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TomaHawk wrote:I am looking to get a flotation/impact vest for my self. Something that lets me float around a bit when trying to relaunch a kite (or when i hafta get my board). I have a life jacket that I used but it is so big and cumbersome I have actually stopped wearing it. it always rode up and the shoulder parts where up to my ears. Does anyone have any exp with a good vest?. I was thinking of an impact vest. I know its not a life vest but it does offer flotation. i Primarily wear harness shorts . Thanks for any help

Hi mate,

These are my 2 cents (and I'm sure not everybody will agree).
- avoid vests with a zipper
- stay away from bulky vests
- a vest needs to fit absolutely tight
- look at the stitching quality
- make sure the vest has no pads on the lower part where the harness sits (wakeboard vests have pads right down and they are not suitable for kiting, some harnesses are very big and might sit on top of a pad which will be awkward)
- some badly designed vests act like a parachute when body dragging
- every body shape is different so try before you buy (if you can)

Cheers
Caesar

Wearing harness shorts the Neil Pryde High Hook vest fits great - it is very close fitting with nothing hanging out to snag a line. It does have a zipper, but it is closed over with velcro so stays zipped - never had an issue in 3 years with zipper & using for kiteboarding and sailing.
It is not very good with a waist harness - rides up and is annoying. Might be better when I am in a bit better shape so the waist harness quits riding up too .
So maybe better ask someone who has right body to use a waist harness how it works

ProMotion in Hood River, OR. floats ya, fits tight, good for waist or seat harness, durable, lightweight, mine is 4 yrs old and going strong from year round use.

Litewave Integrator Slam connects onto your harness so no ride-up effect.

Oneill impact vest

I've owned both impact and bouyancy. While impact might appear cooler for the fashion concious it doesn't provide the bouyancy and ultimate safety that a good quality bouyancy aid will. My vote is for a 'CE' approved PFD that fits well, sits high enough not to interfere with a waist harness and doesn't have too many loose straps to snag kite lines. Is the Neil Pryde High Hook the same as the Neil Pryde Elite?

They look very similar - high hook has a european bouancy certification but was not uscg class 3 certified when i bought mine

Or ... you can get one of these, not sure if still in production, but I remember seeing one wearing one, seemed like a cool concept.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cabrinha-Kitebo ... 27cf8bd294

I love my O'Neill Checkmate comp wake vest. If sized right, it fits like a glove and won't ride up. The kite impact vests don't have foam around the waist so they don't seem to float as much as a comp wake vest. I find I don't need the waist thinner anyways, just adjust your harness to be a bit bigger.

I second the Liquid Force Luxury vest.. Plenty of float, fits very tight with zero ride up , and also keeps you warm.