Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: digger71 on March 02, 2018, 05:33:41 PM
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Anyone looking for a good impact vest for protection or just a bit of extra float, Patagonia has their R1 for half price. $74 and they have M-XXL in stock as of now. I'm 6' and about 200lbs - the XL fits me nicely
http://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-r1-padded-big-wave-vest/88200.html?dwvar_88200_color=155&cgid=web-specials-mens-wetsuits#tile-9=&start=1&sz=24
Also have a short-john impact suit for $89 if you need some tailbone or hip protection. XS-XL in stock
http://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-r1-impact-suit/88425.html?dwvar_88425_color=BLK&cgid=web-specials-mens-wetsuits#tile-6=&start=1&sz=24
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Done! Just bought one. $95 with Tax and Shipping but mine was getting older and it's good to have buddy float.
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Mahalo! $89 to my door on Oahu
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Got one. Don't know if I need it, but Patagonia is tops and my regular is beginning to fray. My old O'Neill has foam poking through.
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I got one.
They have really handy step by step sizing process down on the page where it says sizing and fit. It's more helpful than the chart.
I'm 6'1, 175 lbs. I went with a large. It's supposed to fit slightly tight on 71% of men my size.
My old GooruTech was getting a little stretched out and I never liked the colors. This looks like it has a bit more float. I hope it's not too bulky.
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I've had my R1 for years and I wear in each time I hit the surf regardless of size...its just become apart of the ritual. At that price I may pick another up to keep as a backup or for family/friends.
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Sometimes being a big guy sucks....I have a very broad back and their XXL sizing doesn't come close to fitting me...even XXXL wouldn't work if they made it. Max's out at 48.5" chest...mine is 52.... >:(:P
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Nice being the petite guy in the family. 44" chest. I picked up one of the whole body shorties. I'll look like the Michelin man wearing it, but who cares. Great for foiling.
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Since I just pushed "buy" i shouldn't care but I still haven't found a good combination of a true IMPACT VEST with float.
I am constantly wearing:
1) Rib Protector
2) Float
Most people advertise impact vests but they're mostly just float. I have cracked my ribs through my Gooru vest.
PS: I heard the O'Neill Gooru was disappearing. I did a quick check on Amazon and see a few smalls but this may not be good for those looking to float
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impact vests are definitely in the "better than nothing" category. I'm mostly interested in protecting my breastbone since I gave it a good whack a few years ago and my doc says "don't do that again or it will have a hinge in the middle".
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Thanks, but still trying to picture (or in denial about) exactly what the algorithm does with my age. I did score 81%.
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Nice being the petite guy in the family. 44" chest.
Can you imagine David shopping for this stuff. They just don't have things sized for Silverback Gorillas.... ;D
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Thanks, but still trying to picture (or in denial about) exactly what the algorithm does with my age. I did score 81%.
‘Weight distribution - age’ algorithm ... makes it seem so ... inevitable ::)
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I scored an 8 on the Pillsbury Dough Boy Richter scale. Time for another diet, too much Winter lethargy.
It seems like I have had a cold for the past two and a half months.
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I've been wearing the XL for a few years and have fluctuated between 178 lbs (now) and 200 lbs....even now its pretty snug at my present weight and height (6'1"). I ordered another XL today and see there were only 5 left at that size.
Sorry to hear this vest doesn't work in terms of size for the bigger guys....
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Nice being the petite guy in the family. 44" chest.
Can you imagine David shopping for this stuff. They just don't have things sized for Silverback Gorillas.... ;D
Hell, he couldn't find clothes that didn't look as though they were made from upholstery fabric.
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If someone got a Large vest and it doesn't fit, I'll take it.
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Dam, sold out of XL If you bought an XL and it does not fit let me buy it from you. Why exercise and diet when you can buy a XXL
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Thanks for the tip! Just grabbed one.
Really wish I was wearing one last week... fell pretty hard a handful of times. Got home and swore I'd broken a rib. Still really sore a week later.
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My XXL arrived, and fortunately, fits. It's a pullover, without excessive padding, but it is made in a way that allows better bending and easier breathing than the others I have had..
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If someone got a Large vest and it doesn't fit, I'll take it.
I kept checking and a Large popped up for order. Cool, I dig it. FYI, not much stretch because of the padding. Can't wait to pop up like a cork. Thanks digger71.
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If someone got a Large vest and it doesn't fit, I'll take it.
I kept checking and a Large popped up for order. Cool, I dig it. FYI, not much stretch because of the padding. Can't wait to pop up like a cork. Thanks digger71.
