I'm honestly surprised that I haven't been able to find a recent thread on suggested PFDs. There was one for dogs after all! lol

In all honesty, I'm among the group (likely larger than will admit) that only occasionally wear a PFD when paddling. Part is where I live, Ohio, and most of the places around here honestly don't need them, shallow rivers, small lakes, etc. But even when I go to the BWCA/Quetico/WC, I just don't like them.

Probably that's due to discomfort as I've never bothered to research/spend any real money on something good. And the rest is simply arrogance. Which is funny/sad as I work as firefighter/EMT. I really should know better.

Anyway, I'm looking for thoughts from you fine folks on what you like and why. Obviously comfort is a significant issue, but secondary to actually working if needed. For reference, I'm interested in adult and kid options as my kids are very much of the tripping age.

Thoughts/opinions/links are all much appreciated. Happy paddling!

I really liked the one I was wearing May 23, 2001. It saved me some extra bruising when I was man-handled, unconscious, into the float plane.

My personal favorite is the NRS Ninja . The flotation is front and back only leaving the sides open. This makes wearing this PFD as cool as possible and also eliminates any chafing associated with the PFD and paddling all day. The NRS is so unobtrusive, there is never a reason not to have it on. On occasion, I forget to take it off while portaging.

The only negative to the Ninja is there is minimal storage options for carrying fishing gear or camping accessories on the PFD itself.

Good Luck, stay safe

My wife and I both like the NRS ninja, just noticed today that they are discontinuing the "old" version so it is on sale for cheap right now.

I like my NRS Ninja too and I also got mine on sale at a great price. No interference with arm movement and very secure fit in case you end up swimming. I'm a solo paddler and paddle all year in Michigan and I've had my share of dramatic oddball experiences that I never would have dreamed of that help me stay in the habit of wearing it.

NRS SheNook for women or NRS Chinook for men. In general, NRS makes PFDs that are designed for people who paddle all day long so they are comfortable, have good arm clearance. I like having some type of pockets so I can carry a ditch kit in case I get separated from my boat and/or gear.

100% it is the Stohlquist Fisherman. You just can't beat the fact that it has upper back floatation to keep your head above water in the event of being unconscious, as well as the two storage dens on the front for your ditch kit (waterproof matches, mylar blanket, fishing license, candy bars, multi-tool, GoPro, compass, Garmin InReach, Bungee-Dealee Bobs, etc etc etc). Six-way belt adjustment keeps it from riding up your body. Super comfortable and as I have attested many times before; I've been in the middle of setting up camp and then realized I was still wearing it.

Saves your life.

Comfortable.

Plenty of storage.

Why are you waiting?! Just get the Stohlquist Fisherman and thank me later.

The best suggestion that I can make is to almost disregard brand name and find the PFD that fits you the best. If you can get to a paddling store with many brands and styles in stock, try on as many as you can and buy the one that is comfortable. That will greatly increase the likelihood of it being worn.

If you have time and/or the ability to get to Madison, WI for Canoecopia the 2nd weekend of March, you'll probably have no greater opportunity to try on PFDs from most of the major manufacturers. My wife and I both bought our PFDs there after trying on half a dozen models/styles. Very happy with our choices.

"The best suggestion that I can make is to almost disregard brand name and find the PFD that fits you the best. If you can get to a paddling store with many brands and styles in stock, try on as many as you can and buy the one that is comfortable. That will greatly increase the likelihood of it being worn."

The above advice from Jackfish is spot on, and I second this. Any name brand PFD you'd find at an outdoor store, made for kayaking/canoeing will be OK. The key is fit and comfort. If its comfy, you're more likely to wear it.

I would not get one you have to pull over your head to get off/on, that's a pain. I prefer a PFD that has at least one decent pocket, into which goes my small survival kit.

scottiebaldwin: "100% it is the Stohlquist Fisherman. "

I'm looking at this one to replace my Stohlquist Ebb (the previous version). Has that same upper back flotation, open sides, is super comfy, etc. But the pockets are pure trash. Just a small plastic button to hold them shut, they are at a weird angle, and they are not closed off enough to keep smaller items in, they fall out constantly. The one pocket has a little shock cord loop inside and that's where I clip my inreach, which is nice.

The new version has one zippered pocket, and one open pocket, which I still dont like.

I really like my Kokatat outfit tour PFD. The offset zipper means they can fit one more pocket onto the front of the vest. I do my phone in one pocket, GPS in the center, and ditch kit in the other. It is highly adjustable, and I find the shoulder straps are very comfortable for portaging a canoe.

Another NRS Chinook guy here.

I will echo two thoughts - one, the NRS models are great. They are super comfortable, open on the sides to reduce any rubbing/restrictive feeling when paddling (the biggest selling point to me), and allow for air flow. The second thought is that I learned/discovered all of these benefits by going to my local outfitting stores (Cabela's, REI, etc.) and trying on several different models until I found ones that my wife and I really liked. They both happened to be NRS models but ones that we felt most comfortable was the main goal, not having the same brand.

