PFD recommendations

I am hoping someone can give me some feedback.  I am looking to buy a new pfd soon and have narrowed it down to two candidates.

Stolquist - http://www.stohlquist.com/dyn_prod.php?k=&p=STO5321


NRS Chinook - http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2150&pdeptid=1682&utm_source=kayakangler&utm_medium=webpointer&utm_term=ka_chinookad&utm_campaign=magazines

I have a OK Prowler with the comfort deluxe seat. (although I am looking at changing this as well) and my current pfd is always in the way.  Any comments would be appreciated.  I am really looking for one that will clear the back of my seat if possible.

Cheers

I have a Stohlquist Fisherman Highback which is a bit different than your photo. 

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/814/Stohlquist-Fisherman-High-Back-Life-Vest.html

It's a nice vest with a smooth profile to avoid hang ups on reentry.   The pocket covers are stiff and have straps so when they are open they hang flat and form a tray - handy.

I do like the extra pockets setup on the Chinook. 

What PFD do you currently have?  What do you like/dislike about it?  What do you like/dislike about the PFD's you have listed?

-Allen

I currently have a Salus pfd that is a bit bulky and the back is quite low.  It is very uncomfortable when paddling and fishing in my boat.  I got it with my yak and wasn't really sure of what I needed.  I think it would be fine for touring or white water, but I find that I don't wear it as much.  A kayaker recently drowned up in Kelowna on a lake and surprise, he wasn't wearing a pfd.  I don't want to be a statistic so I am looking for a new pfd with the following:

1.  Most importantly - comfort with a high back so I will wear it.
2.  I like the idea of pockets so that I can store things like flares, light tackle, etc.
3.  Visibility in case I end up in the drink away from my boat.
4.  Durable / well made

Thanks.

Pretty much most PFD's that specifically call our high back will fit the bill for high back.  Except if you have a seat with a particularly high high back.

Pockets?  Personally I am against all the pockets.  They just get in the way.

Visibility?  Yes!!!  But most come in high visibility colors (and a few come in drab colors as well).

You've listed some good ones.  You might also check out Kokatat.  I recently started using a Bahia Tour and I love it.  Also check out Extrasport.  While they have a line of kayak fishing PFD's, since I don't like pockets, I prefer (and have and use) the Breakwater PFD.

Durable?  All of the above will last you well.

If you can, try them on.  Some PFD's fit different people differently.

-Allen

I have to agree with Allen regarding the pockets.  self-rescue is a SOB when you have a bunch of crap sticking out on the lower portion of the PFD.  I have my GPS and VHF attached on the top straps of my MTI Reflex II and it works great.  I just use the pockets to hold my license, some leaders, hooks and swivels which are all very flat.  My one regret is that it doesn't have a lashtab in the chest area for my knife; I have put it on the side of the vest on one of the tighening straps.

I can't praise my pfd enough for how comfortable it is.  I would definitely consider MTI in your search.  This is one that may fit into what you are looking for:

MTI Solaris F-spec

You definitely have to ditch the small tacklebox before doing a self-rescue though...

I have the exact NRS Chinook as shown above......I like it 100% as it has enough pockets to store tackle and other stuff.....comfortable fit and does not interfere on the my 2010 Hobie Outback seat.....the orange color and reflective tape for visual safety all to my liking.
The price was right at $71.00 from the Kayak Shed in Hood River, OR.

I have the exact NRS Chinook as shown above......I like it 100% as it has enough pockets to store tackle and other stuff.....comfortable fit and does not interfere on the my 2010 Hobie Outback seat.....the orange color and reflective tape for visual safety all to my liking.
The price was right at $71.00 from the Kayak Shed in Hood River, OR.

I haven't heard too much from this model but do those pockets get in the way (hang up) during self rescue? The Outback is a pretty tough yak to self rescue in.

Z

Allen said I look fat in a conventional pfd     
So I've taken to wearing an inflatable.

Actually, I've been wearing an inflatable for a bunch of years now and it works great especially if your feeling restricted. I use a manual model (that means I have to trigger the CO₂ cartridge), but I fish in warm water. I might prefer an automatic in cold water. I don't know if that would be any good on the kayak though as we tend to get wetter and/or immersed more often than conventional boats. The higher-end Law enforcement models don't inflate in less than 4" of water, but they are kinda spendy.

