Life jackets???

[bitman]

Whats a good comfortable pdf to use for tourneys and fun fishing?  Should I go with the Sospenders style or a standard jacket type.  Lets hear opinions on both please.

Thanks

Bitman

[Alpster]

The most comfortable (to me) is the fanny pac style of c/o2 inflatable that you wear around your waist like a belt. However these are not good for riding in fast powerfull boats, as they require you to put them on after you hit the water. You pull a cord to inflate it them put it over your head to float. If you were knocked out by a boat wreck it would be useless. I live in a electric motor only area so this works best for me.

Ronnie

[Long Mike]

I'm 60 yrs old and fish alone from an inflatable with a trolling motor only.  I wear a "standard "vest-type" pfd at all times, despite the fact that I was once a strong swimmer and am still very comfortabe in the water.  I guess it all boils down to wanting my body to be recovered in the event of a coronary. The vest I wear is OK for this time of year, but I am asking Santa to bring me a set of Auto-Inflate Sospenders for x-mas.  It will be much more comfortable come summer.

Mike

[Way2slow]

Might also want to check state laws on inflateables. Some states do not accept the inflateable as the only form of PFD, you still have to have an approved PFD in the boat in conjunction with them.

I have auto SoSSpends for my dad and granddaughter and the both love them. I make my granddaughter wear one at all times, not just when in the boat but anytime near the water. In the hot summer, it's much cooler for her and in the winter, it fits over her cold weather gear much better, but still keep vest type PFD's in the boat.  That was the one thing she like most about turning 10, she no longer had to wear a vest (required by law until 10) and could start wearing her inflateable.

[Catt]

I like the neoprene jackets because they offer protection from cold, wind, rain, & bugs at night.  

[Hillbilly_Hooker]

I prefer the standard vest type in cooler weather, but I'll be buying a pair of the auto-inflating suspenders type before next season.  The vest is simply too hot in warmer weather.

[Tom Bass]

I use full size PFDs when fishing alone but I am upgrading to a more comfortable full size. One piece of advice; spend the extra money on a comfortable PFD. I bought some that are good but my main reason for the purchase was that they were on sale. They are comfortable at first but get on my nerves after a while. A PFD does no good lying on the bottom of your boat.

I like the belt mounted inflatable ones as well when I am on my boat with others but Alpster makes a very good point about when they should be used.

I have never tried the suspender type but I am considering those for summer time use.

[Fish Chris]

I put on an auto-inflating life jacket (Cabelas brand) when I get on the water, and never take it off until I get back to the ramp.

So super comfortable, that I almost always forget I have it on.... Then, at the end of the day, I find myself walking back to my truck and, "Doh ! I still have my PFD on" ! :-)

I used to wear those big, bulky, old school types, but they were so cumbersome, that I always took them off when I got to my fishing spot.... which was actually pretty sdtupid of me, as the "SAFEST PFD, is the one WHICH YOU ARE WEARING" !

I almost never fish with anybody...... But if I did, I would insist they wore a PFD, and it would be nice if I could offer them an auto inflating type.

Peace,

Fish

[Tom Bass]

Chris,

I was looking at those. They look like a great alternative. Have you ever tested yours to see if it does auto inflate? That would be my only concern with them.

Thanks,

Tom