Best ski vest

[caliguyinTN]

I bought a JetPilot Full Metal Jacket vest a month ago from the MC dealership. I was in a hurry, just picked up my boat the day before and was itching to get on the lake for my first trip on the lake with it. Well, this jacket sucks. Its so padded and bulky, my biceps are rubbed raw and I can't get the handle down to my waist in the pull without bloodying up my biceps. Any recommendations on which vest I need to buy? Where I might find it too? I'm built pretty big. big upper body and arms. so I need something that wont rub the crap out of my arms. You should see the rash I have. Its unbelievable. thanks guys.:

[chudson]

I am one to say "never go cheap" I mean I should own stock in Overton's I have got all of our vests and skis through Parkers little store down there in Greenville but two days ago my wife came home with a vest she got at good ole Wally World and it cost around $18.00 on sale. Now it's a sterns and I've never been impressed with there jackets but this didn't look bad for $18.00. Now if I was a younger guy I'd probably go with the higher in jacket but for the price that's not bad even to have onboard just to be legal with the lake patrol! Just puttin that out there is all.

[bigmac]

I have both a Connelley "Wired" neoprene vest (http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=11140&fcat=2T6)and an Oneill "Law" neoprene (http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=11951&fcat=). Both are excellent for my use because of the narrow cut shoulder and very large arm holes. I prefer the "Law" because it has thicker padding around the ribs which provides better protection from hydrofoil falls, but I've often thought that the Connelly vest would be a great slalom vest because of its profile and better freedom of movement for the upper body.

At $60 on sale at Overtons, I think the Connelly vest is a heck of a bargain.

http://www.overtons.com/graphics/products/medium/11140M.jpghttp://www.overtons.com/graphics/products/medium/11951M.jpg

[jake]

I'd look to a molded vest over a neoprene. They don't hold much water when wet, so they stay nice and light, and then quickly dry out between sets. I prefer it hands down to the old neoprene vests.

I use the SWAT vest, it's actually a wakeboard vest, but has great range of motion and also the light weight, non-water holding benefits of being molded.

If you need even larger arm holes, the Straightline ultra vest is probably a good option. It's also molded, several guys on my lake use them and seem to like them.

Overtons carries both of them, around $70.

[MCsJCPs]

I bought a JetPilot Full Metal Jacket vest a month ago from the MC dealership. I was in a hurry, just picked up my boat the day before and was itching to get on the lake for my first trip on the lake with it. Well, this jacket sucks. Its so padded and bulky, my biceps are rubbed raw and I can't get the handle down to my waist in the pull without bloodying up my biceps. Any recommendations on which vest I need to buy? Where I might find it too? I'm built pretty big. big upper body and arms. so I need something that wont rub the crap out of my arms. You should see the rash I have. Its unbelievable. thanks guys.:

couple of questions: is the full metal jacket uscg approved? and is it neoprene? i have only seen pictures of said jacket. looks great but i too have larger arms that tend to rub vests. thx.

[Diesel]

I second the Law. Best vest I have owned to-date.

[bigmac]

I'd look to a molded vest over a neoprene. They don't hold much water when wet, so they stay nice and light, and then quickly dry out between sets. I prefer it hands down to the old neoprene vests.

I use the SWAT vest, it's actually a wakeboard vest, but has great range of motion and also the light weight, non-water holding benefits of being molded.

If you need even larger arm holes, the Straightline ultra vest is probably a good option. It's also molded, several guys on my lake use them and seem to like them.

Overtons carries both of them, around $70.

A buddy that I ski with on Thursday AMs has that SWAT side-entry vest. He's kind of a bulky guy, big shoulders and arms, and he's OK with that vest. I've hydrofoiled with it too. It's comfortable enough, although I personally prefer more flotation than it provides.

[caliguyinTN]

couple of questions: is the full metal jacket uscg approved? and is it neoprene? i have only seen pictures of said jacket. looks great but i too have larger arms that tend to rub vests. thx.

Yes, the full metal jacket is USCG approved. Its not really neoprene. I think it is made more for wakeboarding since it is a pro wakeboarders signature model, and not a slalom skier. Whenever I do the wakeboard thing, its better on the rash.

[east tx skier]

I bought a JetPilot Full Metal Jacket vest a month ago from the MC dealership. I was in a hurry, just picked up my boat the day before and was itching to get on the lake for my first trip on the lake with it. Well, this jacket sucks. Its so padded and bulky, my biceps are rubbed raw and I can't get the handle down to my waist in the pull without bloodying up my biceps. Any recommendations on which vest I need to buy? Where I might find it too? I'm built pretty big. big upper body and arms. so I need something that wont rub the crap out of my arms. You should see the rash I have. Its unbelievable. thanks guys.:

Try the HO Corse vest. It looks much like the phantom vest they had a couple of years back. I'm finishing up my third season with mine and love it. It's not a floatation device, but it will float you a bit. Great protection in those hard falls. Easy on and off. Comfortable and big arm holes. Doesn't hold water and has zero bulk.

The sleeves are from a rash guard (not part of the vest).

