The Ultimate Guide to Low Profile Equestrian Air Vests
Our mantra is always, "What fits best, protects best." This is true for any piece of safety equipment - helmets, air vests, or body protectors. What is one person's favorite is not necessarily in another person's best interests.
For that reason, we always gather a significant amount of information about each rider, including measurements to determine the most appropriate brand, model, and size for each rider. Each vest is tailored a bit differently.
Keep in mind that for us to carry a vest, we require that it is certified to the latest safety standard (at the time of this writing, NF S72-800-2022), that the manufacturer and US distributor provides us proof of insurance, and that the company has a track record of handling warranty claims seamlessly.
Here's an overview of each vest's features that we consider when making recommendations for our clients.
Animo is the first to introduce a vest with a male and female option. This new introduction to the market in 2024 has been wildly popular with our clients. The material is luxurious and there are matching show coats made out of the exact same materials that can be worn either over or under the vest, creating a perfect blend.
Fit: Slim
Length Options: Regular
Color Options: Black, Navy, and seasonal colors
Price: $1235
Weight Minimum: 77 lbs
Ideal Body Type: Regular or short length torso. If a rider is very long waisted, the lack of a Tall length option can sometimes leave some coverage on the table.
Our Impressions: We lovingly call this the Magic Vest, because it's stunning and fits nearly everyone beautifully. Whether you've got curves or your more rectangularly shaped, this vest hugs you in all of the right places and gives you a sense of confidence and security with its hug sensation.
The Seaver SafeFit is the lightest weight vest on the market and also uses a smaller diameter canister than other brands. Especially for our clients that live in warm weather climates or those that ride hot, this is a go-to vest for them. Seaver has impressed us with their consistent improvements based on feedback, making each iteration of their vest better and better.
Fit: Slim to regular
Length Options: Regular and Long
Colors: Black, Navy, Red, Grey, and Custom - you can add names, logos, flags, and Swarovski crystals. The world is your oyster!
Price: $789
Weight Minimum: 77 lbs
Ideal Body Type: While this is a unisex vest, it is a closer to the vest cut. It's ideal for any torso length with its two length options. It is not ideal for extremely short waisted riders whose widest measurement is the hip, as the vest will bunch significantly at the base of the back.
Our Impressions: This vest feels like you don't have a vest on and blends in beautifully over a show coat with its ultra low profile. It is also one of the easiest vests to wear under an air vest compatible show coat because it's so thin, without compromising on safety.
The Twist'Air is the slimmest fitting vest on the market. This is one of the longest vests in the low profile category and it's cut on the bias, so it goes well below the SI joint in the back, while tapering above your belt-line in the front. This means you get additional back length without compromising your ability to tuck and roll. Horse Pilot also uses a unique canister and trigger design. It's larger from a surface area perspective, but it's thinner, encasing four small canisters in a cartridge, and the back side of the cartridge is curved for an ergonomic fit. This vest also uses a unique lanyard and saddle strap combo that is magnetic with Fidlock technology.
Fit: Slim
Length Options: Regular
Colors: Black, Navy
Price: $800
Weight Minimum: 55 lbs for adult sizes, 45 lbs for junior sizes
Ideal Body Type: Regular to long torso
Our Impressions: We lovingly call this the thundershirt of air vests, as it gives you the feeling that you are being enveloped in a cozy hug. Riders report that this sensation gives a feeling of security. This vest works especially well for women that are larger chested, as the canister shape and placement tends to be more comfortable. The only drawback is that on some women, we see gapping between the widest point of the chest and the clavicle, as the air bladders are made of a thicker material and sometimes doesn't settle into that groove.
This is Equiline's newest entrant to the market, following their very popular Belair model. Taking after the Belair, this vest is made of super nice Italian tech fabric that's a little thicker and more durable than other vests. This also results in a streamlined look, as the material provides more structure and hides wrinkles, bumps, and rolls.
Fit: Slim
Length Options: Regular
Colors: Black
Price: $739
Weight Minimum: 77 lbs
Ideal Body Type: Regular to long torso
Our Impressions: This vest matches what we've come to expect from Equiline - beautiful materials and tailoring, resulting in a high quality product. This vest also gives a hugging sensation and offers a sleek, streamlined look that in our opinion hides many imperfections that might exist underneath the vest.
Equiline's initial offering for the air vest market, this vest is unique because of its built in D3O back protector. Tailored and constructed like the Eclair, the back protector is a lightweight, flexible pad made of material that is in a honeycomb form. The Belair works for the smallest or riders, with it's petite sizing and weight minimum.