Yes, not as stretchy as my O'Niel GooruTech Comp, but I was able to pull it off over my head without much difficulty. The large seems to fit me perfectly. I haven't gotten it wet yet. Maybe tomorrow.
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I love my impact vest. Hardly even know it’s on. The large seems to fit perfectly. My buddy at the beach today saw Stormey Daniels coming in from sup’ing. She said her xxxl was tight as hell.
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If you still are looking for a vest check the physical outlets. I found an XL at the Santa Cruz outlet. Alas it was too small for such a buff dude as me ;)
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FYI, I tried the shorty as well. Unless you're Harry Houdini, the arm hole entry is for the birds.
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FYI, I tried the shorty as well. Unless you're Harry Houdini, the arm hole entry is for the birds.
I agree. I have a medium patagoinia impact suit. Would use it more but getting on through the armhole is very challenging. Wondering if anyone has come up with a modification to this entry? Otherwise will stick to my Gorru vest.
Bob
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FYI, I tried the shorty as well. Unless you're Harry Houdini, the arm hole entry is for the birds.
I agree. I have a medium patagoinia impact suit. Would use it more but getting on through the armhole is very challenging. Wondering if anyone has come up with a modification to this entry? Otherwise will stick to my Gorru vest.
Bob
I'm sure an old school wetsuit shop could easily convert one of the shoulders to an old school velcro opening. Not big wave proof, but at least it's usable.
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Tried over and over and over ... I can't get into this thing. I ordered the short john version or the R1. I'll contact Patagonia Monday before doing the shoulder velcro modification.
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Spoke with Patagonia today and was told that (1) efforts needed to get in and out; and (2) warranty would be voided at the shoulder if I were to altered one of the shoulders with velcro strap but the remaining parts of the impact vest not. Since i'm not Houdini, I'm going to alter the shoulder as I'm planning to use the vest under the 1mm long sleeve top and surf trunk.
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Yeah, Patagonia has lost their mind. I got the impact suit as well in XL, and it's IM-fucking-POSSIBLE to get into unless maybe I lubed myself whole-body with Vagisil. Not even close. Not even the tiniest hope that I could get the thing on, and if I did, how would I get it off. I can see this working with a smooth and highly flexible wetsuit, but with the padding and all the added stitches, there isn't any flexibility. I get why they're on sale--no one can get them on.
On the plus side, I didn't try this on in a store. In the unlikely event I had somehow forced my XL body through the armhole (armhole!!) of a vest then the only way to get it off would be an EMT with bandage scissors.
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I think they used 20 yo as the model. I wear an XL but their XL was like a Large. I tried on some shirts they had and notice the XL's were snug on me. The XXL fits perfect and once I have pulled it on I don't notice it though what I did notice is that I my chest gets colder now. Not sure why that is.
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Done! $30 later I'm finally able to get in and out of the damn thing.
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Thanks RB
Can you post a picture of the Velcro modification?
Thanks
Bob
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I guess I lucked out. I got the large and it fits perfect. I have no trouble getting it on and off.
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At the shoulder
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Suddenly more showed. Skinny olde fahrte has ordered. May have to do the Rat mod. Fingers crossed. My Gooru is trashed. Use it all the time to shield my cyborg implant from impact. Zzt.Zzt. NOT FUN 🎉!
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I guess I lucked out. I got the large and it fits perfect. I have no trouble getting it on and off.
I assume you got the vest. It's the suit thing with the legs that you need to crawl in through the armhole.
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I guess I lucked out. I got the large and it fits perfect. I have no trouble getting it on and off.
I assume you got the vest. It's the suit thing with the legs that you need to crawl in through the armhole.
Yes, the vest.
Now the arm hole entry topic makes sense. It would have been so easy for them to give it a velcro shoulder strap at the factory.
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Thanks RB for the photo of the Velcro modification. Will see if my wife can duplicate. Now that you have used done modification would you do it differently in hindsight?
Cheers
Bob
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Biggie, that west has some serious patina!
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Bean, Tru dat! Slightly shopworn.😜 🤣
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FRP, I'm super happy with the mod. No more playing Houdini.
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I'll try it when I get back to my sewing machine. Diane has one here, but it's fancy-schmancy and delicate. Sheesh.
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I took my vest out today. Nice and easy to put on at XXL, stays snug without rolling up in pretty powerful surf. What I like is that it is much less binding for breathing and doesn't interfere with balance quite as much as the O'Neill pullover or the Dakine front zip. Float is modest to moderate.
Being able to breath more easily is a big plus.
The negative: it is not easy to get off, it felt like a face hugger with suction across my wetsuit back.
