Vests: Rodney Powell vs. Airowear Reiver Elite

[jen-s]

I've been looking at vests for months now and it's time to finally make a decision. Fit-wise, the Reiver Elite should be perfect and I've spoken with Rodney Powell and they can make one to fit my measurements. Cost-wise, they come within $13 of each other and shipping time is roughly the same. So, I'm hoping that someone out there in COTH-land can give me some feedback on these vests. The only vest that I've ridden in so far, is a Tipp Eventer which I wouldn't have been opposed to except that fit was an issue, so I'm kind of a blank slate when it comes to vests. I'm only doing very low-level eventing at this point and can't see going above Novice in the next couple of years. I'm actually not that worried about safety as both companies are reputable, primarily focused on heat retention, flexibility, and durability. Thanks so much for any/all help.

[sisu27]

I have a Rodney Powell but have gone back to a Tipp. The RP is HOT and uncomfortable. I wore it last season and I am pretty tolerant to heat but found it really hard to take. I was happy with the fit but any solid panel vest is never going to be as comfortable or allow as much freedom of movement as a Tipp. I find that I am more likely to actually wear the vest more often (not just when competing xc) if I forget that I am wearing it. I feel that I ride better and am safer, feeling able to move in the Tipp. They will make a vest to fit any body by the way. I was also really dissapointed that the RP faded very quickly and looked kind of crappy. I got solid black and the material they use did not stay looking new for very long.

My opinion is that you either go with an EXO OR whatever soft vest you prefer that you will actually wear. I don't care what "rating" or "certification" a vest has if it is sitting in your tack trunk it does you little good. That and I am very sceptical regarding the testing of vests....it is still sort of new and I have concerns about Beta given what I have learned about the testing methods and what vests pass and fail and why. I also get a whiff of protectionism but that could just be me ;)

[jen-s]

Thanks sisu27 for the info. I am definitely not heat tolerant, so that's a huge consideration.

Have you had problems with the zipper on your Tipp? The one that I borrowed was an older vest, but the owner mentioned that the zipper had been sticky (understatement of the year) since she bought it. I ended up, after much scrubbing of crevices and cussing, getting it to zip, but was then afraid to unzip it, so I when I rode in it, had to pull it on over my head. I already have less than ideal flexion of my right shoulder after a nasty fall, so that was a fairly miserable experience.

[sisu27]

Thanks sisu27 for the info. I am definitely not heat tolerant, so that's a huge consideration.

Have you had problems with the zipper on your Tipp? The one that I borrowed was an older vest, but the owner mentioned that the zipper had been sticky (understatement of the year) since she bought it. I ended up, after much scrubbing of crevices and cussing, getting it to zip, but was then afraid to unzip it, so I when I rode in it, had to pull it on over my head. I already have less than ideal flexion of my right shoulder after a nasty fall, so that was a fairly miserable experience.

I have never had a zipper problem with my Tipps. I follow the instructions and unlace, put on, zip then tighten laces. I would suggest that if you can get it on over your head it doesn't fit you properly, they are meant to fit pretty close. I guess zippers have life spans??? Maybe the vest was too tight for the owner and they did not put it on as per the directions?? Dunno. Maybe just a crappy zipper.

Good luck!

[luise]

I have a Rodney Powell Elite Pro that I ordered from the rep at Rolex last year. Unlike sisu27, I find mine incredibly comfortable and not too hot. The Elite Pro is geared towards women--so the back panel is jointed, and there is a little more room in the front. It molds to you and after 10 min I forget it's on. The best part too was that I had it customized with a different sized front and back. I have not had any problems with it fading either.

[jen-s]

Thanks luise. Can you tell me about the sides of the vest? From the website picture and description, it sounds like there's a stretchy panel on the sides. Is that correct? Any problems with it not retaining its shape?

[luise]

Thanks luise. Can you tell me about the sides of the vest? From the website picture and description, it sounds like there's a stretchy panel on the sides. Is that correct? Any problems with it not retaining its shape?

