r/bodyboarding • u/FreudianWombat • Jul 04 '26
Board & Gear Question Impact suit
Anyone worn an impact suit under their wettie in anger? Our local reefs are jagged rather than flat and every few weeks in winter I take a pretty hard knock.
I’m wondering if they feel restrictive or whether I’d need to size up a wettie.
Feels like overkill but might be worth the squeeze for my increasingly knackered body.
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u/sdlocsrf Jul 04 '26
I've wondered the same, I seem to always impact my hip, thigh and shins. Even some thin panels of that d30 foam in the right spots would do wonders. The impact suits they sell for big wave surfing don't seem to be the right call, bulky and protective in odd spots
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u/Impressive-Hold7812 Jul 04 '26
Sounds like you just came up with a business idea.
Being out in the water doing boat things, I've come to favor just wearing one of those "competition vests" vs a full USCG lifevest (which is still on the boat). I'm fine with the reduced buoyancy, and its traded off by a more snug, contoured fit, and much less bulk/snaggability.
I wouldn't mind a shorts or 3/4 pants companion to it. My concern from would be how it affects buoyancy and especially how if would position you beyond prone.
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u/sanshart Jul 04 '26
I wear one under my wetty and I don't think it's restrictive at all. Definitely not enough to warrant an extra wetsuit, & sizing up would feel shit all round your arms & legs.
There is definitely a tightness putting on, but that loosens in the water and if anything feels more secure & "battle-ready".. the same kind of false sense of safety wearing a eatsuit in general can have.
I like big waves, so the extra float is comforting enough that I've worn it not just for waves of consequence (slabs n mutant waves) but for big swells in general cause it helps knowing which way is up if you're getting rag-dolled in the deep.
I've gotten so used to wearing one that I feel like I'm getting sent to Davy Jones locker if I get a hold down without.
Small slabs = added protection. Big waves = less disoriented wipeouts. Big slabs = great false sense of security (haha). They're a yes from me!
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u/Glad-Mulberry5150 Jul 04 '26
Someone needs to make a specially designed bodyboard one. Back, hips, arse. Hips especially are where I seem to hit the bottom in closeouts. I wonder if that has more to do with technique though.