Hi! Want to get an impact west, do you use them? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

I have the same question. It would be good to get one that goes down over the ribs.

Vests made for harnesses are too short and dont cover the ribs. Same for sailing pfds.
And wake boarding vests have too many buckles that can scratch the board.

Suggest you ask on the kiting forum as they're very common there.
I use a Flying Objects one (from my kiting days). It's a bit more structured/stiffer than my previous ones so has less tendency to ride up. It's also a full sized vest style with a single zipper as I use a seat harness. The other day I crashed on the tip of the foil. Soooo glad I was wearing it.

here it is
unhookedwatersports.com.au/products/flying-objects-impact-vest
Very comfy and secure. Don't even notice it's on.

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Freddofrog said..
here it is
unhookedwatersports.com.au/products/flying-objects-impact-vest
Very comfy and secure. Don't even notice it's on.

Can still get stabbed in the armpit.

The Ride Engine Defender comes down a little bit lower and wraps your side ribs more than most kite vests. It also has firmer padding. Totally unobtrusive and very comfortable.

On the downside, the abdomen is still relatively unprotected.

wip

Here in the netherlands(Europe) the wakeboard vests of Mystic are very popular and well build. I got one from the french brand Sooruz that I really really like. It has an integrated belt (no harness option in it if that is what you are looking for) where I can lock on my leash in on the back. surfwear.sooruz.com/webshop/fr/wake-vest/1728-9249-lifevest-gilet-fifty-ce-1015654016597.html

O'Neill Slasher, longer than wind or kite vests and does the job. Can ride up occasionally in a crash but I think they all do. Wear it all the time winging since putting a 7" gash in my back landing from height on the stab.
Easy to wear and has a bit of extra buoyancy and warmth, good in Scotland.

Neil Pryde makes a good one but make sure you get one size bigger than you think, they are tight!

DC

I have the mystic wakeboarding one, their best one, but it's so heavy with water absorbed.

For everyone suggesting vests by WIP, a kitefoil vest, or any other vest for a harness, I dont think there are quite what we are looking for.

any of these vests have no padding down low so that they can be used with a harness. When using these vests its the harness that provides abdomen and lower back protection when using this kind of vest. Since most of us arent using a harness while winging we need the padding to go all the way down.

the current vests that go all the way down to the belly button with padding are mostly wake vests, but these are very heavy when wet with so much double lined neoprene and additional material for atheistic.

i feel the market needs a new product, a super light PFD style vest thats just thin foam and nylon (minimal heavy neoprene), but with full torso protection.


maybe the ronix custom one would be worth a try:
ronixwake.com/products/one-custom-fit

it wouldnt be very good against windchill though.

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MHSA said..
For everyone suggesting vests by ..... bla bla bla

Yes you can wait till someone develops a sport specific vest........ and get stabbed while waiting for it.

Or just buy what's available now and get on with life.

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Freddofrog said..

MHSA said..
For everyone suggesting vests by ..... bla bla bla

Yes you can wait till someone develops a sport specific vest........ and get stabbed while waiting for it.

Or just buy what's available now and get on with life.

i have whats available.
I have the Wip which i use for sailing, & i have a harness compatible ion vest for windsurfing.
for winging theyre both pretty ****.

Hence why im looking for something better.
you know, the whole reason for this chat.

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MHSA said..
you know, the whole reason for this chat.

News mate, it's not all about you, the reason for the chat was to help out the OP, not you specifically.
Yet you though it appropriate to take over the post and ** on everyone's suggestions cause they didn't meet your specific requirements.
If you have special needs, start your own post.

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Freddofrog said..

MHSA said..
you know, the whole reason for this chat.

News mate, it's not all about you, the reason for the chat was to help out the OP, not you specifically.
Yet you though it appropriate to take over the post and ** on everyone's suggestions cause they didn't meet your specific requirements.
If you have special needs, start your own post.

yeah ok fair point, ill come back to OPs question in relation to wanting an impact vest.

My point was meant to be "i dont think alot of these vests are objectively great for winging or truly fit for purpose as a winging impact vest due to a host of reasons, but for sure they are way better than having nothing, and the vests being recommended are easily available off the shelf right now.'

so for OP, when comparing the recommendations i would consider the following:

- just because an impact vest is also an approved pfd doesnt mean it necessarily has protection in the right spots for your winging.
- A vest with lots buckles on the front or sides can scratch boards
- look at how far down the padding on the vest goes vs which areas of their chest/ ribs / abdomen that they want the vest to protect
- How heavy the some vests are when waterlogged.

