Thoughts on pullover vests
 

Hey all, I'm interested in getting a pullover vest and am wondering if you can share any good or bad experiences with them. I like a vest that will provide decent flotation. (I hate the A-10s lack of flotation) I currently ride two different comp vests though and think they definitely provide enough flotation. I don't like vests that hug me too tight around the waist so that if I wreck and it goes up my body it feels like it will break my ribs.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Most, if not all pull over vests are non-cga approved and provide little flotation much like the a-10. My billabong pull over is very comfortable, very snug, and not very floaty. This type of vest has to be snug since there isn't really a way to tighten them like you average front zip or side entry.

I suggest finding a shop and trying some of the stuff on.

Any pullover vest will ride up or roll up on you if you fall. There is no way around it. I have a LF Cardigan, and friends of mine have had, Ronix, Oneill (guru and checkmate), Billabong, etc.

I don't think there is any way around it, but you can mitigate it by getting the tightest fitting one you can. FYI, they don't float very well. I usually only wear mine when I'm wearing a fullsuit, since the suit itself provides enough extra floaty.

They will ride up only when you fall certain ways. I'll admit to having one actually come completely off of me but it was on an easy fall that my back slid on the water and the vest got caught in the right position. Freak me out? Not in the least. Comp vests are made for maneuverability and comfort along with impact protection. I've put on quite a few comp vests and the one that feels like its not even on me (comfort wise) is the O'Neill Checkmate. Mines starting to go bad after a couple years and I'll be ordering my second one very soon. Great protection, can't even tell it's on, and you can move like its just an Under Armour sleeveless shirt. Not much flotation, if any, depending on your BMI and natural buoyancy (I have enough muscle that I sink with air in or out of my lungs in freshwater lakes). Doesn't phase me in the least even though I do take a decent amount of back edges that have knocked the wind out of me.

Buddy of mine rides a comp vest, and one time we went to pick him up with the boat and got to him without his vest on. He said it rolled up completely over his head and it freaked him out so he just ripped it off. The next time we picked him up it was all bunched up in his armpits. Any pullover is a comp vest. I like my side entry CGA.

get the oneill guru! they are the bomb! you can tie your board short laces through two holes on the fron if you dont want it to roll up

How hard are they to get on when they are wet or dry??