Horse riding is a risky sport where the probability of a fall is never zero. In 2017-2018, out of 810 fatal sports-related accidents, 14 were equestrian-related. To ensure safety riders, Seaver has developed an airbag, the SAFEFIT. But there are other types of vest that meetthe same need... So which is the best airbag vest for riding? To shed some light on the subject, we'd like to compare the SAFEFIT with one of its main competitors: the Hit-Air Complete Airbag Vest.

Safety, a key issue

If you decide to invest in a riding airbag, it's primarily for reasons of safety. So it's important to understand the major differences between the two products in terms of rider protection. 

The new standard for riding airbags, NF S72-800:2021

First of all, Seaver is one of the few brands to have obtained the new new French certification NF S72-800:2021, now the only standard dedicated to riding airbags. This standard has more stringent requirements in terms of minimum impact absorption thresholds as well as maximum deployment time. The highly demanding tests are carried out by the Aliénor laboratory, a subsidiary of the Center Régional d'Innovation et de Transfert de Technologies (CRITT). All airbags must be approved for certification in France. Certification ensures maximum protection of vital areas. The only brands to have obtained it are Freejump, Horse Pilote and, of course, Seaver. All犀利士 details of Seaver certification are explained here. Note that this standard will be the only one in force from April 21, 2023 (EU2016/425).

SAFERIDE functionality, a Seaver speciality

Another Seaver advantage is 犀利士 -unknown-block-id-1042951798″>SAFERIDE, a feature for which no other brand has an equivalent. SAFERIDE allows your loved ones to follow your itinerary live throughout your outdoor outing, as well as to detect a possible fall and geolocate.

"My horse got spooked on a ride, I fell off and he left without me. Physically, I was fine, but I couldn't walk home alone. Thanks to SAFERIDE, my loved ones were able to geolocate me and come and get me." 

Louise, SAFERIDE user

The SAFERIDE feature is independent of the airbag, but one year's year's free access with the purchase of a SAFEFIT! A significant advantage in terms of rider rider safety.

Uncompromising comfort

If safety is the first criterion for a good airbag, it won't be very effective if it's left at the bottom of a cupboard or in a grooming bag! To be able to wear it in any situation, without compromising sporting performance, it must not hinder the rider's mobility. "Very light light", "comfortable"andbreathable"As the riders say, SAFEFIT is a hit in the field!

Guaranteed lightness

With a mass of 600 grams in size M, SAFEFIT is the lightest airbag airbag on the marketahead of the Airjacket HELITE (1.5kg), Airswift 2 PÉNÉLOPE (1.3kg), Airbag complet HIT-AIR (1.05kg), Airbag Léger HIT-AIR (1kg), Équithème Air (900g), Twist'Air Horse Pilot (860g) and Zip'In 2 HELITE (650g). 

"My favorite thing about SAFEFIT is how light the airbag is, it doesn't bother me at all when I'm riding." 

Anaïs Lecourtois

Uncompromising freedom of movement

Firstly, thanks to its curved shapethe SAFEFIT adapts to the rider's morphology as Romain Ozzola testifies:

"When I tried on SAFEFIT, I immediately got a really good feeling: it's very form-fitting, you feel really good in it, it really adapts to all your clothes and it's really comfortable. And when I wore it in competitions, it was the same: no bad sensations. And that's what really appealed to me. "

Romain Ozzola

What's more, SAFEFIT is designed with a technical fabric composed of stretch materialsThis allows it to adapt completely to the rider's movements, without creating any extra thickness.

"What I like best about the SAFEFIT airbag is that it's super comfortable, it doesn't feel like it because it's ultra-light and doesn't move! And on top of that, you can put it either under or over your jacket, it's really TOP!!!"

Ester Pottier

In addition to being comfortableSAFEFIT is pleasant to wear, whatever the weather.

Breathable technical fabric

Heat is no problem in summer, since SAFEFIT is designed with a micro-perforated micro-perforated technical fabrictechnical fabric for maximum ventilation.

"To be perfectly honest, I've never worn an airbag too much, mainly because of the lack of aesthetics, but above all because of the lack of comfort and lightness during my tests... Discreet, aestheticand very light, the SAFEFIT was an obvious choice!!! It's the lightest on the market, so I forget about it when I'm riding, and it doesn't make me hot at all, thanks to its breathable fabric. It's a real safety asset that I can't take my eyes off!"

Louella Le Moigne

Safe... in style!

"I mainly wear the SAFEFIT airbag for its aesthetic appeal."

Lana Messina

"Discreet", "aesthetic"andcurved"SAFEFIT goes unnoticed over or under your show jacket. What's more, thanks to its customizable piping, you can also choose to assert your style by wearing your club's colors or, like Chloé Lévyto match the color of your saddlecloth!

What about the price?

"An important detail is that the price of the two products is virtually equivalent, with only a four-euro difference between Hit-Air's Gilet Airbag Complet (€495.00) and SAFEFIT (€499.00). Hit-Air's Gilet Airbag Complet II, on the other hand, costs €545.00, €46 more than SAFEFIT.

SAFEFIT is also payable in 4 or 10 times free of charge as opposed to 2, 3 or 4 times for Hit-Air products.

"I find the Seaver much lighter, more comfortable and very discreet. I validate 200% 👍👍"

Jules Demarcy

To make it easier for you to find your way around, here is a comparison chart to help you make sense of the situation:

Now you know everything and can make your choice! 😊

Sources :

• Santé Publique France report, "Décès traumatiques en pratique sportive en France métropolitaine en 2017 et 2018", January 2020.