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Bull Riding Vests - What Are They Made Of?
First worn by bull riding and bronc riding superstar Cody Lambert in the
early 1990’s, the
protective vest now worn by many bull riders, bronc riders,
clowns, and bull fighters is credited with saving countless men and women from
serious injury in the rodeo arena. The protective vest offers protection from
direct trauma (such as when a contestant is stomped on by a bull or bronc or hit
with a horn) by absorbing shock and dissipating an otherwise crushing blow over
a larger area.
Inside A Bull Riding Vest
At the heart of the protective vest is its ability to absorb and dissipate
the incredible direct trauma that can be inflicted by a bull or bronc. Once
famous for containing Kevlar (a synthetic material developed by the DuPont
Company in the 1960's), modern bull riding vests contain a new age of materials.
Below is a brief description of common materials currently being used inside
bull riding and other protective vests.
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A bull eyes a bull rider. |
Note: The list below is merely for reference. At Cowboyway.com we have no
idea what materials will actually be in a vest that you may purchase.
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High density foam
High density foams used in bull riding vests are engineered to absorb and
distribute impact.
One type of high density foam used in some bull riding vests is Confor foam.
Originally developed for the United States Space program as a material to be
used in shock absorbing seats, Confor foam is superb at absorbing shock and dissipating impact
without bottoming out or collapsing. It is an open cell foam that is breathable,
with a soft feel that conforms to the rider. Upon extreme impact the Confor foam
recovers slowly but completely.
Spectra Shield ballistic material
Spectra Shield is not a woven material like many ballistic materials (including
Kevlar) but is instead made from layers of unidirectional fibers held in place
by resins. It is 10 times stronger than steel, extremely light weight, and is
used in everything from soft, concealable body armor to hard limousine doors and
panels. Spectra Shield protective vests for bull riders offer excellent comfort
and flexibility while still providing high-impact protection.
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Construction and Styles
Bull riding vests come in a wide variety of styles,
but most of them have an attractive outer covering of materials like leather or Cordura (an extremely
durable fabric that is resistant to abrasions, tears and scuffs). They are usually closed by a
combination of zippers and Velcro, or just Velcro alone, and are designed to
tear free if a bronc or bull should stick a hoof or horn inside of it. They are
adjustable at the shoulders and often at the sides for a comfortable fit that
won't restrict a competitor's movements. Many bull riding vests also include
handy features such as pockets to hold a bull rider's mouth piece, tabs on the
back for contestant numbers, and a modular construction to allow for fast, easy,
and less expensive repair. Some models also come with a built-in neck brace to
support the bull rider's neck.
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