Most of these vests could have one or more of these. but it may not be a problem or relevant for OPs use case.

hey mate, i would recommend getting a nob multisports vela 2.

key points:
-its not a 'impact vest' specific however, it has suitable padding and comfort
-no nonsense zips or velcro systems, it's just one piece that you slide on over your head, seems hard at first but after the first time its easy.
-cost, is high as they are made in brazil and have to get sent to aus
-despite the price the quality is unmatched imo, i have tried neil pryde, ronstan, zhik and had mates use spinlock and my NOB pfd has outlasted all of them, the design is so good that zhik and gill have tried to copy it with their own designs, however they weigh a ton and are bulky reducing movement
-i would recommend getting black as it appears the coloured neoprene is a different material and fades earlier
-has pockets in the front for a muesli bar or gel and has a bungee loop to attach keys or whatever.

as i'm to the forums i can't post links or pics, if you want to check them out sailingbits is the only aussie retailer. :)

Thanks for the replies!!

The NOB vest looks good, but it looks like there's no protection on the side of the ribs.
The Sooruz website is down at the moment.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
I have a Mystic kite harness, but I don't wear a harness when winging and fell on the foil below where the padding stops. Would have been ok if I had a harness on, but I didn't

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Nikita said..
The NOB vest looks good, but it looks like there's no protection on the side of the ribs.
The Sooruz website is down at the moment.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
I have a Mystic kite harness, but I don't wear a harness when winging and fell on the foil below where the padding stops. Would have been ok if I had a harness on, but I didn't

www.wingman-products.com/the-wingman/

They are collaborating with Ion for a product launch 2023. Otherwise you can custom order for a higher cost.

Voting as well for the o'neill slasher comp vest . Just perfect!

Check out Ripcurl and billabong impact vests,good value,Australian buoyancy rated,light easy to wear won't ride up after a fall.

Good suggestions, thanks guys! I'm gonna go check out some wake impact vests.

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Nikita said..
I'm gonna go check out some wake impact vests.

Good protection but seriously heavy when wet

I love my Prolimit Side Zip Float Vest. I use it for everything. Great tightening straps, never rides up, front pouch to put your phone in or drivers/linch. CE50 rated. Priced well.








Available via all dealers in Aus.

ride safe,

JB

I have a version of the prolimit above.
Absolutelty amazing & super light... Until you take a hit on the side where's there's no paddling. I did and badly bruised My ribs.

For padding you can't go past a wake impact vest. I got this and yea it's a little heavier than the light foam vests but its got way more protection. This one has no straps to ding the board and is very form fitting.
waterskiersworld.com.au/products/radar-tidal-impact-vest-2022-black

It seems like next year alot of brands are putting a harness hook on the waist strap of a wake vest. Ride engine have a new one coming.. With a lower hook than the wingman.

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MHSA said..
I have a version of the prolimit above.
Absolutelty amazing & super light... Until you take a hit on the side where's there's no paddling. I did and badly bruised My ribs.

For padding you can't go past a wake impact vest. I got this and yea it's a little heavier than the light foam vests but its got way more protection. This one has no straps to ding the board and is very form fitting.
waterskiersworld.com.au/products/radar-tidal-impact-vest-2022-black

It seems like next year alot of brands are putting a harness hook on the waist strap of a wake vest. Ride engine have a new one coming.. With a lower hook than the wingman.

Yep, I was going to check out that Radar impact vest. Heavier is not ideal, but I'd rather it be slightly heavier than bruising/cracking ribs. Currently off the water becuase of a cracked rib

Hi, I'm on the hunt as well, wing foil downwinder I seek:
- Buoyancy obviously,
- Rib/Belly protection, that doesn't drive up
- Pocket for my phone and its waterproof bag
- Back pocket for a water pouch
- High visibility colours

I don't need :
- room for a harness
- a hook for a chicken loop

for now, these 2 seem to tick every box:
- Jetpilot Venture Mens Neo Life Jacket - L50
- ION Booster X Vest

Has anyone considered or tried them?

us.oneill.com/products/4917-hj5-slasher-comp-fz?_pos=2&_sid=64c940ced&_ss=r

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BigZ said..
us.oneill.com/products/4917-hj5-slasher-comp-fz?_pos=2&_sid=64c940ced&_ss=r

That's what I bought, I use it for prone and wing

I'm using a ProGuarding, Nighthawk buoyancy vest. It complies for jet ski and boat. Side zip and under rib webbing belt. Designed for surf rescue and as such its easy to prone paddle and swim with. Good padding in the sides, front and back.