[gambusia]

Can anybody recommend a good floatation vest for canoeing and kayaking?

My current vest is very old and I am looking for a new one.

Thanks

 

[Jeffonc]

I've had an Extrasport Osprey for about 5 years. High back, comfortable straps over the shoulders, good pockets. If I had a complaint it would be that its a bit bulky, but with a high-back all of the floatation is going to be condensed into a pretty small area in the front & back.

 

[biglenr]

I'm actually looking for a new one too.... My existing one is a body glove brand that must weigh 10 lbs, and is bulky as heck. I see several nice ones that greatly reduce the bulk and should be cooler to wear, and impede my movement less than my current vest.

Now where to find one for a 60 inch chest.... that's the question. The local "Get outdoors" doesn't have a single vest in my size.

 

[saltwaterbluefish]

NRS Chinook. When fishing I don't even realize I have it on. That is even with a strobe light, a vhf radio and a bunch of procure stuffed in the pockets.

 

[Bleedingblue]

Look into the whitewater kayaking vests. Most are very low profile and compact to allow for a great range of motion.

 

[GripaLip]

Mustang Survival PFD ...... These are the inflatables, either manual or auto...... May be a little pricey but the freedom of movement is what I am paying for (and keep me alive too).

 

[wookie]

I have the Astral Ronny Fisher and it's a nice one. I like it a lot better than the Stohlquist Fisherman because the back is a lot slimmer. It has a fair amount of room for my phone and camera in the pockets and even comes with a rain hood tucked into the neck. I don't think it's really any hotter than the others as they are all going to be warm.

 

[catmaster]

All I can say is wear one....it does no good not on you...whatever kind you buy...that's the best water advice I can give anybody.

 

[up on the hill]

+1 on the Astral Ronny Fisher, good fit and function..............plus it's a NC company headquartered right here in Asheville.

 

[Paddling Pirate]

I wear NRS and have worn out two. Just a great all around PFD.

 

[dmaaero]

I also wear a NRS (cvest) love it.

 

[horsehead]

I highly recommend going to a place like Get Outdoors and trying on a few and sitting in a boat like the one you have, if they have it of course. I did just that the other day... Going into the store I was convinced I was going to get the Astral Ronny Fisher. But, after trying it on and sitting in an Ultimate (my kayak at home), I found I didn't care as much for it as I thought I would. I then proceeded to try on about 4 other PFDs and ended up taking home the NRS Chinook. I couldn't be happier with my purchase, but I never would've known if I'd bought online without testing a few out.


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[wookie]

Curious as to why you didn't like the Astral with your Ultimate? I have the same boat and I think the Astral is a lot more comfortable than the Stohlquist I have with the high back pad. The Astral back is a consistent thickness and make is a lot better for me.

 

[horsehead]

One of the biggest things wasn't the padding, it was the lack of lower belt at the bottom of the pfd. I have an old Lotus Designs whitewater pfd that I used for a long time that had the lower belt. I find the belt helps keep the pfd from riding up all day... To be rather blunt, I'm fat, and if I can cinch that belt around my waist, the pfd stays put. As soon as I sat down with the astral on, it wanted to start coming up. The NRS chinook has a lower belt and thus stayed put. Furthermore, the high back clears the seat back allowing me to get full enjoyment out of the first class seat (the main reason I never wore the Lotus anymore).


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[wookie]

That makes sense. I too am of the larger waist type but I haven't noticed the vest riding up. However, I usually sit on the Captains Perch on the back of my seat.

 

[trigger22]

How come nobody has mentioned an inflatable yet? I am currently in the market for something more comfortable and an inflatable is at the top of my list.