Equestrian airbag vest in winter: what can you wear over it?

When temperatures fall, the question is not simply whether a jacket will fasten over the airbag. The vest must also retain enough room to deploy. A puffer jacket that feels very stretchy is not automatically designed for this use.

Here is how to put together a winter outfit with a mechanical AXION equestrian airbag vest without relying on guesswork during the fitting. The instructions supplied with your vest always take priority.

The simplest option: wear the airbag on the outside

Wear a suitable warm layer under the vest, then put the closed, correctly fitted airbag over it. This keeps the fastening, mechanism and tether visible. Make sure the thickness of the clothing beneath the airbag does not make it too tight: your summer size may not be comfortable with several layers.

You should retain a normal range of movement when sitting, riding in a forward seat and raising your arms. If the fastening pulls, the vest rides up or the tether rubs unusually, change the outfit before mounting.

A jacket over it? Only if it is designed for an airbag

The AXION guide permits the vest to be worn under a show jacket, softshell, lightweight sleeveless puffer or winter puffer jacket that is explicitly airbag-compatible. AXION specifies at least 15% elastane and enough free volume for inflation.

Both conditions apply together. An elastane percentage on the label is not enough if the garment is cut too close to the body or its manufacturer does not intend an airbag to be worn underneath. Check the instructions for both the garment and the airbag, then try them together in the size you will actually wear while riding.

How should you carry out a complete fitting?

1. Put on your base layer, your closed airbag vest and the outer garment.
2. Check the ease around your chest, back, shoulders and waist without pulling on the fastenings.
3. On foot, reproduce your position in the saddle and your forward seat.
4. Make sure the mechanism and tether remain accessible and that no rigid pocket compresses the vest.
5. Reread both manufacturers’ compatibility instructions before choosing the outfit.

This test checks comfort and freedom of movement; it does not replace compatibility instructions. Do not trigger the vest simply to “test the jacket” without an appropriate procedure.

What about your usual everyday puffer jacket?

A town puffer may be comfortable at the yard but unsuitable over an airbag. Its cut, seams, fabric or zips may restrict expansion. If it is not explicitly designed for this use, keep the airbag on the outside or choose compatible riding apparel.

Remove hard, sharp or pointed objects from pockets over the vest: a phone, keys and accessories must not create a pressure point during inflation. Find another way to keep your phone accessible.

What should you do about rain and winter damp?

After a wet ride, check the exterior condition of the vest and cartridge, then allow the airbag to dry naturally on a hanger in a dry, ventilated place away from a radiator. Do not put it away wet in its cover, and do not use a tumble dryer or direct heat. If the equipment has been soaked or the mechanism appears abnormal, ask AXION for advice before returning it to service.

If your equestrian airbag vest has been exposed to rain, see when to wear it again after a shower: what to do depends on which area became wet.

The guide to cleaning and storing your airbag explains the care steps. For competition attire, also read wearing an airbag under or over a show jacket.

What to remember before buying a winter jacket

• Check that it is explicitly compatible with an airbag.
• Follow the AXION instructions, including the 15% elastane guideline.
• Try on the complete outfit with the real base layer and the airbag fastened.
• Leave room for deployment and avoid rigid objects in pockets.

Still choosing the model to accompany your winter outfit? Explore the AXION equestrian airbag vests and the size guide before ordering.

Illustrative photograph: Raed Kasrwani / Unsplash. The clothing pictured is not presented as compatible with an AXION airbag.