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Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

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eoinkernan
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Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby eoinkernan » Wed Oct 13, 2021 6:30 pm

Hi all,

first-time poster. I've just invested in a foiling set-up. I have a helmet, and am now looking at impact vests; I haven't previously worn one for TT.

Has anyone any advice on the advantages/disadvantages of SZ or FZ when it comes to Impact Vest comfort or use? I wear a SZ buoyancy aid for SUP, and like the idea of having things out of the way under my arm.

Thanks in advance.

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Re: Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby joriws » Wed Oct 13, 2021 10:37 pm

Check Forward-wip impact vest, simply the best out there existing. Side zip and straps with buckles. Very thin under the arms and at belly aka waist harness area with design to put waist harness on top of vest. F-wip stays nicely in place with friction neoprene inside the vest. Upper back pocket to carry drinking system, pockets and officially 50N boyuancy.

I don't think front zip is bad either, just makes large front pocket impossible. Side zip might be even easier to put on as you don't need to put it on like a jacket, just one arm and head easily through and close the short zip.

No zip pfd is worst to put on but still tolerable. White water kayaking pfd are pretty good on kite too if using seat harness.
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eoinkernan (Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:51 am)
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Re: Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby Topaz » Wed Oct 13, 2021 11:55 pm

I have a Liquid Force with side zipper and works just fine. No complains at all. It fits snug on my skinny upper body, it's flat on the bottom to accommodate the harness and it's easy to get on and off. It doesn't have any pocket. I don't think it has 50N floatability, but combining the vest and the harness, I float effortless.
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eoinkernan (Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:51 am)
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OzBungy
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Re: Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby OzBungy » Thu Oct 14, 2021 4:10 am

I gave up on side zips. The velcro flap that covers the top of the zip catches on the stitching of the wetsuit and causes wear. It's unfortunate that front zip vests don't have pockets.
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Re: Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby nothing2seehere » Thu Oct 14, 2021 9:51 am

My personal experience is that my side zip impact vests ride up a little less than my front zip ones by the side zip comes undone whilst riding more often.
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eoinkernan (Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:51 am)
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Re: Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby 01007653 » Thu Oct 14, 2021 11:40 am

Had both, front zip loads easier to live with. Side zip difficult to put on, unzips and harder to zip up again on the water
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eoinkernan (Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:50 am)
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StellaBlu
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Re: Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby StellaBlu » Thu Oct 14, 2021 2:45 pm

OzBungy wrote:
Thu Oct 14, 2021 4:10 am
I gave up on side zips. The velcro flap that covers the top of the zip catches on the stitching of the wetsuit and causes wear. It's unfortunate that front zip vests don't have pockets.
I sometimes ride with the Ride Engine Defender vest (front zip). Its very low profile and I have no complaints except I wish it had a pocket for a phone when I do downwinders. I'm thinking of either (i) gluing a waterproof pouch to the inside of the back panel (between the vest and my back), or (ii) sewing a neoprene pocket in the same place where I can stash a waterproof phone bag. I don't have any reason to access the phone on the water, so having the pocket inaccessible with the vest on is no problem. That feels like the most unobtrusive place for it. Will report back if/when I take on this project.

I've also thought it would also be nice to have a clip on the vest somewhere to stash a camera when I'm not using it or a micro waterproof bluetooth speaker somewhere (my watch can connect and store music), but it would need to be somewhere out of the way. Note that I'm using this winging (not kiting), so no real danger of tangling lines and no harness to get in the way.

I say this, but bringing crap with you on the water is a slippery slope (camera, phone, speaker), so I'm torn.

Ive also thought that having some secure D rings on the vest to clip my board and wing leashes and forgo the leash belt would be nice.
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eoinkernan (Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:50 am)
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Re: Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby Flyboy » Thu Oct 14, 2021 4:05 pm

I used a liquid Force vest with a side zip for a couple of years. It fit very snug & kept my waist harness totally in place ... on the other hand, it was a bit difficult to zip up & very tricky to unzip after a session.
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eoinkernan (Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:50 am)
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eoinkernan
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Re: Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby eoinkernan » Mon Oct 18, 2021 7:47 pm

Folks, that’s all really useful information. Thank you for taking the time to share it with me. Turns out a friend of mine has the Forward WIP version, so I’m gonna try that out and see how it feels. Definitely still inclined to a SZ option.

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Re: Impact Vest - side zip or front zip?

Postby elguapo » Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:48 pm

i've had the last two forward wip vests...
they're the best i've found.
they seem to last 2 years of heavy use in salt water.

i dont wanna to say they run big...
but i wear a large in most tops.. but i prefer the tighter fit for these vests (i had a L in old version..and it felt like it moved too much...the M fits perfectly now)


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