Ok so I've bought my first ever body protector...

[Pixel]

I've been told it will mould to my shape once I've worn it a bit so I've tried wearing it round the house. I've lasted about 20 mins so far before being desperate to take it off! It's very uncomfortable and the 'new' smell is making me feel sick.

Am not liking one bit, please tell me I will get used to it.
(Had it properly fitted btw).

[MitchiestInge]

What one did you get? I never wear them but think I should for cross country, was going to borrow my daughter's. We kept hers in the airing cupboard because someone told us it would soften it a bit. Not sure if it helped.

[BathildaSaggshot]

Which one do you have? I had a Rodney Powell. Being a big girl, with large breasts, it was huge and restrictive. I gave up in the end! If I were to buy another, I think I'd have the expensive one made with all the little squares. Whichever you have, good luck!

[Pixel]

I got the Outlyne because I'd read that it's a good one for big busts (wonder if Katie Price wears one???), and also less bulky to wear. I'm sure it is because it was actually a lot more flexible than the others in the shop, it just doesn't feel like that when it's on! I suppose once I'm actually riding I'll be too busy being scared concentrating on other things to notice that I can't breathe properly.

Ooh Mitchy, I should be careful about the airing cupboard. I have actually read the leaflet that was with my back protector for once like a good girl, and it says it is sensitive to extremes of temperature. "It may become brittle in low temps and its protective value may be reduced if it is subjected to high temps". It doesn't say how high though, how hot is an airing cupboard? (I've never had one).

By the way, neither of your comments has helped much you know.

[MitchiestInge]

Haha, you didn't ask for helpful comments did you? Do they absolutely have to be fitted properly?

How big is big in the nunga department? I forgot about those, have assumed daughter's body protector will fit as she is almost my height but she doesn't have any boobs yet. Assuming it has survived the airing cupboard of course. I don't want to just buy a new one for Monday, want to see if we can get round the course without any silliness first.

[MitchiestInge]

That sounds like am asking you how big your boobs are (I have seen Saggy's, well not seen them seen them) but I mean how big do they have to be in order to influence choice of body protector?

[MitchiestInge]

Not that I was looking at your boobs Saggy. Argh.

[Pixel]

Ok, if you must know...come a bit closer and I'll whisper...

Usually an F but it varies depending on bras (sometimes a bit bigger). Not ginormous you see but enough to make bra shopping my least-favourite activity. Apparently I'm an awkward size as my back isn't that wide so I can never find what I want .

I thought it best to get BP fitted by expert given the amount of money the thing cost. She checked it covered all the vulnerable areas properly (ribs/lower spine etc) while still leaving sufficient clearance at the back so it wouldn't catch on the saddle if I was jumping downhill . I had to sit on a saddle in the shop to make sure it was ok, which was fun in itself (think high saddle horse, no stirrups, dodgy hip, me not dressed for task, amused audience of assorted family members and random shoppers).

[horsemadmom]

I really like my Outlyne. I have big boobs in relation to my back size and I'm short and narrow at the waist. Think Dita von Tease. I find it really comfy and don't notice it. My old one had too much padding at the sides and made my elbows stick out like wings. Not a problem with this one.

[MitchiestInge]

Saggy do you mean the racesafe ones? I'm wondering whether can justify £££ but they look more comfortable than average - just measured and apart from argh that waist is 2" bigger than when it was last measured (for jodhs, not that long ago :() I think I am a large child with a long back! Maybe it is worth getting one made, unless am going to keep changing size. Perhaps will not spend most of today eating cheese after all :(

[Pixel]

Horsemadmom, I'm sure I will agree with you eventually about the Outlyne. It's just that I've never worn anything else to compare it with so it feels a bitl like an iron lung atm. Perhaps I should borrow my sister's one that she bought years ago and has worn twice and then I will feel overcome with gratitude when I put the Outlyne back on.

Anyway, will try it out on an actual horse tomorrow if it ever stops raining. Am hoping I won't be finding out how effective it is in a fall for a long time yet though .

[Pixel]

Should say 'has worn twice as so hideously uncomfortable'

[MitchiestInge]

Any more comfortable yet?

I got a very well worn in second hand one today for £20! There was a woof wear exo cage, it weighed about 1000000kg and was only £100 like new but a bit hardcore for me I thought.

(even well worn one feels horrible but weirdly do feel happier about doing stuff on pony so that's good)

[Pixel]

I chickened out of using it today as it was raining and I didn't think it would go under my hi-viz jacket. Will use it for my lesson tomorrow, promise!

Sounds like you got yourself a bargain.

[MitchiestInge]

It's horrifically ugly though and quite obviously not a grown up's but what were the odds of finding one in my exact dimensions?

Wonder how long it takes to get used to them? Let me know how it goes tomorrow, so far I think it restricts me so much it might be less safe than going without but desperately want to do more x country so am just going to make myself wear it all the time until I forget it's there. Haha.

[Pixel]

Well I wore it for my lesson and it wasn't as bad as feared once I was on. At least I sat up nice and straight ha ha. Rubs my arms a bit at the top and I was sweating buckets so when I took it off my polo shirt was stuck to me in a rather unflattering way, but I told myself I was just burning off extra calories.

[MitchiestInge]

Haha, yes am inexplicably at least a stone lighter after three hours of sideways non jumping xc in mine - couldn't believe the sweat, yuck. Ripped it off then had to carry it as well as leading fizzy horse along main road with no reins. Fun!

[horseymum]

best use of body protector was just post-birth to keep breast-feeding chest from causing injury! was not about to go near any jumps but meant I could actually trot in comfort! I find it gets more comfy the more you wear it, definitely don't need many clothes though. It moulds to your body with heat so wear it for your warm-up too, not just the jumping bit.