West Marine has a good selection of them and it might be worth your while to go check them out.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?action=post;topic=4947.0;num_replies=2

This Inflatable rash guard looks interesting too. But its probably not a very good idea as its only 8lbs of flotation and you might be tempted to wear something on top of it.

http://www.inflatablepfd.com/seatee-inflatable-rash-guard-by-floattech.html

Stuff in your pockets or fishing vests on top your pfd or inflatable is not a particularly good idea. (DAMHIK)
Another great Hobie feature are those two mesh pockets in the gunwales. Indispensable!

The Outback is a pretty tough yak to self rescue in.

Z

Really? Because its so wide?
or (let me guess) it flips over and bonks you on the head when you get it over on the edge? 

Zee,
The front flotation is 2" thick and my two main, tackle filled pockets protrude another 1.25" max.....If you connect the buckle/strap below the zipper, the jacket will not "ride up" and actually floats my 189 pounds quite well.
A quick swim-kick allows for reentry into the Outback across the seat area.
With the fins and rudder centered,  in the down position, there is a fair amount of "tipping over resistance" to the Hobie Outback SUV.....DSC

I would concur with most of the posts, and like polepole I use the Bahia Tour. My first pfd was the Extrasport Osprey. I hated it for paddling, but I really like it for fly fishing in sketchy water and surf fishing in waders. The problem is too many pockets for paddling. Early in my kayak fishing life I got flipped by the wake from a car carrier in the Sacramento River. I was wearing the Osprey at the time. I kept my cool, righted my boat, and then it took me 3 tries to get back on my boat as the pockets kept hanging up on: first my jam cleat for my anchor quick release, then the bungee on the side of the P15. The third try I got in clean.

If I could find a nice high back pfd with nothing but a spot for my radio and a whistle I would get it. Your kayak should be where you're storing tackle anyhow. I don't remember who said it first, but you need to think of your PFD as a bank account. Every time you put something in your pockets you're taking away that much more flotation from the account.

That's my 2 cents! 

I'm using the HObie high-back, it has a slot for a knife, and a VHF POCKET.   I think having a VHF in your PFD is important!!  You go into the water, the VHF is in the boat, there's a 30mph wind blowing and the boat gets away from you, with the VHF in the mesh pocket of the yak.....a lot of things can happen when you do an inadvertent dunk, and most of them are bad, and they happen FAST!!   If you're in 55 (or colder) water, add 3-4 foot (or more) waves, and you're in  deep kimchee without the boat and the VHF.  Downside is that VHF is line-of-sight, and at water level yoiu may not be able to raise any other boat, let alone the CG.  I always do a radio check when I launch the yak, and about 60-70 % of the time some kind soul answers.  About 50% of the time the CG answers.   I did a radio check offshore from Odlin County Park Monday, and was answered by the Port Angeles CG.   Hate to think how long it would take for help to arrive, were I in the drink!!  There were no other boats around, but the ferries go by every 1/2 hour or so....

A big plus one on the Stohli Fisherman. It is my first yak pfd so I have no means of comparison, but I have no major complaints. The pockets are a little bulky w/all the extra padding, but it fits well, is comfortable and has good visibility in mango color. All I carry w/me is a rescue knife, small pliers and a holdzit deal for swivels, split rings etc.




 

Really? Because its so wide?

Not really the width but more its high profile sides and the fact that they're square edges. People with Cobras and Malibus know what I'm talking about. You definitely have to practice the self rescue a few times before it becomes easy.

Zee,
The front flotation is 2" thick and my two main, tackle filled pockets protrude another 1.25" max.....If you connect the buckle/strap below the zipper, the jacket will not "ride up" and actually floats my 189 pounds quite well.
A quick swim-kick allows for reentry into the Outback across the seat area.
With the fins and rudder centered,  in the down position, there is a fair amount of "tipping over resistance" to the Hobie Outback SUV.....DSC

I wasn't talking about how easy the Outback is to self rescue. I had one for quite a few years. My question was more about the thickness of the PFD and how it catches on the edges or how you have to compensate for it. You have been practicing right?

Z

Really? Because its so wide?

Not really the width but more its high profile sides and the fact that they're square edges. People with Cobras and Malibus know what I'm talking about. You definitely have to practice the self rescue a few times before it becomes easy.

Z

Yeah, I think that head bonking feature is a Cobra Nav XF exclusive.