Wing Foiling Impact Vest Guide: What Riders Should Look For
India HudsonWing foiling is one of the fastest-growing water sports, blending elements of windsurfing, kitesurfing, and foiling. But like any sport on the water, it comes with risks — and that’s where wearing the right safety gear makes all the difference, one of the essential pieces being an impact vest.
Whether you're just getting started or pushing your limits, here's why an impact vest should be part of your wing foiling setup, no matter whether you are a beginner or expert, and what we think is the best impact vest too.
What to look for as an impact vest for a beginner
> Protection When You Fall (Because You Will!)
When learning to wing foil, falling is a big part of the process. Whether just falling off the board from the wind, or when you're riding at speed on the foil above the water, there is always the potential for injury, either from the water, your kit, an object, or even somebody else! Impact vests are designed to absorb and disperse the force of crashes, helping protect your ribs, chest, spine, and back from bruises or worse. They also shield you from your board and foil, which are both hard and sometimes sharp. Even a minor collision with the foil during a wipe-out can be painful and cut you.
> Extra Buoyancy for Safety and Confidence
Many impact vests we offer for foiling include added flotation to help keep you above water after a crash. This is especially useful if you're fatigued or dealing with strong winds and currents. That extra buoyancy also gives a psychological edge — you'll feel safer pushing your limits, knowing you've got some backup when things get sketchy. Some impact vests do not include certified buoyancy, but we always recommend getting one that does for that extra safety factor.
> Stay Warmer and More Comfortable
If you're foiling in cooler conditions, an impact vest provides an extra layer of insulation. Some riders even prefer it over a thick wetsuit for the added flexibility and warmth it brings. Impact vests are made from neoprene so they can add a few more mm of warmth.
Do Intermediate riders need a different style vest?
At the beginner stage, you're focused on balance, control, and getting upwind, but if you're advancing—riding faster and jumping higher, this means heavier wipeouts and harder landings, so your protection needs to evolve. Freedom of movement and impact absorption are the biggest upgrades. You’re likely also using a harness, which introduces another layer of gear to coordinate. The right wing foiling impact vest will be low-profile, protective, and designed to move with you.
Top Wing Foiling Impact Vests for 2025
Here are some standout vests favoured by our wing foilers this year, all include certified 50N buoyancy too:
Forward WIP Flow Vest -
This vest is most suitable for those getting into the sport and is more beginner-orientated. It has a soft, low-profile shaping for comfort and ease of getting onto the board (not too bulky), it is practical and can be used for multiple sport disciplines, as well as a handy front pocket for phones, keys, or safety devices. It does not include a harness hook, but does have a loop attachment if you want to wear it with a harness and the loop secures your harness and impact vest together.
Forward WIP Wing Neo Vest -
This vest is most popular amongst avid wing foilers who want it to be practical for purely wing foiling but not be a beginner-style impact vest. The WingFoil vest is a progressive harness and good for beginners to intermediates due to the same low-profile and soft shape as the Flow, but it has the addition of the integrated harness hook on the impact vest. This results in this harness being suitable for learning, but also when foiling for longer and faster, when you would need the support of a harness for your arms when wing foiling. This vest also has the option to attach your board and wing leashes to so that your arms and legs can be freer for manoeuvres.
Forward WIP Wing Impact Vest -
This is the top-level impact vest for wing foiling, it is packed with the highest and hardest levels of protection on the front and back, designed to protect against the highest and hardest impacts. It also features an integrated hook for hooking in with your wing, a zip pocket, and radio holes for earpieces. This vest also has the option to attach your board and wing leashes to so that your arms and legs can be freer for manoeuvres. This is a slightly harder fit and less soft to wear, but with this compromise, you get the promise of ultimate safety, perfect for experts and intermediate wing foilers.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned rider, wearing an impact vest is a smart, simple way to stay safe, ride longer, and feel more confident on the water. Look for balanced protection, freedom of movement, and harness compatibility, and you'll have a vest that supports your progression every session.
If you want any more advice, then get in contact with us at 01202 700503, email info@pooleharbour.co.uk, or try our selection on in-store!
Browse more of our Wing Foiling Impact Vests
