Comp vest recomendations

[Rivvy]

This winter it’s time to replace my eagle platinum vest. It’s starting to split. I’m looking for some recommendations. Things I’m interested in are: boyancy, core support, mobility, and impact protection. I took 2 rib shots this summer and both ended up in cracked or bruised ribs. I’m contemplating another platinum, stokes, or camaro. Thoughts or suggestions?

[skihacker]

I love my stokes, can't really speak to rib protection, floats me higher than my previous vest, doesn't seem to have stretched at all after 1 season, definitely holds way less water.

[Horton]

I am very happy with my Stokes vest. It is comfortable and durable. @rico has a Stokes (Mapple) vest that is maybe 4 seasons old and it still looks great.

[TEL]

The Camaro that Horton did a review on looks interesting with the built in back support it also looks like it has a wide band in front for added core support. I am in the market this winter also, love my O'Neal Slasher. Have checked at all local dealers no one has the Camaro in stock to try, also at $190 that is a little steep.

[wawaskr]

Oneill Slasher - floats great, very light, good impact protection

[JordanOz]

Love my Stokes Evo 2. Floats me well (240lbs) and had 2 OTF's in it, and no rib complaints at all.

[Dacon62]

+1 on the O’Neill Slasher. Floats well, light, doesn’t hold water, flexible...etc. all good.

[Ed_Johnson]

Stokes now has the EVO 2 and the NITRO. Can anyone comment on the differences and which they like better.

 

[rq0013]

I liked my slasher, fit was great and it dried quickly but it was too short. I got the new Radar Drifter vest. Its longer. It floats me a tad better. I’ve only had it a few weeks, so far so good

[dvskier]

I've had my Oneill Slasher 2 full seasons with no problems, very happy with it.

[Chef23]

I have a Camaro and it is comfortable and supports me well. It gets heavy when it is wet though.

[shansen345]

I'm a big fan of my Eagle vest. Maybe I'm too heavy, because I don't find that the Slasher floats me as much as I'd like.

[Thomasasher]

Hi @Ed_Johnson

 

The NITRO is our newest jacket out. We have been testing with materials for about a year now trying to find the optimal jacket that provides flotation, protection, and flexibility. The premise being that this jacket is the ultimate competition vest. The jacket has a very smooth outer skin so completely eliminates arm chafing. We also graded the padding aggressively on the front of the jacket to make it more stream lined. The NITRO fits onto you like a glove. The vest sits nicely around hip height. The jacket floats well, it'll float most people to where their shoulders are just poking out of the water.

 

The EVO 2 is a super comfortable, durable, great feeling jacket. The material has 4 way stretch but is not quite as flexible as the material used on the NITRO. You will get more padding and buoyancy from the EVO 2. The EVO2 is our most popular jacket with great reviews from all levels of skiers

 

Both Jackets dry incredibly quick. The EVO 2 and the NITRO do not hold water. You can take either jacket before or after being in water and the weight will hardly have changed.

 

If you prefer a jacket that fits real snug then the NITRO is the way to go. If you prefer a little more padding and flotation but still a great fit then the EVO 2 is the one.

 

Hope that helps, if you have any more queries feel free to message or call us M-F 9-6pm and we will be more than happy to help. We are skiers also so understand the needs of all levels of skiers.

 

Thanks

 

 

Thomas Asher

 

StokesSkis LLC

M: +1 (352) 348 0800

M: +1 (352) 348 0791

E: info@stokesskis.com

W: www.stokesskis.com

FB: @stokesskis

I: @stokesskis

 

 

 

[waterskicorey]

@Thomasasher will Stokes be having any Black Friday sales? Thanks

[perfski]

@Ed_Johnson we just got in both the Stokes vests if you want to try them. @TEL Camaro had some stitching issues that they have supposedly fixed. We should be getting them soon.

[Fehlindra]

@Rivvy if you looking for rib protection i think there is no good ones if you search among all fancy light and flexible sewn with pocket in all the different patterns. To get better protection bigger stiffer flotations element is needed to take up the impact and distribute the impact all over the chest instead of an big impact thats just hit an smaller area inflicting damage to the ribs and you can be gone from skiing for weeks. maybe i have wrong but "Think" oldschool HO connelly from the colorful 90s =)

 

[6balls]

@Thomasasher ordering a Stokes EVO and a super slalom short suit. Had been running an eagle vest and a camaro blacktec and both are worn out so going to give Stokes a go...looks like great stuff on the website.

[Rivvy]

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like I will give a stokes evo a try this round. Although the HO Connelly is tempting? I'll try to solve the rib issue differently.

[rico]

Stokes rocks. Great quality and comfortable. I used to buy a new vest each year from other brands, now every 5 years sounds about right

[Fehlindra]

this under the vest !! http://www.bengiohst.it/2016/03/02/bumper-carbon-kevlar/?lang=en

 

[Edmund]

I am going to give the Stokes EVO 2 a try; ordered mine yesterday.

[ironhorse]

Love the look of the EVO2 but $90 to ship to Canada makes it too pricey for a Canadian.