The sides aren't stretchy, but there is elastic/velcro around it that you can adjust if you needed to (say, gained a little weight maybe?). I haven't had to adjust mine. Basically the foam on the sides of the front overlaps with the foam from the back. The vest molds to you, so often when I take it off it is still in the shape of my torso. I have not had any problems of any kind so far. When I first put it on I often have to suck in my gut and hold the front together to do the zipper, which can be tough, and then for about 30 sec I'm not sure I can breath, but then it quickly molds to you. I previously had a Charles Owen vest and this one fits me much better. I do love my vest though and highly recommend one!

[jen-s]

Hmmm....tell me about the velcro. Does it stay secure? Is it such that if an arm brushed it that it might come loose or start peeling up? When I was just starting to look at vests, one of the ladies who owns a local tack shop said that she would never own a vest with velcro on the sides as it will never lay fully flat and you are at risk for peeling up off accidently. What's your take on that? Or was she just trying to sell me one of her non-velcro vests? ;)

[luise]

The velcro goes around the back. It NEVER comes undone. There is a wide band of elastic around the back (like 3-4" wide) and that is where you can adjust it--at the back, not at the sides. It has NEVER come loose. When I get home I'll look at it in more detail and report back.

[RiverBendPol]

My daughter and I ADORE our Rodney Powell vests. We got them at Rolex in....2005 I think. They are fabulous. The backs are solid. The velcro takes super-human strength to get it undone-no chance in He!! of it coming undone on its own! They truly do mold to the body after a few minutes or I put mine on the hood of the truck for a little while just before putting it on so it molds on contact. Once I'm zipped in, I forget it is there. My old Tipp was super comfy but guess what, all the little pieces of foam or whtever it was were seperate and could have easily let a stud in the cracks. Same true with the side laces. I love the RP because it is so solid.

[RunForIt]

A local ammy riding at Intermediate sold me on the Rodney Powell. If you can't get to Rolex (me!), the explicit directions for measuring are shown on VTO's website, and then their sales staff goes over the measurements with you ...besides being safer and reasonably comfortable, its price allows you to still eat (horses have lots of grass right now...alas, I don't care for it).

[flypony74]

If you liked the Tipp, but had a fitting issue, be aware that you can get them custom as well. Mine is a custom fit and custom colors. Got it from Adams and I think it was $35 extra to have the custom fit.

[luise]

Okay, looked at my vest. The velcro is only in the back. You do need super-human strength to undo it.

[Risk-Averse Rider]

The velcro goes around the back. It NEVER comes undone. There is a wide band of elastic around the back (like 3-4" wide) and that is where you can adjust it--at the back, not at the sides. It has NEVER come loose. When I get home I'll look at it in more detail and report back.
I have a Rodney Powell, and I *have* adjusted the velcro.

It's somewhat easier than replacing a gullet in a Wintec saddle, but there's no WAY it's going to come loose accidentally :lol:

I like my RP and feel much safer in it than in my Tipperary, but I recently started wearing the Tipperary for my (2' stadium) jumping lessons just because it's so blippin' hot here in Arizona in the summer time.

To tell the truth, I don't know for certain that I'm any cooler in the Tipperary, but I convinced myself that it would be.

If I were jumping x-c, though, I'd be back in the Rodney Powell.

[sisu27]

My daughter and I ADORE our Rodney Powell vests. We got them at Rolex in....2005 I think. They are fabulous. The backs are solid. The velcro takes super-human strength to get it undone-no chance in He!! of it coming undone on its own! They truly do mold to the body after a few minutes or I put mine on the hood of the truck for a little while just before putting it on so it molds on contact. Once I'm zipped in, I forget it is there. My old Tipp was super comfy but guess what, all the little pieces of foam or whtever it was were seperate and could have easily let a stud in the cracks. Same true with the side laces. I love the RP because it is so solid.

That is funny! :lol::lol: That little gem about the puncture danger was exactly what the RP rep told my mum at Rolex that then resulted in her insisting upon me having one. Since then, as I rapidly fell out of love with the RP, I spoke to a Tipp rep at Rolex and after chuckling like they had heard that one before they told me that they did some research and pulled records on riding falls/crashes and found one instance of a puncture wound....when a rider came off and was bitten by a dog!! It is about as much of a danger as a meteorite taking you out. Now they could both be FOS but I tend to believe the latter to be truer.

