Shortstack

Obviously, I know that bindings are extremely important, but I want to know just how important. Essentially, I want to know how big of a difference bindings can make when running a course/if bindings can seriously impede your skiing. The reason I'm asking is because the only "competition" bindings that I have used are HO Apex bindings. At the tournaments that I've gone to, I've never seen another skier using Apexes, with Reflex bindings and Powershells typically being what everyone else uses. I know that bindings are all down to personal preference, but do the extra $200 for Reflex bindings make a $200 difference over my Apexes? Also, I've read many reviews about new skis, but I don't know if I've ever seen a review on new bindings being released, which caused me to wonder more just how important bindings are.

Out of curiosity, does knowing how to wakeboard make trick skiing any easier? The two look similar, so I was wondering what the difference was (apart from the obvious, like the RTP on trick skis and no fins on trick skis).

I know Eagle is a popular brand, but what makes the Eagle vests so popular? What makes them better than the others? Honestly I was leaning more towards the Syndicate, but Eagle vests seem to be more popular.

Thanks for the help. I'm leaning more towards the zipper way for the reason @skibug said. Right now I'm mostly between the Syndicate vest and Eagle vests (if I get an Eagle, it will probably be a Goode one like what @walleye mentioned. I think they look better than the normal Eagle vests, though I can custimize the Eagles). I want a vest that will float me to some degree. I always fall on my side, so side impact padding is important to me. Anyone have any experience with the Syndicate Legend vest? Now its time to find boardshorts to match the vest I choose....

Thanks for the advice. My concern about being cheap is that I didn't know if the more expensive vests were worth the more expensive price, or if the cheaper vest is actually the better vest. I didn't want to just jump and buy the Eagle if the Syndicate vest was better. Right now I'm heavily considering the Syndicate, Stokes, Camaro and Eagle (of my original choices). The last tournament I went to, there was two of us that weren't using an Eagle Vest (and we were both using O'neill), so I'm slightly biased. I considered the Ronix Impact One, which is the Radar Legend just in green, but I didn't want to look like a salad, though the vest with L.E.D.s did look interesting.... @MS, I considered that vest at one point, but I have a friend who owns one, who disliked it. His was a model year older though. I would try his, but he's a bigger size. I'll look into the Cardigan though. @Rup, Do you think the Silver Vest is worth $50 more dollars than the Bird of Prey, or would it be a better idea to stick with a vest that is Bird of Prey esque. @andjules, I was actually looking at the Radar Decibel vest a couple of months ago (in winter), but I didn't jump on it. I am a men's small, so that's a contender now two. Decisions, decisions.....

Preface: This is my first post so I don't know if its in the right section. I've decided that its time for me to get a new comp life vest to replace my old one (O'neill Gooru, which I think is a 2010. I bought the life vest from my ski coach, so I don't know the year). The thing thats stopping me from buying right away is that I'm clueless when it comes to ski vests, and I'm cheap. I don't want to end up accidentally falling into the trap of just buying the vest that looks the best. So, here are the ones that I'm looking at.... O'neill: Gooru, Techno, Slasher HO: Syndicate Vest Camaro: Impact Radar: Legend Stokes: EVO Eagle: Something With the O'neill vests, I dislike the look of the Techno and I've read reviews where the Slasher doesn't last. The Gooru I don't have a problem with, and is one of my leading choices, but I'm looking for something with a zipper. The only problem I have with the Syndicate Vest is that I currently ski on a Syndicate, and I don't want to look like a person who will buy anything because it says Syndicate on it. The Camaro vest looks good to me, but I don't know much about Camaro vests. The problem I have with the Radar vest is that I don't think that it would stay white if I use it in my lake. I don't have a problem with the Stokes Evo, other than the fact that I've never heard of Stokes. Finally, I've always heard good things about Eagle vests, but I'm not a huge fan of the styling. Not knowing much about new life vests, I'm hoping that you skiers can steer me in the right direction to buying a new life vest. Thanks in advance.