There are a lot of life jackets for wakeboarding, water skiing and jet skiing, and so on out there. And it can be confusing to choose between brands since they all basically look the same. Whether you’re a beginner who’s still learning the ropes or a professional that’s been in the game for years, a good life jacket is definitely something to think about.
As one of the big names when it comes to safety in water sports, Jet Pilot has been creating vests that put up a good fight with quality materials, thoughtful designs, and a balance of security and non-intrusiveness.
Promoted by the world’s best wakeboarder, Shaun Murray, Jet Pilot vests are top in class when it comes to security. As someone who’s been a professional rider since 1995, it’s safe to say that the brands he promotes are worth some trust.
While it’s easy to assume that every branded life jacket can be as safe as Jet Pilot. It’s hard to beat the bold statement they make of rigorous testing vests before production (plus the added bonus of the Australian Standard AS4758 certification) to ensure that you’re abiding by the law of the state
Aside from that, all Jet Pilot vests also have grip handles and reflective safety tapes. This keeps you in control when out in the water and makes sure that if anything goes wrong, you’re easily spotted from a mile away.
Life jackets can come in various materials. But Jet Pilot in particular loves to use Neoprene. And water sport enthusiasts couldn’t agree more. It’s better for support and buoyancy, especially when compared to Nylon.
Nylon life jackets are undoubtedly more affordable but there are downsides that are pretty dangerous, literally. For a little more, you can get something that not only protects you better, but is also more durable and long-lasting. Adding to this, Neoprene isn’t all about safety. There’s more to it and that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about below.
A Jet Pilot life jacket meant for water sports will always be made from Neoprene. Why? Well, because it’s comfortable. Very comfy in fact that the added weight (compared to Nylon) becomes indistinguishable when it’s time to ride. Their patented flex lite material stretches with your body, and not against it. But that’s not all, this material also dries our rather easily and is resistant to wear from UV and cleaning chemicals.
Every wake sport relies on movement. And it’s tough to beat a brand that’s all about that. Jet Pilot isn’t just about the material and extra knick-knacks, it also factors in how it on to the body.
Why does a Jet Pilot life jacket feel amazing to wear? Because it quite literally, anatomically fits. The vest hugs your body in the right places so that it feels natural to the skin and not just a lump of protective gear on the chest.
Yes, there are a lot of other brands that provide the same amount of features. But when it comes down to expertise in creating vests, Jet Pilot was there, even from the beginning.
So wakeboarding was invented by Tony Finn back in 1986. A year after that, Jet Pilot was born. Fresh out of the waves of California came the sport we know and love. And the brand has been keeping its riders safe since then.
It started with wetsuits for watercraft racers. Eventually, the brand blew up hard when they created legends and personalities for racing, earning a total of 10 World Titles by Jeff “JAMMER” Jacobs.
A few years after dominating American waters, the Jet Pilot team travelled to Australia, South Africa, Hawaii, Brazil and much more.
It made its way to the wakeboard industry in 1995 and created the Jet Pilot vests we know today. 2 decades later and we’re now experiencing the fruits of this history’s labour.
They used competition as a way to, not only enter the market, but also showcase how much their jackets can handle. So, one can say that these protective gear are all about materials, fit, and whatnot. But what truly makes a good life jacket for water sports is the background and wisdom of decade-long professionals who've been in the business since the dawn of its sport.
Trusting your life with a brand that’s prevented major injuries from professional watercraft racers and wakeboarders seems like a good idea don’t you think?