Mystic Block Impact Vest | Kitesurf Impact Protection Vest
Shipping
UK DELIVERY ONLY
Standard 48 Hours - £2.95 / Free over £60 purchase
Express 24 Hours - £7.95
Tracked - £14.99
Returns
If you’re not completely satisfied, you can return your purchase within 14 days for a full refund or exchange — provided it’s unused and in its original packaging. Customer pays for return shipping.
Please initiate returns request on your customer account.
Or email us [email protected]
Description
The Mystic Block is their go-to kite vest for riders who commit to big airs and heavy wipeouts. Built around proprietary Clash foam with generous padding across the chest and ribs, it absorbs the kind of high-energy impacts that come with looping kites, swell landings, and powered riding — all without the bulk that makes cheaper impact vests unbearable to wear under a harness.
For 2024 Mystic have refined the Block specifically for kitesurfing: JAKO neoprene adds meaningful warmth alongside the impact protection, and the lower waist panel is deliberately left unpadded so your harness can sit flush without pinching or riding up. If you spend serious time in the water and want your body still working when you paddle back in, this is the vest that earns its place in the kit bag.
Who It's For
- Discipline: Kitesurfing — freeride, freestyle, wave. Also suitable for wingfoiling and general watersports where rib protection matters.
- Level: Intermediate to advanced riders who are consistently powered up, boosting, or riding in onshore conditions.
- Best for: Anyone who loops their kite, rides swell, or simply values rib and torso protection without compromising harness fit. Not designed as a buoyancy aid — this is a pure impact vest.
Key Features
- Clash Foam construction — Mystic's own impact-absorbing foam runs across the chest, shoulders, and ribs. It's denser than generic EVA yet stays flexible, so it cushions hard landings rather than just restricting movement.
- JAKO neoprene outer — adds a layer of thermal protection over the impact foam, making the Block genuinely wearable in UK water temperatures without needing a separate thermal layer underneath.
- Unpadded harness zone — the lower panel is intentionally left free of Clash foam so your waist or seat harness can sit directly against the vest without creating pressure points or bulging out.
- Silicon non-slip harness print — a textured silicone grid on the waist panel stops your harness creeping upward during a session. Small detail, big difference on longer rides.
- YKK front zip (Fzip) — reliable, field-proven hardware that gets the vest on and off quickly, even with wet hands.
- Zipper lock — a secondary tab holds the zip at the top so it can't creep open mid-session or during a wipeout.
- CE approved impact protection — meets European safety standards for impact vests. Not a CE-rated buoyancy aid or personal flotation device.
Real-World Feel
The Block sits firmly in the "serious protection" end of Mystic's vest range — this isn't a thin skin vest that you forget you're wearing. You will notice the Clash foam coverage, especially across the chest and lower ribs, but it never feels like wearing body armour. The JAKO neoprene keeps things warm enough that you won't need to double up in a 3/2 wetsuit season, and the unpadded waist panel means a well-fitting harness stays exactly where it should. The silicone grip on the waist is genuinely effective — the harness stays put. Front zip makes gearing up fast, and the zipper lock is the kind of small reliability detail that matters when you're relaunching in breaking surf. One honest note: if you're exclusively foiling in flat water with a board-shorts-style harness, a lower-coverage vest might suit you better. But for kite-specific riding with a proper kite harness, the Block is hard to beat at this price point.
Setup / Fit
The Block runs true to Mystic's standard impact vest sizing — refer to the size chart below based on your bare chest measurement. If you're borderline between two sizes, size up: Clash foam compresses slightly with use and a snug fit that restricts breathing is counterproductive. Put the vest on before your harness (not over it), zip up fully, then pull your harness on over the top. The silicon waist panel will grip the inside of your harness strap and keep everything in position.
Materials
- Outer shell: JAKO neoprene (M-Flex construction for stretch and warmth)
- Impact protection: Clash foam panels — chest, shoulders, upper and lower ribs
- Harness zone: Unlined / unpadded lower panel with silicone non-slip print
- Closure: YKK front zip with zipper lock
- Certification: CE approved impact vest (not a buoyancy aid)
Size Chart
Measure your bare chest at its widest point. If you're between sizes, go up.
| Size | Chest (cm) | Chest (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 85–89 cm | 33–35" |
| S | 89–94 cm | 35–37" |
| M | 94–99 cm | 37–39" |
| L | 99–104 cm | 39–41" |
| XL | 104–111 cm | 41–44" |
| XXL | 111–119 cm | 44–47" |
Source: Mystic official size guide. Measure over a rash vest or thin base layer if you plan to wear one underneath.
Pairs Well With
The Block is designed to work under a kite harness, so pair it with anything from our kitesurfing accessories range. If you're building out a full kit setup, browse our kites and boards — the Block works equally well with a seat or waist harness, so there's no compatibility concern regardless of your harness choice.
Why We Stock It
We're a rider-owned shop on the Wirral, and most of us have the bruised ribs to prove why impact protection matters on a tidal estuary in 20 knots of westerly. The Mystic Block is the vest we recommend when someone asks what actually works rather than what looks good on a product photo. Clash foam genuinely outperforms basic PE foam at absorbing dynamic impact loads, the YKK zip won't fail you mid-winter when your hands are numb, and the harness-compatible cut means you don't have to choose between protection and comfort. At £139.95 it sits at the serious end of the market — and it earns that position.
FAQs
Can I wear the Mystic Block Impact Vest under my harness?
Yes — the Block is specifically designed for this. The lower waist panel is left unpadded so your harness can sit flush, and the silicone non-slip print stops it migrating during a session. Put the vest on first, then pull your harness over the top.
Is the Mystic Block a buoyancy aid?
No. The Block is a CE-approved impact vest, not a personal flotation device or buoyancy aid. It will not provide the buoyancy of a dedicated PFD or life jacket. It is designed purely for impact protection.
Does the Mystic Block Impact Vest keep you warm?
It provides some thermal benefit thanks to the JAKO neoprene outer — enough to extend your comfort window in spring and autumn without a separate thermal layer. It is not a wetsuit replacement, but in combination with a thin base layer it makes a noticeable difference.
What sizes does the Mystic Block come in?
XS through to XXL, covering chest measurements from 85 cm to 119 cm. Measure your chest and refer to the size chart above. If you're between sizes, size up — the Clash foam will compress slightly with use.
What colourways is the 2024 Mystic Block available in?
The 2024 Block is available in Black, Navy, and Retro Orange. Stock levels across colourways vary — check the variant selector above or contact us if you need a specific colour confirmed.
Can I use the Mystic Block for wingfoiling or SUP?
Absolutely. The Block's coverage and harness-compatible cut make it well-suited to wingfoiling, where rib impacts from the foil and board are a real risk. It's overkill for flatwater SUP touring, but ideal any time you're moving at speed with a harness or near a foil.
