Quick Answer
Hip protectors are specially designed pants or belts with protective pads positioned over the hips. They help absorb and redirect some of the impact from a fall, which may reduce the risk of serious hip injuries. They are commonly used by older adults, people with reduced mobility or balance, aged care residents, and people recovering from hip surgery. SafeHip offers different options for everyday wear, continence care and more active users, so the best choice depends on your mobility, daily routine and personal care needs.
A fall can happen in seconds, but the effects of a hip injury can last for months. For seniors and people with poor balance or limited mobility, protecting the hips offer an extra layer of safety during everyday activities.
Hip protectors are specialised garments, usually worn as pants or as belt, with protective pads positioned over the hips. These pads are designed to absorb or redirect the impact during a fall, helping reduce the risk of serious hip injuries, even fractures.
They can be worn during the day or at night and may be suitable for use at home, in hospital or in aged care.
At BetterCareMarket, we offer several SafeHip hip protectors designed for different mobility, continence and everyday living needs. Here is what you need to know before choosing one.
Why do hip protectors matter?
As we age, our bones can become more vulnerable to injury. A simple slip in the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or on the stairs can have serious consequences.
Hip fractures can require surgery followed by weeks or months of rehabilitation. They can also affect a person's confidence, mobility and ability to remain independent.
For people who already have poor balance, reduced mobility or a high risk of falling, hip protection can provide an additional layer of protection.
Hip protectors may be particularly useful for:
- Older adults at increased risk of falls
- People with reduced balance or mobility
- People living with dementia or cognitive impairment
- Residents of aged care facilities
- People recovering from hip surgery or injury
- People who feel less confident walking because of a previous fall
Hip protectors do not prevent falls. Instead, they are designed to help reduce the impact on the hip if a fall does occur.
How do hip protectors work?
SafeHip Hip Protectors use specially positioned pads over the bony area of the hip.
The horseshoe-shaped pads are designed to absorb and redirect some of the force from a sideways fall away from the hip joint and into the surrounding tissue.
This protection is incorporated into lightweight pants or belts so it can be worn as part of a person's daily routine.
SafeHip AirX Hip protector pants also use breathable spacer fabric and four-way stretch material. This helps keep the garment comfortable, breathable and discreet underneath clothing.
Because comfort is important for regular use, the protectors are designed to sit close to the body without feeling unnecessarily bulky.
Which SafeHip Hip Protector is right for you?
There is no single hip protector that suits everyone.
The best option depends on the person's mobility, continence needs, daily routine and how they prefer to wear their protection.
BetterCareMarket offers three main SafeHip options.
SafeHip AirX Hip Protector Pants
Best suited to:
General everyday wear, aged care residents and people who want discreet hip protection throughout the day.
The SafeHip AirX Hip Protector Pants looks and feels similar to regular underwear but includes integrated horseshoe-shaped hip shields.
The protective pads are made using breathable AirX spacer fabric, helping the garment remain dry and comfortable during extended wear.
Because the pads are built directly into the pants, there is no need to remove or reposition them before washing or wearing the garment.
The slim design also allows the protector to sit discreetly underneath everyday clothing.
This option may suit people who want:
- All-day hip protection
- An underwear-style design
- Discreet protection underneath clothing
- A protector that can also be worn at night
- A simple option for home or aged care
For someone at general risk of falls who does not have specific continence requirements, this is usually the most straightforward SafeHip option.
SafeHip AirX Hip Protector, Open
Best suited to:
People using incontinence pads, or adult nappies who need easier access during continence care.
The SafeHip AirX Hip Protector Open uses the same hip protection concept as the standard AirX protector but includes an open-crotch design.
This allows continence pads to be changed without removing the entire hip protector.
The stretch fabric creates a close fit and can also help keep incontinence products positioned against the body.
This can make personal care quicker and more comfortable, particularly for people who require help from carers.
The open design may be useful for:
- People regularly using continence pads
- People who need assistance with toileting or continence care
- People living with dementia who also experience incontinence
- Aged care residents
- People with limited mobility who find removing clothing difficult
The protective pads are approximately 16 mm thick and are designed to remain discreet underneath clothing.
The SafeHip AirX Hip Protector Open is available in sizes Small to XL.
SafeHip Hip Protector Belt
Best suited to:
Active seniors, people recovering from surgery and anyone who prefers a belt instead of protective pants.
The SafeHip Hip Protector Belt uses protective pads positioned over each hip to help absorb and redirect the force of a fall.
Unlike the pants, the belt can be worn either over or underneath clothing.