Try on as many as you can and find the one the fits you the best. And keep it on whenever paddling!

The Astral Sturgeon is my favorite for 3 season paddling. It was designed for anglers but is my godsend as a paddler. Incredibly comfortable in all temperatures. Never too hot. Very well made. No tears, rips or failures in 6-7 years of regular use.

The side zipper entry reduces that claustrophobic pressure against the chest. The clamshell front pocket is low profile, allowing for great range when paddling, with incredibly useful storage. Behind the interior zipper of the clamshell are my 10 essentials in miniature form in case of capsize in cold water. The clamshell itself folds down as a work space without everything falling out. If you are fishing there are ample attachment points for your tools. Pockets in the clamshell prop up your phone so you can take forward facing videos hands free without needing any mounts/GoPro etc.

Floatation is adequate for BWCA conditions. Two rear loops can be used during rescues in a pinch. Colors are attractive. Styling is pleasantly low key attractive.

Git em while the gittins good because it looks like they are v low in stock? Hopefully that means a redesign is coming??? Thank heaven we have three at home!

AlexanderSupertramp: "

scottiebaldwin: "100% it is the Stohlquist Fisherman. "

I'm looking at this one to replace my Stohlquist Ebb (the previous version). Has that same upper back flotation, open sides, is super comfy, etc. But the pockets are pure trash. Just a small plastic button to hold them shut, they are at a weird angle, and they are not closed off enough to keep smaller items in, they fall out constantly. The one pocket has a little shock cord loop inside and that's where I clip my inreach, which is nice.

The new version has one zippered pocket, and one open pocket, which I still dont like. "

I ended up getting the Stohlquist Keeper. Better pockets, in my opinion, then the Fisherman. The big pocket on either side is able to hold a Pelican M40 MicroCase, which is my ditch kit. The other pocket is able to hold my GPS and InReach SE. Other pockets hold a knife, spare compass, watch, extra bundgee's, etc. And I was able to get a good deal (on sale) in my size and yellow color.
https://stohlquist.com/products/keeper?variant=38143664521383

Another vote for the Ninja. Super comfortable when paddling, easy to get on and off, cooler than most vest to wear. No issues with rubbing or chafing after long days in the saddle.

I'll probably upgrade from my current NRS to this Stohlquist Keeper at some point. It looks like the perfect setup with the storage pockets and the design for paddling comfort.

Minnesotian:
I ended up getting the Stohlquist Keeper. Better pockets, in my opinion, then the Fisherman. The big pocket on either side is able to hold a Pelican M40 MicroCase, which is my ditch kit. The other pocket is able to hold my GPS and InReach SE. Other pockets hold a knife, spare compass, watch, extra bundgee's, etc. And I was able to get a good deal (on sale) in my size and yellow color.
https://stohlquist.com/products/keeper?variant=38143664521383 "

Oooo I like that one a lot! That's a spicy price tag for a life vest but I love those pockets, and like I you I enjoy the feeling of having emergency items on my person when paddling and not in a pack somewhere that I could lose in an accident. Now I have to scour the internet for a sale.

That looks like it has a full back panel though, do you use a seatback? Does it interfere with comfort?

I own a Stohlquist Keeper as well and like it a lot. The multiple pockets are a big plus for me. I kept a ditch kit, including a small water filter, a compass and a True North map in it on my last trip and had plenty of room for my phone, a Garmin Inreach, a snack. It can get bulky if you stuff the pockets full and I imagine that might get annoying but it didn't impede my paddling.

The Keeper has a relatively thin, flat back. I haven't used it with a canoe seat but seems to me it's just a bit of padding that wouldn't be likely to have a negative impact with a seat. I did most of our portages wearing it while carrying my canoe and didn't have a problem, though I didn't wear it while carrying my portage pack as it does make it difficult to get the chest strap across.

My wife loves her Kokotat MsFit. I just got an Kokotat Neptune to replace an old PFD and I like it too.

One thing to note about PFDs is that unisex PFDs tend to lack the bust space needed for a comfortable fit for women. At least that's what the wife tells me.

In a previous life I sold even more PFDs than Pungos. I’m counting on the former to offset the latter when the tally is made at the pearly gates. :-)

The advice to choose the most comfortable one is sound. Two more considerations:

1. Front pockets can make a wet re-entry into a canoe tough or impossible if the contents hang up on the gunwale. Been there, cursed that, once.

2. If you paddle a kayak in addition to (or instead of) a canoe, make sure the back of the PFD works well with the seat back on YOUR kayak.

As still somewhat new to canoe tripping (we just got back from our 4th bwca trip) we went to Canoecopia this year to buy our first pfd's. Ended up with a NRS Siren for her and NRS Zander for him.

Little secret the NRS rep told us is allot of the male NRS employees like the fit of the female jackets better because of the extra room in the top front.

