Forum for kitesurfers
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TimG
- Rare Poster
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- Joined: Sat Mar 13, 2021 3:20 am
- Kiting since: 2018
- Weight: 170
- Local Beach: Houston
- Style: Big Air
- Gear: Rebel, monarch
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Postby TimG » Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:02 pm
I’m looking at buying an impact vest. I have had the dakine impact vest, but it is no longer sold. I liked that vest because it had decent flotation while still being comfy and offering good protection.
I am now looking at the Ion Vector, Ride Engine Empact, and Mystic Block impact vests.
Do any of you know if any of these offer comparable flotation to the Dakine impact vests? I think these are better than the dakine as they offer protection on the side of the ribs, but I question if any of them really provides any flotation.
Lastly, I know they do make certified PFD impact vests, but I am not interested in those. Just something with great protection and decent flotation.
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TimG
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Postby TimG » Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:10 pm
That’s an interesting design. Does that Velcro actually prevent the lower portion of the impact vest from shooting up during hard landings?
The ride engine one looks like it has a lot of float, but it’s just so hard to tell online.
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Pierrot
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 250
- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:07 pm
- Kiting since: 2008
- Weight: 80
- Gear: Aluula Roam 10m, North neo 10m, 7m, 5m
Hydrofoil Ketos,
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Postby Pierrot » Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:32 pm
It is a bit crazy that with the number of foilers (foil kite and wing) no brand has come up with a decent impact vest+pfd... something that
1- works with waist harness
2- impact protection
3- 50+N of floatation for emergencies, possibly with an inflatable chamber (like that
https://aqoutdoors.com/products/mustan ... MoEALw_wcB)
4- bright red or yellow colour + reflective shoulder patch
5- pockets for phone/whisle etc...
6- pocket for hydration pack
That would be a winner... and would avoid stress every time the coast guards are out...
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brighamj
- Medium Poster
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 12:17 am
- Kiting since: 2018
- Weight: 78kg
- Favorite Beaches: My backyard
- Gear: Duotone and Core Kites and Bars
Duotone Jaime, Lieuwe Shotgun
- Brand Affiliation: None
- Location: Bermuda
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Postby brighamj » Fri Apr 23, 2021 12:05 am
Pierrot wrote: ↑Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:32 pm
It is a bit crazy that with the number of foilers (foil kite and wing) no brand has come up with a decent impact vest+pfd... something that
1- works with waist harness
2- impact protection
3- 50+N of floatation for emergencies, possibly with an inflatable chamber (like that
https://aqoutdoors.com/products/mustan ... MoEALw_wcB)
4- bright red or yellow colour + reflective shoulder patch
5- pockets for phone/whisle etc...
6- pocket for hydration pack
That would be a winner... and would avoid stress every time the coast guards are out...
The coast guard requires vests?
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TimG
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Postby TimG » Fri Apr 23, 2021 12:28 am
Have any of you guys used the vests I mentioned above?
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Pierrot
- Frequent Poster
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- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:07 pm
- Kiting since: 2008
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Hydrofoil Ketos,
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Postby Pierrot » Fri Apr 23, 2021 12:55 am
brighamj wrote: ↑
The coast guard requires vests?
Here on the St-Laurent river I have been controlled sailing and SUPing.
On a boat it is an immediate fine if you don’t have the right number of PfD onboard.
On a SUP I always have a PFD but have been given a hard time for not having a whistle or other personal signal.
And I have seen kiters in trouble, picked-up by the coast guards who had trouble explaining their impact vest was good enough... not sure they got a fine...
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MaximumAC
- Medium Poster
- Posts: 127
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 5:00 pm
- Kiting since: 1996
- Local Beach: Chesapeake Bay, Assateague MD
- Style: Foil; Freestyle
- Gear: Flysurfer Soul and Sonics; SAB 679/800 and Mikes Lab Bullet 5
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Postby MaximumAC » Fri Apr 23, 2021 3:46 am
What are foil racers wearing?
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nothing2seehere
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- Kiting since: 2012
- Weight: 72
- Local Beach: Calshot, Hayling, Meon - Southcoast UK
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Postby nothing2seehere » Fri Apr 23, 2021 8:47 am
If you could find an old stock Liquid force profile vest, that would be what you want. They have (allegedly) coastguard approved floatation and are fairly comfortable. The double zip sizing helps to keep them snug so they don't move about much.
If I couldn't do that, I'd probably go for a low profile impact vest under my wetsuit and then a PFD over the top for floatation
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