Talked about in the past,but good timing for the present.
Best PFD for you? One that would be cooler for warm weather that is still comfortable? Always looking for new ideas in a life jacket?

I posted this a few days back, and surprisingly got no replies about inflatable pfd's. I would have thought that they'd be preferred by some, in hot weather.

Rarely trip in hot weather, but tried it last summer again. As long as I swim at each portage, I don't mind wearing pfd when I'm paddling. Just kept hydrating.

I'm currently using an auto inflate collar style. I like the light weight and open design that keeps me cool. I find it more comfortable than the panel style.

I know different people who use the inflatable. Still a little of leery going that way. Will say if you would not wear one otherwise,than they are very nice. Don't cut corners tho on these,get a good quality one. Also unless they have changed recently, they were not recommended for use below a certain temperature(want to say in the 36 to 40 degree range,but not sure at all). Also the way I throw things around or get a hook caught in them-what happens? I believe some models coast Guard approved? Lot depends on how you use them and still bring the standard PFD with you(they don't weigh much).

ideas?

quote PINETREE: " ideas? "

i have the previous version of the drifter when it only had one pocket. (one pocket? really? just plain stupid on their part)

great pfd, very comfortable.

Haven't actually bought it yet, but I'm considering getting the Kokatat OutFIT Tour - it felt great wearing around the store.

Been wearing this Stohlquist Escape for several years now. It frequently reaches high 90's to 100 here in the Ozarks and I wear 100% of the time. Feels comfortable to me and didn't cost a C-note like most of them!

Cabela's "Advanced Anglers Vest" not a paddling specific vest but I wanted something that would work for me when I'm not in the BW.

Anybody try this Atral PFD-still looking for a good PFD with great ventilation-so a person will not get as hot.

cool ventilation?

My wife has an Astral and loves it. She was always hot in her other PFD. She noticed a big difference in switching to the Astral.

I wear this one in all conditions and find it comfortable. From LL Bean-




Or you could go with Bogwalker's vintage Stohlquist

review

The Astral could use a few more pockets for tripping.

agree,it does have some pockets,how big?

are those inflating ones approved in Canada?
Usually a DNR/MNR person will be satisfied if you are wearing one and not check for the required approval, I'd hate to be hassled by them to see if mine had the required approval, whether it did or not.

Query about the inflatables: do they self inflate when you hit the water? What happens if you are knocked out and fall overboard?

quote OBX2Kayak: "Query about the inflatables: do they self inflate when you hit the water? What happens if you are knocked out and fall overboard?"

Some will self inflate when contacting water,some won't. Some you pull a draw cord.
They might have changed in recent years but some inflatables were not recommended in use in colder conditions like around 38 degrees F.(this was 10 years ago).

quote PortageKeeper: "I posted this a few days back, and surprisingly got no replies about inflatable pfd's. I would have thought that they'd be preferred by some, in hot weather."

Link to thread on inflatables

Missed your post, but I like my Kokatat SeaO2. 8lbs flotation uninflated, 22lbs inflated.

butthead

I just bought an NRS Clearwater for these reasons:

1). Easy to put on. I found that some PFDs were hard to join/line up the zippers but this one matches up easily.

2) Open sides do not interfere with paddling motion and provide good ventilation.

3) Mesh back provides clearance for canoe seat back.

4) Two front pockets are placed/sized so they do not impede paddling motion.

5) overall good comfort

6). Bottom waist buckle will around by canoe seat for portaging.

I have both since investing in a nice Stohlquist fishing vest at canoecopia. Due to perceived comfort and reduced size, following years of use, I had always felt that the manual inflating vest would be my pdf of preference.

However, after several days of wearing the new device during a solo adventure a week ago, I don't think my inflatable will be going to the BWCA again. The Stohlquist was so darn comfortable I never really felt hindered. It also makes for a nice backrest when propped against a rock while I read.

My pockets are full of critical safety items in case I get into trouble as well as some fishing gear. And a big plus is that short of brushing away soil, it requires no maintenance at all.

Everybody is different and if an inflatable is something you would wear vs nothing, it is a good move. To me in the BWCA and how hard I am on things, throwing it around on the rocks, poking the vest with hooks etc. I don't think it would hold up.

I ordered the Astral from REI on their anniversary sale. Tough to buy sight unseen, but they have a great return policy and no shipping costs when I ordered it. The Astral had great reviews by customers.

Will see if I like it.

I love it.