Either way, you need to buy what you will wear. For me, comfort was the deciding factor. Also....I have a mesh Tipp....much cooler.

[jen-s]

Thanks to all for the great info. Does anyone out there have the Reiver Elite so that I can get some comparision feedback? I know several COTHers have the Outlyne (and love it), but the sizing on that one doesn't seem as good for me as the RE. Thoughts or comments? Please.....

FWIW, I have considered a custom Tipp and that's not off the short list. But I do like the idea of an approved vest (yes, I know that the approved label doesn't carry much weight with many people and I understand the rationale behind that) and as many injuries as I've had that have been random or weird, I really like the idea of not having exposed sides. Seriously, as accident-prone as I am, I need all the help that I can get! (Sisu27, dogs love me so I'm not that worried about them, but I would be that one rider who would fall off and get pecked by a chicken. They hate me and know I'm afraid of them. :()

And Risk-Adverse Rider, I absolutely cracked up at your comment comparing adjusting the vest to the gullet in a Wintec. I've been following your thead(s) and can truly appreciate what you've written as I changed one last week for the first time.

[His Greyness]

Does anyone out there have the Reiver Elite so that I can get some comparision feedback? I know several COTHers have the Outlyne (and love it), but the sizing on that one doesn't seem as good for me as the RE. Thoughts or comments? Please.....


I recently acquired a custom Airowear Reiver Elite, but my criteria are far different from yours. Since I am a large man, size was a major issue since no manufacturer now makes a vest big enough to fit me. I will tell you that my new BETA 2000 Level 3 (new standard) vest is heavier than my old Casel-Equi BETA Level 7 (old standard) vest. I find both hot to wear but fit isn't an issue for me having got the right size.

The tack shop in England through which I ordered my new vest recommended Airowear over Rodney Powell. I did not ask why. I had sent an e-mail to three manufacturers asking whether they could make a vest big enough for me. Charles Owen's internet service provider rejected my e-mail as spam! Rodney Powell replied yes but with no further information. Airowear sent me an order form.

Baby Belgian has been lame (he has an abscess) since just after I got the Airowear vest so I haven't been able to ride in it much. However, I didn't have a problem with the vest during those times I did ride in it. One consideration you might have is whether to get the version with a zipper at the front which will make the vest easier to put on but offers less protection if you are kicked in the stomach or chest.

It is my opinion that the traditional Tipperary vest may get classified as an "item of apparel" if vest requirements are tightened up by the USEF. A more promising development are the inflatable vests just being introduced in the U.K. These are only any good if they inflate before the rider hits the ground so more data needs to be collected on their effectiveness. If you are planning to have your horse fall on you then the EXO vest is the only one that will provide any real protection. In other kinds of fall I don't think they provide any more protection than the other vests and, of course, they don't make one nearly big enough to fit me.

[KBG Eventer]

I have this Airowear http://www.airowear.co.uk/zippa.php that I got 2? years ago from Bit of Britian. They must have changed names because BoB apparently doesn't sell it anymore, and when I bought it I think it was called the Elite. Anyway, before that I had a Tipperary although it wasn't the Eventer. I don't think they make it anymore. It was the same separate foam square but with solid pieces of fabric covering it and velcro sides.

The Airowear has been great. Sometimes it feels awkward when I first put it on, but then I forget I am wearing it. *Knock on wood* I have fallen off much less in this vest than my Tipperary, but I feel more protected. When I fell off in the Tipperary I would get bruises under the vest! In the Airowear, I bounce right back up.

I know there is the whole comfort factor, and the people who love the Tipperaries say they have helped them out a lot in falls. However, I have ridden in them, and they just feel so thin and flimsy to me! That's just my opinion.

And I do get hot in my Airowear, but I usually don't notice until after I'm done riding. Being hot once in awhile is worth it to me.

