I was wondering if anyone had some thoughts or recommendations on personal floatation devices. Mine is ancient (like me).
Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog
I was wondering if anyone had some thoughts or recommendations on personal floatation devices. Mine is ancient (like me).
Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog
The NRS Vista is a pretty close facsimile of the Patagonia PFD Cate and I have. It’s not terribly expensive and it sits high enough to wear comfortably in a kayak. Sadly I don't think they're making the Patagonia/Lotus PFDs any more.
I can also get you a deal on NRS gear with my ACA instructor certification number.
We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.
http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe
I'm a big fan of my Kokatat Guide. Good amount of pockets, comfy, and built in tow belt. I didn't know about the NRS discount for ACA Instructors. Good to know.
Although I use these mainly for Sea Kayaking, the Reed Aquatic Pro and Palm Kaikoura are both superb PFD's and great for open canoeing as well.
You can find me online at Solent Sea Kayaking or follow me on Twitter
Bryan,
Are you the tow-er or tow-ee on that thing? I'm not sure I would want to be on either end but it does sound useful for rescue (or recovery) operations. Thanks for the input. I'll have to see if I can lay my hands on any of these locally to see how they fit on someone roughly fashioned after a large pumpkin.
Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog
Ideally, neither, but I've towed a few people. If you don't need the tow rope, I believe that they make a model without it.
Tow-ee
If you're trying to rescue someone you want to be able to let them go before they drag you in.
We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.
http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe
That way I can get out my video camera first and then release them once I'm properly set up, in order to take the classic slow-motion shot of them going over a large vertical drop (backwards) as they stare up at me screaming, "WHY!"
Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog
admin - 6 days ago »
Sadly I don't think they're making the Patagonia/Lotus PFDs any more.
James-
I believe that the former makers of Lotus PFDs are not making them under the name Astral. I have been using an Astral organic PFD and I love it. Very comfortable, easily adjustable, and the fleece lined pockets are great to have on cold days. They definitely put a lot of thought into the design and it shows.
A blog about my trip down the Mississippi River: http://www.uwca2gulf.blogspot.com. Follow me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bwcajohn
Edit-
My PFD is the Astral Norge

A blog about my trip down the Mississippi River: http://www.uwca2gulf.blogspot.com. Follow me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bwcajohn
Sounds like some sort of 1950s laundry appliance. ;-)
Is that a waterproof pocket on the front?
Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog
My brother gave me a canoe, pfd, and paddles last fall... He said he new i'd appreciate that sort of thing... I'm forever Grateful...
My PFD is Olive Green and has pockets, it had a bass pro shops logo silk screened onto it... but i scraped that off...
The greatest feature; imho: is that it has pockets!
Sans-Souci ssv-4165

All this picture shows is the color, only had cell phone that day to take pictures...
sure beats these old orange lifejackets...

Yea, that's me; back in the Nineties!
Good thread. I am on the lookout for two new PFD's, one inflatable, and one regular one too. I'll have to check out some of the suggestions. Currently I use a Kokatat (unknown model). I am pretty happy with it. So far it's never got wet, so thats the best kind in my opinion. :)
Never gotten wet. What kind of a pfd is that? Not even for a float session in a lake?
Sometimes you just want that new PFD smell to last as long as possible...
Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog
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