best competition vest or cga approved vest

I'm looking for a vest that will keep me afloat, but it still looks kewl. I got the jetpilot A-10 attack vest, the one I am selling at the beginning of this season, but it just will not keep me afloat. I don't want to be fighting to stay afloat, but I still want a thin, and cool vest. Any suggestions?

bump

I have a Ronix one vest I just switched from the baller vest the Shane Bonifay wears. The Ronix one doesn't float you real well but the Baller one was great. I had an 05. The neopream bunched up in the back but I think that they have fixed this issue on the new ones. I really like the Ronix one vest but it doesn't sound like what you are looking for. It feels like a shirt. Try the baller one. It sounds like what you are looking for.

ok, thanx. Anymore suggestions?

I have the Hyperlite 5-10 which is NCGA but floats me very well and fits great. My only complaint is the neck hole is a little small.

Can;t find a Hyperlite 5-10 on ebay. Are you talking about the hyperlite agent?

Jetpilot full metal jacket is the most comfortable of all the cga vest....IMHO.
http://www.boardstop.com/product_info.php?cPath=57_58&products_id=2199

Helium has non CGA's that float well, like the Helium Flak jacket lrs vest.

Helium SWAT CGA version is very comfortable.

second the baller. had one for a couple years and loved it. lots of float for a NCGA, flexy, thin and light. but still floats ya.

I'm wearing a gooru now. Its even thinner and lighter but less bouyant. I don't float AT ALL and crashing makes me nervous

I like the look of the Helium Swat. How does it float though?

I think the Agent is a CGA version of the 5 to 10. The Helium Swat I had was very heavy and didn't float that well. There are different versions of the swat though.

Law Vest.

The 07 Helium Non CGA float pretty good, IMO the Flak jacket floats the best of the non coast guard approved vest and it has a built in back brace/kiddney belt that keeps the vest from riding up and helps with back support.
http://www.innov8actionsports.com/product_detail.asp?ID=458&CatID=43&heading=1

Looking at the Swat. Does it float better that the A-10 attack vest. The law is 140 bucks. Sheesh.

What's the law on wearing a non-cga approved vest in texas on a public lake.

In Texas its legal to RIDE in a non coast guard approved vest as long as there are enough CGA vest in the boat for ALL passegers.
So if you have 10 people in the boat, you must have 10 CGA vest in the boat, one for EVERY person..

(Message edited by innov8 on June 22, 2007)

thanx for clearing that up.

I have the O'Neill Assault CGA vest and the O'Neill Vapor comp. They are both pretty nice and flexible. Obviously the Assault floats better but the Vapor is pretty good. I think I will lean more towards the CGA, though.

Oneil Outlaw floats fairly well....I agree on the A10...if I don't have 2 lungs full of air then I'll sink!

helium has some sick vests and the most comfortable you will find probably

Yea i couldn't stand the A-10. I would get tired from all the paddling i'd have to do to stay afloat.

So far it looks like we have
2 for the balller vest
1 for the hyperlite 5-10
1 for jet pilot fullmetal
1 for the swat
3 for the law.

Need a few more opinions. Either vote for one in that list or add one of your own.

I love the look of the swat. Can anyone compare how well it floats compared to the A-10

JetPilot Full Metal Jacket is a comfortable CGA vest. Definitely won't mistake it for a comp vest, but the vest is very flexible and won't get in your way.

I just got a swat and it floats me great. I love it.

another for the swat!

LF hinge

Ok, looks like the swat is a favorite for a lot of people.

I wanna know how good it floats though.

I only weigh 150 and I will be wearing a medium.

Am i going to have to paddle to stay afloat with it, or is it bouyant enough to keep me afloat?

The O'neill Law is CGA, the outlaw is noncga hence the names...I have an Outlaw Medium weigh 160 and it floats me great.

Brandon the swat should float you fine at 150lbs.

I have a Jetpilot baller and it floats me very well. I weigh 210 without much fat so that is pretty good imho. I am thinking of getting a Jetpilot core though just for peace of mind. They look to be real similar to the baller but CGA. Anyone have any experience with the JP Core?

Ok, so i am pretty much deciding between the baller and the swat.

BALLER.. i have ridden both...

I had the baller and got rid of it and got the SWAT CGA. The SWAT gives a great deal of back and kidney support where the baller was lacking. But then again my back appreciates the extra support where you may not need it. Also the Baller would ride up around head while sitting the water where the SWAT stays put (2 straps vs 1).

I have the SWAT and it's so sweet but its not what you're looking for. go CGA Jetpilot. Most likely a Baller or Falcon [which I think is CGA, right?] I personally do not like any of HL's life jackets because even their NCGA vests are bulky. Side Entry will make any vest seem skinnier.

[just for clearification I have the NCGA SWAT.]

The outlaw is great floats great fits great and is very flexible

Just ordered a new Helium CGA - I can't remember the name but i've been looking for about two years for a new cga vest and it had an awesome fit in the pro shop. I'll fill you in with more info when it arrives.

When you look at jackets, I like float, but I also want protection. The A10's offer some protection, but lil float and they will allow injuries to the chest. The Baller floats a pig and I have not had a single chest related injury, since I switched-two seasons. I have a habit of wadding, and wadding hard, so the no chest collapse is why I prefer the Baller. The Heliums are nice, but to thin for my liking. Thin isn't good. I've heard good things about the new A10's for 08, and would love to switch back, if they fixed the concrete landings option....

Baller... very comfy... dont get white tho.