volsandskis Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I am looking for a very good vest that will endure hard falls when I unfortunately have them. I really don't want something that is going to be so thin that I break ribs on a hard spill. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted March 30, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted March 30, 2015 Bring back the Straightline vest!! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted March 30, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 30, 2015 Radar x- vest. I crash a lot, it helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeski Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 The O'Niel Out Law vest is a good balance between thin and protective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GAJ0004 Posted March 30, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 30, 2015 I have a USGC approved neo vest. It has saved me many times. I have a Ski Warm, and a Connelly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted March 30, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted March 30, 2015 My Eagle vest seems to do the job. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Texas6 Posted March 30, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 30, 2015 Eagle will add extra padding in areas of concern if you call them and custom order Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller xrated Posted March 30, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 30, 2015 Another vote for the X-vest. Took some getting used to even coming from CGA vests but I like that padding. I'm pretty good at slamming into the wakes. Or any spot really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller nski Posted March 31, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2015 Radar X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ed_Obermeier Posted March 31, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2015 What @oldjeep, @xrated, and @nski said. Take a look at the X-vest and compare to anything else on the market right now, obviously more padding in the sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalor Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I've broken ribs twice while skiing....both times while wearing USCG neoprene vests. One was older and pretty thick and the other was my current HO vest which is much thinner. Rib seemed to break the same either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Chef23 Posted March 31, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2015 What about the Camaro vest? Many vests don't have much protection under the arms on the side so if you crash into the wakes on your side you are in trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted March 31, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2015 I believe that my Eagle protects my ribs better that my older pull over or Outlaw Oneill. It gives a firm fit that keep my rib cage in place and also giving me better chances to slide on the water that bulkier vests. I have hurt my ribs wearing o'neill Gooru and years before wearing the Outlaw. Never after bad crashes with my Eagle on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller TEL Posted April 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2015 I have been using an O'neill outlaw vest no broken ribs yet. looking at the 2015 O'neill slasher vest it has more rib padding not sure if the vest will ride up with out straps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Sethro Posted April 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2015 I just bought an Radar X-vest myself. I've only got to use it twice so far this year in Northern IL, and I haven't taken any falls, but so far I love the fit....neoprene on the sides is very noticeable. But in a good way, at least to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bbirlew Posted April 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2015 Of the comp vests I'll add a +1 for the oneil outlaw. One of the only comp vests I've found that will actually float me with no air in my lungs, but not bulky or restrictive. I've worn one for years now, but sorry, no input on how well it would protect the ribs... Hopefully I won't be doing that experiment any time soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller pgmoore Posted March 19, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 19, 2017 I'm in the market for a new vest this year. I have a propensity to injure ribs, so rib protection is going to be important in whatever I buy. The last post in this thread is from a couple years ago. At the time, it seemed that Radar X-Vest, O'neil Outlaw, O'neil Slasher, and Eagle vests were identified for best rib protection. Any updates to this? Confirmations, or new / different ideas? The Camaro Impact (and Impact 2.0) vests seem interesting as well... and they specifically mention rib protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volsandskis Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 I ended up with the Radar X-Vest. I took a few hard hits on the ribs and was very glad to have purchased this particular vest. In fact, I have a new one ordered for the upcoming season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted March 19, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 19, 2017 I will say that I did actually crack a rib last summer in my x-vest, but I think it would have been a lot worse without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Gar Posted March 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 20, 2017 Thinking about getting Stokes vest they look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller JAG Posted March 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 20, 2017 I've got a bunch of these lying around. I've bruised a few ribs in the course before so maybe I should slip one on top of my regular vest....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller JC McCavit Posted March 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 20, 2017 I've thought about this a lot after brusing my ribs in fall a couple years back. The ribs I hurt were on my side below my arm pit. None of the vest I've used have any protection in this area. Personally I have never fallen and belly flopped on the floatation or cushioned part of the vest across the front of my chest. If there were some cushion in this area on the side of the vest, it may not help and would likely interfere with arm movement. I've often wondered if a semi flexible plastic shield might help, but I'm sure there could be problems with that idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Thomasasher Posted March 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 20, 2017 @Gar Here are a couple pics of our vests. We went with a little higher density padding so it can absorb more impact in the chance of a big crash. Haven't heard of anyone having any upper body complaints from a fall in our vest. I took a doozey last year, edge change at the first wake at 39off and got full on air born with the ski behind me, kind of like a wakeboard air raley with a 360 in it but on a slalom ski. The only thing that hurt was the ski coming up and whacking me in the head. Otherwise body was all good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Gar Posted March 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 20, 2017 Looks good I'll call Miami Nautiques and get one! I crash a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodWood Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 http://www.ronixwake.com/Product/kinetik-park-edition-impact-jacket/ This vest has hard hockey foam for rib protection designed for impacts from cable park features. It's a legitimate lifesaver in that regard but not CGA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Onside135 Posted March 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 20, 2017 In my opinion/experience the vests that break up the water at the impact point are the ones that would serve someone best during a high impact crash. Sometimes padding only serves to transfer the impact rather than dissipate the force. I would focus on vests that meet this criteria. I broke a couple ribs years ago, which got me looking into other vest options. I've had Oneill's, Eagles, Camaros, and most recently I've purchased the Stokes EVO. Though I haven't skied yet with my Stokes vest, I have high expectations. To me, the design, materials, and manufacturing appear to exceed most other high end options. I'm looking forward to many sets with it! As a side note, @Thomasasher was awesome to work with regarding sizing and other concerns I had! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted March 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 20, 2017 It would be interesting to see a jacket mfg integrate some d3o pads into a vest. I had a spider top for down hill skiing a few years ago and it was pretty impressive how well the thin d3o pads worked againt a gate. https://www.d3o.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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