help ime sinking...

[brassneck]

whats everyone's thought on impact / flotation vests?

looking to take first go on water (land only at the mo) . dont see many of the regular guys wearing them, but think I would prefer the safety of flotation , especially when learing. yep, I know, hopefully will only be in the shallow stuff, but better to be safe?

Any recommendations, ideas , thoughts... how do they fit when using waist harness? can you move easilly? or do you just end up like michelin man?

[kiteflyer05]

no mate i use a dakine impact vest with my harness took the spreader bar out because it kept slipping, never had a problem gives good floatation in those sticky moments when u are learning, does get a bit warm in the summer, but now the winters coming, it might just stop that windchill a bit..

[nickt]

If you wear a kitesurf specific flotation vest with a waist harness there`s no problem re movement and they`re good for safety when learning. I usually wear mine but a lot of kiters don`t it`s just a personal preference thing.

[Bruce100]

I'm going through a similar dilema at the mo - been up and running for a couple of years, but (1) the wipe outs are now starting to hurt:eek: and (2) I'm not getting any younger . I am therefore looking for a good compromise between floatation (maui magic do a good bouyancy aid) and impact protection (lots of options).

 

I notice you are Manchester based. You might want to look in at Robin Hood Watersports (M62 Leeds). They have a pretty good selection of general bouyancy aids, kite specific impact and bouyancy, and wake board impact and bouyancy. I am off over there (again!) this weekend with my harness to try a few options.

[brassneck]

thanks for the tip on robin hood shop.. will call in next time I am passing.

If you have any thoughts after the weeknd trip, could you post em up.

cheers

[Jofski]

I learnt with the dakine impact vest / harness which isnt pitched as a flotation vest but it definitely helps and is very buoyant. Ive only moved to a normal waist harness this year after using it for 2 years solid so no worries mate. great idea for the huge learning curve IMHO.

[kiterMD]

I wear the north impact vest under my waist harness when it's nukin or I'm riding hard. Nice padding and some float. I learned with a USCG approved vest and a seat harness, more padding and float, but bulky. Vests do come in handy for hard crashes and long swims.

[POT BELLY]

The Camaro Armour vest looks good, has a bit of floatation aswell so will last you a while. I use a Gul 50N floatation vest, it's high cut so isn't affected by the harness, it was cheap compaired to the Camaro, 90 sheets seems quite abit to me:confused:

[carltb]

hi rob next time im down the dale ill bring my dakine impact vest and you can try it out if you want

[snowfreak]

I wore a buoyancy jacket whilst learning and it massively increased my confidence on the water and IMO the more confident you are on the water the quicker you'll pick it up. I've since lost the bulky jacket in favour of a Naish impact vest, feels really good and still has a nice amount of buoyancy. Having said all that, I regularly go swimming and think that being a good swimmer is more important than a flotation aid!!

[Junior]

i work at robin hood, and we have a range of camara shirts, Dakine impact Vests, Dakine impact harness, and a couple of high hook NP vests still

[brassneck]

cheers for all the advice.

Got a couple of months before I venture onto the water (missus doesnt know it yet but she's buying me a boards for xmas )

will keep my eye on fleabay as well as begging a go with others (cheers carl for the offer, will pick yer brains as always! when we eventually get some weekend wind! and can get back down to the beach (moving house at mo so complete chaos).

[Bruce100]

Junior

 

In your list of stock you forgot to mention the Jobe Treasue that you sold me yesterday Hope the collar bone heals fully and quick.

 

Brassneck - not tried my new purchase on the water yet, but it sits nicely with my Dakine Fusion seat harness, is not bulky and is a certified bouyancy. Not sure about the colour scheme but hey ho .

 

I will post review when I have christened it .

[Charlie C]

If u want more float in your upper body when ur on the water have a look at the mystic venom float jacket. Its designed with kiting in mind and should fit well even with a waist harness on.

[Bruce100]

Having just returned from a week of waves and wind in S Ireland (Dingle Pennisular with the Turbulance boys) I am in a position to provide a review of the Jobe Treasure Bouyancy / Impact vest I bought from Robin Hood Watersports.

 

In short, I am well pleased . Worked well with my Dakine Fusion seat harness - bottom of vest sat just above the hook (would not work with a waist harness). Neat fitting and no real noticable bulkiness - no effect on mobility / flexibility (it is a lot slimmer and tighter fitting than the Maui Magic vest, for example). Very little riding up during riding (even after a few major wipe outs). External straps where originally a bit of a concern but where not noticed at all during use. External wetsuit material seams to be pretty scuff resistant. Still not sure about the white detailing / straps, but that is my only real negative comment.