[luise]

Well, I fell off on XC today in my RP, and I can tell you it felt great! I was wondering why nothing hurt, and then I realized it was because of my vest. It was a slow fall, but I landed on my butt and side/back which I didn't realize until I saw the mud on my vest.

[jen-s]

Luise--sorry to hear about your fall yesterday, but thanks for the update. How are you feeling today? I've always found that the day after is worse.

KGB Eventer--I'm not a fan of the heat and on top of that I live in the south, but it's one of those things that I guess you just have to deal with for safety. Have you had any problems with fading or the zipper/velcro not working just right?

His Greyness--thanks for all that info. I've emailed with Amira about the vests that they carry (love their pricing, hate the long time it takes to get emails back) and have gotten some good information. Do you mind me asking which tack shop you ordered through?

I was lucky enough to audit a clinic this past weekend and got to look at lots of vests and see firsthand what they look like as well as pick people brains about their likes/dislikes. It was very interesting to me to see how many people have the Tipp Eventers and their vests were too long in the back (half of the reason that I would need a custom Tipp, the other reason is my bustline). There was one lady with a RP, one with an Airowear, and one Casel Equi and all of the rest were Tipps. Whether I end up with RP or an Airowear, I have every confidence that it'll be a safe, secure vest that will fit me well. At this point, I am leaning towards the RP though.

[luise]

Jen-s--thanks! Adrenaline is a funny thing. I got up thinking, wow, that was the most painful fall ever! Today I found a sore bruised spot on my left hip, and another spot on my left thigh just above my knee. But other than those two spots, I still feel pretty damn good! It was a slow fall, and I remember tumbling over his neck thinking, oh crap, I'm eliminated!

[His Greyness]

His Greyness--thanks for all that info. I've emailed with Amira about the vests that they carry (love their pricing, hate the long time it takes to get emails back) and have gotten some good information. Do you mind me asking which tack shop you ordered through?



I made frequent trips to the UK in the first half of this year. I ordered and picked up my vest in person from Calcutt and Sons (http://www.calcuttandsons.co.uk/) who are near where my sister lives. When they measured me for the vest they warned me that it would be expensive to ship the vest to me in the US. I have done business with Calcutts for many years since no tack shop in the US caters to large men on large horses.

[purplnurpl]

I have the airowear outlyne.
It's quite cozy. And it was not so much $$$. I got it with useless shoulder pads for $220.00.

I use my old Tipp for riding client horses and my Outlyne for XC schoolings.

My Tipps zipper broke. I had it replaced (not by Tipp) and it's a train wreck now and I have to pin it together. lol.

[ceecee]

I ride TB racehorses every day so wear my vest for 4 hours a day. I have had two Tipperary vests that I absolutely loved. They both lasted about 2 years. The zippers died after this time but they were coming to the end of their lives anyway. Loved them - light, comfortable, great protection, not too hot. I took a few falls with no major problems with the Tip vests. The racetracks are bringing in mandatory safety vests so I thought I had better shop for one with recognized safety standards, which the Tip surprisingly does not :-( After much research, I went with the Rodney Powell Elite Pro. I liked the idea they are custom fit. However, I must admit, I am disappointed with it. I am very cold blooded, and even for me it is a little warm in the body when riding. Like others expressed, it is a mission to get into - I struggle every day to get the zipper done up, even after wearing for a month. The zipper already has a glitch in it - I don't expect it will survive long. You have to suck your stomach in and empty your lungs to get the thing done up. Once zipped in, you can barely fill your lungs with a complete breath. I can't wait to unzip it at the end of the morning, and would unzip it in between rides if it wasn't such a pain in the a-- to do up! Even though I sent in my measurements, the back doesn't come up to the base of my neck, (ie is too low at the top) and doesn't cover my tailbone - (is too short at the bottom). It is very rigid material and hasn't molded to me like it describes. And I feel when I sit on a horse the vest is shaped to encourage me to slump - it is more work to sit up straight in this vest. I don't like the doubling over of the padding on top of the shoulders - it makes you look like a beast if you wear a sweater or jacket over the vest. And my final peeve is it is sooo heavy - it must be 2-3x as heavy as my old faithful Tip. Tipperary, won't you please have your vests safety certified!!!

