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.