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Which PFD do you have?

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To go along with @Erica thread on what we carry. What kind of PFD does everyone have?

I am in the process of looking for a new one. Since I race I like for mine to be low profile, breathable ( nothing like wearing one in 110*F going all out), light weight, easy on and off and no bells and whistles. A couple that I am looking at are the NRS Oso and the NRS Clearwater Mesh Back. The mesh back with the thick high piece would be different for me to wear. Not sure I would like that piece sitting up there. But who knows until you try them out. The one I have now is pretty close to the Oso. So it should be good.
 
Kokatat orbit, a favorite of many flatwater marathon canoe racers due to its open ease of movement and a large pocket.
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To go along with @Erica thread on what we carry. What kind of PFD does everyone have?

I am in the process of looking for a new one. Since I race I like for mine to be low profile, breathable ( nothing like wearing one in 110*F going all out), light weight, easy on and off and no bells and whistles. A couple that I am looking at are the NRS Oso and the NRS Clearwater Mesh Back. The mesh back with the thick high piece would be different for me to wear. Not sure I would like that piece sitting up there. But who knows until you try them out. The one I have now is pretty close to the Oso. So it should be good.
What ever one is on sale as long as it is comfortable, has decent floatation, a tab for attaching a knife, a good place to attach a whistle, and the zipper is easy to use and straps are easy for me to reach.
I've bought most of my lifejackets on line.
I don't really recommend that.
You need to see how it fits, how easy is it to put on and adjust, and see if anything is rubbing anywhere.
Last spring I bought what seemed like a really nice life jacket, from a well known company, and wore it on a four day trip.
It kept rubbing the underside of my chin. I'll probably never wear it again.
 
Astral E-Ronny most of the time. Also have a Mustang Survival MIT 70, which is an inflatable, for really hot days.

My wife tried the Astral late last year and liked it, so I might have to buy another. It breathes well, but not like the inflatable.


 
A question: I'm still using the old SEDA pfd--it's comfortable, in good shape, has pockets, lightweight. I've tried on newer pfd's, but mine's more comfortable, lighter, paid for. I had an earlier SEDA, but retired it after sun exposure caused the nylon to be a bit brittle, and the foam was starting to peak through. My current one is still solid, and has not had the sun exposure like my previous one (I guess I should get out more, but the Rockies aren't exactly canoe country). Why should I consider replacing it?
KODA-100810-180228.JPG
 
My current one is Bradley in camo, el cheapo. I keep thinking I’m going to get drawn in the Maine moose lottery and I dream of a hunt out of my canoe, hence the camo.
What I like about it most is when I lay it out flat on a sun warmed rock and take a nap, it’s a perfect fit.
 
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I had to go down into the depths of our basement to ferret the PFD out of hiding, just to read the labels. It's a Nautilus Capilano.
I've had thoughts of upgrading to something else but for the past couple of decades haven't seen the point. This fits, this works, whatever it is.
 
Mustang Khimera dual floatation. It's very lightweight, comfortable, and non-bulky. Minimal flotation, but when more is needed there's a CO2 inflated bladder. It can be topped up by mouth if need be. Only downside is the small pocket. It does hold my whistle, Zoleo, and iPhone.

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The one I use the most is made by Lotus. It's very comfortable and has a small pocket on the front that's perfect for small items; granola bar, chapstick, etc. The one thing I'd improve on it is to move the zipper to the middle of the front instead of off to the side. It's not a big deal but sometimes, when I'm trying to do things quickly, it's annoying having to pull it over my head and then reach to the side to zip up.