[purplnurpl]

I bought the airowear and it doesn't fit.

It's good for when I do jumpers because it's a bit more low profile.

all Beta 3 vests feel the same and will be warmer then a Tipp. Period.
The are thicker and will get stuck whatever position you throw them down in if it's cold out.
I have to keep mine in the truck with me when driving to a schooling so that it will be soft.

The airowear has double velcro on both sides. I have to undo the velcro to put it on, flatten out the side panels, do up the zipper, and then tighten the velcro.
also, for some reason it rubs the underbelly of my upper arm ouchy. I have to make sure I wear 3/4 sleeves with it.

The RP has one large band of velcro that goes across the back. It also has side panels. The velcro on the back can be adjusted. I let a friend borrow the vest last year, we tightened it for her, and RP was nice enough to put a red marker on the velcro so that I know where it should fit together to be right for my measurement. So it was just a matter of undoing the velcro and putting it back on the red dot.

I can whip the vest on, suck in my belly, and then zip it up. I do not need to flatten out the side panels.

I have the women's cut for airowear and the mens cut for the RP.

lemme try to find pics...

RP
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p189/xckaboom/toby1.jpg
fits under a tight fitted jacket
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p189/xckaboom/eventer2.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p189/xckaboom/XCwarmup.jpg

AW
is a little smaller all the way around
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p189/xckaboom/a.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p189/xckaboom/awvest.jpg

I have it for sale with my tack shop but I think I'll just ask for it back if it hasn't sold by the 1st HT. I really liked it for the jumpers! I never really know what I'm going to get out of these greenies.
I'm glad I wore at that show because this guy was really impressed with the fences!
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p189/xckaboom/jumpers.jpg

[purplnurpl]

I ride TB racehorses every day so wear my vest for 4 hours a day. I have had two Tipperary vests that I absolutely loved. They both lasted about 2 years. The zippers died after this time but they were coming to the end of their lives anyway. Loved them - light, comfortable, great protection, not too hot. I took a few falls with no major problems with the Tip vests. The racetracks are bringing in mandatory safety vests so I thought I had better shop for one with recognized safety standards, which the Tip surprisingly does not :-( After much research, I went with the Rodney Powell Elite Pro. I liked the idea they are custom fit. However, I must admit, I am disappointed with it. I am very cold blooded, and even for me it is a little warm in the body when riding. Like others expressed, it is a mission to get into - I struggle every day to get the zipper done up, even after wearing for a month. The zipper already has a glitch in it - I don't expect it will survive long. You have to suck your stomach in and empty your lungs to get the thing done up. Once zipped in, you can barely fill your lungs with a complete breath. I can't wait to unzip it at the end of the morning, and would unzip it in between rides if it wasn't such a pain in the a-- to do up! Even though I sent in my measurements, the back doesn't come up to the base of my neck, (ie is too low at the top) and doesn't cover my tailbone - (is too short at the bottom). It is very rigid material and hasn't molded to me like it describes. And I feel when I sit on a horse the vest is shaped to encourage me to slump - it is more work to sit up straight in this vest. I don't like the doubling over of the padding on top of the shoulders - it makes you look like a beast if you wear a sweater or jacket over the vest. And my final peeve is it is sooo heavy - it must be 2-3x as heavy as my old faithful Tip. Tipperary, won't you please have your vests safety certified!!!

the Tipp will never be certified because it does not and will not ever pass safety standards...unless they build it up to be like the vest you are so very disappointed with!

sounds like your measurements were not quite on. sorry. : (

[wildlifer]

I got an RP last year and competed in it all year in the hot, sweaty south. I did not find that it added any heat, really. It only covers your core, which is not that efficient at dissipating heat anyway. I measured very carefully and it fits very very well. After about 2 minutes, I forget it's there and have total mobility. I fell on top of a steeplechase jump while wearing it and didn't feel a thing, so it's even been "crash tested." I give it two huge thumbs up.