Impact Vests. Pro's and Con's

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samio

183 posts

samio

WA, 183 posts

12 Jan 2006 8:38pm

Hey guys.
Im looking around for an impact vest for cable ski/kiting, and want to know what to look out for and what not to buy etc. any information is appreciated.

Brighton Kiter Rhys

196 posts

Brighton Kiter Rhys

WA, 196 posts

12 Jan 2006 8:44pm

i find the ones with side entry seem 2 always come undone... the zips just work themselves down in about 10mins or after your first crash....

other than that i hear the new LF pimp ones are awesome, and also the Nevin ones sold by BKB are decent but those are the ones with side entry things...

elizabethb

QLD

2081 posts

elizabethb

QLD, 2081 posts

12 Jan 2006 10:58pm

Pros

Get one thats a PFD (Personal flotation device) also if you are worried about not staying afloat- negative side of this, is that with kiting, u can just end up skimming along the water's surface and can't get upwind to your board because your floating too much

Really helps and is a necessity for the cable park - saves painful injuries... Zip up front seems to be very supportive and comfortable. No zip problems there

Cons

Can really rub up under your arm, even if they are the correct size

May not be confortable with your kiting harness... If seat it should be fine, if waist it might not fit properly or have to find a way to wear it underneath your harness, check it out first.

Don't get a kiting harness/impact vest in one... Imagine a normal waist harness riding up with an impact vest fixed to it... Painful to your neck, throat and can be very uncomfortable

Good luck with your search

Hope this helped.

samio

183 posts

samio

WA, 183 posts

12 Jan 2006 9:14pm

Thanks alot for that, im getting one mainly for the Cable park, but what you said about body dragging is a good point. i dont want to get one too bulky coz of the issue with the harness so yeh.

Brian

7 posts

Brian

WA, 7 posts

13 Jan 2006 4:18am

Easy resolved!! just stop being *****s!!! if you need too where a im***** vest then quit the sport and be a windsurfer!!! if you dont get hurt when kiteing then your not kiteing hard enough!! good wind to those who love the sport,

not on board

210 posts

not on board

210 posts

13 Jan 2006 6:50am

"if you dont get hurt when kiteing then your not kiteing hard enough!! "

Spoken like someone who has not cracked a rib yet. When you have had to spend over a month off the water cause your practice with kiteloops smacked you to hard on the water then you realize there is a place for impact vests. I have had many serious hits on the water where I thanked my good sense to have my impact vest on. I don't always ride with it but if you think you are going to be trying out some new moves, it is very useful.

bondo

QLD

699 posts

bondo

QLD, 699 posts

13 Jan 2006 9:13am

quote:
Originally posted by Brian

Easy resolved!! just stop being *****s!!! if you need too where a im***** vest then quit the sport and be a windsurfer!!! if you dont get hurt when kiteing then your not kiteing hard enough!! good wind to those who love the sport,

wow. l33t.

ellery

VIC

187 posts

ellery

VIC, 187 posts

13 Jan 2006 10:58am

Brian,

We've got a stimilar theory with Motorbike riding. It's not if you don't get hurt you're not trying hard enough, but if you don't fall over you're not trying hard enough. We wear as much protective gearing as possible to prevent ourselves from getting hurt, but we still go for it. It's absolutely rediculous to expect or want to get hurt, it's not fun sitting at home watching kiting videos all summer.

Good on you samio for looking at getting an impact vest, i've just started wearing a helmet on the water, and now i've got it, i don't even know it's there. Let us know what one you buy and how it goes.

I can see where elizabeth is going with getting a PFD, as i think it's a legal requirement to wear one in victoria now?

James

wind killer

10 posts

wind killer

WA, 10 posts

13 Jan 2006 8:21am

I wear a Jet Pilot one. Is is rated PDF 3 I think. Very happy with it. Not very bulky, hardly notice it on actually. It has a side zipper, which has only come apart twice. Once when thrown from the back of a fast moving boat

and another time after a massive stack. Stays together still cause it has a strap. It does ride up a bit when you use a waist harness though. Essential item if you like to bob around the ocean for an hour with broken gear or having problem relaunching in light winds.

(need to invest in a fifth line)

GalahOnTheBay

NSW

4188 posts

GalahOnTheBay

NSW, 4188 posts

13 Jan 2006 11:37am

the cabrinah one looks good - check it out if you can.

Air Catcher

60 posts

Air Catcher

WA, 60 posts

13 Jan 2006 9:08am

Yeah go the new cabrinha vest harness. ive been useing the older one for two years

. it rides up a bit when the kite is parked at 12 but ive never had an injury when i should off.

. also it doesnt affect your bodydraging

samio

183 posts

samio

WA, 183 posts

13 Jan 2006 9:29am

Yeh i was thinking of getting the JP PFD 3 vest, you have to have it at the ski park so yeh. Brian, settle down mate, we all love the sport, but for the ski park you HAVE to wear one. The thing is i want to ride hard to the point where i DONT kill a rib if i crash.

t o b y

530 posts

t o b y

WA, 530 posts

13 Jan 2006 11:34am

hi i have a neil pride one that i used to use for kitting its not bulky zip up front and clips.. i found it very suportive as well as protective ! email me if u are interested

ps: its not an ugly one it looks pretty good and its black

Matthew

17 posts

Matthew

WA, 17 posts

13 Jan 2006 2:19pm

I use a Wipika impact vest which I find fairly comfortable. Only problem is if you take a decent hit the velcro at the top and zip down the middle opens up.

Still manage to occasionally wind myself with it on but I'd hate to think how much harder it would feel without it.

Only other gripe with it is that it has a pocket for a kite knife but the knife rusted away pretty quickly.

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