Lifejacket - traditional

[jbsoonerfan]

Okay guys, a couple honest admissions and then a question. I have an Onyx A/M 24 and a Mustang Elite (actually just sold it) that I had bought and I just never could get comfortable wearing them. In fact, it got to the point that I quit wearing one altogether. I want to get a traditionally vest style but I can't seem to find anything I like and have absolutely no where to go look at them in person. With the water turning colder I want to throw one on when I get in the boat and not take it off till I leave the boat. Since I fish by myself about 95% of the time and probably closer to 100% of the time now, I want to get something that can go over bibs, hoodie, jacket, etc. I wear XL shirts so I wonder if I should bump up to 2XL (I know, my fat butt should just lose some weight) or if that would be too big.

 

Anyone still using a traditional vest style these days? 

 

Thanks, JB

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Okay guys, a couple honest admissions and then a question. I have an Onyx A/M 24 and a Mustang Elite (actually just sold it) that I had bought and I just never could get comfortable wearing them. In fact, it got to the point that I quit wearing one altogether. I want to get a traditionally vest style but I can't seem to find anything I like and have absolutely no where to go look at them in person. With the water turning colder I want to throw one on when I get in the boat and not take it off till I leave the boat. Since I fish by myself about 95% of the time and probably closer to 100% of the time now, I want to get something that can go over bibs, hoodie, jacket, etc. I wear XL shirts so I wonder if I should bump up to 2XL (I know, my fat butt should just lose some weight) or if that would be too big.

 

Anyone still using a traditional vest style these days? 

 

Thanks, JB

Yep - goes on before I climb in, comes off only after I'm back at the launch. It is a mesh-top - basically from the armpits up.

[Glenn]

Yep, this is what I got, due to the high-speed impact rating (100mph).  Comfortable too.  https://amzn.to/3efkQHk

 

 

[Shimano_1]

I don't wear one other than when the big motor is running but always have and always will wear the traditional style. Just dont trust the inflatables.  I do think that if someone will wear the inflatable and won't the traditional then they should go with the inflatable. Id check out the mustang traditional or one like the mesh one above.  

[jbsoonerfan]

1 minute ago, Glenn said:

Yep, this is what I got, due to the high-speed impact rating (100mph).  Comfortable too.  https://amzn.to/3efkQHk

 

 

I like that one...size recommendation? XL or size up?

[Glenn]

It fits true-to-size.  I wear XL, and it fits me fine.

[Shimano_1]

I use some cheap bps ones that look good and are comfortable enough for me. I too wear xl shirts and I think the jacket is xl as well. Pretty adjustable 

[Glenn]

Just checked, and it looks like they don't have XL at the link, but just wait a week or so and they'll restock.  That's what I did.

[Shimano_1]

Just looked as well. The have em in stock here 

https://www.leisurepro.com/p-msta100xl/mustang-survival-accel100-fishing-vest-red-black-x-large?gclid=Cj0KCQjwufn8BRCwARIsAKzP697ZCPzLTUsEE-GTRRX3xHJuiuy4-Qx182VS4o7Hpp4IWHRmmYJ4_3gaAkSHEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

And actually a lil cheaper than Amazon 

[GaryH]

JB. These are brand new. You can have the XL one. Just pay shipping. They just don't look right in my Skeeter.

[MN Fisher]

I'd give you the Amazon link for mine...but they're of of anything bigger than the S/M

 

BUT - found it elsewhere for just a bit more than I paid - they also have a 2x/3x available.

 

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/safety/water-safety/life-jackets-pdfs/40627-lxl-fishing-vest-mesh-camo-largex-large

[Shimano_1]

13 minutes ago, GaryH said:

JB. These are brand new. You can have the XL one. Just pay shipping. They just don't look right in my Skeeter.

Pretty cool gesture!  

[GaryH]

W

3 minutes ago, Shimano_1 said:

Pretty cool gesture!  

