When it comes to body protection in the saddle, there’s one question that matters most: how well does it actually protect you? Every Racesafe body protector is certified to the BETA 2018 Level 3 standard, meeting the latest and most stringent testing used worldwide: EN 13158:2018.
What Level 3 Protection Really Means
Level 3 is the highest certified level of protection available for everyday riding. It’s built to reduce the risk of serious injury in typical riding accidents — including falls at speed, kicks from the ground, and impacts with hard surfaces or rails.
To meet Level 3, a body protector must:
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Pass impact tests that replicate real-world forces
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Deliver full torso coverage, not just in the center but across every panel, seam, and closure
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Keep average transmitted force below 4 kN — that’s a 75–85% reduction in energy compared to an unprotected fall
Why It’s Not Just a Standard — It’s a Serious Test
EN 13158:2018 testing is designed to simulate the unexpected:
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A Flat Anvil Test to replicate a fall onto compacted ground or tarmac
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A Narrow Bar Test to reflect impact with poles, rails, or hard obstacles
Each test uses 50 joules of energy — the equivalent of falling from about two metres (off a horse) — and without protection, that could mean 15–30 kN of force hitting your body. With Level 3 protection, that number drops to below 4 kN.
That could be the difference between a bruise and a break.
Racesafe: Protection You Can Move In
It’s not easy to make something flexible, breathable, and lightweight — when it also has to absorb a 50-joule impact. Whether you're competing, training, or hacking out — Racesafe body protectors are engineered in Great Britain and trusted in the saddle worldwide.
From advanced foam layering, to precision-shaped panels and airflow channeling, our designs are:
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Shaped to move with your body
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Layered for comfort and airflow
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Built to meet (and exceed) Level 3 performance — without compromising fit or flexibility
Why It Should Matter to You
Too often, riders wear body protectors because they’re required — not because they fully understand what they do. At Racesafe, we believe in helping riders make informed choices:
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Not all body protectors are the same
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Level 3 means serious, proven protection
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Racesafe means you get that protection — with comfort and mobility built in
Protection at this level isn’t easy to achieve. Comfort at this level is even harder.
We design for both; explore our full range of BETA 2018 Level 3-certified body protectors.
Interested in learning more about our range of body protectors? Contact our team at info@racesafe.co.uk or call on +44 (0)1536 771051
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