Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 Im a 250 lb stump whats the most comfy kayak life vest Quote
Super User Darren. Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 Well that's really gonna be up to you. There are a number of different kayak PFDs out there. Do you want a fishing version? Bass Pro makes a good one, Ascend brand. I bought one, like it, look forward to upgrading some day, tho. You can find high back versions, low back versions, etc. If you can get to a kayak store and a BPS to try stuff on, that'll give you a great idea. There's also the option of buying an inflatable, which would be the most comfortable and least sweaty in the summer. BPS has several on sale in the upcoming Spring Classic. Hope that's a little bit of help to ya. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 Here's the BPS Ascend PFD I was talking about: http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-Paddling-Fishing-Life-Jacket/product/10225851/ Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted February 23, 2014 Super User Posted February 23, 2014 Here's the BPS Ascend PFD I was talking about: http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-Paddling-Fishing-Life-Jacket/product/10225851/ i have that one and love it…. often times i have a lot of people ask me about it and they like it…. a couple of my friends have some stohlquist PFDs that are very nice although i think they may be more expensive…. Quote
Tugmaster Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 I'm a 240 lb sex machine myself. A NRS Chinook fits great. It has the high back flotation which clears your seat back. Makes a big difference. Todd 2 Quote
Macrosill Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 BPS has the A/M-24 inflatable pfd on sale for 109.99. I just picked one up a few days ago. It is actually branded BPS but is made by Onyx. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Auto/Manual-Inflatable-Life-Vest/product/11090805012133/ 1 Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted February 24, 2014 Super User Posted February 24, 2014 BPS has the A/M-24 inflatable pfd on sale for 109.99. I just picked one up a few days ago. It is actually branded BPS but is made by Onyx. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Auto/Manual-Inflatable-Life-Vest/product/11090805012133/ Same one I have. Love it. Quote
MikeinFresno Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 NRS brand is a good PFD. Some have half backs, others full backs. If you have a low seat then either works. If you have a high seat a half back style may not be as comfortable for you. A fishing PFD will have larger pockets on the front and holders for pliers n such. BUT, the more you put in those pockets they then stick out to the front further and this makes it harder to get back in after a swim...guess how I know Quote
onefinalcast Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 Currently deciding on this myself as which one to purchase. I am a big guy also. Has anyone used the NRS Clearwater? How does it compare to the Chinook? It looks like it's basically the same thing with less pockets in the front which results in a cheaper price. http://www.nrs.com/product/21501/nrs-chinook-mesh-back-fishing-pfd http://www.nrs.com/product/21511/nrs-clearwater-mesh-back-pfd Quote
Tugmaster Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 Currently deciding on this myself as which one to purchase. I am a big guy also. Has anyone used the NRS Clearwater? How does it compare to the Chinook? It looks like it's basically the same thing with less pockets in the front which results in a cheaper price. http://www.nrs.com/product/21501/nrs-chinook-mesh-back-fishing-pfd http://www.nrs.com/product/21511/nrs-clearwater-mesh-back-pfd They both appear to be the same to me. The exception I believe is the Chinook is more of a fishing vest. It has the lanyard for a nipper or scissors ect. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted February 25, 2014 Super User Posted February 25, 2014 Whatever fits well, you will wear when on the water and is in your price range works. There are so many out there that it is hard to pick one. I have an astral right now that is due for a replacement this season. Question for you guys with the inflatable ones. How do they work as far as when they are engaged? Does it happen due to pressure of the water or are there other ways to trigger it? Also, what if you are on a float trip, take a dunk and it goes off. Are you then stuck without a PFD for the rest of the trip or are you stuck wearing it inflated or do you carry spare co2 cartridges? Seems like they would be comfortable but a hassle too if you have to worry about carrying one more thing with you. Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted February 25, 2014 Super User Posted February 25, 2014 Whatever fits well, you will wear when on the water and is in your price range works. There are so many out there that it is hard to pick one. I have an astral right now that is due for a replacement this season. Question for you guys with the inflatable ones. How do they work as far as when they are engaged? Does it happen due to pressure of the water or are there other ways to trigger it? Also, what if you are on a float trip, take a dunk and it goes off. Are you then stuck without a PFD for the rest of the trip or are you stuck wearing it inflated or do you carry spare co2 cartridges? Seems like they would be comfortable but a hassle too if you have to worry about carrying one more thing with you. my big drawback is giving up my pockets…. i have such convenient and functional pockets on my vest that i don't think i could give up that factor for the inflatable one. also i have to say you brought up an excellent point with the float trip dilemma…. would have honestly never really thought about that until it would obviously be too late! OP, most importantly find one that fits well and you will wear. an awful experience of mine on Lake Oconee has forever ensured my PFD will be on 100% of the time on the water…. