Kiteboarding and Wakeboard Impact Vests

Stay Safeguarded with an Impact Vest

Impact vests, also referred to as comp vests, serve as protection against severe impacts when engaging in kitesurfing or wakeboarding. Typically crafted from neoprene, these vests feature a foam core to absorb shocks to the chest area during crashes or accidents. It is common for kiteboarders, wakeboarders, and water skiers to wear such vests. Hitting the water at high speed poses risks, and wearing a vest can mean the difference between sustaining a fractured rib or merely experiencing a mild bruise.

There exists a broad selection of impact vests to match your personal style, including unisex and gender-specific designs. They also differ based on the sport you engage in. Wakeboard vests offer maximum protection, with foam covering the entire torso. Kiteboarding or kitesurfing vests are specifically crafted to fit beneath the harness, providing less protection in that area but ensuring they do not interfere with your kite equipment.

Does an Impact Vest Double as a Life Jacket?

In brief, it does not. Impact vests are structured for protection, whereas life jackets and buoyancy aids are intended to keep you buoyant. Although certain designs may offer slight buoyancy, there's no assurance of providing complete floatation. Nonetheless, the advantage of a kite or water ski vest is that they are lightweight and allow for greater movement freedom.

If you are uncertain about the level of protection or buoyancy a vest offers, review the specific product details to confirm.

If you consider needing something for buoyancy, explore our range of Life Jackets and Buoyancy Aids.