Life Vest Thread

[JreisRZR]

well, this topic has been beaten to death on wakeworld and ive seen some posts here about it but...

What life vest is the best USCGA vest you have ridden?

for surfing a comp vest would be wonderful but im not made of money and i am NOT going to risk it wakeboarding. what puzzles me is why some companies dont make vests that have the cut of their comp vest but flotation of CGA vest. supposedly helium has one but i have seen no confirmations on this bit of info.

PS dont turn this into a war over who should and shouldnt a kind of vest

[Timmy!]

I'm interested in this as well. I like the look and feel of the comp vests but would like the approved one. I will say that I have 3 "comp" jackets on my boat and they all float people very well but when we are on public lakes, some of the rangers are smart enough to spot the difference. There must be an amount of flotation that is required for the size to be USCG approved.

[JreisRZR]

Yes, the lake i ride on has NH cops patrolling it on the reg. I was thinking it must be flotation as well as the system that holds you in as there are no USCGA vests without straps, i would ride an oneill gooru if it had the proper floating even if it didnt have a zipper or straps.

Supposedly the ronix capella is the end all be all of uscga vests, the jetpilot recoil and HELIUMs are all supposed to be sick... some body must have pics/ experience, i feel like theres nothing clean cut about maneuverable cga vests, MY ONEILL HYBRID SUCKS!

[brett22i]

I have ridden in comp vests and been ticketed. My buddy has a Helium and it is a really nice vest, nice and slim and feels very free and unrestrictive.

[robert theisen]

I have a hyperlite side entry.It is the only vest i can find that is short enough in length to work for me.

[JreisRZR]

Ive never seen a helium on anyone so i'm trying to find a good vest for cheap that is relatively long, im interested to see other peoples experiences.

Robert, thats a solid vest, a friend has it. keep ripping

[Ewok]

I like the helium SWAT USGCA vest. I had a LF comp vest which I loved but I had to get a CGA vest for the law. The swat is comfy and not too bulky, but it is a little spendy. I got mine on an end of year closeout.

[wallacmc]

i was thinking that swat or the jet pilot. I'm thinking that for length, the comp are always going to be the best, but like you, I have no desire to wear one wakeboarding at my current weight and skill level. A hard fall with one of those is miserable, and its not like i'm dong arials or anything.

[JreisRZR]

i was thinking that swat or the jet pilot. I'm thinking that for length, the comp are always going to be the best, but like you, I have no desire to wear one wakeboarding at my current weight and skill level. A hard fall with one of those is miserable, and its not like i'm dong arials or anything.

agreed im beginning to learn flips this summer so i need to be able to move without dying. also 6'1 and vests can get short, i need a life vest not a halter top!

[wallacmc]

agreed im beginning to learn flips this summer so i need to be able to move without dying. also 6'1 and vests can get short, i need a life vest not a halter top!

tighten up those love handles and show a little midrif

[Joeprunc]

I just got the Helium SWAT earlier this year from recommendations, but haven't had it in the water. I wanted a comp vest, but didn't want to risk a ticket, maybe someday when I make more $$.

[Jeffe]

Mainly I use an Oneill Gooru for the first set. I hate to put on a wet vest so for the second set I use a LF Impact Vest or an older Nevin SWAT side entry vest that I sometimes use.

None of which are CGA, but I keep CGA vests in the boat just in case the Fuzz comes aboard.

[JreisRZR]

tighten up those love handles and show a little midrif

oh i am. tight and red midriff with a nice tan line!

id anyone has any pictures of SWAT's/other favorite vests they could post it would be much appreciated, when does stearns usuall have their big when everything is like 40 bucks?

[robert theisen]

I had one of shane bonifays vests.the baller 69 it was very long.

[MTtigekid]

I had one of shane bonifays vests.the baller 69 it was very long.

x2!! super nice vest