyone who wants maximum protection during their horse-riding escapades. Let’s face it, just getting on a horse is dangerous in the first place! The price may put it out of many people’s price range, but if you can afford it, this safety vest will give you many years of protection.
The Tipperary Eventer Pro Vest features a paneled design with front zipper fastening and adjustable laces at the sides. Unlike many cheaper brands, it is soft and flexible, and many reviewers report that they barely know they are wearing it. It is also lightweight and breathable, keeping you cool and comfortable on a hot day or during strenuous riding activities.
This cross-country riding vest comes in four different color choices: black, hunter green, navy blue, and royal blue. The easy-to-follow sizing chart will help you pick the perfect size.
The Tipperary Eventer Pro Vest meets the ASTM Equestrian Standard ASTM F1937-04 and SEI Certification, making it suitable for many equestrian competitions.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight and comfortable | Expensive |
| Fully safety certified |
#3 Intrepid International Kid’s Safety Supraflex Vest Protector
Good For: Top-quality certified riding safety vest for children
The market is flooded with poor-quality riding vests for children, but the Intrepid International Kid’s Safety Supraflex Vest Protector has changed all that! It is one of the few children’s riding vests to be Level 3 certified, meaning it provides a higher level of impact protection, particularly around the ribcage and spine.
It features a simple clip fastening at the front and large velcro side panels, making it easy for even young children to fasten. There is some flexibility in the sizing, so your child should get a few years of wear out of this vest before they grow out of it. However, it is more costly than other vests on the market, so a cheaper option may be preferable if you think it will only last a year or two before your child has a growth spurt!
This equestrian safety vest would be a good choice for a child that is keen to take part in riskier equestrian pursuits, such as trail riding or jumping.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight and comfortable | Expensive |
| Level 3 certified |
#4 Unistrength Equestrian Safety Vest
Good For: A low-budget option for leisure riding, novice, and beginner riders
The Unistrength Equestrian Vest is a great low-budget option for trail riders and non-competitive cross-country or endurance riders. The vest is breathable and comfortable and is well padded to reduce shock upon a hard impact.
This back protector for horse riding comes in sizes small through to extra large, and the exact dimensions are from the manufacturer to ensure you purchase the perfect size. This vest features a front zipper and side laces for a secure yet comfortable fit.
The Unistrength Equestrian Vest extends longer in the back than in the front. This gives full coverage of the rib cage in the front with room for the rider to still bend at the hip comfortably, whilst the longer back protects your spine and tailbone.
This vest comes with a 30-day return policy and a 12-month warranty. While this vest appears to be like many other protective equestrian vests, the lower price tag makes it an attractive choice.
However, bear in mind that this equestrian safety vest does not have any safety certifications as yet, so it may not be permissible for some equestrian competitions. This vest is a good choice for hobby riders who enjoy gentle leisure riding, but competitive riders may prefer to opt for a different brand.
Some reviewers also report that this vest tends to ride up slightly due to the longer back. If you are midway between sizes, opt for the smaller size to compensate for this problem.
| Pros | Cons |
| Low price | Can ride up slightly |
| Customized fit | Not certified |
#5 Hit-Air LV Equestrian Light Weight Airbag Vest
Good For: High-risk and competitive equestrian sports
If you’re a keen observer of high-risk equestrian pursuits, you will have noticed that many riders now choose to wear an airbag vest for horse riding. These work very much like an airbag in a car – in the event of a fall, the airbag inflates instantly, cushioning the rider from life-threatening impacts! This is achieved through clever technology using a harness and toggle, which deploys the airbag the instant the rider is separated from the saddle.
The high price tag of airbag vests means they are normally only worn by top-level riders. However, the airbag canisters can be recharged at very little cost, meaning the vest should last for many years. Airbag vests may likely become compulsory for some types of equestrian events in the future.
If you are considering buying an airbag vest, bear in mind that most riders wear one over the top of a standard horse riding body protector. Using an inflatable vest does not protect from some types of impact injuries, but the two worn together will give you the ultimate level of protection from injury or death.
| Pros | Cons |
| Inflates before impact | Expensive |
| Lightweight | Must be paired with a body protector vest |
#6 Jili Online Adults Protective Safety Vest
Good For: A low-budget option for leisure riding, novice, and beginner riders
The Jili Online Adults Equestrian Vest is another good low-budget option for the non-competitive trail, cross-country, and endurance riders. It comes in sizes from extra small through triple X-large. Like the Unistrength Equestrian Vest, it is breathable and comfortable, while still providing padding to protect from the shock of a hard impact.
It features a zipper in the front and laces on the size, that can be easily adjusted for a snug fit. It runs longer in the back than in the front; again for the protection of the spine through the tailbone, and also covers the ribcage with enough space for a rider to bend at the hip comfortably.
