PFD

[Brendan]

I need to replace my old PFD- I have been using a stohlquist pull over- I'd like something that zips on the side or front. I don't keep up much with the products and local stores are somewhat limited in selection. I paddle C-1 and OC-1. Any suggestions/recommendations?

[ian123]

Astral green jacket

[Einar]

For OC-1 I have a Kokatat Pro, liked it. Bought an Astral Green Jacket, love it.
Very flexible, and it doesn't bulk up in the front when I'm sitting lower in my kayak.
e

[jakke]

I've sold my astral green jacket and got a Palm Amp, for one single reason.

The astral green jacket has a brilliant fitting with 3 straps each side. But I couldn't find the quick-release when I needed to, I was always grabbing one of the other straps. That's the one and only reason I kicked mine out: too many straps and loose ends dangling around. And stuffing the irrelevant away is no solution, they come out in turbulent water.
Pretty pleased with my Palm Amp so far.

[ELGOTTO]

I like my Stohlquist Rocker.

[Silent Bob]

I just bought a Rocker as well. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it feels pretty good.

[JimW]

Astral Sea Wolf + my old chest harness = almost a Green Jacket

(I sea kayak as well as WW kayaking and WW canoeing)

I like it because it allows plenty of shoulder articulation and the shoulder strap system allows C1/OC1 paddlers to move the lower buoyancy slab down the body relative to the upper part with the pocket - they won't quite sit directly above/below but there is minimal overlap greatly reducing the front bulk which can upset cross deck strokes and rolling.
Oh, and it has a pocket for a hydration pouch for those longer trips.
Only minus point for the Sea Wolf used like this is that there are (were, there is a revised version which which may differ) no lash tabs for a knife - all the loops for attaching a chest harness are included so in every other respect it upgrades to a Green Jacket using your old harness.

I know I should buy British, but I didn't like any of the Palm offerings with their foot-thick slab of foam sticking out in front and getting in my way.

[Pejibaye]

I bought and returned six PFDs before I kept the Astral YTV. I paddle OC1 and kayak and am short. I like the fact that it doesn't have a lot of extra stuff. It's a pullover, has a knife tab on the front, two pockets, and straps on the side. That's it. It's not a rescue vest, but it does give you plenty of room to move.

The lesson I learned: don't go by the stated size; read the measurements. A small-medium for one PFD is not the same as it is for another, even within the same brand, and sometimes it's not clear whether you're looking at a woman's or man's PFD.

[magicmike]

I still love my old Astral Tempo 200 zip front. I'm gonna wear it until it falls off of me.-M-

[Paddle Power]

I purchased Kokatat Ronin Pro PFD but our waters are still frozen. I have heard good things about it before I bought it and I've owned and liked my past Kokatat PFDs.

I've never owned an Astral but of course, they make excellent PFDs.

[Brendan]

Thanks for the responses and input on PFD's- I ordered the Rocker yesterday so will see how it fits in a week or so. Vests sure have come a long way from when the primo vest was the Extrasport Hi-Float (with crotch starps)!