I wound up just pulling it straight up and waiting until it slithered up enough to break the suction, a bit of a workout for the arms. I imagine it will get easier as I get used to it. Overall, a plus.
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Saw you out there but didn't see you trying to get out of your vest.
Shark's was good, but very shallow.
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Saw you out there but didn't see you trying to get out of your vest.
Shark's was good, but very shallow.
I didn't see you, Steve. The winter piled up some nice sand. More than I remember in the past around Privates/Sharks, less ankle breaking reef to clamber over, more graduated reef.
I am out of shape due to various logistics keeping me from going out for a while one way or another, but the weekend looks good. I imagine it's going to be crowded.
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does everyone wear an impact vest in the surf ?
I bought one after reading on here but I'm not convinced by it tbh. Oneil Guru I think.
I find it gives me too much float. At least too much with a winter suit. Ducking under waves is much harder and if you get caught in the white water it carries you in MUCH further.
Rib protection without float would be better IMO.
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does everyone wear an impact vest in the surf ?
I bought one after reading on here but I'm not convinced by it tbh. Oneil Guru I think.
I find it gives me too much float. At least too much with a winter suit. Ducking under waves is much harder and if you get caught in the white water it carries you in MUCH further.
Rib protection without float would be better IMO.
Hey Devon,
No not many SUP surfers wear impact vests. Mostly older guys worried about breaking ribs......like me. Personally I like the bit of added float but ducking under waves is harder (obviously can’t duck dive a SUP effectively). There are non float rib protectors out there but not sure how they would work surfing. http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/product/new-rib-protector-v2/2486
Modern era big wave surfers carry a lot of added protection/floatation but oddly you rarely see them with a surf helmet. My brain is still my most valuable asset....and yes I wear a Gath surf helmet. The most recent (rare) surfing death out here was a young guy, head injury and drown. Not clear if he was hit by his own board or someone else’s board. Tragic and perhaps avoidable.
Bob
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I like the extra float a vest provides. It guarantees that I'll be able to easily swim to shore no matter what.
I've been standup surfing for over five years now and have never felt a need to duck under a wave, even when it's double overhead.
I always use my tail handle and rarely let go of my board in the whitewater. I've never had a problem staying on the surface. Duck diving is unnecessary.
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Old post! I've the R1 Short John but is in need of the vest to wear with the wet suit. Any event, I just picked up the R1 vest today for $85 (old version not the Yulex) from a movie production company here in Los Angeles. If you are looking for one, they have 3 left, two large and one extra large. PM me and I will give you the contact info. I was told shipping, within the US, is possible.
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Are you guys wearing the vest under your suit,or over it ? Do you need a size bigger wetsuit ?
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Are you guys wearing the vest under your suit,or over it ? Do you need a size bigger wetsuit ?
If you want to use the vest to survive WEAR IT UNDER YOUR WETSUIT.
Otherwise use a kiddie strap between your legs.
I am not kidding. We paddled out to Mavericks the other day and this guy Mikey on the right paddled out for the first time. He borrowed a vest from Matt in the parking lot and just pulled it over. He goes out, cocky 18 year old, sits in the bowl. The bowl is the ICON of death. I would never sit there.
My friend Dave (surrogate father of Mikey) couldn't get him away from the bowl. So he paddles for a wave, misses, then turns and gets clobbered. Goes over the falls, leash pulls, dislocates his hip, leach breaks, gets totally work vest rides up, HOG TIES HIM over his head. Then the vest rips off and disappears forever. He ends up getting rescued by a Jet-Ski and deposited on the beach.
You might dismiss this as Big Waves Only. But this story has repeated itself over and over in waves of any size that warrant wearing the vest. THE FLOAT RIDES UP AND CHOKES YOU OR RIPS OFF.
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I got rag dolled during a hurricane swell in NC with a vest on. It also got ripped off and pulled over my head. We wore them at the outer shoals of the inlet.
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Whoa ! guess Ill wear it under , never thought of wearing one
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There is no way any of my suits will stretch enough to go over even a thin vest much less a Patagonia.
My O'Neil Slasher Comp fits nice and snug wearing it on the outside. I'm confident it's not going to ride up.
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Are you guys wearing the vest under your suit,or over it ? Do you need a size bigger wetsuit ?
Agree. Under my wetsuits, both Gooru and Patagonia. I did take the padding out of the legs of the Patagonia vest and now much easier to get on. The Buell float suit looks interesting if you don’t need a full suit. In. Warm climates the Patagonia with the short legs would work if you don’t wear a wetsuit and won’t get ripped off.
Bob