Impact Vest With Decent Flotation

[iriejohn]

I have a Prolimit impact/flotation vest, front zip, half padded, side impact padding, with outside grip on the back so my waist harness doesn't slip. Works for me.

[joriws]

By the specs go for Forward-WIP impact vest. Olympic sailing approved.

* 50N
* rest-tube ready/supported (officially)
* zipper & clips
* pockets (also for intercom and emergency breathing but I doubt kiters would use those)
* works with waist harness too, this is how I use F-WIP with slider waist harness...

Looks cool too:

[joriws]

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...

Forward-WIP Impact vest - just look outside of the kite-box.

[Pierrot]

By the specs go for Forward-WIP impact vest. Olympic sailing approved.

* 50N
* rest-tube ready/supported (officially)
* zipper & clips
* pockets (also for intercom and emergency breathing but I doubt kiters would use those)
* works with waist harness too, this is how I use F-WIP with slider waist harness...

Yes I looked at the forward WIP vest. It meets all the criteria (Except bright colour). My brother has one for catamaran racing... but have not tried it with a harness.
How does if fit under a waist harness? seems too thick to be comfortable...
do you have any pictures of it with a kite waist harness?

Thanks

[sflinux]

I used to use the non-coast guard approved Dakine Impact Vest (and nearly drowned). After that I switched to a pfd for distant shore applications. For pfds, some brands (multisport) are more comfortable than others (boating).
Currently, I use a wake vest underneath my suit. Then I wear kite friendly impact vest over my suit. Between these two vests, I feel pretty close to a coast guard approved level of flotation, using the rule only go out as far as you can swim.
For additional floatation, you can wear impact shorts under your wetsuit, of which I find no hindrance in my mobility.

[joriws]

By the specs go for Forward-WIP impact vest. Olympic sailing approved.

* 50N
* rest-tube ready/supported (officially)
* zipper & clips
* pockets (also for intercom and emergency breathing but I doubt kiters would use those)
* works with waist harness too, this is how I use F-WIP with slider waist harness...

Yes I looked at the forward WIP vest. It meets all the criteria (Except bright colour). My brother has one for catamaran racing... but have not tried it with a harness.
How does if fit under a waist harness? seems too thick to be comfortable...
do you have any pictures of it with a kite waist harness?

Thanks

Well WIP has bright shoulders (orange) as on spec list and is probably reflective, and silver reflective areas on stomach. WIP is thin on waist level, the PFD volume is higher. Inside vest are friction pads preventing vest to lift up with waist harness. Normal white water paddles PFD lifts up on me, WIP does not. I don't think I've a photo, when researching on some video there was kiting with impact vest. I found some pics of Neo-series WIP impact vest.

You can see thinner back on this video and pockets and their sizes: (around 1:30 to video)

Neo

[juanpasala]

Ion Vector and Ridengine Empax are the most floaty ones to use with waist harness.
Np has an even more floaty vest, but can only be used with seat harness.

[TimG]

By the specs go for Forward-WIP impact vest. Olympic sailing approved.

* 50N
* rest-tube ready/supported (officially)
* zipper & clips
* pockets (also for intercom and emergency breathing but I doubt kiters would use those)
* works with waist harness too, this is how I use F-WIP with slider waist harness...

Yes I looked at the forward WIP vest. It meets all the criteria (Except bright colour). My brother has one for catamaran racing... but have not tried it with a harness.
How does if fit under a waist harness? seems too thick to be comfortable...
do you have any pictures of it with a kite waist harness?

Thanks

Well WIP has bright shoulders (orange) as on spec list and is probably reflective, and silver reflective areas on stomach. WIP is thin on waist level, the PFD volume is higher. Inside vest are friction pads preventing vest to lift up with waist harness. Normal white water paddles PFD lifts up on me, WIP does not. I don't think I've a photo, when researching on some video there was kiting with impact vest. I found some pics of Neo-series WIP impact vest.

You can see thinner back on this video and pockets and their sizes: (around 1:30 to video)

Neo

You’ve pretty sold me on this. Is it comfy?

[bkkite]

I use an ion booster
https://www.ion-products.com/water/men/ ... er-x-vest/

Definitely more float. Rides up a bit in the water.

Pockets surprisingly useful.

It rides up with harness, but it’s easier to push back down than a vest that goes under the harness that rides up.

Would love one that goes under the harness and stays down.

[joriws]

You’ve pretty sold me on this. Is it comfy?

I like it a lot. IMO quite unnoticeable while riding, gives warmth on our spring waters. Easy to put on. Earlier white water kayaking PFD shoulder straps lifted up and rubbed my neck with same smart shell.

do you have any pictures of it with a kite waist harness?

I took one for you, note I did not tighten the PFD staps for the selfie-picture..