I have a Seda I bought many years ago. Since I had been given an old used Seda life vest which I came to really like, I didn't use my newly purchased one until recently. So I will have to make this one last since they went out of production years ago. Seda vests are very light and made with thin vertical panels so they fit well, are comfortable and cool. A great canoeing life vest.

I love my NRS Chinook...great in comfort and a lot of function for fishing tackle...

It's really good if you can try things on. We're lucky to have an REI and a West Marine in the same parking lot and a local paddling store across the street. All of our PFD's seem to be Extrasports but the ones we use for paddling are too old to remember the model and they don't make it anymore. There is a tension between very little in the front to be comfortable paddling and needing floatation in the front so you float face up and having pockets in the front for convenience. I've tried them all and haven't quite found one as good as our old ones and they are getting old.

I really, really, really like the idea of the Kokata Sea02 but tried a friends and didn't find it as good on as I would have liked.

A lot of people I sail with use inflatables. But they aren't fishing. I think the bladder is pretty protected inside heavy material until it inflates. I've just preferred something with floatation that doesn't require things working. But that's just a preference.

quote PINETREE: " I believe some models Coast Guard approved? "

If a model is not Coast Guard approved, can it legally be called a PFD? I am pretty sure any model that is not Coast Guard approved would not meet the legal standards of having a pfd in the boat/canoe while on the water.

quote PINETREE: "Anybody try this Atral PFD-still looking for a good PFD with great ventilation-so a person will not get as hot.

cool ventilation? "

I have the V-8 and have for 6 years, really like mine, I have never had a problem with being over hot.

SunCatcher

Said it on the other thread, will say it again here: Extrasport Swiftwater Fury, on closeout now for $175

Absolutely bombproof.

And about it being cool: not the coolest, but OTOH it is one of the warmest, should you fall into cold water or do lots of early- or late-season stuff, which I personally am much more concerned about.

22 lbs flotation

http://www.nrs.com/product/2178/extrasport-swiftwater-fury-closeout

I might pick me up a spare!

one that fits me good

quote OBX2Kayak: "The Astral could use a few more pockets for tripping."

quote PINETREE: "agree,it does have some pockets,how big?"

I have the Astral as well and like it very much.

It does have two pockets in the front on either side of the zipper. They are not huge but I can fit my ditch kit in one and my GPS in the other. They have a fold over flap with a snap at the top and the opening is a bit snug. The pockets are the only slight negative in my book. I wish they had more room like the fisherman PDFs my boys have. But the slimmer pockets mean that my pfd is also less bulky. So not a deal breaker in my book.

I like the Astral because it is cooler to wear in hot weather much more than many PFD.

I've been very happy with this one. Light and comfortable with good pockets and some mesh for warm weather. I like the look of those Astrals too.

Kokotat Bahia Tour

Mustang self inflate for me.

There is a lot of pluses with inflatables,like you will wear it at times the others you may not,but like most things they may have negatives also? It is up to you to make the decision. I would definitely think about when and where you use them. Maybe they have changed greatly,but there was a time on some makes they said do not use below a certain temperature. I do think they are getting much better and more widely used but be educated on the issue.
I do know in real hot weather when many people would not wear anything,they may wear inflatable.
Sometimes keeping the option of both types to wear open is good.



info

"do not use below a certain temperature." is because the inflator is fixed (a co2 cartridge primary, backed up by oral inflation), and if used, an auto submersion trigger valve's action can vary, according to temp.
I'm a proponent of the "best is the one worn", whatever reason. Fit and function do little if used as a cushion or stuffed in the stems of the canoe/watercraft. Inflatables are offered in a variety of designs, form hybrid foam/inflatable, to suspender, even CG approved long sleeved jackets.

One important thing to consider is that all CG approved inflatable must be worn (over any other clothing), to qualify as a PFD. Article on legal requirements.

butthead

quote butthead: ""do not use below a certain temperature." is because the inflator is fixed (a co2 cartridge primary, backed up by oral inflation), and if used, an auto submersion trigger valve's action can vary, according to temp.
I'm a proponent of the "best is the one worn", whatever reason. Fit and function do little if used as a cushion or stuffed in the stems of the canoe/watercraft. Inflatables are offered in a variety of designs, form hybrid foam/inflatable, to suspender, even CG approved long sleeved jackets.

One important thing to consider is that all CG approved inflatable must be worn (over any other clothing), to qualify as a PFD. Article on legal requirements.


butthead"

Good points.