Women's Impact Vest Advice
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:58 pm
Hey all
My boyfriend and I have been taking lessons and learning to kiteboard, however we have recently wised up and decided to get impact float vests. Problem is that women's gear is hard to find, and when I do find it, I cant find any reviews or even detailed descriptions. I found two ladies vests, but want to know if anyone has tried them and can recommend one. I know I could get a men's vest, but I don't like the masculine padding that is typically on the chest, and even at the small sizes the gear is either too long, or too tight in the chest (I am 5'3 and 125 lbs, so I am an XS in men's gear).
Some background - I have a Dakine Chameleon convertible harness. However, the seat part rubs my legs bloody from the straps, so I have to wear it as a waist harness when I wear my bikini cut shorty wetsuit. The waist part crushes my ribs so badly I have trouble breathing, so I would like the impact vest to help prevent riding up (the NP Spark looks better for this). However, on top of all that, kiteboarding has been a pretty scary, difficult experience for me so I want a lot of float and protection (The NP Serene looks floatier but looks like it will fit weird with the harness or ride up). I am naturally not very coordinated and swim OK (grew up by the ocean but I am not a strong swimmer in heavy currents). Although I am fit, and it took me nearly a decade to become even an OK snowboarder; fear of injury or being out of control has held me back for years in all these pursuits so I want to feel safe with my gear. I am really determined to learn though because this looks so fun and my boyfriend refuses to snowboard because he hates the cold (ugh 10 years learning wasted, I'll probably never get to go again haha). Any advice on these vests or other options would be so appreciated.
NP Spark
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GXF ... PDKIKX0DER
NP Serene
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GXF ... PDKIKX0DER
My boyfriend and I have been taking lessons and learning to kiteboard, however we have recently wised up and decided to get impact float vests. Problem is that women's gear is hard to find, and when I do find it, I cant find any reviews or even detailed descriptions. I found two ladies vests, but want to know if anyone has tried them and can recommend one. I know I could get a men's vest, but I don't like the masculine padding that is typically on the chest, and even at the small sizes the gear is either too long, or too tight in the chest (I am 5'3 and 125 lbs, so I am an XS in men's gear).
Some background - I have a Dakine Chameleon convertible harness. However, the seat part rubs my legs bloody from the straps, so I have to wear it as a waist harness when I wear my bikini cut shorty wetsuit. The waist part crushes my ribs so badly I have trouble breathing, so I would like the impact vest to help prevent riding up (the NP Spark looks better for this). However, on top of all that, kiteboarding has been a pretty scary, difficult experience for me so I want a lot of float and protection (The NP Serene looks floatier but looks like it will fit weird with the harness or ride up). I am naturally not very coordinated and swim OK (grew up by the ocean but I am not a strong swimmer in heavy currents). Although I am fit, and it took me nearly a decade to become even an OK snowboarder; fear of injury or being out of control has held me back for years in all these pursuits so I want to feel safe with my gear. I am really determined to learn though because this looks so fun and my boyfriend refuses to snowboard because he hates the cold (ugh 10 years learning wasted, I'll probably never get to go again haha). Any advice on these vests or other options would be so appreciated.
NP Spark
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GXF ... PDKIKX0DER
NP Serene
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GXF ... PDKIKX0DER