# Non absorbing impact vest **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [July 21, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768 "2026-07-21T01:46:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paracas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce73a5/32.png) [@Paracas](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Paracas)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/1 "2026-07-21T01:46:27Z")
using a ride engine, which I like, but adds around 5 lbs of weight when wet. Also interested in value as some of these are now pushing $200 which seems absurd to me. ---
**Author:** ![SaltyHaole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SaltyHaole](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/SaltyHaole)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 8:37am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/2 "2026-07-21T08:37:04Z")
I guess that depends on what your life is worth. $200 for a well thought out design and floatation or a cheap knock off. ---
**Author:** ![mikeht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@mikeht](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/mikeht)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 3:38pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/3 "2026-07-21T15:38:51Z")
My ride engine vest is the same, absorbs water like a sponge Is yours a V1 vest. I talked to ride engine and they say their V2 Is an improvement. Anyone have the V2 Defender that can Comment on water absorption. ---
**Author:** ![Velocicraptor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Velocicraptor](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Velocicraptor)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/4 "2026-07-21T15:40:32Z")
Mystic vests don’t absorb too much water. Anything neoprene will have some absorption, but the foam inside doesn’t seem to hold water. ---
**Author:** ![Paracas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce73a5/32.png) [@Paracas](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Paracas)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 3:53pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/5 "2026-07-21T15:53:54Z")
Not sure what version it is but in light air is noticeably harder to pump up on plane. ---
**Author:** ![mikeht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@mikeht](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/mikeht)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/6 "2026-07-21T20:14:02Z")
More than a year old.. trying to decide if I get V2… I like the vest just not the weight ---
**Author:** ![hwy1north](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@hwy1north](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/hwy1north)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/7 "2026-07-21T23:13:01Z")
I use the Team vest and haven’t noticed any real weight gain (from a wet vest, it’s tight at the waist so I notice my belly early in the season!) Now you’ve got me on the way to the scales! -I find the biggest weight is gained by a wetsuit not made of Yamamoto rubber. An O’neil, Billabong, etc gain a tremendous amount, but a Matuese Hoplight or Tumo, hardly any. ---
**Author:** ![Paracas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce73a5/32.png) [@Paracas](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Paracas)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/8 "2026-07-21T23:51:13Z")
Team vest is what brand? ---
**Author:** ![Paracas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce73a5/32.png) [@Paracas](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Paracas)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 11:56pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/9 "2026-07-21T23:56:36Z")
I see the Team vest from RE. Does it have adequate padding on the sides? I cracked a rib with a promotion vest that had little side protection just hitting the water hard. Thx ---
**Author:** ![Michael](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/michael/32/6517_2.png) [@Michael](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Michael)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 12:29am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/10 "2026-07-22T00:29:18Z")
I’ve been using a WIP vest (the black one without hook) for the past 3 years and haven’t noticed it gaining weight. ---
**Author:** ![FoilGraham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9adbd/32.png) [@FoilGraham](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/FoilGraham)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 12:45am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/11 "2026-07-22T00:45:13Z")
Follow brand wake vests are really nice. Love my Yulex one I bought like 5 years ago. Had to replace the zipper though. ---
**Author:** ![joeballow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joeballow](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/joeballow)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/12 "2026-07-22T01:46:37Z")
I have the WIP with the hook and also don’t notice weight gain. It’s probably middle of the road weight wise to start though if I had to guess. ---
**Author:** ![Velocicraptor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Velocicraptor](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Velocicraptor)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 11:31am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/13 "2026-07-22T11:31:34Z")
Strongly disagree. I liked the design of the Follow vest at first but I’ve now gone through two of them that basically disintegrated (one was a warranty but it sucked just as bad). They use metal zippers that corrode really quickly - it’s a wake brand and these are clearly not designed for saltwater use. They also did take on quite a bit of water. ---
**Author:** ![FoilGraham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9adbd/32.png) [@FoilGraham](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/FoilGraham)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 12:09pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/14 "2026-07-22T12:09:38Z")
Maybe they’ve changed over the years. Mine doesn’t seem to take much water. Zipper definitely not good for salt water. Like I said, needed to replace at the local seamstress with high quality zipper. ---
**Author:** ![hwy1north](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@hwy1north](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/hwy1north)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/15 "2026-07-22T16:47:23Z")
What’s unique is that the padding is continuous throughout at about 1/2". No thick panels for flotation or removed padding for harness. I think by having a lot of continuous padding, it is able to better absorb a water impact as opposed to a thick panel over your ribs that would place pressure on a smaller area. That said, I haven’t gone cliff jumping death dives to test my theory! ---
**Author:** ![Sjaak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c57346/32.png) [@Sjaak](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Sjaak)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 11:57am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/16 "2026-08-13T11:57:23Z")
My follow vest is a sponge, very heavy when wet. My Pro-Limit vest is much better but there is still room for improvement ---
**Author:** ![SpokeyDoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@SpokeyDoke](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/SpokeyDoke)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/17 "2026-08-13T14:00:16Z")
pet peeve that companies can’t seem to figure this out and continue to put black neoprene on everything that is related to water sports ---
**Author:** ![FoilGraham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9adbd/32.png) [@FoilGraham](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/FoilGraham)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/non-absorbing-impact-vest/16768/18 "2026-08-13T14:00:38Z")
Yeah, mine was the top of the line version, made from Yulex neoprene. Doesn’t take on water. I don’t think they make it any longer.