Did I mention: I really like my vest!

[Tonysnoo]

Like many of you, we waited for the avi-vest most of the season. I got it a little while back. Wow, is it comfortable to ride with.

This weekend, I let a buddy try it on and wear it around for a while. He was playing the bowls pretty agressively(while I watched). When he came back, we talked for a while. I said what do ya think about the vest. He laughed and said he forgot he had it on. I think he is sold, too.

We are both kind of old school and never really got used to wearing a back pack on a sled. This thing is very comfortable and all the front pockets are the great for quick access to a camera or GPS or Radio or?????

Did I mention, "I really really like my vest!" Thanks Avi-vest!

 

[SnowBigDeal]

I agree that they are pretty comfortable to wear.

We have them in stock now too for anyone who may be interested.

 

[Timbre]

avy vest price?

I agree that they are pretty comfortable to wear.

We have them in stock now too for anyone who may be interested.

What do these avy vests cost?

 

[SnowBigDeal]

$599

 

[EagleRiverDee]

I have a question about avy bag design. I've seen two designs, one basically that creates a big air pack underneath you, and one that actually wraps around your head and neck, creating the bulk of an air pack on top of you.

Strictly basing this on what I know of how a flotation device works in water, I would lean towards thinking that the one that creates a big square underneath you might have a tendency to float you face down (bag up) in the snow, possibly leaving you buried shallowly but face down. On the other hand, the ones that create the bag around your head and neck with the bulk of the airbag on your chest seems to me it would float you face up. Also, seems they might offer some additional protection from blunt force trauma.

I guess my question is- what performance differences have been noted with the different designs? Strictly from a safety standpoint, which design seems to perform better both for overall flotation and for the position it lands you in?

 

[Tonysnoo]

There is so much data on here about those very topics. Of everything I looked at the bags were predominately behind you. The wrap around also had most of the bag behind.

I owned an ABS bag for about 4 years before I found this one. I hope that I pay enough attention that I never have to "use" one. I have seen the testing/demo videos on the ABS and the Avi-vest. I would assume the other two must have tested somewhere as well.

My biggest criteria was comfort and fit. I found that I would leave my ABS bag in my truck if(I thought) the avy danger was low, cause I did not like wearing it(or a regular backpack). When I first put this brand on at the Boise snow show, I was sold. It fit!

I wear it and don't even know I have it on....it's cool. I grab stuff out of the front pockets so easily. I want to take it off, it's two buckles and a zipper. I figure half the battle of being an effective tool is using it.

Good luck on you choice. I'm sure all are a huge amount better than nothing.

Did I mention, I really like my Avi-Vest!......LOL

 

[WARY]

We are happy you like your AviVest Tony, thanks for the kind words.

We will try to give our opinion of EagleRiverDee’s question about the victim’s position in the snow depending on the type of avalanche air bag they are using.

The ABS system which as EagleRiverDee says, “creates a big square underneath you” may indeed float the victim face down, but this is leaving the victim’s head either above the snow or only 6 inches below it after the slide. The hundreds of people that have been saved by the ABS system is a testament to its safety, and we think this proves that being floated face down during the avalanche is not a bad thing and not dangerous.

When we test our own air bag system it is quite remarkable to watch avalanches try to bury avalanche air bags. It is almost impossible. Even attached to 175 and 200 pound test dummies the air bags refused to be buried. It’s like trying to force an air bag down into a lake, it would take you and 5 of your biggest buddies to force the air bag under the water. We’ve watched air bags take one mile rides down class three avalanches and end up sitting there on top of the snow at the edge of the debris.

Bottom line, if you are attached to an avalanche air bag you’re going to end up on top of the snow, or very near to it. We think if a person struggles as the avalanche begins to slow down they are going to shed a lot of snow and be right on top.

 

[clarkwinsor]

saving up for one right now, both styles sound like they will work in theory. and by the sounds of it in real life as well....keep the goods coming.

 

[2Thetopp]

Did I mention: I really like my vest! Reply to Thread

Looking at the avi-vest, has there been any thought to intigrating a tekvest with an avi-vest ? (best of both worlds) Especially if you get it for the same price.

 

[TIM]

or how does the avy vest feel sitting over a tek vest>

 

[Tonysnoo]

It would prolly work OK, but the Avi vest has some serious padding in the back allready, not counting the avi-bag compartment and what ever you would put in the big compartment. IMHO, with the avi-vest on, my back is very well protected.

I normally use a snowboard vest, so I am going to dissect the front of it, and velcro it into my avi vest for some more front protection.

May not be the most optimum fix, but the vest is too comfortable(for me) to mess with too much.

I let another buddy try it while we were riding this late season snow. He also liked it and is going to look into getting one.

 

[WARY]

Hello everybody,

Here's an AviVest update.

We have been working for over a year now on combining the vest with protective plates. We've got a good designer we are working with on the Impact AviVest and we have a very cool prototype we like so the design is well underway.

Experience tells us that we will be very lucky to have some Impact AviVests available this winter if everything goes well, and that we probably won't have very many of them available.

We know we have irritated some of you with the slow development and manufacturing of the AviVest, but we want to avoid selling anything that might not survive an avalanche. It makes us cringe when we read about the misfires and product recalls some avalanche air bag manufacturers are going through, and we want to avoid that at all costs.

 

[2Thetopp]

willing to be a test pilot for one of these when they come out, very interested in the avyvest tekvest combo!

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

willing to be a test pilot for one of these when they come out, very interested in the avyvest tekvest combo!

I would be as well..and would love a pm saying I could try one..
I do wear a ABS right now but have never liked wearing backpacks either....

 

[Tonysnoo]

willing to be a test pilot for one of these when they come out, very interested in the avyvest tekvest combo!

Hey??? I was hoping to have that job......but, they'll prolly hire a bunch of lazy crash dummies.....heh heh heh


I've been riding with mine religiously since I got it. Been all over Sonora, over to Elko and even on the "warm days last weekend in the Sierra, it is so comfortable............Did I mention: I really like my vest!

 

[2Thetopp]

Did I mention: I really like my vest! Reply to Thread

OK, one more question, I currently store my probe and shovel with my backpack, with a vest do I lose that capability?

 

[06 RMK 900]

OK, one more question, I currently store my probe and shovel with my backpack, with a vest do I lose that capability?

Avi Vest is intended for winter sport enthusiasts and comfortably holds the standard backcountry safety essentials (probe, shovel and beacon) as well as pockets for water, snacks and an additional layer of clothing.

 

[2Thetopp]

Thanks for the quick reply, looks like I have to get one, I'm running out of excuses!

 

[WARY]

Holy Balls the new tek vest (we are calling it the Impact AviVest) just got out of prototyping and it looks sweet!!

We are very excited.

Details and pics to come......

 

[2Thetopp]

Did I mention: I really like my vest! Reply to Thread

I don't know if picture's can show enough detail you may have to ship one to me for further inspection, then I can give a true unbiased review.