Wakeboard Vest
Wearing a wakeboard vest is not only a requirement; it’s a smart move. In a sport that guarantees you will be both airborne and waterlogged in close proximity having a wakeboard vest offers protection. A wakeboard vest is similar to a life jacket, however not all wakeboard vests are approved for use as personal flotation devices (PFDs). Your two main concerns in deciding on the most appropriate wakeboard vest is selecting the type that best suits your needs and ensuring a proper fit. • What Type of Wakeboard Vests Are There? Wakeboard vests come in an astounding array of types. A wakeboard vest approved by the United States Coast Guard (USCGA) is the top of the line for use as a PFD. Any child wearing a wakeboard vest should have one that is USCGA. While approved in every state the bulkiness of a USCGA wakeboard vest can hinder mobility during a reach or grab. For that reason many wakeboarders choose to use a competition or freeride wakeboard vest. This type of wakeboard vest is lightweight, comfortable and buoyant. A competition wakeboard vest is designed with extra room at the armholes to allow you greater freedom of movement. The best quality wakeboard vest will be ultra thin and make you forget you are wearing it. Other options for a wakeboard vest may include side entry, molded or sectioned models. Different riders find comfort and ease in each depending on their wakeboard vest requirements. A pullover wakeboard vest is a tight-fitting shirt that resembles a wetsuit. Finally, you may hear riding shirts and rash guards referred to. These are not PFDs at all, but items to wear underneath your wakeboard vest. • How Do I Fit a Wakeboard Vest? It is essential that your wakeboard vest is comfortable, snug, but not too tight or too loose. A wakeboard vest that is too loose can put you at risk of having it slip off at impact or underwater. A wakeboard vest that is too tight will hinder your movement and could become a safety risk. You will need to size your wakeboard vest by chest circumference. Length is less importance for safety, but can have an impact on comfort. In most cases the chest circumference measurement will give you a proper fit, but just like clothing, a wakeboard vest can run differently from one manufacturer to another. So try your wakeboard vest on before buying it. Or if you are buying your wakeboard vest online make sure you understand the return policy. A women’s wakeboard vest is usually shorter and cut to fit the female shape. So women are usually better off buying a wakeboard vest made specifically for women. With the popularity of the sport you will find incredible ease in your search for a quality and comfortable wakeboard vest. |
