Vest Recommendation

[Nando]

So on July 4th my brother and I decided to get a couple of sets in at our family place on a public lake before it got overrun. At -35, I hit a stray roller between the ball and wake, ski popped out and I did a one-point on my side. It didn't seem like much at first, but got progressively worse over the course of the day and I ended up in the ER with convulsions and my BP at 180/108. After X=rays, urinalysis, an ultrasound, and CAT scan, the diagnosis was a severely bruised spleen and kidney (and, of course, ribs). I've been skiing in an O'Neill Boost, which has no padding on the sides, which had not seemed like a problem, until now. I was checking out my brother's Syndicate vest and admiring the padding and have considered a Camaro or Eagle. Any recommendations?

[Ed_Johnson]

I currently use a Camaro Impact and an Eagle Platinum....Both are great vests, but you absolutely can't beat the Camaro for the price..Recommend Robbysskishop.com

[bowty]

How's the padding on the Oneill vests like the checkmate and the slasher for those who have them? @Nando‌ hope you can get back on the water soon!

[oldjeep]

Radar x vest. Uscg with a ton of rib protection.

[davemac]

@Ed_Johnson‌ , Since I believe the Eagle Platinum has extra floatation, could you compare it to the Camaro as far as which floats you better? Thanks.

[mlange]

You can also have Eagle add extra padding into their vests if you like the Eagle, but think it's lacking on the protection side.

 

[Nando]

Thanks bowty, Any of you notice the new Water Skier has a few photos of the first vest designed for impact protection- the Cypress Gardens Tuxedo vest? Had one in high school ant it came up high enough to cover the collar bone and went down to cover the kidneys. Vest design has come a LONG way...

[Ed_Johnson]

@davemac.......I use the Camaro 90% of the time..I like the way it stretches and fits snugly..It goes over wetsuits in the winter really well..Both seem to float about the same.