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OldFingers57	05/20/2017 03:52PM   The only PFD that is best for you is the one that fits you the best and is comfortable to wear. As for the straps I have a straps on mine and with using portage pads have not noticed them being a bother. I usually portage my canoe with my PFD on and a day pack on too. After I get the canoe over I take the PFD off and go back for the other large pack.
brux	06/17/2017 09:24PM   I actually take it off to portage. You could put a pack on or portage a canoe with it on I suppose if you really wanted to.
amhacker22	06/20/2017 04:27AM   I've got one that I pull a cord and it inflates. I forget it's there when I'm paddling. It's not good if you're in a fast water, but I never am, so it works.
3Ball	06/21/2017 07:52PM   quote amhacker22: "I've got one that I pull a cord and it inflates. I forget it's there when I'm paddling. It's not good if you're in a fast water, but I never am, so it works." Thats what I do too, but I don't know what I would do if I had to actually deploy it early in a trip. Do you bring a recharge kit?
brux	06/14/2017 09:59PM   I feel like this is like asking what your favorite hiking boot is; it's too much about fit and function. The only useful PFD is the one that you wear all the time on the water zipped up. Go to a store and try a lot on to see what works for you. All that said, I decided with this for both fit and function. My PLB is in the front long pocket and everything else I'd want in a ditch kit goes in the other two pockets.
jrlatt	06/14/2017 11:37PM   I always have my life jacket on. So fit is the most important goal. I am also looking for function too. I have been going to a number of stores looking and trying on life jackets. I have not found one that I like yet. The one you showed looks nice. Does your pack fit on over the top? How low does it go on your back? Thanks for sharing and Happy trails
jrlatt	06/14/2017 10:52AM   Just doing an update. I have looked at Cabelas, Walmart, and Midwest. Still like the Oneill at Dicks the best for fit. Walmart and Cabelas both had ones that were somewhat ok. I'm still looking. Happy trails
kona	07/20/2017 12:58PM   OzarkPaddler: When you were talking about the old Seda PFDs, this one came to mind, will this work for you? edit, cannot get the URL tool to work, so cut and paste this link to the Extrasport Ranger PFD Type V: https://www.sierratradingpost.com/extrasport-ranger-pfd-life-jacket-uscg-approved-type-v-for-men-and-women~p~4202n/?filterString=s~pdf/&avad=5434_ff0bd281+5434_df0af5d1&utm_source=bwca.com+bwca.com&utm_medium=Affiliate_AvantLink+Affiliate_AvantLink&utm_campaign=Affiliate+Affiliate&codes-processed=true
mirth	07/20/2017 03:03PM   I have a bass pro fisherman pfd I picked up a couple years ago. It usually stays on for the first trip across the portage and removed on the opposite end. Works great for swimming around camp, too. It also has pockets, which is nice.
ozarkpaddler	07/20/2017 07:59AM   quote jrlatt: "Just doing an update. I have looked at Cabelas, Walmart, and Midwest. Still like the Oneill at Dicks the best for fit. Walmart and Cabelas both had ones that were somewhat ok. I'm still looking. Happy trails" I had missed that you wanted to know the model of my Mustang PFD. t was It is the Mustang Integrity flotation vest, which is apparently not made anymore? They DO make the Integrity Float Coat. I did find two places online that have Small, and one that has Small and Medium. The link with only Small has some reviews, too. They DO run large, however, and a Medium would probably fit someone that wears Large? I decided to just keep using my old summer PFD's until cold weather because I cannot find ANYTHING that doesn't fit someone over 6' like a freakin' bra. Good luck. Sure wish SEDA still made PFD's. Mustang Integrity Float Coat Mustang Integrity Vest(BSC)&utm_term=1100402429854&utm_content=Bing%20Product%20Listing%20Ad Mustang Integrity Vest=[ADL]%20[UM]%20[Shopping]%20-%20Generic%20Level&utm_term=1100502012481&utm_content=Generic%20Level%20-%20Product%20Type&kwid=bingproductads-adid^11071549041-device^c-plaid^1100502012481-sku^MSTIFVSM@ADL4LP@ADL10BMC-adType^PLA
Frenchy19	07/20/2017 11:49AM   Another NRS Chinook fan. Very comfy. That said, I always take it off when I portage and clip it to my pack.
