What do you use for an impact vest and helmet?

where did you get it from and how much?

do you use them at all?

are there kite specific helmets? or is it kayak/surf helmet options?

i use a specialized down hill helmet and a motorbike jacket with built in armor and back protector, biggest risk is my neck though, cant use a brace because then you cant track the kite through the sky . a guy died in the uk recently , Diego, he had a funny looking helmet and he broke his head so i think a good one is important... Gath make kite surfing helmets . Craig and Steve got good armor recently and MX armor is very good, but can be tough to fit in a buggy seat

Hi Dave,

I don't use an impact vest, but wouldn't be on the water without a helmet.

I use/sell Pryme Gear helmets, the U-43 water helmet(not currently listed on the Pryme website) is our most popular, but both Su and I wear their Snowboard Helmet:

www.prymegear.com/helmets/pryme-vario.php

It is the same shell as the water helmet but has ear protectors, a much better liner and comes in a wider range of colours.

The Protec range of wakeboarding helmets is also a good option.

Cheers

DK

It is accidents like this that remind me WHY I always wear a helmet:

kiteforum.co.nz/index.php?option=com_kun...29&catid=1#22529

DK

I bought a Mqstic impact vest a few months ago after bruising my ribs a bit. Cost me about $200 but well worth it. It sits really nice and you forget its even there when you are wearing it. Prety sure that Brian at Pt chev Board store has a few left if you want to go try one on.

I also use a Pro tec helmet that i bought last year. Its a nice helmet. Not as flash as some of the other ones out there but its comfortable and has ear covers.

Better safe than sorry aye!!!!

DK email me some pricing info on those helmets they look good.

problem is tho you really need to try before you buy. i tried a hole bunch at the kayak shop yesterday and non of them fitted properly.

i may have to look like a tool and where my mtb helmet until i get a water helmet.

The best helmet money can buy is Sweet. I have had a few helmets over the years for kayaking and not all helmets are made equal. They fit really well and are tough as. Hit my head hard speed kiting the other day on Dkays board and was REALLY pleased I had that helmet on! Many of the helmets that people use are simply flimsy plastic not designed for the impacts in a real kitesurfing accident.

www.sweetprotection.com/#

You can get them in NZ from here
www.paddle-power.com/sweet/sweet.htm

i like the look of those helmets yaker. but they are abit beyond my price tag. i spoze i wouldn't be saying that just after it saved my life! but will have to settle for something not quite so extreme for the time being.

how fast were you going when you crashed?

plummet wrote:


Hi Dave,

The U-43 is $80 and the Vario is $140.

I nice thing about the U-43 is it comes in just two shell sizes and ships with a large amount of different sized and inter-changeable front and back liners that allow you to tune the helmet for a custom fit.

Could be a way to go if you can't get to try it on it store.

Cheers

DK

plummet wrote:


27 knots the first time and 37knots the second time. I would have knocked myself out for sure if I had not been wearing a helmet. The helmets fit really well and I think Andy at Paddle Power can send some to try if you are keen. I reckon my head is worth at least $500. I use it on the snow and kayaking as well so get good use out of it.

Broken ribs make me keen on my vests, I use a bright purple kayaking vest in the surf just in case, and a thinner Dekine vest for less exposed kiting.

I ALWAYS use a helmet, my old kayaking one was fine but my family loves me and bought a shiny new carbon fibre Sweet helmet for Christmas.

Already loving it as I got my lines wrapped around my bar yesterday. I was on a 12 m One Kite in a 20+ knot southerly in Lake Ellesmere (slightly overpowered!). I was able to release my main just metres from the island I was using a a back stop after being teabagged by a wildly looping kite. I couldn't get to my secondary release before it tore the D-ring off my harness! Another couple of seconds and I would have had to try out that shiny new helmet on the island...

well i hit the water today no vest and used my old mountain biking helmet. it will do untill i can find a fitting helmet.

about helmets, i suppose it depends how much money you want/can spend, and how much protection you like. esentially, there are 3 types of helmets out there:

1) cheap plastic helmets with a closed cell foam liner: basic head protection and good for your budget (between 50 and 130 $ depending on make; would not really recommend for kite surfing since speeds are just a bit on the high side at times).

2) more expensive plastic helmets with a stiff outer ABS shell and either expanded polystyrene (EPS) or, better/a little more expensivexpanded polypropylene (EPP) as shock absorbing liner. (from 150 - 250 $)

3) Carbon-thermoplast laminate outer shell (absolutely stiff) which does not budge, combined with a high impact EPP liner. The ultimate in protection but the price tag is high. Saying that though, whitewater kayakers of all skill levels (not just extremists)use those helmets a lot these days to protect their heads since getting knocked out in water due to a cheap helmet can quickly have serious consequences.

the choice is yours, but remember, with a helmet you're protection a pretty vital part of your body.

i here what you are saying crusty. i'm currently using my mountainbike helmet (its $200 expensive one) until i find a suitable helmet. I've looked at alot of the kayak/surf style helmets and as far as i can see they are far more expensive and very poor quality compared to a comparable mtb helmet. The mtb helmet isn't ideal but its better than nothing. i may have to step into the aforementioned Sweet helmet in time.

Vest: Dakine Matrix, low profile, full freedom of movement and not bulky.



Helmet: Preditor Shiznit, Shiznit's 1 1/2” visor provides sun protection, Made of high impact, thermoplastic for increased stiffness and protection and closed-cell waterproof foam is used to dissipate impacts.

does the impact vest save you much? or is it more a boyancy aid?
i've crashed pretty hard many times in the last couple of weeks learning and yet to see an instance were a vest would have been usefull.

is it more for real high stuffed up jumps or super high speed sillyness?

i do like the idea of using a small life jacket or boyancy aid just incase the very worst happens and you have to float in the ocean for days waiting to be rescued.

All impact vests along with your wetsuit offer a positive buoyancy, some vest greater than others.
We sell the O’Neil revenge ASA Vest:


Which is rated a PFD3 (personal float device, designed to hold your head above the water), which is pretty rare for a impact vest, where your alternative is a big bulky life jacket which restricts your movement.

I wear mine in extreme conditions only, learning new tricks or if I’m planning to go large!!
Other riders wear them while learning or for confidence

End of the day it is a personal preference, individual risk management and confidence..