Both jackets worked well with seat backs, she got a little annoyed with the over the head side entry of the siren. I liked the Zander, good tray style pockets, dedicated multi tool holder and a small knife holder.
Originally wanted an open back and sides style but after trying them on and sitting with the big hunch back pad, I chose a traditional front zip. Happy with the Zander, no complaints after 7 days on the water.

I will continue to wear my trusty type 3, ONYX A/M 24 inflatable PFD while on the water. I say trusty because I test mine every year for operation. It is the one I find comfortable and hardly know its on me.
When I have tested it, the PFD inflates in about 2 seconds after I jump in the water. 22.5 pounds of buoyancy is very good. It is one of the PFD’s that once you fall into the water no matter what orientation that is, it will flip your face up. Don’t assume like I used to that every PFD will flip your face up so you can breathe. So if you go overboard and hit your head you could be in trouble with those usual vests I see people wearing in canoes or kayaks. I would suggest everyone who has a vest PFD test to see if they turn your head up into a breathing position.

Minnesotian: "

AlexanderSupertramp: "

scottiebaldwin: "100% it is the Stohlquist Fisherman. "

I'm looking at this one to replace my Stohlquist Ebb (the previous version). Has that same upper back flotation, open sides, is super comfy, etc. But the pockets are pure trash. Just a small plastic button to hold them shut, they are at a weird angle, and they are not closed off enough to keep smaller items in, they fall out constantly. The one pocket has a little shock cord loop inside and that's where I clip my inreach, which is nice.


The new version has one zippered pocket, and one open pocket, which I still dont like. "

I ended up getting the Stohlquist Keeper. Better pockets, in my opinion, then the Fisherman. The big pocket on either side is able to hold a Pelican M40 MicroCase, which is my ditch kit. The other pocket is able to hold my GPS and InReach SE. Other pockets hold a knife, spare compass, watch, extra bundgee's, etc. And I was able to get a good deal (on sale) in my size and yellow color.
https://stohlquist.com/products/keeper?variant=38143664521383 "

Ooo! I’ve never seen this one. It looks great!

What is the rule about RABC entry to Quetico with legacy USCG approved vests (such as Type III) which are not approved by Transport Canada? Even after the joint guidelines, legacy vests are not approved.

My new PFD meets the joint guidelines and that's not a problem for me, but my old vest is USCG Type III and I've often wondered what the rule is.

Kendis: "What is the rule about RABC entry to Quetico with legacy USCG approved vests (such as Type III) which are not approved by Transport Canada? "

There is no such rule. Who would enforce it even it there was? An RABC permit is a document issued by the Canadian Customs and Border Patrol and it's a permit issued by mail or email. They only care that you're entering Canada legally.

I admit that in recent years I've been lazy about wearing mine. But with recent accidents involving experienced trippers, I've made a new effort.

Stohlquist Fisherman here. One can hardly tell that it's on at all.

pastorjsackett: " One can hardly tell that it's on at all. "

For those that don't have a quality paddling jacket and wonder about this often repeated phrase that almost sounds like it's from an infomercial, I would endorse it wholeheartedly.

Graduating from those cheap, pseudo water-ski-jackets to a quality paddling jacket is a game-changer.

Jackfish: "

Kendis: "What is the rule about RABC entry to Quetico with legacy USCG approved vests (such as Type III) which are not approved by Transport Canada? "

There is no such rule. Who would enforce it even it there was? An RABC permit is a document issued by the Canadian Customs and Border Patrol and it's a permit issued by mail or email. They only care that you're entering Canada legally."

NRS article on standards harmonization

Jackfish: "

Kendis: "What is the rule about RABC entry to Quetico with legacy USCG approved vests (such as Type III) which are not approved by Transport Canada? "

There is no such rule. Who would enforce it even it there was? An RABC permit is a document issued by the Canadian Customs and Border Patrol and it's a permit issued by mail or email. They only care that you're entering Canada legally."

If you're a tourist and the vest is approved in your native territory you're okay.

Soloquist fisherman,
More important than the the name, was the gentleman at rutabaga that made shure it fit me

Ahahn366: "Soloquist fisherman,
More important than the the name, was the gentleman at rutabaga that made shure it fit me"

Stohlquist fisherman,
I need to learn proof read

I wear an Astral V-Eight and I'm very happy with it. But I would second the suggestion to try on various PFDs to find one that fits the best. Whatever you do, don't cheap out. I'm all for saving a buck when possible, except when it comes to gear that can save my life.

OCDave: "My personal favorite is the NRS Ninja . The flotation is front and back only leaving the sides open. This makes wearing this PFD as cool as possible and also eliminates any chafing associated with the PFD and paddling all day. The NRS is so unobtrusive, there is never a reason not to have it on. On occasion, I forget to take it off while portaging.


The only negative to the Ninja is there is minimal storage options for carrying fishing gear or camping accessories on the PFD itself.


Good Luck, stay safe"

My favorite as well

MTI Java is very comfortable. We wear ours 100% of the time. 2 pockets, whistle strapped inside. Padded straps, nice and open at the shoulders for paddling. We got them in bright yellow for better visibility for S&R.