Body Protector Fitting Guide

How to measure for a body protector

Measure over light clothing using a soft tape measure in centimetres (cm).

There are 4 simple steps to find your body protector measurements:

Step 1 – Waist

Measure the circumference of your waist by wrapping the measuring tape around your waist.

This measurement is important to ensure the body protector does not shift on the body.

Step 2 – Chest

Measure the circumference of your chest by wrapping the tape measure under your arms and around the widest part.

This measurement indicates which sizing range you fall into.

Step 3 – Back length

Measure from the base of your neck (C7 vertebrae) to the base of your spine.

Step 4 – Sizing

Select the corresponding size from the sizing chart for the particular body protector.

How to fit and wear a body protector

Once you’ve chosen your body protector size, there are 6 steps to ensure it fits you correctly:

Step 1

Fit your body protector over light clothing, with heavier garments worn over the top.

Step 2

Before trying on, loosen the adjustments and the waist bungee cords (if applicable) of the body protector.

Step 3

Once on, insert thumbs into the armholes to bring the two panels together to make it easier to zip the body protector.

Step 4

Adjust the adjustable straps so that a snug but comfortable fit is achieved. Ensure the contrast red velcro markers are covered.

This step will determine whether a smaller or larger size is required. If the red cannot be completely covered, the body protector is too small. If the velcro fastenings cannot be closed enough to ensure a snug fit, the body protector is too large.

If bungee cords, tighten the bungee cords to a snug but comfortable fit.

Step 5

Adjust the shoulders so the neckline lies flat against the body. If this cannot be achieved, a shorter back length may be needed.

Step 6

If possible, check the back length by sitting on a saddle and ensuring there is approximately a hand’s width between the saddle and base of the body protector.

At the front, the body protector should reach the breastbone at the top and cover the bottom rib at mid-chest by approximately 2.5cm, but should not cover the belly button.

Fitting checklist

A new body protector will mould to your body as you wear it, however there are 7 key things to check before riding.

Use this checklist to ensure your body protector fits properly.

1. Snug fit on the waist with more room on the chest
2. Able to take a deep breath in without feeling restricted
3. Fully covers your rib cage but not your belly button, which is the bend point on your body
4. To test that your body protector is the correct length, try bending forward at the waist. If your body protector digs into your stomach uncomfortably, it is likely too long
5. Adjust your shoulder straps so that they lay midway between the point of the shoulder and the base of the neck
6. There should be around three inches between the bottom of the back of the body protector and the cantle of your saddle. If the body protector is longer, it may interfere with the saddle
7. Check that each strap covers the red marker on the velcro. If you can still see any part of an red section when your body protector is adjusted correctly, the body protector is too small.

If your body protector passes all of these fitting checks, it’s ready to ride in!