BWCA PFD that works with canoe chair backrest Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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Argo1
member (29)member
  
02/11/2021 09:36PM  
I am in need of a new PFD. The one I have annoyingly fits with the back foam right at near the top of a crazy creek canoe chair which pushes it up (even though the chair is not very tall) and it drives me nuts. I dont need anything fancy, but I do tend to wear it 100% of the time, including portaging the canoe so comfort is key.

There seem to be two styles worth looking at:

high back style (not sure how comfy this is, looks strange)
https://www.nrs.com/product/40028.02/nrs-cvest-mesh-back-pfd

and low profile (doesn't directly fix the issue, but maybe makes it manageable?)
https://www.nrs.com/product/40056.02/nrs-ion-pfd

I have an average to skinny build if that matters. I have no brand preference either. Anyone try these styles for touring?
 
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rxgac
member (23)member
  
02/12/2021 06:44AM  
just curious, and there may be a reason to not use it with a canoe, but what about the inflatables?
 
02/12/2021 07:40AM  
I have a NRS chinook that is similar to the first PFD you had in the link. I wear it all the time and don't have any issues with comfort. We also have Crazy Creek Canoe chairs and have no issues using chair in the canoe while wearing the PFD. The padding on the back of the PFD is high enough to rest above the back of the seat.
 
mschi772
distinguished member(806)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/12/2021 08:04AM  
Astral V-eight is a pfd made for kayaks and pakboats with seat backs.
 
BrianDay
distinguished member (136)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/12/2021 08:22AM  
Either style works with tall backrests. Comes down to personal preference.

Mesh back styles will be a little cooler. They have a big chunk of foam at the top of the back panel that some people don't like. But they're very popular. The NRS Chinook is a hugely popular fishing vest. Lots of people like the fit.

Thin backs are a little warmer. The thin foam is comfortable against a tall back rest and they have a lower-profile fit because the flotation in the back panel isn't concentrated at the top of the vest. This style is newer than the mesh back and gaining popularity.

Different folks like different vests. Best thing is to try them on if you can. Lots of things go into how comfortable a vest is. Cut of fabric, type of fabric, type of foam, distribution of foam, style of entry. Lot's of variables that go into how a vest fits. You really do need to try them on yourself to know what you'll like best.

Brian
 
Othello
distinguished member (139)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/12/2021 03:16PM  
I have an Astral Ronny, with their "thin-vent" back, that I find perfectly comfortable with seat backs (Crazy Creek or GCI Sitbacker).
 
justpaddlin
distinguished member(540)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/12/2021 07:22PM  
V-eight

Take a look at how high the rear flotation pad is. I have one and like it a lot.
 
02/12/2021 09:28PM  
Othello: "I have an Astral Ronny, with their "thin-vent" back, that I find perfectly comfortable with seat backs (Crazy Creek or GCI Sitbacker)."


Funny, I also have an Astral Ronny and have the same issue as the OP - sometimes it rides up just enough that the bottom of the flat-back PFD catches on the top of my seat back - granted I use a back-band, so not quite as high as a CC seat's back. Looking to get a high-back one instead, probably a V-eight.
 
Argo1
member (29)member
  
02/12/2021 09:39PM  
Those Astrals look nice. What do you guys think of the inflatables? I am not familiar with them but they seem like a good option. For me it would need to be automatic as I may be in panic mode if I capsize.
 
02/13/2021 10:44PM  
+1 NRS Chinook Fishing PFD. Lots of pockets. Lots of room to move arms to paddle. Front and high back flotation does not interfere with high back seat.
 
paddlingpika
member (14)member
  
02/14/2021 11:30PM  
An automatic inflatable pfd doesn't know the difference between turning over in the middle of a lake or river vs accidentally slipping at a put-in or take-out leading to sitting in the water. One time on a day trip here in Louisiana a guy was wearing an automatic inflatable. At the lunch stop people were jumping in the water to cool off before sitting down to eat. The guy with the inflatable forgot he was wearing it and jumped in to cool off - Poof! He installed his spare CO2 cartridge during lunch but then slipped when stepping back into his canoe - another Poof! He hadn't brought a second spare cartridge and found it very awkward to paddle in an inflated vest.
 
02/16/2021 02:54AM  
It's not on your list but the same price, I also give endorsement for the NRS Chinook. Even if you don't fish it's a great high back PDF with lots of storage. I love mine.
 
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