Charles Owen Body Protectors

[equito]

So I finally got to the one of the nearest (as in almost 2 hours away :rolleyes:) tackshops and tried on a few safety vests. Out of what they had (Charles Owen JL9 and Tipperary), the JL9 fit very well. BUT, it seemed really heavy (at least to me, though I have never owned a vest)... so I looked up Charles Owen vests at home and found the Ultra-Lite.
Has anyone used either (or both) Charles Owen vest? How do you like them? Also, how do the weights and fits compare?
Thanks! :D

[lizathenag]

I have both a Charles Owen and a Tipperary. After I broke my ribs and punctured my lung, I got the Charles Owen as it had wrap around protection for my ribs (the Tip has laces).

the short version is I have gone back to the Tipperary because the CO is so bulky in front that it catches on my saddle when I dismount putting me at risk.

oh well.

[Highflyer]

I tried on the JL9 when I was looking at vests this spring (replacing a Tip which is now to big.) I also found it bulky, and I hated the front strap. The dealbreaker for me was that it sat up too high on my boobs--I could literally rest my chin on the front :). I ended up with the Airowear Outlyne, which is similar weightwise but cut for a woman--why this is such a hard concept for manufacturers, I don't understand! It is heavy--probably 7-8 lbs--but I find that I don't really notice it when it's on. It has the overlap over the ribs, too, which I really like. The Tipperary is much lighter, though.

[Lincoln]

I don't mind my CO. It's bulky. It doesn't look as good at the Tipp that I used to have, but it's fine. I feel like I could play in the NFL but maybe that's not altogether a bad thing...

[deltawave]

I'm very used to and very fond of my regular CO vest, which I've had for years. It is stiff, it is bulky, but it is SO much more substantial than the Tiperarry kind that I just feel safer wearing it. I've fallen in it two or three times, fortunately never really putting it "to the test". It's holding up great, and I find it very comfortable and secure and honestly just never really think about it when it's on. Doesn't really seem heavy to me, just stiff.

[4Martini]

I'm very used to and very fond of my regular CO vest, which I've had for years. It is stiff, it is bulky, but it is SO much more substantial than the Tiperarry kind that I just feel safer wearing it. I've fallen in it two or three times, fortunately never really putting it "to the test". It's holding up great, and I find it very comfortable and secure and honestly just never really think about it when it's on. Doesn't really seem heavy to me, just stiff.

This is pretty much my experience. Oh and I never look like I'm slouching when I'm wearing it b/c I think that's impossible! I've come off with it on too and think it made a huge difference in how sore I would have been the next day. I don't think the tips feel anywhere near as substantial.

[Merle]

I'm very used to and very fond of my regular CO vest, which I've had for years. It is stiff, it is bulky, but it is SO much more substantial than the Tiperarry kind that I just feel safer wearing it. I've fallen in it two or three times, fortunately never really putting it "to the test". It's holding up great, and I find it very comfortable and secure and honestly just never really think about it when it's on. Doesn't really seem heavy to me, just stiff.

I am also very fold of my regular CO vest and I have put mine to the test. I have had it for years and will never go back to a different brand. I can't count the times I've fallen in it and I've landed myself in the ER from the falls and never have they been for anything the vest has protected me for. My hips (and butt) have been what have been severely injured - not my ribs. I have gotten bruises on my ribs from the falls but not a puncture, thank goodness. That vest has protected me from so much.

Many friends of mine now have CO vests after seeing what I have gone through with it. The size/bulk seems perfectly normal to me and it's well worth it - great protection, let me tell you! I figured out a couple months ago that I can't ride in (or need to be more careful in) a western saddle with it because yes, when I dismount it gets hung up on the horn. I don't know how many times I would have gotten in trouble if my ribs were exposed from wearing a Tipperary.

[joharavhf]

I used to work for CO, so I may be slightly biased. I had an old "Tipp" knockoff (actually, the lady claims that her design was out before Tipperary stole it from her....which I can't substantiate, but it sounds plausible!), and I now have the Ultralite II from CO.

The CO vest is MUCH more substantial than a Tipperary vest. But it is also ASTM approved, which the Tipperary is NOT. The CO wraps around your body and does not leave your ribs open to assault when you have it adjusted properly. In addition the CO cover is removeable and washable, which is a great feature, particularly if you are a sweat hog like I am.

The CO vest is heavier and hotter than the Tipp knock off I owned before. The vest *does* mold to your body after being on for a few minutes and the protective "foam" warms up.

I am very busty and very short waisted. The way to get around this with the CO is to have the tack store order you one size up for the front panel and the "correct" size in the back. That's right - I said you can order an adult small for the back and an adult medium for the front if you should so desire :) Then just put the two vests together - and boom, you have room for the "girls"!

Hope this helps some! I haven't seen the JL9 vest as I left CO to have a family back in 2004 and they were not selling that vest in the USA at the time.

[eventrider]

I have the JL9 vest and at Tipperary, and I wear the JL9! Love the front zipper and it does feel more secure and safer. I don't notice that it is that much hotter to wear when I am going, and it it is riding up like one poster stated, then it isn't adjusted correctly. I won't wear anything else, unless maybe its one of those new EXO vests!

Christan

[sheltoneb]

I agree with Eventrider. I have worn both a Tipperary and JL9 recently and prefer the JL9. It is safety rated, unlike the Tipperary, and I was able to order the front and back panels as separate sizes so it fits well. Both are hot, but I did not notice a difference between the two

[eventer_mi]

I've had both, and stuck with the Tipperary. I'm the kind that gets claustrophobic just wearing a rat catcher around my neck, so the CO made me feel like I couldn't breathe, which is a bad thing considering I also have asthma. I can actually stand to wear the Tipperary, but I'm one of those people who try to weasle out of wearing my vest at every opportunity (sorry, Christan!). If you are at all claustrophobic like I am, I would stick with the Tipp. I don't know why it is, but the minute I put on a protective vest, even my Tipp (although I'm getting over it), I start to hyperventilate.