Impact Vest With Decent Flotation

[TimG]

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.

[Da Yoda]

Mystic's Block vest would be closest to Dakine's imo. Brunotti's Neo impact is also very similar. Promotion's Kite and Rescue vests would also be worth checking out. I like Promotion's adjustable velcro "wrap" for the lower closure.
https://brunottiboards.com/store/waterw ... ct-vest-2/
http://stores.wetsuit.com/buoyancy-impact-vests/

[TimG]

Mystic's Block vest would be closest to Dakine's imo. Brunotti's Neo impact is also very similar. Promotion's Kite and Rescue vests would also be worth checking out. I like Promotion's adjustable velcro "wrap" for the lower closure.
https://brunottiboards.com/store/waterw ... ct-vest-2/
http://stores.wetsuit.com/buoyancy-impact-vests/

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.

[Pierrot]

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...

[brighamj]

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?

[TimG]

Have any of you guys used the vests I mentioned above?

[Pierrot]

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...

[MaximumAC]

What are foil racers wearing?

[Da Yoda]

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.

Yes. The velcro wrap allows for a "custom" snug fit which locks it better under the ribs.

I agree that Ride Engine's vest looks floaty as well.

Here are some others to add to your search list -
Naish's Defender vest
https://www.naishkites.com/product/defender_vest/

Manera's Boom vest
https://www.manera.com/en/kiteboarding/ ... ?color=282

Neil Pryde also has their front and side entry Combat vests
https://www.neilpryde.com/collections/mens-impact-vests

[nothing2seehere]

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