Well it's close to Christmas and I'm a 100 post shy of fishmas. So I figured what the heck. Pay it forward

[NYWayfarer]

38 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Yep - goes on before I climb in, comes off only after I'm back at the launch. It is a mesh-top - basically from the armpits up.

I have pretty much the same kind. It’s on all the time in a kayak or when I am in my father in laws boat. Got it from Field and Stream DSG.

 

http://

[jbsoonerfan]

1 hour ago, GaryH said:

JB. These are brand new. You can have the XL one. Just pay shipping. They just don't look right in my Skeeter.

 

PM sent!

 

Thank you!

[12poundbass]

What is it about the inflatable ones you don’t like? I have the exact same Onyx you do and I love mine and find it very comfortable. After two years of ‘trying’ it out I’m going to get another one so the wife or anyone else with me can use. 

[jbsoonerfan]

13 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

What is it about the inflatable ones you don’t like? I have the exact same Onyx you do and I love mine and find it very comfortable. After two years of ‘trying’ it out I’m going to get another one so the wife or anyone else with me can use. 

It isn't so bad if I am just wearing a t-shirt, but if I have a hoodie or jacket or anything else on it seems like it rides up too high. Almost like there isn't enough there to keep it sitting lower on me.

[12poundbass]

6 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

It isn't so bad if I am just wearing a t-shirt, but if I have a hoodie or jacket or anything else on it seems like it rides up too high. Almost like there isn't enough there to keep it sitting lower on me.

Ahh gotcha 

[gim]

I use the traditional one also with mesh shoulders, similar to what MN Fisher posted only mine is a different color. I wear mine when using the main outboard and generally take it off when I fish.

[Log Catcher]

I still use a traditional type life jacket very similar to the one @Glenn is using. I'm not sure mine has the 100MPH impact rating. I normally use mine only when the big motor is running but once the water gets cold I will leave it on while fishing.

[FishTank]

I use an NRS Chinook.  I have only had to fall out of my kayak once to thank the fact that I bought it.  It's comfortable and stores a few necessary items.  I wear an XL shirt and an XL in this fits but it can be difficult to get over a winter jacket.   It is definitely great for kayaking though.  The back is open and makes turning a paddle easier. 

[Michigander]

I too like boonie caps, beards, and mesh shoulder life jackets, @MN Fisher.

 

When I last went to get a life jacket, I learned that the sizes are meaningless. I wear an XL t-shirt but found a L, an XL, and a 2XL jacket that all fit about the same. 

If you can't try them on, you have to get out the measuring tape. Each vest will have a chest measurement range. My vest is 42"-50" because my chest in a t-shirt and my chest with my winter gear are between those two ranges. You'll want to get those two measurements of yourself and pick a vest that can accommodate.

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Michigander said:

I too like boonie caps, beards, and mesh shoulder life jackets, @MN Fisher.

Wife was a little skeptical when I started the beard - now she won't let me shave it off.

 

6 minutes ago, Michigander said:

When I last went to get a life jacket, I learned that the sizes are meaningless. I wear an XL t-shirt but found a L, an XL, and a 2XL jacket that all fit about the same. 

This one was a L/XL - ordered off Amazon...lucked out that it fit me just right...can loosen the straps enough to put a zip-up hoodie on under it.

[Michigander]

10 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Wife was a little skeptical when I started the beard - now she won't let me shave it off.

 

This one was a L/XL - ordered off Amazon...lucked out that it fit me just right...can loosen the straps enough to put a zip-up hoodie on under it.

Yeah, and since COVID shut the barbers down in the spring, my wife is getting me to grow my hair out like yours. ?

 

See what I said about sizes? You got a third kind, L/XL. It's just like rod power and how there's no consistency.

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Yeah, and since COVID shut the barbers down in the spring, my wife is getting me to grow my hair out like yours. ?

Well, I've had the ponytail as long as I've had the beard. She doesn't like it, but I told her that if the 'tail' comes off...so does the beard...so she lets me keep the tail.