Forums > Stand Up Paddle Foiling

Which Impact Vest?:-)

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Created by Johndesu > 9 months ago, 25 Jan 2021
Johndesu
NSW, 549 posts
25 Jan 2021 2:50PM
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Just wondering which is the best Impact Vest for a light weight beginner that I should buy, mainly looking for comfort & also maybe cheapest?:-)
Thanks:-)

beefarmer
WA, 328 posts
25 Jan 2021 9:32PM
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Same question here - whats everyone else using? all i can find in my regional town is Jetpilot jetski ones, they seem bulky and awkward

crashflow
69 posts
26 Jan 2021 12:20AM
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New to high-speed sports here - coming from surfing and been winging for almost a year. I think I might know the answer here, but what are the impact vests for? Also helmet?

Dick Tatta
NSW, 341 posts
26 Jan 2021 6:39AM
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Any vest is a good one,I learnt after a rescue and a foil cut to the chest and a paddle thru bull shark heaven bleeding like a stuck pig.Check out jet pilot ,rip curl,and gath helmets ( the new ones are super light).Any vest that helps you float and protects your torso,all you then have to battle is board and wing.I sure this topic was hashed out not long ago do a search.

Johndesu
NSW, 549 posts
26 Jan 2021 10:05AM
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Fitzsup said..
Any vest is a good one,I learnt after a rescue and a foil cut to the chest and a paddle thru bull shark heaven bleeding like a stuck pig.Check out jet pilot ,rip curl,and gath helmets ( the new ones are super light).Any vest that helps you float and protects your torso,all you then have to battle is board and wing.I sure this topic was hashed out not long ago do a search.


Yes any vest will do but I need a vest asap because a clubbly board (unattended) washed into / bashed into my side/back/kidney region out the surf a few weeks ago and I need protection as I am still very sore in that area.
Also I did a search but there appears to be nothing regarding impact vests or protection etc.?:-)

RichJam
WA, 237 posts
26 Jan 2021 12:20PM
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Have a look at Pro Gaurding.
Australian made and awesome. They have some good ideas to seperate from the other vests and I can vouch it is comfy and doesn't ride up.

MokesMax
43 posts
26 Jan 2021 1:31PM
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I was recommended to search for wakeboard comp vests since they have padding where kite boarding vests don't. It was a good recommendation as the vests aren't too bulky and provide needed protection plus a little flotation. I have the O'Neill outlaw vest, but there are plenty of brands and options in the category.

bigmtn
51 posts
26 Jan 2021 3:54PM
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Yup wakeboard comp vest. Different styles depending on what you're looking for. Fairly cheap, and not too much flotation in them.

Pat WA 1965
WA, 37 posts
27 Jan 2021 6:35AM
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Take a look at the Forward WIP impact vest, used by sailors, kite surfers, etc.

Nev7907
QLD, 8 posts
27 Jan 2021 10:16AM
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I'm using an ION (available from most kite shops), using it for two reasons:
- Protection from the foil
- Reduces the impact from those high speed wipeouts

Only negative is there is no shoulder padding (for those long walks where the foil mast seems like to wants to cut into my shoulder)

Johndesu
NSW, 549 posts
27 Jan 2021 4:58PM
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Nev7907 said..
I'm using an ION (available from most kite shops), using it for two reasons:
- Protection from the foil
- Reduces the impact from those high speed wipeouts

Only negative is there is no shoulder padding (for those long walks where the foil mast seems like to wants to cut into my shoulder)


Yes that is exactly what I want one for:-)

robertboyd2000
QLD, 22 posts
29 Jan 2021 8:44PM
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Neil Pryde impact vests are comfortable and a buoyant but you can still duck dive under a wave which is a must.

robertboyd2000
QLD, 22 posts
29 Jan 2021 8:44PM
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Neil Pryde impact vests are comfortable and a buoyant but you can still duck dive under a wave which is a must.

HBsups
79 posts
30 Jan 2021 5:11PM
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Check out the rip curl dawn patrol vest. Plenty of padding and a nice tight fit, which is definitely worth the extra $. Still one of my favourite bits of kit after about five years and definitely reduces the slams when foiling. Whatever you get, make sure it's a tight fit so it doesn't ride up under your arms. Hb

tinka
QLD, 76 posts
1 Feb 2021 9:38PM
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crashflow said..
New to high-speed sports here - coming from surfing and been winging for almost a year. I think I might know the answer here, but what are the impact vests for? Also helmet?




DMC surf hats,few of us wering them for the foiling check them out light weight.

Beasho
240 posts
2 Feb 2021 5:54AM
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Patagonia vest is very good but Pricy. Also beware that the 'Impact' vests are often designed for flotation with SOME impact resistance.

I have been wearing impact vests for 10 years. O'Neal Gooru for 7 years, Patagonia for 3 years. Almost every session (90% of the time e.g. when > 5 feet in California). I once cracked my ribs through my O'Neal Gooru vest which didn't help the impact but it helped me FLOAT when I couldn't swim.

1) Wear the vest under your wetsuit, or wetsuit shirt. They will all ride up
2) In warm water be sure to tie it to your shorts. They will all ride up and choke you.
3) Consider this for impact. I found a cheaper alternative on Amazon that MAY be better for impact but not so much for float.

Equestrian Impact Vest - This is TRULY for Impact. Alternately I wore a high school football rib protector under my Gooru Vest for 6+ years.


Jeroensurf
866 posts
3 Feb 2021 4:51PM
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Be aware that a lot of kite and windsurfimpact vest have less/no padding at the lowerback and below the ribs to keep space for the harness.
I have a impact vest from Mystic that covers till my hips and is flexible enough to forget when wearing a wetsuit.

Pacey
WA, 525 posts
4 Feb 2021 1:58PM
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Jeroensurf said..
Be aware that a lot of kite and windsurfimpact vest have less/no padding at the lowerback and below the ribs to keep space for the harness.
I have a impact vest from Mystic that covers till my hips and is flexible enough to forget when wearing a wetsuit.


I agree, my Dakine impact vest has a band of little padding around the stomach/kidneys, looks like it was designed with a waist harness in mind. Fine for windsurfing, but for winging I switched to a Follow wakeboarding vest which has padding all the way to the bottom. It also has padding on the side of the rib cage, an area which seems to be lacking on a lot of impact vests. I have cracked ribs in a side impact with the water, and I know others who have done the same despite wearing impact vests, so side protection is high on my list of priorities.

My other complaint is that a lot of these vests have neoprene as their outer covering, and they soak up a lot of water. For foiling I could do without the extra weight.



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"Which Impact Vest?:-)" started by Johndesu