Talk to me about body protectors

I've read lots about body protectors and learnt nothing lol. I get very confused because like you I've seen ones that look like a bodywarmer? But allegedly they don't offer much level of protection unless you wear a traditional one underneath? What's the point of that then? And then there's the air filled cannisters which frankly, the thoughts of going off freak me out - never mind ponies reaction! Years ago mr trews had the Mountain Horse body armour jacket, but it was a bit uncomfy he said and though it looked stylish it wasn't any good and he took the pads out of it lol. And just wore the jacket.
I had mine fitted at the local tack shop / feed merchants up here, when Fuzzy arrived. Its very comfortable and I forget I'm wearing it.

I struggled to get a BP to fit me, I tried the Charles Owen shadow and while it did fit, it wasn’t flattering without something else over it! The CO eclipse looks like a body warmer with the same back panel as the shadow so I probably would consider that now. I opted for the mountain horse body armour jacket at the time.

I have taken a couple of the pads out of it, I think it was elbows and shoulders, but that still leaves, spine, hip and rib pads in and I find it pretty comfortable now, and other than that, it’s one of the most waterproof jackets I own. I don’t wear it year round, just if Monkey has had time off and likely to be spicy.

Mine is Airowear. However I never had a bp with a completely correct fit.

My shoulders are narrow and my rib cage is wide. But I needed my arms to hang down comfortably at the side so went for the slightly smaller size and allowed the velcro fastenings to show just a slither of orange.

I hacked like that for years and years and the only time I fell off, the bp protected my back and did not budge. I had put on weight and it was really too small. But it was comfortabnle and I was not conscious of wearing it. I wore it over my shirts but undermy flece or raincoat.

I was not eventing so there were no safety standards to be met.

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