Read Ocean Paddlers review of the brand new

Xipe Buoyancy Aid

Yak have recently released the first of two new buoyancy aids aimed at the
touring/sea kayaking market. The Xipe is the first of these to hit the shelves
and pit itself against some of the established buoyancy aids available.

DESIGN AND FEATURES

The Xipe is a front-zipped three-pocket design. The rear of the buoyancy
aid features a full-length expanding pocket with a wide-top zip. It will hold
a 3-litre hydration pouch and includes a rubber protected hole for feeding
the drinking tube through the top of the pocket. It could also be used for
carrying flares, as some paddlers prefer, and the wide mouth with inverted
U-shaped zip provides access to the pocket. The front of the Xipe has a
pocket on each side of the zip. On one side is a taller pocket designed for
VHF radios. It has a vertical zip, opening downwards along with a rubberprotected aerial hole at the top of the pocket. On the other side is another
decent-sized pocket which also utilises a downward-opening vertical zip.
Inside this pocket is an accessory clip and internal mesh pocket with velcro
opening to keep equipment separated. Both pockets feature a drainage hole
at the base and chunky plastic-covered zips with rubberised zip pulls. The
Xipe has four key adjustment points. Both padded shoulder straps utilise
wide webbing straps which run through buckles positioned at the top and
front of the buoyancy aid. When pulled down to tighten the shoulder straps,
the excess webbing can be neatly hidden behind fabric sections to prevent
the end of the straps flapping in the wind. The middle adjustment comes
in the form of heavily elasticated side panels and a concealed waist belt
which clips together behind the front zip. The final adjustment comes from
a thinner webbing strap and buckle at the base of the Xipe. The front zip of
the Xipe is oversized, chunky and plastic-coated with another rubberised
zip pull. The review model was a two-tone red and black (black pockets and
straps set against the red RMR400 fabric of the buoyancy aid). At strategic
points on the Xipe, reflective piping or decals provide additional visibility in
low-light conditions.

IN USE
I used the Xipe extensively over 6 weeks for short skills-based training
sessions, several shorter evening paddles and a handful of long trips. Over
that period it has proved itself to be a very comfortable and well-designed
buoyancy aid. It sits nice and high up on the body with ample room beneath
it for wearing a waist-mounted towline when seated in the kayak, and easy
access to swing the towline from front to back when towing. The 50N Xipe
I have been using is a very good fit without excess bulk at the front and an
uninhibited feel when performing a range of strokes and working at the
extremes of body rotation. Adjustment both on dry land and on the water is
simple and effective. When first donning the Xipe, you have a brief moment
wondering if youve suddenly expanded in girth as the two front sides of the
Xipe are held back by the heavily elasticated sides. This however allows you
to clip and then tighten the webbing belt before pulling the front together
and zipping up the buoyancy aid.
In the water, the buoyancy worked effectively and the slim design allowed
relatively unhindered swimming without riding up. Performing straddle
self-rescues I found the lower volume front did not impede climbing back
onto the stern of the kayak, even when the pockets were loaded with a VHF,
EPIRB and sling/krab. The pockets worked well and can hold a reasonable
amount of equipment. The vertical zips provide easy access to the pockets,
although there is obviously more chance of kit falling out of the pocket
compared to top-opening pockets (take a few moments to attach items onto
the provided accessory clip). The VHF pocket is nicely designed and, even
with the aerial through the provided hole at the top of the pocket, I was still
able to remove the VHF easily from the pocket due to the vertical zip.

OCEAN PADDLER

Used as intended (i.e. to store a hydration pack), the rear pocket works well.
For paddlers who like to store flares in a rear pocket, it is almost impossible
to open the rear zip wearing the PFD so you would be reliant on another
paddler opening it for you.
It is difficult to comment on long-term durability after only six weeks;
however, there are no signs of wear and tear after some reasonably heavy
use. In particular, there are no issues with zips corroding despite an
intentional lack of care cleaning the buoyancy aid after use (not
recommended).

SUMMARY
Im really impressed with the Xipe. It is obvious that Yak have thought hard
about the design brief with this buoyancy aid. The nuts-and-bolts of decentsized pockets, slim design and easy adjustment are all covered, but its the
attention to detail (e.g. decent zips with chunky corrosion-resistant zip pulls
for cold wet hands) that I particularly like. The ability to tuck away strap
ends to prevent them flapping in the wind is another good feature. The
pocket openings are well thought-out and provide ample storage without
over-bulking the front of the buoyancy aid. With a comfortable fit during
extended paddling, this is a solid sea kayaking buoyancy aid!
For more information see

www.yak-paddling.com