ozarkpaddler	07/20/2017 02:18PM   quote kona: "OzarkPaddler: When you were talking about the old Seda PFDs, this one came to mind, will this work for you? edit, cannot get the URL tool to work, so cut and paste this link to the Extrasport Ranger PFD Type V: https://www.sierratradingpost.com/extrasport-ranger-pfd-life-jacket-uscg-approved-type-v-for-men-and-women~p~4202n/?filterString=s~pdf/&avad=5434_ff0bd281+5434_df0af5d1&utm_source=bwca.com+bwca.com&utm_medium=Affiliate_AvantLink+Affiliate_AvantLink&utm_campaign=Affiliate+Affiliate&codes-processed=true " Thanks so much! I had a similar Extrasport and the foam was much more bulky and restrictive than the SEDA. They LOOK so similar, you wouldn't think they would feel so different? Thanks anyway!
troutdude	07/19/2017 09:57PM   Does anyone have any input on the Astral Ronny, fishing PFD? I have an Astral Green Jacket (rescue PFD) for my whitewater kayaking adventures that I love.
jrlatt	05/20/2017 10:57AM   Hello I have been thinking of replacing my Stolquist fisherman. It is ok I like the front pockets but, I have to take it of to portage. Can be warm in the summer zipped up usually it is left unzipped. I am looking for something That can be worn to portage packs, not to warm in summer. I think I may be going back to my old sterns. I also use Wenonah Bucket seat backband ahttp://www.wenonah.com/Items.aspx?id=43 with my canoe. I was looking at The MTI Fisherman. So many life jackets have a strap on the shoulders. Thats does not look very comfortable to portage a canoe. Was wondering Is there a perfect pfd for the BWCA.
ozarkpaddler	05/20/2017 01:04PM   I'll be watching this with interest. My PFD's get used a lot and the two summer ones are threadbare. As a kneeling paddler who's tall, I prefer the longer torso PFD's that you can no longer find. I'll be watching to see some recommendations. Last one I bought I had modified in the shoulders to make it longer. I prefer my PFD to wear like a "Vest," not a "Bra" and most are made with the high back nowdays. I miss SEDA's!
Wables	05/20/2017 01:56PM   I replaced my Fisherman yesterday with a NRS Chinook. Lower profile, no solid pockets, softer flotation, and fits me better. I also like the safety orange as opposed to dark green.
DeanL	05/21/2017 09:35AM   I portage the same way that OldFingers described. First trip is the canoe and a day pack and the second trip I grab my big pack. I currently wear a Cabela's full motion live vest but it tends to ride a bit higher than I like as ozark described.
Wables	05/21/2017 12:19PM   quote OldFingers57: "The only PFD that is best for you is the one that fits you the best and is comfortable to wear. " This is how I ended up with my new NRS. My last 2 were internet purchases, and I was not thrilled with either. I finally went somewhere that I could try a bunch on.
ozarkpaddler	05/21/2017 12:53PM   quote Wables: "quote OldFingers57: "The only PFD that is best for you is the one that fits you the best and is comfortable to wear. " This is how I ended up with my new NRS. My last 2 were internet purchases, and I was not thrilled with either. I finally went somewhere that I could try a bunch on. " Since our body structures are so different, trying them on in person IS "Ideal." Unfortunately, some of us live a long way from paddling shops, so I've had to do the internet thing myself. I've sent a ton of them back over the years. I love my Mustang PFD for cold weather paddling. Fits like an insulated vest. I highly recommend it! Problem is that it is too warm for summertime paddling unless you're paddling where it's cold. I know I cannot be the last "Dinosaur" out there that likes a PFD that comes down to your belt line?
jrlatt	05/21/2017 10:32PM   Thanks for the inputs. Ozarkpaddler I like the jacket. Which model is it? I have tried some at Dick's and Gander Mtn. I like the fit of the Oneil at Dicks. It came down to just above the belt with a size up. https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/oneill-mens-superlite-life-vest/16onem2016mnssprlwsr I liked the fit of it a size bigger than I would normally buy. Down side is there are no pockets and the back does not have a sweat line in it. I am going to check midwest this week. Nice thing is that I am really not in a hurry. Happy trails