Need a new Impact Vest

[spindrift]

What impact vest do you like for wing foiling and why? I use a coil leash and harness hook on a belt. So far I've been looking at Mystic and Ion.

[B-Walnut]

One of these will be my next:
https://www.forward-wip.com/produit/wing-neo-vest-50n/
https://www.forward-wip.com/produit/wing-impact-vest-50n/

I currently ride this:
https://www.forward-wip.com/produit/impact-vest-50n/
I love it, phenomenal, but it doesn't have the nice wing related details included.

I like it a lot because it doesn't hold water, the pocket in the front and water bladder pouch is nice on big days. Great actual protection, not just extra neoprene. Only thing I dislike is the size zip which is a bit awkward for me.

[spindrift]

Hey B-Walnut, thanks for fast reply. There is $65 difference between the two WiPs. Is the more expensive one worth the extra bucks?

[B-Walnut]

I think it depends on how bad you intend to fall

99% of the time I would argue the cheap one does everything you'd want it to do. However, I did, once, in my 300ish sessions, taco backwards onto my foil. The foil cut straight through my neoprene and across my spine. No real injury other than bad bruising/blood blistering. The more expensive one will not be cut down. It has thin plates of plastic "armor" in it.

So, the cheaper one will be equivalent to anything else on the market for protection. The more expensive one is for folks who ride with reckless abandon!

[PonoBill]

I got mine from ProMotion in Hood River. It's the best I've tried by a long shot, and I've tried a lot. They're on sale for about half what I paid. They make a vest for wingfoiling, but this one is great. It has a cummerbund to pull the vest tight around your waist and make it easy to zip, then you can tighten the cummerbund a bit more and it won't ride up no matter what you do. I added belt loops and a belt for the NSI harness hook and bolted a kite recoil leash to the back. Having my leash and harness permanently attached to the vest ensures that I wear it. I've been using it for three years and if it comes apart I'll replace it with exactly the same stuff. https://stores.wetsuit.com/kite-vest-red-d51/

[foiled again]

I have the same vest as Walnut, the WIP. The other thing I like about it is that I can stuff my VHF radio in it and barely know it is there. I think the side zip with the cinching straps helps with that. Looking at the new WIPs, the hook looks like it cannot move which would be a negative for me. My harness fits comfortably over the WIP I currently have.

[B-Walnut]

I have the same vest as Walnut, the WIP. The other thing I like about it is that I can stuff my VHF radio in it and barely know it is there. I think the side zip with the cinching straps helps with that. Looking at the new WIPs, the hook looks like it cannot move which would be a negative for me. My harness fits comfortably over the WIP I currently have.

Which harness? I only ride that vest without a hook and have yet to figure out a way to add one to it and my harness doesn't play well with it. I would gladly update my harness instead of the impact vest.

[foiled again]

Ride Engine Vanaka Harness V2. Has a cumberbum like elastic sash that you can pull and velcrose to keep it tight around the vest.

[B-Walnut]

Hmm, that wouldn't work for me. My WIP sits really low.

[foiled again]

Mine also sits low, right around my lower rib cage. And all this is cinched down by another strap that goes through a buckle. Very nice design.
I didn't think this would work either but saw someone with one over a vest when visiting the Gorge last summer. Go to a shop with your vest and try one on. It works great. And the hook moves well too.

[B-Walnut]

Mine also sits low, right around my lower rib cage. And all this is cinched down by another strap that goes through a buckle. Very nice design.
I didn't think this would work either but saw someone with one over a vest when visiting the Gorge last summer. Go to a shop with your vest and try one on. It works great. And the hook moves well too.

Alright I'll go hunting for it!