Many models available on the market but very few WIND FOILING DEDICATED.

Any experience here?

Big buoyancy difference between the 50N and the "normal" ones?

What features would make a vest windfoil dedicated? e.g. what features do other vests lack that you are looking for? More than a few vests accommodate harnesses, provide rib protection and provide various amounts of float.

From the injuries we have seen in our area, protection along the sides is a key feature. Most kite impact vests have very poor protection along the sides of the rib cage and people are breaking ribs while wearing them.

Ride Engine defender HF is a great choice. Ion and Mystic also make vests with decent side protection.

I've been really happy with the Ride Engine. Mainly because it fits my body perfectly. I bought it after landing "rib cage down" on the edge of the board. Foil boards can ride on the rail for a long time after falling.

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jdfoils said..
From the injuries we have seen in our area, protection along the sides is a key feature. Most kite impact vests have very poor protection along the sides of the rib cage and people are breaking ribs while wearing them.

Ride Engine defender HF is a great choice. Ion and Mystic also make vests with decent side protection.

Thanks for the info, I'm 5 weeks into recovery from rib injury after foil crash, very painful. I can't quite remember what part of the rig I hit when I crashed, but the injury was around the bottom and side of rib cage.

For windfoiling the Mystic Star impact vest works great. It's sold a kite impact vest, but it's ideal for windsurfing too. It has good protection all around.

forward wip

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azuli said..

jdfoils said..
From the injuries we have seen in our area, protection along the sides is a key feature. Most kite impact vests have very poor protection along the sides of the rib cage and people are breaking ribs while wearing them.

Ride Engine defender HF is a great choice. Ion and Mystic also make vests with decent side protection.

Thanks for the info, I'm 5 weeks into recovery from rib injury after foil crash, very painful. I can't quite remember what part of the rig I hit when I crashed, but the injury was around the bottom and side of rib cage.

Were you wearing a jacket/vest?

All of my experiences with the foam (soft) impact vests have proven them to be useless in preventing broken ribs etc. about the only benefit was extra float when getting the rig airborne when water starting.

Would be interesting to see how a solid impact vest would go at providing protection.

Few years ago I was about to pass away because a bad catapult crash while fin slalom and not wearing any protection vest. I luckily was able to grab my board to sustain my body while the emphysema built up because a broken rib punctured a lung....

Since then (in fin sessions) i use an old NP floatation vest but this is surely not appropriated for foiling.

Yes, i think many foiling crashes involve ribs, so any model efficiently protecting those side parts will be helpful (just in case). At the same time if you wear something it's better this also helps you to float...

It seems Forward Wip has it all but can't really recognize the best model to properly fit an harness (Kombat?)
The Ride Engine Defender HF looks fine too.

Any suggestion is appreciated

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Paducah said..

azuli said..

jdfoils said..
From the injuries we have seen in our area, protection along the sides is a key feature. Most kite impact vests have very poor protection along the sides of the rib cage and people are breaking ribs while wearing them.

Ride Engine defender HF is a great choice. Ion and Mystic also make vests with decent side protection.

Thanks for the info, I'm 5 weeks into recovery from rib injury after foil crash, very painful. I can't quite remember what part of the rig I hit when I crashed, but the injury was around the bottom and side of rib cage.

Were you wearing a jacket/vest?

Only wearing wetsuit and waist harness.

I bought an ION impact vest from the local shop but I had to go back to my old buoyancy vest because Maritime services demand a certified flotation vest 400m offshore and I foil a fair way away from my start beach as well. They have stopped me and gave me a lecture on wearing a vest. These shops have experts but no advice on impact vests vs legal buoyancy vests. My impact vest is a souvenir now only.

I have difficulty finding an impact vest that fits me. I have a XXL Mystic that I bought a few years ago and it's a snug fit without a wetsuit. With my drysuit, I don't even try the Mystic vest. There's no way it will zip. I don't think I'm that big. My chest measures about 44".

