Body protector damage

The first thing to point out is our skilled team in Northamptonshire makes all our Racesafe body protectors, and we go to great lengths to use the highest-quality materials available. So, whether you’re cross country schooling once a month or riding out four lots of racehorses a day, your body protector is designed to keep up!

It’s also important to know that, unlike helmets, the protective foam elements in body protectors are designed to perform repeatedly. We’ll cover how to look for permanent damage below, but they are designed to recover from most falls within their 3-5 year lifespan! Take a look at our blog on signs you should replace your body protector. 

But we appreciate riding can take its toll! Below are the steps to take if your body protector becomes damaged:

Zip damage

We use high-spec YKK zips on all our body protectors, which are designed to withstand all the forces involved in a fall. Zips normally get damaged when taken on and off incorrectly, so please take great care to ensure the pin is fully inserted in the box and then done up carefully. 

If the zip is damaged, it is a part of the body protector we can replace under certain circumstances. If the body protector is less than a year old, it may be covered under warranty. Find out more details here. 

If the body protector is under 5 years old and in good condition, we offer a zip-replacement service. This includes cleaning, zip replacement, return postage, and VAT. The cost is £52 for the UK. There is a surcharge for international shipping. If you would like to proceed, please contact us first before returning your body protector.  

Dirt & grime

The best way to clean your body protector without risking damage is with warm water, a sponge and mild detergent. Then hang it up and let it dry naturally.

Water damage

The protective foam elements are made of closed-cell foam, which doesn’t absorb water. So, if your body protector gets wet outside or you’ve taken a plunge, don’t panic; we recommend following the cleaning instructions above and hanging it up to dry.

Ripped outer or inner lining

Most of our body protectors use a very durable military-grade mesh outer. Damage is normally only seen from a fall onto a sharp object or abrasive surface. Unfortunately, because the outer and inner linings are built into the foam segments to make them as flexible as possible, we aren’t able to replace them. 

Broken elastic

If the elastic side adjustment has broken or is damaged, a replacement set can be ordered online here. This includes replacement elastic, adjustment lock and ends for both sides. 

Permanent dents post-fall

If you have a fall, you should check your body protector afterwards for dents and localised hardening, which suggest permanent damage. Within 30 minutes, the foam should have expanded back to its original shape. If this hasn’t happened, the impact protection will be compromised, and we recommend replacing your body protector. But this is fairly rare, and they are designed to recover from most “normal” falls.

Falling in a MotionAir air jacket 

If your air jacket has inflated after a fall, you will need to check for any visible damage, such as abrasions and tears. The airbag will gradually deflate on its own in a few minutes. A very rapid deflation (less than 5 seconds) indicates damage to the airbag. If you have any doubts about the condition of the airbag contact sav@helite.com. 

Wondering about other indicators on why you might consider replacing your body protector? Here’s our blog on the top 5 reasons.