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j262/dnortonames/116f7659.jpg

[cwright]

Bicep rash is an indicator of good form. I wear a rash guard to avoid it. I fought the battle first by going with a non appoved thin ski vest which meant I had to take two jackets anytime I went on another guys boat so he would be legal. A couple of bad falls into the wakes and the sore ribs to show for it, I went back to the full neoprene vest, I think it is an HO brand (~$140). I dig the rib protection, but I get rash if I don't wear my rash guard. My HO rash guard does the trick for me.

[bigmac]

Try the HO Corse vest.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j262/dnortonames/116f7659.jpg

Whoa! Forget the vest...where can we get a pair of shorts like that?

;)

[east tx skier]

Whoa! Forget the vest...where can we get a pair of shorts like that?

;)

Depends if you want the free bowl of soup or not.

[shepherd]

A couple of bad falls into the wakes and the sore ribs to show for it, I went back to the full neoprene vest, I think it is an HO brand (~$140). I dig the rib protection, but I get rash if I don't wear my rash guard.

A few weeks ago, I dumped my old neo vest for a non-USCG-approved competition vest. It is so much lighter, doesn't hold water, and still floats me up to my neck - the approved vest floated me up to my chest. As for the rib protection, though, I took an OTF right after I bought it and my ribs are still sore! I still love it.

[east tx skier]

My ribs have thanked me for dumping the neo vest. The HO molded vest is like armor by comparison. Less bulk filled with water to slam into my ribs.

[shepherd]

I'm not sure if the old neo vest would have protected me better, but it is thicker. It wasn't the bulk of the vest - I think I landed on my elbow or something... I dunno, it all happened so fast :(

[Archimedes]

I second the Law. Best vest I have owned to-date.

Third. The Law and the Outlaw are the best vests out there, IMHO. Pricey, but well worth it.

[rodltg2]

oneil vest are the only way to go, dont buy anything else.

[kpickett]

oneil vest are the only way to go, dont buy anything else.

I couldn't agree more. I just picked up the Oneil Vapor Comp vest. It's a pullover with back zip. It's glideskin, so you don't get any chafing on your arms (and as a bonus, starts are so much easier - you don't drag any water). It's the best vest I've ever had. It's not CG approved, but I've never known anyone who was pulled over and had their vest checked. Just keep extra approved vests on the boat.

I used to use Neilpryde - and I still like their vests, too. But the Vapor is awesome.

[east tx skier]

oneil vest are the only way to go, dont buy anything else.

The ones I've seen are way to bulky for me. I have visions of the staypuff marshmallow man. If what I have wears out, I'll buy another molded vest assuming HO makes this one for a little bit longer.

As for getting pulled over, that law differs state to state. In Texas, you aren't required to wear a vest. Just have one in the boat. So the nonapproved impact vests aren't a problem.

[Archimedes]

The ones I've seen are way to bulky for me. I have visions of the staypuff marshmallow man. If what I have wears out, I'll buy another molded vest assuming HO makes this one for a little bit longer.

As for getting pulled over, that law differs state to state. In Texas, you aren't required to wear a vest. Just have one in the boat. So the nonapproved impact vests aren't a problem.

Have you tried the Law vest though? I agree on the older ones, but the newer ones fit much better.

Also, in Texas, while you're not required to wear a vest, the vest you have in the boat has to be USCG approved and a competition vest doesn't count. At least that's the way it used to be. I found that out the hard way.

[NeilM]

Third. The Law and the Outlaw are the best vests out there, IMHO. Pricey, but well worth it.

Fourth... comfort and decent padding.

[east tx skier]

Have you tried the Law vest though? I agree on the older ones, but the newer ones fit much better.

Also, in Texas, while you're not required to wear a vest, the vest you have in the boat has to be USCG approved and a competition vest doesn't count. At least that's the way it used to be. I found that out the hard way.

I've tried them on in the store and still felt like the kid in the Christmas story compared to what I'm currently using. I think the last O'Neil I tried was last year. Getting better, but just not my preference.

Yes, you must have an approved vest in the boat. We have a pack of the orange ones under the seat along with the type IV throwable in addition to the ones we ski with.

[Archimedes]

Same here. I've got two of the orange block vests as coverage. I've always used an Outlaw because I prefer the thin/light vest, but I also bought a new Law vest and really like it as well. Very slim and light for an approved vest. I'm 6'2", 165, but I like my vests to fit real tight, so I wear a small. I notice a lot of people tend to wear a vest that's on the larger side and that makes all vests look/feel bulkier.

[SKI*MC]

i am looking for a new Vest too, its between the Swat, and a JetPilot a10 i think its called. But my Oniel Outlaw SUCKS! The flotation bunches up so bad in it, i don't even need to fall, just bobing in the water and the flotation bunches up right at the top. Stay away from this jacket, not worth the $110!

[east tx skier]

Try it. You'll like it.

http://fc2k.perfski.com/images/products/1345_icon.JPG?unique=%7Bts%20'2006-04-04%2010%3A37%3A32'%7D+

[pq2]

I use the O´neill vapor and works perfect on me

[chudson]

No, No, No what about the good old orange life preserver you know the ones that you can make the perty little bows with when you tie yourself in, come on and be nostalgic!!!

[shepherd]

No, No, No what about the good old orange life preserver you know the ones that you can make the perty little bows with when you tie yourself in, come on and be nostalgic!!!

Or... you can get one of these :cool:

[88 PS190]

I don't get this, padding bunching up, I have an outlaw, and it doesn't do that at all.