Hi,

havent got any experience with Impact Vests but would like to get some info,
whats avalible in OZ?
personel preferences ?
Dealers input welcome.

forget the spelling;o)

Thanks for your time,

Mars

Recommend the Dakine Matrix Vest, got mine from Kiteaction Caloundra. Enough bouyancy, doesn't ride up with waist harness and comfortable - get it tight though.
Good quality product.
www.dakine.com/

I use a Body Glove PFD instead of an impact vest. Plenty of bouyancy and I reckon it would provide the same protection if not more than an impact vest. The padding on it is great. Much cheaper too.

Also keeps me warm when that cold southerly is blowing early in the morning - suprising how much, or maybe its that protective layer of fat ive got.....

Thanks for your input guys,

much appreciate it ,

happy kiting,
Mars

Hi Mars

If this is for you, please get in touch we let you know what we can do for you.

We have some more Rip Curl vests, we were contacted by a distributor that discovered some in a corner of their warehouse, sizes S, L and XL only, I've been using one for years, fits waist harness, and has good side padding where you need it and good flotation too.
NPX - similar to Cabrinha (made by Neil pryde) good vest fits with waist harnesses, has good rib protection and reasonable flotation.
Dakine - excellent vest tight fitting and looks good, probaly the best looking vest, side protection not as good as RC and NPX, but still OK, flotation good. Fits with waist harnesses ok
Jetpilot, does not fit with waist harnesses, but is the best Impact vest PFD type 3 on the market in my opinion, excellent protection and the most flotation, on special (we are overstocked).

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Not sure if Steve at kitepower has them any more but he had a vest that said "SWAT" on the back that had a hole for the hook of a waist harness. My misssus uses one that she likes.

The Jet Pilot Vest can work with a waist harness depends on the body type like anything else as I use one with a North Stylus waist harness.

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cRAZY Canuk said...

Not sure if Steve at kitepower has them any more but he had a vest that said "SWAT" on the back that had a hole for the hook of a waist harness. My misssus uses one that she likes.

The Jet Pilot Vest can work with a waist harness depends on the body type like anything else as I use one with a North Stylus waist harness.

No, that one with the SWAT logo on the back is no longer available, it was a good design actually and fitted both harness types well.

I'm amazed to hear you say that the Jetpilot vests will fit with a waist harness, we have tried them many times with customers and they always reject them as being unsuitable.
You must wear you Styler quite low?

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

All shops usually have the mystic vest to for all shapes an sizes xs to xxL

Related Question:

I used to have a (very unsexy looking) 'Bump and Jump' impact vest. Best thing about it was the integrated camel pack, which kept me nicely hydrated on long sessions. Does anyone make vests with camel packs these days?

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Kitesplosh said...

Related Question:

I used to have a (very unsexy looking) 'Bump and Jump' impact vest. Best thing about it was the integrated camel pack, which kept me nicely hydrated on long sessions. Does anyone make vests with camel packs these days?

Not that I'm aware of, although the B&J might still be available in Europe where the company is based??

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

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Kitepower Australia said...
I'm amazed to hear you say that the Jetpilot vests will fit with a waist harness, we have tried them many times with customers and they always reject them as being unsuitable.
You must wear you Styler quite low?

At 6'5" there's a bit of space between the shoulders and the hips. Not sure if I ride with the waist harness low or not I just ride with it where it feels right.

Too bad they took teh "SWAT" vest off the market it works pretty well and didn't have as much float as the Jet Pilot. Think it was made by Jet Pilot as well but can't remember.

Chris

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Kitesplosh said...

Related Question:

I used to have a (very unsexy looking) 'Bump and Jump' impact vest. Best thing about it was the integrated camel pack, which kept me nicely hydrated on long sessions. Does anyone make vests with camel packs these days?

a mate of mine got one, brand new still in plastic from one knot down gerroa/shoalhaven heads way... most bizzare looking thing i've ever seen....

i have a swat vest in my lock up .i changed to a cabrinha cause the swat kept unzipping on me .probably my shape!. it was ok but heavy when wet. i`ll sell it for 50 bucks if anyone wants it plus postage .cheers

The mystic vest has a neat velcro piece at the zip to stop it coming undone. Also nice neoprene section so you can wear any harness over or on it very comfortably..

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Kitesplosh said...

Related Question:

I used to have a (very unsexy looking) 'Bump and Jump' impact vest. Best thing about it was the integrated camel pack, which kept me nicely hydrated on long sessions. Does anyone make vests with camel packs these days?

Hi Kitesplosh, not aware of any impact vests with hydro packs, but there are plenty of kayaying pfd available with them. Ultra Trek is one.

As far as impact vests go, Naish make a very smart vest style with good bouyancy but best with seat harness & the Mystic Impact Vest is a really nice fit with velcro power belt to suit either waist or seat. Can vouch for both because I wear one and my wife wears the other, so well tested.

Have Fun!
George