Fit: Slim
Length Options: Regular
Colors: Black, Navy for Belair
Price: $789
Weight Minimum: 77 lbs for adult sizes, 30 lbs for child sizes
Ideal Body Type: Regular to long torso
Our Impressions: This is a game changer for riders that have either had previous back trauma or are looking for a bit of extra protection without going to the lengths of a full body protector with an additional air vest. Because the back protector is made of D3O it is significantly lighter and more comfortable than a traditional back protector, which is usually much thicker and more rigid. You're getting all of the benefits of the Eclair, plus an added bonus. Please note: we are very particular about when it's appropriate to put a small child in an air vest. If you are outfitting your littlest rider, please contact us for an evaluation.
6) FreeJump
The FreeJump airbag vest is one of the originals. FreeJump was the ideation pioneers for a low-profile vest. They were also the first to meet and exceed the NF standard. Made of an Italian technical material with micro-perforated mesh panels, this vest is light and breathable.
Fit: Regular to relaxed
Length Options: Regular and Long (which they call slim)
Colors: Black, Navy
Price: $849
Weight Minimum: 77 lbs for adult sizes, 55 lbs for child sizes
Ideal Body Type: Regular to long torso
Our Impressions: The FreeJump is one of the easiest vests to fit with its two length options, but is best for those with a regular to longer torso. We tend to see a bit of bunching at the base of the back for riders that are shorter in the torso, especially those that are wider in the hips, as the vest will ride up to look for the natural waist. This vest is classic and sleek.
The Airlight is one of only two vests (the other being the Animo) that is gendered - it's made for women and girls. The trigger and air chambers are manufactured by FreeJump, so you get the quality and technology of that brand with a different tailoring and feminine accents. This vest has a more limited size range, only going to size L.
Fit: Slim to regular
Length Options: Regular and Long
Colors: Black
Price: $849
Weight Minimum: 77 lbs for adult sizes, 55 lbs for child sizes
Ideal Body Type: Short to regular torso, great for curves
Our Impressions: This vest is easy to fit with it's two length options, but it's great for those that are short in the torso. Because it's made for women, it's great for those that are busty and/or wider in the hips. With it's cute feminine accents, this has been popular for many of our clients that want some style in their vest.
The AirSafe is yet another model whose trigger and air chambers are made by FreeJump but offering another fit variation. Of the three FreeJump-made low profile vests, this is the slimmest fit (although not snug or huggy like some other vests) and also runs a bit shorter. The panels use a webbed mesh rather than a micro-perforated mesh, allowing for a slightly more economical price point.
Fit: Regular
Length Options: Regular and Long
Colors: Black
Price: $755
Weight Minimum: 77 lbs for adult sizes, 55 lbs for child sizes
Ideal Body Type: Any
Our Impressions: With it's two lengths, this vest can accommodate multiple body types, but it's one of our go-to's especially for riders that have are short-waisted, as their regular length runs on the shorter side. You get all of the quality of a FreeJump vest at a slightly lower price point.
9) Hit Air VH
Hit Air is a stalwart on the air vest market, both on the motorcycle and equestrian sides of things. The VH is their low profile offering, moving from their more durable and traditional looking vests long favored by eventers. This vest offers a slimmer fit with the large neck baffle favored by many that are looking for the ultimate in neck protection. This vest has a limited size range, only offering S, M, L.
Fit: Slim to regular
Length Options: Regular (although we find it runs short)
Colors: Black
Price: $749
Weight Minimum: 77 lbs
Ideal Body Type: Short to regular torso
Our Impressions: This vest is a great addition to the Hit Air lineup, offering their trademark neck baffle to a low profile vest. This vest runs a bit short, so it's an especially great option for those that are short-waisted. The sleek fit provides a nice outline for riders.
10) Point Two Hunter
Point Two is another stalwart on the air vest scene with offerings for both the equestrian and motorcycle markets. The Hunter model is actually the very first attempt at a low profile vest. The material is the more durable and rugged shell that we traditionally see on an eventing-style vest. The length of this vest, starting at the hip, provides lower coverage than most other vests.
Fit: Relaxed
Length Options: Regular (although it tends to run long)
Colors: Black
Price: $675
Weight Minimum: 77 lbs
Ideal Body Type: Regular to long torso
Our Impressions: This vest is a very traditional fitting vest, so truth be told, it's not the most flattering fit of the bunch. It also runs quite long, so it's good for riders with a regular to long torso. Otherwise, we find it settling behind the back of the saddle or wrinkling under the rider's seat. It's a great option for someone looking for longer tailbone coverage and more comprehensive hip coverage.
Have questions or need an in-person or virtual fitting? Contact us!
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