[Thomasasher]

Hey guys, thanks for giving the EVO 2 a go. @edmund I hope you like the jacket. Its super comfortable with what we think is a nice amount of padding without being to bulky. @rivvy We do have a high rated impact padding in the vest, so its not just for flotation but also for protection. Hope the vest will help with any unfortunate crashes. @6ball good combination, we have people skiing in the slalom suit in the UK still, think air 45-50degs and water about 50. If anyone is looking to feel one out and are in the FL area. Performance ski and Surf, Orlando and Miami Nautique carry both the NITRO and EVO 2.

[Beeker]

@Thomasasher Thank you, I will most likely be heading to Perf ski to feel out what size fits me best..Love the reviews I have seen!

[6balls]

@ironhorse my shipping was a lot less form perf ski and surf than from the stokes website. Perhaps call 'em and get a shipping quote.

[TEL]

I bought a new vest and gloves at performance today. I thought I was shopping for me My mistake was taking my girlfriend so she got a new vest and gloves. Thanks Bill

[Beeker]

Does anyone know if the stokes is longer, shorter, or the same as an Eagle? Thank you.

[Horton]

[Beeker]

@scotchipman Thank you very much, I am a 6'4" 190lbs 39 chest, tall and thin, just do not want to get a vest that is too short but floats me ok!

[ironhorse]

Thanks 6balls

[dfski]

Reviving an old thread. As my body position gradually improves, I’m considering a comp vest for next season. I currently have an older Radar x-vest. Would I notice an improvement in fit with a Vapor or Drifter Impact Vest or a Stokes EVO/EVO2.

Also does anybody have any knowledge on Stokes vs Radar sizing? Looking at their respective websites, it appears the Stokes run large. My current Radar x-vest is a medium, but it looks like the small Stokes vest is the correct size based on chest. Although my height and waist suggests a medium. Unfortunately, I do not have the option to try any on.

 

[APB]

Love my new radar impact vest. Bit longer fit for taller dudes. Great fit.

[Jerry44]

@dfski I'm just getting over a rib injury as well. I was looking at different ones and decided on Stokes EVO 2.

 

I'm 6' 200 lbs 44 inch chest. I bought an XL and it fits great. It floats me better than my last vest. I bought mine mostly for rib protection and it's working well.

 

The sizing chart on their web site looks pretty accurate based on my experience.

 

If you email them, they're very helpful.

[Zman]

Radar Vapor vest

[Rivvy]

I did end up going with the stokes evo for this season. Worked great! No rib injuries. Snug to get on but after on feels great. Super flexible. Prob not quite as bouyant as platinum but good enough. I’d say I like stokes over platinum overall. Good luck.

[Slalom.Steve]

Anybody have experience comparing the O'Neill Slasher to the O'Neill Hyperfreak comp vests?

[jjackkrash]

Me and the boy both roll with the Slasher. We both really like it. We have not tried the Hyperfreak.

[Killer]

Slasher is the bomb! I've got my eyes open for a sale for a backup

[steeliejunkie]

Any idea if stokes Evo will get more sizes in? They seem to be backordered for a long time.

[Slalom.Steve]

Last I heard Stokes didn't even have an estimate of restock time for the Evo.

[Moskier3ev]

+ 1 on the slasher. My neighbor has the new all black Radar. He really likes it.

[Minelickskier]

@SlalomSteve I ordered both the slasher and hyperfreak from perf ski to decide which one I wanted to keep. I ultimately returned the hyperfreak because the material covering the foam seemed to pick and be less durable than the slasher. I like the slasher vest.

[mike_mapple]

The slasher is a personal favorite of mine! Nice because they do the Tall as well.

 

[Slalom.Steve]

@Minelickskier cool thanks! I actually have the Slasher already and really like it except it's a bit too short on me, and I've heard the Hyperfreak is longer.

I also looked around and it seems O'Neill stopped making the Hyperfreak in 2021 anyways though.

[mike_mapple]

@SlalomSteve do you have the Tall slasher, or just the normal, I have both, and it is a difference, although I find myself wearing the non tall more often now, as its my vest I just keep in my car.

 

[Andre]

Love my Slashers ,got 2 of them.Super comfy but zero protection for ribs on the sides.Wanted a Camaro Impact this season but size wasn't available.

[Slalom.Steve]

@mike_mapple - I didn't even realize there were tall versions until your comments! Lots of sites don't even list it as an option. That would be perfect, but... I wear a Small and looks like they only do a Medium Tall and a Large Tall?

[Sethro]

I really like my O’Neil outlaw vest. I do a lot of trick skiing and subsequent falling, and the single buckle works wonders from keeping the vest from riding up during certain falls.

[UCFskier]

IMO there are a lot of better vests out there than the Eagle. just tried a new Radar Impact Vest which really feels like an upgrade from the Oneil I was on. try the Radar or the Stokes!!

[PeterAK]

I'm not seeing rib protection listed in the description of any of the vests mentioned. I'm looking for a jacket with some protection for when I get back on the water after cracking a couple ribs last weekend. Any recommendations for a vest with that as the primary criteria? Current vest is an O'Brien Tech which is really comfy, but no side protection.

 

**edit--looks like the Camaro does mention shock protection for the rib cage on PerfSki's site