CGA Life Vest

[Nauti-by-Nature]

I'm looking to buy a new CGA vest. Does anyone have recommendations on a CGA vest that's light weight and has good mobility? Looking at the Jet Pilot Murray right now. I'm 5'9" and 165 lbs and will be doing mostly wake boarding and surfing.

[Jalmeter]

That's what I have now. Best jacket I have owned. Very easy to move in. I am 6" 195lbs, I wear a medium.


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[s_kelley2000]

The Murray is a great CGA vest. I also like the LF Hinge, it's lightweight and pretty flexible with the segmented foam.

[rman56]

I have a Ronix CGA vest and love it. Its nice a snug and easy to move around in.

[vision]

I would say the Helium Swat is most folks favorite at our dock but it is heavy. The LF Watson CGA is excellent, although it was easier to get in and out of when the zipper was complete. It is now a pull over and zip CGA so more of a PITA. But light as heck.

I do not like front zipper jackets, but outside that the Murray is certainly good.

[sodbuster88]

+1 for the Ronix. Also, I know the the O'neil Outlaw is not CGA, but it floats pretty good for a comp best.

[josemolino]

I like the combination of front zip and one buckle. I usually go to a shop and try several brands (not looking at prices) with those characteristics.
I do not know why but basic ones tend to be more comfortable and last longer.

[s_kelley2000]

I like the combination of front zip and one buckle.

Unfortunately I don't think any vest with only one buckle will be Coast Guard Approved. I believe part of the criteria for approval is 3 points of closure which means a zipper and 2 buckles.

I used to always wear a comp vest until a friend told me about a test. Dive in with your comp vest on, exhale to let the air out of your lungs and swim down about 5 feet and then see how long it takes to float back up....I bet you'll need to swim up for air before the vest brings you up. Now think about how that would turn out if you were knocked out on a bad fall. Try the same thing with an approved vest and it's a night and day difference. Sorry if this comes off preachy but I just wanted to share my experience and why I will never wear a comp vest again.

[Nauti-by-Nature]

Unfortunately I don't think any vest with only one buckle will be Coast Guard Approved. I believe part of the criteria for approval is 3 points of closure which means a zipper and 2 buckles.

I used to always wear a comp vest until a friend told me about a test. Dive in with your comp vest on, exhale to let the air out of your lungs and swim down about 5 feet and then see how long it takes to float back up....I bet you'll need to swim up for air before the vest brings you up. Now think about how that would turn out if you were knocked out on a bad fall. Try the same thing with an approved vest and it's a night and day difference. Sorry if this comes off preachy but I just wanted to share my experience and why I will never wear a comp vest again.

Shawn,
I totally agree. I'm certainly not going to tell anyone else what to wear, but I decided it's just not worth the risk for me. Personally, I like the message that Shaun Murray is sending by wearing a CGA vest when he rides and I decided to go with the Murray vest.