When the weather is cooler, bordering on cold, I have an Extrasport PFD. It's got long vertical tubes of flotation that wrap totally around my torso; giving me a lot of insulation. The zipper is right down the middle of the front and the side adjustment webbing allows me to adjust it almost one full size bigger or smaller as clothing requires. The only reason I don't use this as my primary PFD is because it's just too warm during most of the year.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper
 
Since it is not a PFD that I wear every day due to its weight and bulkiness, I almost forgot that after I certified as a swift water rescuer, I bought a reccomended Mustang Swift water rescue rated PFD. I would only take it out for on or near water SAR incidents. Even if I am only on walking shore search duty on water's edge and don't go into the water, rescuers are required to wear a PFD on land when on a water search incident
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I don't see many PFD that have crotch straps. My experience is the kids and I are all fairly uncomfortable in the water as the jackets float up to our armpits.

My favorite PFD was one made for water skiing that had a strap for each leg. Sadly it got stolen. The toddler PFD also had them.

Is the thinking now that crotch straps are too big an entrapment hazard? If I had to take a long swim I'd sure rather have one than not.
 
I use an NRS Ninja, black with a green underbelly. I'm glad I got a black/green one as a couple of my friends have the same model all black, and color is the easiest way to tell them apart. It's a very low profile design, no zipper, goes over your head and clasps on the side. That's a bit of a nuisance putting it on and taking it off as my hat and sometimes glasses can be in the way, but it's not a big deal and anyway I tend to just leave it on.

As an aside, when a PFD wears out, tear it open and see if the foam inside looks useful. I harvested some very nice cushy closed cell foam from an old Extrasport, and I've been using it for knee pads, etc.
 
I have several but most are old and too small. The one that now fits me best, and just fine, is an inexpensive ($40), one-size-fits-all, slab jacket with two big pockets. I think most "name" PFDs are a waste of money. They all have the necessary flotation, so all I'm really interested in these days are big arm holes and big pockets.

PFD.jpg

My favorite warm weather PFD and my lightest is the first certified hybrid vest, like Patrick's, which has 8 lbs. of foam flotation and can be inflated by CO2 cartridge (which I removed) or mouth tube up to 22 lbs. It will also float you right side up. Three pockets. Maybe not available anymore or way overpriced, the Kokatat SeaO2:

Sea02-Front.jpg
 
Kokatat orbit, a favorite of many flatwater marathon canoe racers due to its open ease of movement and a large pocket.

I like the Kokatat Orbit and the NRS Ninja after seeing y'all's posted. The other low profile with the CO2 cartridge assist are not allow in most of the races I do. Looking at Kokatat's website, it looks like they may not make the Orbit anymore? I do not see it there.
 
Clint, unfortunately, I thnk you are correct - the Orbit has gone into orbit and cannot be found in that format anymore with the pockets. Mine has been with me for going on 10,000 miles of races and training, at times caked with gray Yukon silt. It is easy to put on and take off, while still fitting securely with a pair of easily adjustable straps. Fortunately I did buy a spare when they were still available. But I think there are other equivalent models available.
 
Stohlquist Men's Piseas PFD.
Good for fishing to keep fly boxes and other items, but not the most comfortable to wear all day. I have not dumped with this one, so can’t speak to that.
DBD191F1-2606-46AD-9C00-9CA64AFE34CD.jpeg
 
I don't see many PFD that have crotch straps. My experience is the kids and I are all fairly uncomfortable in the water as the jackets float up to our armpits.

My favorite PFD was one made for water skiing that had a strap for each leg. Sadly it got stolen. The toddler PFD also had them.

Is the thinking now that crotch straps are too big an entrapment hazard? If I had to take a long swim I'd sure rather have one than not.

Some internet research shows that most of the name brand pdfs have the option to add crotch straps. NRS calls them leg straps. So, if you find a pdf you like, search their website for crotch straps and you may find them. Here is an example (but there are more)
https://www.nrs.com/nrs-pfd-leg-straps/pugv (I also had a child and her pfd had crotch straps.)

You also might be interested in the Stohlquist Rocker Pfd, which has:
  • Cross-Chest Cinch for Zero Ride-Up
    The innovative Cross-Chest Cinch harness, found only on Stohlquist PFDs, offers the most unique fit of any PFD, by keeping the vest down & in place, to eliminate ride-up. The "cinch" prevents and eliminates chafing on your chin and underarms caused by annoying vest ride-up.
That might keep your pfd in place.

