Vests

[ballsohard]

What's the best ski vest?

[Wish]

Straitline (but foolishly not made anymore)

[Horton]

Stokes EVO2

[DavidN]

Eagle

[AU_Skier]

O’Neill

[waterskicorey]

Stokes Nitro

[ISP6ball]

O'neill

[Jordan]

Now vintage Baller vest...eagle ;)

 

[The_MS]

Liquid Force Cardigan

[PatM]

This one. It floats you upright and upside down

 

[aupatking]

Eagle Platinum is the best vest I’ve ever owned

[fu_man]

I have an Eagle and am happy with it. Regardless of brand I would suggest a front zip rather than a pull-over. The pull-over type seem to wear faster as it gets stretched every time you pull it on and off.

[TEL]

2nd Stokes EVO2

[Chef23]

I have a Eagle and a Camaro. I find the Camaro provides more flotation and protection without restricting motion. It is definitely heavier especially when wet. I kind of like the built in back support belt on the Camaro I am not sure it really helps but it makes me feel good.

 

If the Camaro didn't retain more water it would be a definitely win for me. I haven't seen the Stokes vests but am interested in them. I hate buying stuff without trying it on for vests.

[Than_Bogan]

I truly love my Eagle. It's a little hard to believe that someone could have made something better, but it's probably been 10 years so I suppose it's possible!

[cragginshred]

If I wear large in an Eagle what size would the Stokes be?

 

[lpskier]

All the vests are good. The best vest is the one that fits you the best. That can be a bit hard to figure out since vests will stretch when they are wet. Like gloves, as a rule if it fits in the store, it’s too big.

[Garn]

I LOVE my HO Syndicate vest. I have had Eagle in the past that I really liked. But it doesn't compare to my HO vest. I wouldn't go back. So easy to get on, can't feel it once its on, and it floats me as good as my Eagle vest that had extra flotation.

[jayski]

Obviously an Overtons 4 buckle nylon vest, Jeff Rodgers approved...

[parkerc2112]

Eagle platinum

[Keith_Menard]

I am with @Chef23 , except I don't find the flotation great. Still a damn fine vest and very slimming

 

 

[kylegansel]

O'neil Slasher!! Best floating most comfortable Non USCG vest I've ever had!

[skialex]

Been on eagles for the past 10 years, love them but ny favorite was the Baler eagle vest with my name on, still have it but it’s so beaten up to to use.

[Chef23]

@"Keith Menard" I wrap the waist belt under the vest and wear the black side out. I am not sure if that is right but it seemed right to me. The Camaro has more flotation than a standard Eagle. Not nearly as much as an USCGA vest.

[ski6jones]

The Stokes i have now is my favorite ever. But to @jayski point i did actually hear Jeff Rodgers extoling the virtues of his Overtons vest. If i recall he said he's been using the same two vests for 14 years. Over heard on the dock at The Ridge.

[Keith_Menard]

@Chef23 I rotate...whichever color gets me the best run stays for a while :)

[DaveD]

@ski6jones Jeff is so old school those vest are probably coast guard approved.

[Glydon]

Oneill Revenge Comp with the built in lumbar .

 

[swc5150]

Radar Drifter Impact vest is the hands down best vest I've ever owned (had mine a couple of months now). It's so light and comfortable that it doesn't even feel like a flotation device. Yes I'm raving, but it's that awesome.

[Beeker]

Really like my Eagle, fits great, and floats comfortably.

[wawaskr]

Oneill Slasher +1

[dvskier]

Slasher has held up for me going on season 4. Very comfortable and protects me when I go otf.

[Beeker]

I love my Eagle, fits like a glove and floats me comfortably.

[Beeker]

I love my Eagle, fits like a glove and floats me comfortably.

[slow]

Still have my O’Neill checkmate. Probably a decade. Wish they still made it. Awesome fit, flexibility and covers my belly

[Nando]

Season four on an O'Neill Slasher and while I love the fit and protection, it's getting shabby- good information here to help decide between another Slasher and ??? Radar Drifter looks nice- how's the durability?

[MarkM]

I like my eagle. But I remove the 2 lowest pieces of floatation styrofoam from the front.

[ALPJr]

O'Neill Impact w/ lumbar support.

[Wish]

Jeffs vest seems to work great!

1/2 @43 this weekend. Wow.

 

 

[davemac]

How does the flotation of the Stokes compare (vs competition)??

[Shane]

Eagle; but it is getting old and I will replace it in the winter. Not sure with what yet, kind of leaning towards a Stokes.

[Onside135]

@davemac ...in terms of flotation, my Stokes vest has more flotation than the Eagle/Camaro vests I’ve owned and worn.

 

Though I’m not totally in love with my Stokes compared to the Eagle and Camaro designs of 4-5 years ago, it seems to be more durable than other brands. I guess the only thing I somewhat dislike about my Stokes vest is that it initially seemed a little bulkier and I rubbed my upper arms on it a little too much. I guess maybe I’ve gotten used to it? That said, I’ve seen the new Stokes and would like try one...it seems to have a different material that is smoother and less abrasive in the outside.

[BraceMaker]

@wish I tried one like it last summer. Here in the north those are chilly even on summer mornings. The plus is theyre quite a lot dryer second set!

[shansen345]

Love my Eagle vest.

[mbabiash]

I’ve tried them all and I like Eagle the best so far.

I did just order an Aide vest and some Aide board shorts. I hope I get them. Excited to try it.

Freddie, Manon and Sasha all wear Aide. I think it’s Korean.

[skiinxs]

The old Straight Line was by far the best for me. They didn't absorb water and pick up 5 lbs when when wet like the neoprene vests and you didn't have to rely on a zipper staying up to keep the vest on in a bad crash

[Wish]

@skiinxs you speak the truth. I still have and use mine daily. Another reason they don't make them anymore...they actually last unlike todays. I'd pay premium money if someone developed a vest built out of the same materials. Betting lots of skiers would as well once they used one.

[A_B]

There are a couple Straightline Ultra Vests in size Small on the Internet. For around $65. I bought one recently and compared to my XL. The floatation panels are exactly the same with the difference being the side and Shoulder material being much smaller. I bought 1.5mm stretch neoprene and am having a canvas shop replace the smaller panels with ones to upsize the vest to XL.

 

I know it’s a lot of stuff, but I really like the vest and my old one is getting really worn out. Mainly the panels, and depending on how the Small comes out, I may have them replace the panels on the old one as well.

[dvskier]

I have 2 Straightline vests that are beyond useable but they were my favorites, dried in 5 minutes and very light. Lasted a long time too.

[ski6jones]

@Shane the Stokes vest is top notch. Best vest i've worn yet, and seems durable as well.