Flotation vest question?

voy-tech · Thu Oct 09, 14 12:51 pm **Flotation vest question?**

Hi, I'm looking for a flotation vest for the ocean sessions (last weekend was my first try at Manzanita and now i'm stoked to go back there asap). I've been looking around the internet and found two that look best:
* Pro Motion kite vest
* NPX Immortal (NP High Hook Vest)
Does anyone have experience with those - which one gives better flotation, and which one would you choose?
I'm also looking into getting a smaller one for my wife to boost her confidence when kiting on Columbia.

Thanks for the input.

cathy o. · Since 11 Aug 2014 86 Posts

I use the NPX Immortal. I'm a petite woman and wear the XS. I love it! Never kite without it. Gives me a bit of extra float if I have to swim and I don't even notice it on when I'm kiting. My 2 cents : )

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 521 Posts Addicted

dumb question, is a flotation vest and an impact vest the same thing?

voy-tech · Thu Oct 09, 14 2:43 pm

I believe they're quite similar by design but basically impact vest will offer limited flotation - since it's core design is to prevent injuries to ribs and back from crashes not to keep you afloat when you're tired and have issues with your kite in the middle of Columbia or off-shore on the coast.

sfbomber · Since 27 Jun 2012 113 Posts Stoked

I would highly recommend getting a coast guard approved PFD. Neither of those vests are. I used to use a vest like those and they don't keep your head above water. If you have to be in the water over night, you'll be wishing you had a coast guard approved PFD.

voy-tech · Thu Oct 09, 14 3:01 pm

kiterbiker · Since 12 Jun 2010 65 Posts

I use a Dakine Suface impact vest, its super floaty - Way more than most impact vests I have used, but isn't coast guard approved. I have no issues floating around in any conditions with it. It is not restrictive at all and it works seamlessly great with my waste harness(Its a slingshot harness)

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

Sella · Thu Oct 09, 14 3:24 pm

I use the Pro Motion pull over 2m/15m kite vest and am happy with the freedom and snug fit. It feels like you're not wearing anything and any padding is from chest up so you become one with your harness. It also has a front pocket for easy access to the Waterfi etc. It's lighter and less cumbersome than the Dakine Surface Impact vest front zipper I was using before....which also felt snug and super floaty with double thickness and harness cut etc. I would take that into the ocean with no worries at all. No experience with the NPX.

They both easily keep my head above water (200 lbs) but never tested for 24 hours. Shocked

I stopped wearing one but after a few self rescues picked up the Pro Motion for peace of mind. Wife is using the Dakine now.

Dakine pic attached. PM pullover is detailed @ 1:13 (I think they're about $100)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCK5RouM6c8

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 799 Posts Opinionated

I also prefer the ProMotion pullover vest.

http://stores.wetsuit.com/pullover-kite-vest-jet-black-g05/

It's thin enough that it is more like wearing an extra wetsuit layer (under your harness) rather than a PFD. You don't really notice that you have it on until your kite goes down, then it has just enough flotation to keep your head comfortably above the water so you can focus on re-launching the kite. It is also great if the wind dies (or you lose everything) and you end up having to swim in.

voy-tech · Thu Oct 09, 14 8:45 pm

Thanks everyone - next time I'll be in HR I'll stop by Pro Motion store and try their vest, i think Big Winds have the other one so I might try that one as well.

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

I agree 100% with SFBomber. I wear a Liquid Force PFD kite vest. It is CGA and I don't even know it's there. Plus PFDs generally give you good options for securing a hook knife in handy spots. IMHO impact vests are spendy, less buoyant versions of a PFD. If you're new to the coast or the Columbia I think you would be happier with one.

Slappysan · Since 13 Jun 2012 309 Posts Obsessed

I'm happy with my LF Luxury impact vest, it gives quite a bit of floatation and doesn't get in my way. I think it's called the Supreme these days though.

voy-tech · Fri Oct 10, 14 9:10 am

Honestly none of the LF force PFDs (http://www.liquidforce.com/vests.html) look like they would work nicely with a harness (no anchor to the spreader bar or additional neoprene to keep it in place) and the LF kite vests (http://liquidforcekites.com/product/vests) are impact vests and not PFDs (so offer similar floatation as the two mentioned in my first post) unless I'm looking at the wrong ones Wink

PieroPDX · Since 22 May 2006 109 Posts Stoked

Definitely recommend the NPX Immortal over any impact vest. I've been using one for the past 3 years. Just don't stick your phone in the front pocket and forget to take it out before hitting the water, like I've done....twice. Razz

Jimbo · Since 16 Jul 2009 58 Posts Seattle

I own a Liquid Force Coast Guard Approved (CGA) Kiteboarding vest and it is great. The problem is finding one that is CGA. I believe LF stopped making it in 2012. I've used mine a lot and wanted to get another as a spare. I couldn't find one so I bought the NPX Immortal High Hook vest.

The NPX Immortal High Hook vest is NOT a CGA vest but IMO has 95% of the float of the CGA vest. I was told that there is a lot of extra cost and time involved to get a vest CGA certified and it doesn't justify the cost for the manufacturer to jump through those hoops. I'm not an industry insider though and that is just hear say. With the High Hook Vest..the sizing is a little weird.

I ordered mine online and they make them in 3 sizes. XS/S, M/L, and XL/ XXL. I'm 5' 10" and 195lbs and the M/L is on the cusp of being too small for me especially with a wet suit. I'd be curious to try on the XL/XXL but I didn't order it because I feared it would be too big.

NPX Immortal High Hook vest is a nice vest, provides me plenty of movement and comes in a couple bright easy to see colors.

Be Stoked!!!

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

I had the Neil Pride high hook vest my first couple seasons. It worked well until I started trying to learn to jump. I had one really hard fall and the zipper exploded into a million pieces and I ended up with some broken ribs. I switched to an impact vest after that .......... Wink