Clearly the kind of pfd you want depends on what kind of water sports you do. If you are doing calm water, no ww, then a lighter weight pfd is probably good enough. If you do WW, or paddle on shoulder seasons, you might want something more substantial.

I have not found a pfd that has a knife sheath rather than an outside lash tab. I don't know where my instructor got his. I should have paid more attention.

My current pfd is from Stolquist and does not appear to be available anymore. It is styled to accommodate a woman's figure.

I also have an old Extrasport that I really like.

A couple things to keep in mind when shopping for a pfd.

1. Check the amount of floatation. Most are around 16 pounds. One I looked at was 18 pounds. This is enough to help you float but it will not turn you over or keep you floating if you are unconscious.
2. Check how much it weighs. Some are as light as 1-1/2 pounds. Others are over 3 pounds. And that is not counting the gear you put in it.

Overall, noted again and again, is: The best pfd for you is the one you will wear. It doesn't matter how great the pfd is if it is sitting in the bottom of the boat when you swim.
 
To go along with @Erica thread on what we carry. What kind of PFD does everyone have?

I am in the process of looking for a new one. Since I race I like for mine to be low profile, breathable ( nothing like wearing one in 110*F going all out), light weight, easy on and off and no bells and whistles. A couple that I am looking at are the NRS Oso and the NRS Clearwater Mesh Back. The mesh back with the thick high piece would be different for me to wear. Not sure I would like that piece sitting up there. But who knows until you try them out. The one I have now is pretty close to the Oso. So it should be good.
I use an Astral Sea Wolf. Very nice, large clam shell pocket in the front. Quite comfortable, with a fleece lined hand warmer pocket behind the clam shell. The Sea Wolf no longer in Astral lineup, but it appears Astrals Ninja PFD is similar.

E340973D-48F5-4844-941B-149C4370C39F.png
 
Mine is a ExtraSport, came with crotch straps, even had the foam over the shoulders that could doubled as portage pads. I bought it because at the time it had the highest flotation rate of PFD vests. Too warm on a hot day, but wonderfully warm under a rain jacket on cold, wet and windy day’s. Never worn on a portage, because of the warmth. I also had an inflatable vest, but was always skeptical that the air cartridge would maybe not work, it could be inflated by mouth, but I figured I would be too busy with other things if I ever needed it.
 
Minimal flotation, but when more is needed there's a CO2 inflated bladder. It can be topped up by mouth if need be.

My favorite warm weather PFD and my lightest is the first certified hybrid vest, like Patrick's, which has 8 lbs. of foam flotation and can be inflated by CO2 cartridge (which I removed) or mouth tube up to 22 lbs.

I also had an inflatable vest, but was always skeptical that the air cartridge would maybe not work, it could be inflated by mouth, but I figured I would be too busy with other things if I ever needed it.

Boreal Birch may have had a fully inflatable vest—that is, one with no inherent flotation. The hybrid vests that Patrick and I have inlude a sufficient amount of foam to float me in calm flat waters, and I've practiced mouth inflating with air while floating in the water via the foam flotation. It doesn't take many puffs to achieve that.

However, that is not how I use the mouth-air inflatability of my hybrid vest. I inflate it while in the canoe and before I risk paddling in waters that could capsize me. For example, I puff up my hybrid vest before making a long crossing, before attempting to paddle in windy conditions, and before I run a rapid. I don't wait until after I've dumped into the water to blow it up to 22 lbs. of flotation, even though I could probably do that. After the dangerous conditions have passed, it only takes a few seconds to squeeze the air out. I don't think a fully inflatable vest allows this type of flexibility.

One caveat: I wouldn't recommend a hybrid or any inflatable PFD as a primary PFD for regular whitewater use. I wouldn't trust the integrity of the air bladders as I banged my body down a rocky rapid out of my canoe.
 
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