Hi all,

Yes, I windsurf, but am looking for an impact vest to take the pains out of going for loops and forwards, and typically kiters use impact vests more than windsurfers, so wanted to get your take on what's a good impact vest and why, and where to purchase from in Australia.

Ideally one that fits snug with a waist harness, and isn't bulky..... have checked out the O'neil Gooru?, and the Liquid Force? look pretty good....

I have checked out the stores here in Melbourne, but really not a very large range.... and perhaps not a big demand...

Any information appreciated.

Cheers,

K

Gateman said..
Can't help you on any of the newer impact vests K Dog but I had a 2003 Cabrinha impact vest and a 2004 waist harness. A friend of mine used the impact vest all the time for wind surfing and loved it, ended up buying it from me in the end.

Reckon your boom and mast could cause more rib damage than a kite bar so may be worth investigating

Maybe you could demo a few.Hope this helps

Thanks Gateman, will check that out!

Hi, I have the gooru and use it for kite surfing. I chose it bc it has padding on the side which most other vests don't have. It is soft and not bulky at all but it tends to ride up if you don't tie it down. It will protect you from impacts on surfaces but it is going to be useless if you impact something pointy (all the vests I have seen will fail here btw.) It does not have those dorky plastic patches that are supposed to make you look like Batman.
It's clean, simple, comfortable but it's not body armour.

^^ just had a look the 2 above and they look compatible with your existing harness KDog, the 2003 Cab Impact vest I had incorporated a spreader bar, had a bit of floatation, was not bulky but offered pretty good padding around the ribs, chest and back. Everything in one neat package.
Did a search online now and it seems all the newer impact vests are designed in such a way you wear your own choice of harness over the top.
Advantages: cheaper to buy if you already have a harness, wear your harness without the vest on lighter days, sure there are more....
Disadvantages: initial cost is more (need harness plus vest), probably need to check harness and vest work together if they are different brands, ........

Mmmmmmmm, not sure why I can't find a completely integrated (vest and spreader bar) unit anymore? Were there other issues anyone?