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PaulRoche said..
I bought an ION impact vest from the local shop but I had to go back to my old buoyancy vest because Maritime services demand a certified flotation vest 400m offshore and I foil a fair way away from my start beach as well. They have stopped me and gave me a lecture on wearing a vest. These shops have experts but no advice on impact vests vs legal buoyancy vests. My impact vest is a souvenir now only.

I think, if you have/want wear some vest it might be better if it has a double task.
Yeah, not as free feeling as you've a skinny vest on but much more safe.
In foiling this is not a huge problem. Same in fin slalom. Probably it hurts when you need to be super agile...

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excav8ter said..
I have difficulty finding an impact vest that fits me. I have a XXL Mystic that I bought a few years ago and it's a snug fit without a wetsuit. With my drysuit, I don't even try the Mystic vest. There's no way it will zip. I don't think I'm that big. My chest measures about 44".

Take a look at the Flow-Neo from WIP: www.forward-wip.com/produit/flow-neo-vest-50n/

Looks like a slim PFD rather than a big impact vest but that might save some people a visit with Coast Guard in places where PFD is required. I just got the XXL which fits OK around my 46" chest and is well made. Soft padding rather than armor. Not much side protection (and an awkward side zip) but so far I like it - creates no movement restriction at all for me. The loop for the hook is a little high for my Liberty Harness but would be dandy for most waist harnesses. I just added a loop of line to the built-in loop to get the harness and vest working in synergy.

Dakine Kicker Impact Vest. Thin with a harder, denser outer layer. Simple design. Single front zipper. Just a vest designed for use with a waist harness. Run small. Based on spec the size S should have fit. Needed a size M. Purchased from a windsurf shop located in the Gorge when on clearance sale a few years ago. Under the impression it was a discontinued model. Still available online and eBay sellers for ~$150usd.



The side adjustment buckles on the Forward Impact Vest might be an issue with a waist harness. Users feedback?

i use forward with waist and seat its really really worth it. come in handy alot while sailing iq foil. i sail 3-4 times a week and have no problem.

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Awalkspoiled said..

excav8ter said..
I have difficulty finding an impact vest that fits me. I have a XXL Mystic that I bought a few years ago and it's a snug fit without a wetsuit. With my drysuit, I don't even try the Mystic vest. There's no way it will zip. I don't think I'm that big. My chest measures about 44".

Take a look at the Flow-Neo from WIP: www.forward-wip.com/produit/flow-neo-vest-50n/

Looks like a slim PFD rather than a big impact vest but that might save some people a visit with Coast Guard in places where PFD is required. I just got the XXL which fits OK around my 46" chest and is well made. Soft padding rather than armor. Not much side protection (and an awkward side zip) but so far I like it - creates no movement restriction at all for me. The loop for the hook is a little high for my Liberty Harness but would be dandy for most waist harnesses. I just added a loop of line to the built-in loop to get the harness and vest working in synergy.

Thanks for the tip. I will check it out. Definitely doing something by next spring.

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w100 said..
Few years ago I was about to pass away because a bad catapult crash while fin slalom and not wearing any protection vest. I luckily was able to grab my board to sustain my body while the emphysema built up because a broken rib punctured a lung....

Since then (in fin sessions) i use an old NP floatation vest but this is surely not appropriated for foiling.

Yes, i think many foiling crashes involve ribs, so any model efficiently protecting those side parts will be helpful (just in case). At the same time if you wear something it's better this also helps you to float...

It seems Forward Wip has it all but can't really recognize the best model to properly fit an harness (Kombat?)
The Ride Engine Defender HF looks fine too.

Any suggestion is appreciated

I had the WIP vest with the front zip, now I have the Kompact. The Kompact has much better side protection and is more comfortable overall. I wish it had a small storage pocket though. Both are fine with harnesses

I tore my rotator cuff wearing a WIP 50n impact vest & ION harness. I got slung into the mast at speed. The photo shows what I'm currently wearing, the WIP flow neo 50n vest, leatt airfit padded shoulder top & Franck's free fall hook fitted to a dakine harness. The most important item is the free fall hook. When I catapult, I end up away from the board rather than smashing the mast.