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted February 25, 2014 Super User Posted February 25, 2014 I am in the exact opposite group as far as pockets go. If i could find one with no pockets i would be fine. I rarely use them and if i do, it is usually items i shouldn't have in them anyways like my cell phone, should i take a dip. I wear mine probably 95% of the time. the only times i don't wear one is when i am doing a paddle upstream in the heat or if floating a flat stretch of river and need to cool off a little bit. Other than that, I put it on as soon as i unload the kayak and take it off only once i am back at the Jeep. Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted February 25, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 25, 2014 Thks yalll Quote
onefinalcast Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Whatever fits well, you will wear when on the water and is in your price range works. There are so many out there that it is hard to pick one. I have an astral right now that is due for a replacement this season. Question for you guys with the inflatable ones. How do they work as far as when they are engaged? Does it happen due to pressure of the water or are there other ways to trigger it? Also, what if you are on a float trip, take a dunk and it goes off. Are you then stuck without a PFD for the rest of the trip or are you stuck wearing it inflated or do you carry spare co2 cartridges? Seems like they would be comfortable but a hassle too if you have to worry about carrying one more thing with you. I believe they have automatic ones and manual ones. Not sure how the automatic ones work but the manual ones have a handle you pull on when you need to and it will inflate. I'd get one too except that I am not keen of the refills. Quote
MikeinFresno Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 As far as sizing goes when you go to buy it and maybe cant try it on first, Im 205lbs and 5-9. I wear a lg size. It is snug. An XL is just too loose and rides up. Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted February 25, 2014 Super User Posted February 25, 2014 Whatever fits well, you will wear when on the water and is in your price range works. There are so many out there that it is hard to pick one. I have an astral right now that is due for a replacement this season. Question for you guys with the inflatable ones. How do they work as far as when they are engaged? Does it happen due to pressure of the water or are there other ways to trigger it? Also, what if you are on a float trip, take a dunk and it goes off. Are you then stuck without a PFD for the rest of the trip or are you stuck wearing it inflated or do you carry spare co2 cartridges? Seems like they would be comfortable but a hassle too if you have to worry about carrying one more thing with you. I wear an inflatable. Mine has to be completely submersed to inflate. It also has a manual pull cord. I probably wouldn't wear it on a casual float trip where going in the water in a non life threatening situation is a real possibility. It will inflate and you can't really wear it comfortably after it's inflated. You would have to carry extra co2 cartridge kits to recharge it. As far as fishing though, they are so comfortable, especially in hot weather. I wear mine 100% of the time I'm in my kayak and never really notice that I have it on. Several of my friends wear the Chinook and love them. It just felt to bulky to me. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted February 25, 2014 Super User Posted February 25, 2014 It seems like getting one that is solely manual is silly. I mean you are using it for protection in case something happens and you get wet and i do realize that 99% of the time, 100% for me so far, you will not be knocked out when you hit the water but for that 1% a manula pull won't really do you any good when you need it. I am still toying with the idea of getting one becasue i am due for a new PFD and could stil use the traditional one on float trips. Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted February 25, 2014 Super User Posted February 25, 2014 I would not under any circumstances buy a manual only for fishing. There are too many variables to worry about if an accident happens, your pfd doesn't need to be one of them. Quote
moguy1973 Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 I have a Stohlquist Fisherman and it's a great vest http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/49865?productId=864539&qs=3016887_mercent_google_pla&attrValue_0=Moss%20Green&mr:trackingCode=0BD71996-B0F0-E211-A497-90E2BA285E75&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pla&mkwid=qMaR1752_dc&pcrid=34644940377 Quote
Jay Ell Gee Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I'm a 240 lb sex machine myself. A NRS Chinook fits great. It has the high back flotation which clears your seat back. Makes a big difference. Todd +1.7 Quote
Mr_Scrogg Posted March 2, 2014 Posted March 2, 2014 X2 for the Stohlquist. I kept mine even after I bought a bass boat and sold the yak. Its that good of a vest. Quote
faygo1979 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Honestly i use a automatic that i wear and keep a cheaper basspro model in the front hatch in case i get dunked. I have found out that i really don't like paddling and fishing with a normal vest on so i would not wear it. it would just be sitting behind me. I wear an automatic for piece of mind for me and my girlfriend. i can promise her i will always have one on . I am a big guy so with my gut normal ones seemed to make it tuff to fish with. A automatic inflatable takes care of that. Quote
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