I'm looking at buying a good PFD for the Boundary Waters. So I like your advice, what is your favorite PFD?

This will sound overly simplistic, but the favorite PFD is not a name brand, but one that fits, is comfortable and is worn on the water. All PFDs are designed to make people float. Just find the one that works best for you.

As Jackfish said, we all have different body shapes and sizes and whats comfortable for you may not be for me and vice versa. For instance, I have a longer torso and kneel, so most of the PFD's made to ride above the seat back of a kayaker or sitting canoeist feels like a bra to me (well, I suppose it does, I've never actually WORN one LOL).

Best advice is to go to a paddling shop and try some on and move your arms and torso around and pay attention to areas that chafe. If it does it in the store, it will be markedly worse on the water. If you are like me and hundreds of miles from a paddling shop then find a place with a liberal return policy like REI or NRS. If they don't fit, both these places will take it back.

That said, I've had good luck with Stohlquist PFD's. I wish someone would bring back the most comfortable paddling PFD of all time, the SEDA vertical soft foam PFD. Made a nice pillow too!

Stohlquist PFD

I really like the old Seda PFDs. Not made anymore which is a shame.

mr.barley: "I really like the old Seda PFDs. Not made anymore which is a shame."

My fav as well. Sorry that doesn't help the OP out but it had articulated flotation so makes it more comfortable to me.

T

I have been considering this: Mocke racing PFD
Marathon canoe racers use it. Lightweight, allows free movement, but it is a pullover design.

gymcoachdon: "I have been considering this: Mocke racing PFD
Marathon canoe racers use it. Lightweight, allows free movement, but it is a pullover design."

Have been wearing a very similar PFD, Astral YTV , for the last several years. Love it! Light weight, freedom to move, secure. Pull on proved to be no problem, the small pockets just right for tube of sunscreen, compass and whistle.

I'm all in favor of fit and comfort as deciders over pockets and convenience. Need to try on and wear in store to determine, even if it requires a road trip to shop, it's too personal of a choice for opinions and others favorites. Your life may depend on it!

butthead

I had a favorite. It saved my life. Then I lost it. Crap.

Last one I bought, I went in the store, grabbed a paddle and flipped it upside down, sat on something about the height of my seat, and started practicing my strokes. The ones I came in to try out got put back on the hanger after this test. After trying on 90% of the stock on hand, I finally found one that worked for me. Was very glad I hadn't ordered them online.

Thanks for the advice, folks. I will see what I can find. Thanks for the suggestions.

I really like the looks of that Astral. I will add it to my short list. The Mocke has a large mesh back pocket that will hold a water bladder, probably 2 or 3 liters easy. Makes sense for a racer. The Astral makes more sense for tripping.

I had cheap life jacket the chafed my arm pits and never wore it. Bought one that is comfortable and I don't go without it.
Get one that fits and is comfortable.
If you think you don't need to wear read the trip report Wabakimi baptism.

LL Bean Discovery

Looks like it's been slightly updated since I got mine, but it's very comfortable, reasonably priced, and the zippered pockets are very handy.

Thanks for all the tips. I got a Stohlquist Fisherman PFD for Christmas. It fits really nice and I practiced paddling for a while and feels great. I love having all the extra compact pockets. The last test I need to do it test it in the water. But since I don't do polar bear plunges I shall have to wait :-)

Is it as nice as my Stohlquist?




(seen here modeled by the one and only Bogwalker. Photogenic, even during an abduction!)

HowardSprague: "Is it as nice as my Stohlquist?






(seen here modeled by the one and only Bogwalker. Photogenic, even during an abduction!)
"

Looks like someone was going through BWCA withdrawals.