Protecting the head and upper part of the body seems to be the minimum for foiling sailing.
I absolutely agree that the Freefall hook is an almost indispensable accessory, especially when you are in the intermediate phase of the practice.
I was also reflecting on the fact that personally my 2 worst blows (foiling in 2 different sessions) were on both ankles.
Until recently, when things got bad, being rarely attached to the harness and having very low speeds, I had time to eject backwards and land (badly on my buttocks or hips) far from the equipment (which often continues to fly in the opposite direction.
With the improvement of the level (stable flight, 2 secs v max around 22-26 kts, trapeze starting to work in the correct way) the same type of accident happened to me 2 times: forward crash (both hooked or not) without leaving the boom (as many have suggested). Both times the rear foot (right and left) somehow found itself crushed between the front wing leading edge of the foil and the surface of the water (almost guillotined). After more than a month I still have sequelae on my ankle. I'd say I was very lucky not to break them...

Without real experience on the matter (maybe in the future I might change my opinion), among the products I saw I would have selected the FW Kombat, the Sooruz Star, the RE Defender HF (which is not 50n).

Leatt airfit padded shoulder top + vest doesn't get too bulky?

I came across the website of an American laboratory (Virginia tech) which has scientifically tested various "white water" helmets (mostly for rafting). The results are very interesting (compared to the very few products dedicated to our sector) tested...

With the hope that the conditions of a real live test will never occur for anyone and that our chatter will remain exaggerated worries, I thank everyone for their contribution

Another option. The Mystic Block kite impact vest. For those looking for a slim, front zip, waist harness compatible vest. Similar in design to the DaKine Kicker. Available online from a variety of retailers if unavailable at your local shop. watersportsoutlet in the USA, UK, AU......

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w100 said..
Protecting the head and upper part of the body seems to be the minimum for foiling sailing.
I absolutely agree that the Freefall hook is an almost indispensable accessory, especially when you are in the intermediate phase of the practice.
I was also reflecting on the fact that personally my 2 worst blows (foiling in 2 different sessions) were on both ankles.
Until recently, when things got bad, being rarely attached to the harness and having very low speeds, I had time to eject backwards and land (badly on my buttocks or hips) far from the equipment (which often continues to fly in the opposite direction.
With the improvement of the level (stable flight, 2 secs v max around 22-26 kts, trapeze starting to work in the correct way) the same type of accident happened to me 2 times: forward crash (both hooked or not) without leaving the boom (as many have suggested). Both times the rear foot (right and left) somehow found itself crushed between the front wing leading edge of the foil and the surface of the water (almost guillotined). After more than a month I still have sequelae on my ankle. I'd say I was very lucky not to break them...

Without real experience on the matter (maybe in the future I might change my opinion), among the products I saw I would have selected the FW Kombat, the Sooruz Star, the RE Defender HF (which is not 50n).

Leatt airfit padded shoulder top + vest doesn't get too bulky?

I came across the website of an American laboratory (Virginia tech) which has scientifically tested various "white water" helmets (mostly for rafting). The results are very interesting (compared to the very few products dedicated to our sector) tested...

With the hope that the conditions of a real live test will never occur for anyone and that our chatter will remain exaggerated worries, I thank everyone for their contribution

I'm going to be "that guy". A couple of thoughts:
1) There's very little learning benefit to go for max 2 second speeds at your level of skill (from what you said above). If it's your thing, go for it, but it seems you are ramping up the risk for injury without significant learning curve benefits. Foiling is not without risks but if you are bombing in the mid 20s without the skills to fly steady at those speeds, you are ramping up the chances of things going bad.
This is not to say protection isn't important - I wear a helmet and vest when I foil. But if you are still working on level flight and using the harness, consider dialing it back a bit until your skills progress a bit. Stuff happens quickly in the mid-20s and if your skills aren't at the instinctive level yet, you are giving yourself very little to no opportunity to deal with things as they happen.
2) having your feet anywhere close to the foil wing suggests you are letting go of the boom. Don't let go of the boom. It's the only thing that keeps you away from the foil.