Life jacket suggestions?
- Thread starter amp3d
- Start date
Another +1 for the side entry vests. I used a jet pilot side entry neoprene vest for years and liked it. Got a new jet pilot side entry nylon vest this season and I'm not sure if I like it better or not yet. The advantage (at least I think) of the nylon over neoprene is that the neoprene stretches out more after you've gotten it wet and fits a little looser, the nylon version does not.
- Location
- Minnesota
One thing I have found for neoprene vs nylon is neoprene tends to keep you a bit warmer but also dries slower... which is why I prefer nylon idk
WFO Speedracer
A lifetime ban is like a lifetime warranty !
- Location
- Alabama
In my experience over the years the neoprene jackets tend to last longer , I do a lot of water testing and am in and out of mine a lot , I buy one maybe every five years or so , but I have some that are ten years old or older and still usable , they just are not that pretty .
What about this? Says it's a vest but cga?
BALLER CGA VEST
The coast guard approved Baller vest is a one-of-a-kind exclusive to Jetpilot. Crafted with premium materials and meticulous construction, this vest ensures maximum comfort and protection. Its side entry design allows for easy access, and the strategically placed side buckle minimizes bulkiness...
jetpilot.com
I'm curious about the sizing though. Their sizing chart says vests are not uscga but this product page suggests otherwise.
Can anyone confirm?
WFO Speedracer
A lifetime ban is like a lifetime warranty !
- Location
- Alabama
You can there is an ask a question box right there on the link that you sent.What about this? Says it's a vest but cga?
BALLER CGA VEST
The coast guard approved Baller vest is a one-of-a-kind exclusive to Jetpilot. Crafted with premium materials and meticulous construction, this vest ensures maximum comfort and protection. Its side entry design allows for easy access, and the strategically placed side buckle minimizes bulkiness...
I'm curious about the sizing though. Their sizing chart says vests are not uscga but this product page suggests otherwise.
Can anyone confirm?
- Location
- The Lake
That vest is USCGA approved. Jetpilot (and many other manufactures) make traditional USCGA vests as well as competition or "comp" vests that are not USCGA approved. Here's an example of a comp vest from JetPilot.What about this? Says it's a vest but cga?
BALLER CGA VEST
The coast guard approved Baller vest is a one-of-a-kind exclusive to Jetpilot. Crafted with premium materials and meticulous construction, this vest ensures maximum comfort and protection. Its side entry design allows for easy access, and the strategically placed side buckle minimizes bulkiness...
I'm curious about the sizing though. Their sizing chart says vests are not uscga but this product page suggests otherwise.
Can anyone confirm?
Jet Pilots current line up of side entry vest, sucks.....
They ruined the Neoprene versions, by reversing the side of entry, dropping the velcro that holds your zipper up, and the arm cut outs rub on your arms if you don't wear an under shirt. The Nylon versions were also tweaked(to be worse) by dropping the back channels for the straps, now it's just some $hitty stiches that tear out if you tighten down the straps.
I spoke to Mark Gomez two summers ago about their vests, he didn't disagree on my points.
They ruined the Neoprene versions, by reversing the side of entry, dropping the velcro that holds your zipper up, and the arm cut outs rub on your arms if you don't wear an under shirt. The Nylon versions were also tweaked(to be worse) by dropping the back channels for the straps, now it's just some $hitty stiches that tear out if you tighten down the straps.
I spoke to Mark Gomez two summers ago about their vests, he didn't disagree on my points.
Why not just curious
WFO Speedracer
A lifetime ban is like a lifetime warranty !
- Location
- Alabama
Most are not Coast Guard approved and are they made to be lightweight and allow freedom of movement , they do not have the buoyancy of a CG approved jacket.
- Location
- The Lake
USCGA vests are designed to keep your head floating above water in the event that you knock yourself out. Comp vests (wakeboard vests) will not.
bored&stroked
Urban redneck
- Location
- AZ
Comp vests just keep you close to the surface for rescue crew to get you. Life jackets are supposed to keep your face out of the water so you can breathe when you've been knocked out.
- Location
- Spring Lake, MI
Only type 1 and 2 jackets are designed to turn you face up. type 3, like we all wear, are not designed to do that.
This has my attention. The entry is on the CORRECT side and the arm cut outs are larger. I'm still rocking a Slippery wetsuit top from 2005. It's had LOTS of use in the 20 years too.
I really like the style of the slippery ones.
Not really any of that local to us up here in Canada though!
any of the shops that are a Drag Specialities dealer can order them. Look for a Harley shop... not a dealership but a shop that works on them.
Great advice thank you!
- Location
- Phoenix AZ
As per recommendations on here, I picked up a NOS Helium SWAT life jacket off eBay a few years back for around 60 bucks. Its fantastic, CGA, side entry with zipper and buckles, fits nice and tight, and looks cool to boot! I was about 215 lbs when I bought it but have since dropped down to about 185, floats and fits me no prob at either of those weights.
They seem hard to find so no clue if they are still being made, which is a bummer b/c its such a great vest, so I worry about when it comes time to replace it I wont be able to find a similar one, hope it lasts a while, so far its endured 3 seasons of weekly lake trips
They seem hard to find so no clue if they are still being made, which is a bummer b/c its such a great vest, so I worry about when it comes time to replace it I wont be able to find a similar one, hope it lasts a while, so far its endured 3 seasons of weekly lake trips
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