Helite Air Jackets & Equestrian Wear

A Helite air jacket is an equestrian airbag system designed to inflate rapidly if the rider becomes separated from the horse. Once triggered, the inflated sections provide additional protection around areas such as the back, pelvis, chest and neck. Helite systems are intended to complement other appropriate rider safety equipment rather than replace correct riding practices or protective clothing.

Most Helite equestrian air jackets use a lanyard connecting the rider to a saddle strap. If sufficient force is applied during a fall, the system triggers a CO₂ cartridge and inflates the airbag. Helite states that the multidirectional trigger used in its Air Shell system operates in under 0.1 seconds.

Depending on the model, Helite air jackets are designed to provide additional coverage around the back, chest, pelvis and neck when inflated. The aim is to help stabilise and cushion important areas of the upper body during a fall. Always check the specification for the individual jacket, as coverage and design can vary.

Helite guidance recommends wearing its air jackets with a BETA-approved Level 3 body protector, particularly where required by the rider’s discipline or competition rules. A Helite jacket should therefore not automatically be considered a replacement for a body protector. Always check the latest governing-body requirements before competing.

A Helite air jacket needs enough room to inflate correctly while still fitting securely when deflated. For the Original Air Jacket, Treehouse advises that the jacket should reach approximately halfway down the buttocks and that there should be roughly a fist’s width between the air jacket and body protector. Adjustable straps can then be used to refine the fit.

Traditional Helite air jackets can be worn as visible standalone safety garments, while some Helite air vests or integrated systems are designed to sit within compatible outer shells. The Air Shell range, for example, allows the airbag to be zipped into different compatible gilets or jackets, giving riders more flexibility in how their safety equipment looks and feels.

Yes. Helite equestrian systems are used across disciplines including eventing, showjumping, dressage and hacking. Treehouse also stocks compatible outerwear designed for more specific uses, including showjumping and hunting. Always make sure the particular combination you choose complies with the rules of your discipline.

The Helite UK range at Treehouse includes child-specific air jackets and compatible outerwear. Minimum rider weights and cartridge sizes vary between sizes, so children's air jackets must be selected carefully rather than simply choosing according to age. Treehouse advises minimum rider weights for different Helite jacket sizes.

The correct canister depends on the specific jacket and its size. Different Helite jackets use different cartridge capacities, so you should always check the manufacturer's guidance before replacing one. Using the correct cartridge is essential for the airbag system to operate as designed.

In many cases, a mechanically triggered Helite air jacket can be reset and fitted with the correct replacement CO₂ cartridge after deployment, provided the jacket has not been damaged. Follow Helite's instructions carefully and inspect the jacket before using it again. If there are any signs of damage or you are uncertain about resetting it, seek professional advice before riding.