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Author	Message Text
OldFingers57	05/22/2014 10:45AM   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.
HowardSprague	05/22/2014 12:18PM   I wear this one in all conditions and find it comfortable. From LL Bean- Or you could go with Bogwalker's vintage Stohlquist
Lord Osis	05/22/2014 01:51PM   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.
butthead	05/22/2014 07:48PM   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
PINETREE	05/22/2014 09:48AM   Anybody try this Atral PFD-still looking for a good PFD with great ventilation-so a person will not get as hot. cool ventilation?
PINETREE	05/22/2014 07:40PM   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).
Thwarted	05/22/2014 09:26PM   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.
OBX2Kayak	05/22/2014 07:23PM   Query about the inflatables: do they self inflate when you hit the water? What happens if you are knocked out and fall overboard?
PINETREE	05/22/2014 01:16PM   review
OBX2Kayak	05/22/2014 01:41PM   The Astral could use a few more pockets for tripping.
PINETREE	05/22/2014 01:49PM   agree,it does have some pockets,how big?
MacCamper	05/24/2014 07:36AM   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.
PINETREE	05/11/2012 10:37AM   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?
PortageKeeper	05/11/2012 10:52AM   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.
PINETREE	05/11/2012 02:33PM   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).
tonyyarusso	05/11/2012 03:52PM   Haven't actually bought it yet, but I'm considering getting the Kokatat OutFIT Tour - it felt great wearing around the store.
ozarkpaddler	05/11/2012 05:12PM   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!
butthead	02/03/2015 10:59AM   "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
Pinetree	02/03/2015 10:21AM   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
Pinetree	02/03/2015 03:44PM   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.
hopalonghowie	05/12/2012 10:50PM   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.
deerfoot	01/30/2015 10:52PM   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.
andym	01/31/2015 02:25PM   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.
Pinetree	01/30/2015 09:22PM   I love it.
Chross16	01/31/2015 12:30PM   I love my NRS Chinook...great in comfort and a lot of function for fishing tackle...
LuvMyBell	01/31/2015 06:43PM   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.
PINETREE	05/24/2014 08:32AM   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.
BWPaddler	05/11/2012 12:11PM   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.
Sierra1	05/11/2012 02:08PM   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.
PINETREE	05/11/2012 03:13PM   ideas?
kanoes	05/11/2012 03:34PM   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.
walllee	02/02/2015 07:01PM   Mustang self inflate for me.
fadersup	02/02/2015 12:20PM   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
SunCatcher	02/01/2015 03:14AM   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
Moss Tent	02/01/2015 09:24AM   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!
SaganagaJoe	02/01/2015 10:19AM   one that fits me good
luft	02/01/2015 08:52PM   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.
Pinetree	02/01/2015 09:19PM   I like the Astral because it is cooler to wear in hot weather much more than many PFD.