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I am looking to get a flotation/impact vest for my self. Something that lets me float around a bit when trying to relaunch a kite (or when i hafta get my board). I have a life jacket that I used but it is so big and cumbersome I have actually stopped wearing it. it always rode up and the shoulder parts where up to my ears. Does anyone have any exp with a good vest?. I was thinking of an impact vest. I know its not a life vest but it does offer flotation. i Primarily wear harness shorts . Thanks for any help

I used to use Hobie Kayak vest that rode up. Now I have a Niel Pryde High Hook vest. This does not ride up. It also has a mesh cargo pocket in front. It is not an impact vest but does offer some protection though.
Kirk

I love my Jetpilot A-10 Attack vest - primarily used for wakeboarding, but also serves pretty well for kite too. It's super light weight, flexible and fits like a glove.

Kayak vests are good - enough flotation, cheap...

I also recommend using a wakeboard vest. I use what they call a competition vest. Its much thinner and offers only minimal flotation. I don't like too much flotation because when I am near the shore when my kite is down and the vest has too much flotation, you cannot hold the kite back because you are floating especially when a wave rolls by.

The newest models are also pull over type with no zipper. Harder too put on and take off but I had an old vest with a zipper that broke. So simpler is better for me.

Oh yes because the competition vest are so thin and strectchy, they fit you body very tightly almost like lady stockings! Very comfy. And they are more compact for travelling.

On really big wipeouts these vest really stay on, while some zippered models can half come off especially if the zipper velcro has opened.

As for true kite board impact vest, I don't really think the impact protection is really there. Maybe slightly better than wakeboard impact vest. I think kite board companies should not call them impact vest unless they have armoured plates like motocross protection.

I recommend that you check out and compare wakeboard vests while you are searching for vest.

I use the JetPilot A-10 vest now and like it. I used to have an O'Neill Vapor and that had a bit more flotation. Something like that is definitely a good flotation/impact compromise. It never rode up and very comfortable.

You should have a look at the Liquid Force luxury impact. They are designed for kiting. IE the flotation is positioned to not get in the way of the harness. Designed to not rise up. Small things like that which make it way better for kiting!

http://www.liquidforcekites.com/impact-vest.html

happy vest hunting!

Camaro jumpshirt

Thanks a lot everyone. they all look like awesome vests. I especially like the camaro jump shirt. I think that's the way I might go....unless someone posts something better

Neil Pryde makes a very nice vest for kiteboarding (actually for sailing on a catamaran or skiff where you are hooked into a trapeze). Has a great cutout for harness, so it doesn't push the vest up.

Neilpryde Windward High Hook Floatation Vest - $79.99 in the US