The Jili online vest only comes in black and is made from polyester (outside) and EVA (the padding inside). While the vest does have all of the necessary features, it does not yet have a safety certificate and may not be suitable for equestrian competitions. Many reviewers also note that the shipping times can be very slow for this product, so not a good choice if you are in a hurry!
| Pros | Cons |
| Low budget | No safety certificate |
| Comfortable fit | Slow shipping |
#7 Tongina Equestrian Riding Vest
Good For: A great low-budget starter riding vest for children
If your child has just started out riding, the Tongina Equestrian Riding Vest is a good low-budget option. It is suitable for low-risk riding activities and is a comfortable fit thanks to the front zipper and adjustable side laces.
The Tongina Equestrian Riding Vest runs longer in the back for full spine protection, and short in the front for freedom of motion in the hips and pelvis. Be aware that this vest only comes in bright pink – great for improving visibility, or convincing your child that they do need to wear their riding vest!
While this is a good choice for leisure riding, this vest is not certified and is not suitable for rugged trails, cross-country riding, or jumping.
| Pros | Cons |
| Low budget |
Limited color selection |
| Comfortable and easily adjustable | No safety certification |
Conclusion – Best Equestrian Safety Vest Reviews
There are many safety vests to choose from, to suit every budget and riding activity! We hope that this article helped you understand the different characteristics of some of the most popular equestrian safety vests, helping you to decide which one might be best for you. If you found this article helpful, please share it, and share with us your experiences in wearing and purchasing equestrian safety vests!
Find The 3 Best Air Vests For Horseback Riding
FAQs
Why Do Equestrians Wear Vests?
Many equestrians wear vests as an added layer of protection. Horseback riding is an inherently dangerous sport, even more so than contact sports and motorcycle riding. Serious injury or fall risk does not increase with speed, but with the height of the fall (length to ground impact). This is why protective body vests are seen more often in jumping disciplines, particularly cross-country courses for eventers.
There are two different types of vests – traditional body protectors and air vests. Air vests are typically designed to be worn in conjunction with body protectors to help prevent or minimize “crushing” injuries. Some organizations require Level 3 body protectors to participate in specific events, like cross-country.
What’s The Best Body Protector For Horse Riding?
Horseback riding body protectors can be certified as EN, ASTM/SEI, or BETA. Level ratings range from 1-3, with 3 being the highest level of protection. However, pricing and comfort also play a role when selecting the best product.
One of the top picks for an economical price is the USG Eco-Flexi Body Protector, which is Level 3 BETA and EN certified. Some Level 1 vest and even some non-certified vests have a similar low price tag! Casual trail riders may not require higher ratings and associated pricing with multi-certified protectors, whereas eventers typically desire the most protection accompanied by freedom of movement.
Are Tipperary Vests Certified?
Tipperary has a diverse lineup of equestrian body protectors in multiple styles and price points. However, not all Tipperary vests are certified. For example, their Eventer Vest holds no certification despite the name. If you are interested in a similar item with ASTM-F1937-04 certification, they offer the more expensive Eventer Pro edition.
As another example, its Competitor Flex vest is certified, but the Ride-Lite is not. The more economical Tipperary collections of body protectors are typically not certified. When shopping for a vest, most companies are proud to advertise any certifications (even if it is from a third-party safety-testing lab).
What Does A Horseback Riding Body Protector Do?
Although body protectors can’t guarantee the prevention of serious injury or death, they definitely help to reduce the risks involved with horse riding. Horseback riding body protectors cover the torso area to help safeguard a rider’s ribs and organs. Some protectors will extend to cover the tailbone area, but cannot be too long or it may interfere with the rider’s movement and equitation.
The impact protection of a body protector reduces the risk of hitting the ground, landing on an obstacle such as a jump, or even blows from the horse’s hooves. State-of-the-art protective materials help absorb any impact to decrease or reduce possible injuries. Most body protector designs are flexible for rider comfort and offer unrestricted movement for navigating courses.
Do You Have To Wear A Body Protector With An Air Jacket?
Most air jackets can be worn alone or with a body protector, but work best when paired with a body protector. Although air vests are growing in popularity, they function differently from body protectors. Therefore, utilizing both offers optimal injury protection.
Air jackets inflate in the event of a fall, and can stabilize the neck, head, and torso for a highly cushioned impact and protection against crushing injuries. Air vests are not a requirement for most equestrian events, but body protectors are compulsory for some sports. This means any rider opting for an air vest is required to utilize a body protector underneath for these events. Because air vests are designed to work well with body protectors, it is recommended that you wear a protector under an air jacket.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.
