I have a Duotone vest with padding on the front and back. But crucially nothing on the sides. After a couple of decent crashes onto my back last week, a couple of ribs seem pretty tender. Being a bit of a cheapskate, can I modify a vest to sew some padding down the sides? Or is it just easier to fork out the cash for a more appropriate vest?

Its a perfectly comfy vest, just lacking side protection.

Muppet kite brand products made to look pleasing to share holder's because we don't travel in a sideways direction.
The Wakeboarding guys have brains and know how to make them...

Just get some sewn in...
Those lower 3 bendy ribs are the first to Crack or break.

Hi Rusty,

There are different levels of protection when it comes to water sports. For the average bod who just wants to ease the slap from regular crashes, the Duotone Kite Vest is appropriate. These fit under a waist harness and are comfortable to wear.

For impacts from decent altitude, kiteloops or more powered moves, you need the next level of protection. ION Collision vest or Ride Engine Shredtown are appropriate for this kite of riding whilst still offering a comfortable unobtrusive fit.

For serious speed or big hits, you need to go up a level again. The Forward WIP (Water Impact Protection) Impact Vests are the shiz nizzle. Excellent impact resistance with heavy padding and including N50 rating floatation aid. Most foil racers I know are using these vests developed for fast sailing (Foiling Moths, Foiling Nacra's, etc.

I wore a Booster X vest for protection and float until I dislodged a couple of ribs in the Lighthouse to Leighton a year ago. It wasn't appropriate for the speeds and impact I was encountering. I now use thwe Forward WIP and have no more issues.

Horses for Courses...

DM

Edit: There are 9 different models of impact vest from ION alone. Four for wakeboarding and five for kite surfing. The wake boarding specific brands tend to make great vests but they don't like salt water and buckles and buttons rust out really quickly.

Thanks guys I appreciate the input. I'll have a look around and see what's affordable compared to getting something sewn in.Ribs are only getting sorer the last few days probably from laying on them while asleep and there's some awesome weather coming up for the GC this weekend. Haha I finally learn to get a decent pop, send it and really get some good height in my jumps and I over rotate and crash on my back/side haha.
Cheers ??

Remember always - 100% Commitment when looping.
If you have some Asian markets near you, you can get the sewing done cheaply..

^^^and some great stir fry's,

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Rusty01 said..
Thanks guys I appreciate the input. I'll have a look around and see what's affordable compared to getting something sewn in.Ribs are only getting sorer the last few days probably from laying on them while asleep and there's some awesome weather coming up for the GC this weekend. Haha I finally learn to get a decent pop, send it and really get some good height in my jumps and I over rotate and crash on my back/side haha.
Cheers ??

For GC neoprene mods see Rubber Jungle gchwy mermaid, professional wettie and vest workshop on site

Get a Liquid Force one.
Supreme or look at other wake vest.
But they won't be tailored to put a harness on like the LF.
If you can find one. Pretty hard to find atm.
The best on the market without doubt.
No if or buts.
Ribs are a good 6 wks heal until you can tighten harness properly and take the pull of edging hard.
All the best with it mate.

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Happy2kite said..
Get a Liquid Force one.
Supreme or look at other wake vest.
But they won't be tailored to put a harness on like the LF.
If you can find one. Pretty hard to find atm.
The best on the market without doubt.
No if or buts.
Ribs are a good 6 wks heal until you can tighten harness properly and take the pull of edging hard.
All the best with it mate.

Cheers dude.. I cracked them last year wakeboarding. The was nearly 3 mths. Don't feel quite so bad this time.

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straddiepaul said..

Rusty01 said..
Thanks guys I appreciate the input. I'll have a look around and see what's affordable compared to getting something sewn in.Ribs are only getting sorer the last few days probably from laying on them while asleep and there's some awesome weather coming up for the GC this weekend. Haha I finally learn to get a decent pop, send it and really get some good height in my jumps and I over rotate and crash on my back/side haha.
Cheers ??

For GC neoprene mods see Rubber Jungle gchwy mermaid, professional wettie and vest workshop on site

Cheers man, I was gonna ask if anyone knew a good place to check out. I'm at Nobbys so close by.

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SaveTheWhales said..
Muppet kite brand products made to look pleasing to share holder's because we don't travel in a sideways direction.
The Wakeboarding guys have brains and know how to make them...

Just get some sewn in...
Those lower 3 bendy ribs are the first to Crack or break.

Completely agree. Wakeboarding harnesses are 100% better, 100% practical and also stop harnesses sliding up

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straddiepaul said..

Rusty01 said..
Thanks guys I appreciate the input. I'll have a look around and see what's affordable compared to getting something sewn in.Ribs are only getting sorer the last few days probably from laying on them while asleep and there's some awesome weather coming up for the GC this weekend. Haha I finally learn to get a decent pop, send it and really get some good height in my jumps and I over rotate and crash on my back/side haha.
Cheers ??

For GC neoprene mods see Rubber Jungle gchwy mermaid, professional wettie and vest workshop on site

Bang on.
Best option here