A Velcro fastening makes it easy to adjust and allows the wearer or carer to position the protective shields correctly over the hips.
The belt may be particularly useful for:
- Independent and active older adults
- Temporary protection after surgery or injury
- People who prefer not to wear protective underwear
- People who want something that can be quickly put on and removed
- People who want protection while walking or leaving the house
Its breathable and skin-friendly fabric also helps make it suitable for everyday use.
Choosing between the three SafeHip protectors
Your daily routine should play a major role in deciding which protector is most suitable.
- Choose the SafeHip AirX Hip Protector Pants if you want comfortable, discreet protection for regular day or night use.
- Choose the SafeHip AirX Hip Protector pants, Open if continence care is part of your daily routine and you want easier access for changing pads.
- Choose the SafeHip Hip Protector Belt if you are relatively active, want an adjustable option or need temporary protection while recovering from surgery or injury.
The most protective product is not necessarily the best option if the person finds it uncomfortable and does not wear it.
A comfortable protector that fits properly and suits the person's routine is much more likely to be worn consistently.
A real experience with SafeHip Hip protectors
Several years ago, my mother-in-law experienced a fall that resulted in a broken hip.
She explained:
"I turned around, but my foot didn't pivot with me. I fell. Even though I landed on carpet, I immediately felt a stark pain in my right hip."
After surgery, she went through months of rehabilitation. Understandably, she also became worried about falling again.
Her physiotherapist recommended SafeHip Hip Protector Pants.
She found the pants soft, comfortable and easy to wear. Over time, they simply became another part of her daily routine.
She eventually bought three pairs so she could keep one in the wash, one in the cupboard and one ready to wear.
She also began wearing them at night.
This was particularly useful because getting out of bed to use the bathroom can present another fall risk, especially when someone is tired, the room is dark or their legs feel unsteady.
For her, the combination of comfort and simplicity made it easier to keep wearing the protection every day.
What does the research say about hip protectors?
Researchers have studied whether hip protectors can help reduce fractures among people at high risk of falling.
A 2019 retrospective study reviewed fall incident reports from 14 nursing homes over 12 months.
The study included 3,520 falls and reported a three-fold reduction in hip fracture incidence among high-risk residents who consistently wore hip protectors.
This highlights an important point.
Hip protectors can only provide protection when they are actually being worn.
That makes comfort, correct sizing and choosing the right style particularly important.
How to choose the correct size
A hip protector should fit closely enough to keep the protective pads positioned correctly over the hips without feeling excessively tight or restricting movement.
For SafeHip protective pants, measure around the widest part of the hips.
SafeHip Hip Protector Pants sizing:
XS: 65 to 85 cm
S: 75 to 95 cm
M: 90 to 110 cm
L: 100 to 120 cm
XL: 110 to 140 cm
For the SafeHip Hip Protector Belt, measure around the waist.
SafeHip Hip Protector Belt sizing:
S: 85 to 95 cm
M: 95 to 105 cm
L: 105 to 115 cm
XL: 115 to 125 cm
2XL: 125 to 140 cm
Always check the individual product size guide before ordering, particularly if your measurements sit between two sizes.
Washing and caring for SafeHip Hip protectors
Hip protectors may need to be washed frequently, particularly when worn every day or used in aged care.
SafeHip AirX Hip Protector Pants can be machine washed at high temperatures, up to approximately 90°C.
The SafeHip Hip Protector Belt is also washable and quick drying.
The built-in pads mean there is no need to remove protective inserts before washing and put them back into position afterwards.
This makes the protectors practical for regular use at home and in care environments.
Adding extra confidence to everyday movement
Falls cannot always be prevented.
Good lighting, suitable footwear, mobility aids and removing trip hazards around the home can all form part of a broader fall-prevention approach.
For people at higher risk of hip injuries, hip protectors provide another practical layer of protection.
The SafeHip Hip Protector range gives you several options depending on whether you need everyday protective pants, easier access for continence care or a flexible belt for walking or temporary support.
Most importantly, choose a hip protector that fits properly, feels comfortable and works with the person's normal routine.
A protector that someone is comfortable wearing every day is far more useful than one that stays in the cupboard.
Explore BetterCareMarket's range of SafeHip Hip Protectors to compare sizes, styles and options for everyday hip protection.
About BetterCareMarket
BetterCareMarket is your leading supplier of healthcare essentials and your #1 destination for quality incontinence supplies, mobility equipment, independent living aids for seniors, disability aids, rehab and therapy products and medical supplies.
We help NDIS-participants, aged care facilities, Support at home package providers, occupational therapists and allied health providers find the best solutions to solve their need.
