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Equestrian Airbags & Body Protection | Emmers Equestrian
Body protectors and air jackets solve different problems, and it's worth understanding both before you buy either. A body protector is foam-filled and protects passively the moment you put it on, absorbing impact and kicks around the ribs and torso.
An air jacket, from brands like Helite, Freejump, Equiline, Seaver, or Horse Pilot, works completely differently: it stays flat until a lanyard clipped to your saddle pulls free in a fall, triggering a CO₂ cartridge that inflates the vest around your spine, neck, and pelvis in a fraction of a second. The key thing to know is that an air jacket doesn't replace a body protector; they cover different injuries, and most eventing and cross-country rules require a certified body protector regardless of whether you also wear an air jacket on top. Think of the air jacket as extra protection for impacts a standard protector doesn't fully address, not a lighter alternative to one.
Tips for Choosing
- Check your discipline's actual requirement before buying; eventing and cross-country typically require a body protector meeting EN13158 Level 3, with an air jacket as an optional addition rather than a substitute.
- Match body protector level to your riding: Level 1 for low-risk schooling, Level 2 for general riding and showjumping, Level 3 for cross-country and higher-risk situations.
- Get properly fitted for a body protector in person if you can, since a poor fit reduces protection regardless of the certification level on the label.
- Check how your air jacket attaches and whether it fits comfortably under or over your body protector, since the two need to work together without restricting movement or interfering with inflation.
- Keep a spare CO₂ cartridge on hand for your air jacket, since the cartridge is single-use and needs replacing immediately after any deployment before the vest works again.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air jacket replace a body protector?
No, they protect against different types of injury, and most competition rules still require a certified body protector even if you also wear an air jacket.
What do body protector levels 1, 2 and 3 mean?
They indicate increasing protection under EN13158 — Level 1 suits low-risk schooling, Level 2 general riding and showjumping, and Level 3 is required for cross-country and eventing.
How does an air jacket actually work?
A lanyard connects the vest to your saddle; if you come off, the lanyard pulls free and triggers a CO₂ cartridge that inflates the vest around your spine, neck and pelvis almost instantly.
Do I need a new cartridge after every fall?
Yes, the CO₂ cartridge is single-use, so you'll need to fit a fresh one of the correct size before the air jacket will work again.
How do I know what size body protector or air jacket to buy?
Get measured according to the brand's size chart and, if possible, try it on in person, since fit affects both comfort and how well the protection actually works.
Can children wear the same airbag systems as adults?
Several brands, including Helite and Freejump, offer dedicated kids' sizes and versions, so check for a children's model rather than sizing down an adult one.
Find body protectors, air jackets, and cartridges from Helite, Freejump, Equiline, and more at Emmers Equestrian.