1) Looking for a worst case scenario PFD, what do you recommend?

2) Does anyone actually wear a Type I?

3) Should I steer clear of the mesh top style vests?

 

Concerned I won't wear an uncomfortable pfd, and a breathable vest won't keep my head above water. Am I overthinking this?

Nobody I know of wears a Type I PFD. You are correct in the standard PFD you see won't pop an unconscious person upright but the other styles won't prevent you from doing that yourself should you be somewhat conscious.  

 

90% of the time I am wearing my auto inflate PFD and the other 10% is if I am going to an area where i might fall in or a multi day trip where i don't want to rearm.  Since I switched to the auto inflate it is automatic to put it on and I don't even realize it is on.  I have actually driven home with it on before.

15 hours ago, flyfisher said:

Nobody I know of wears a Type I PFD. You are correct in the standard PFD you see won't pop an unconscious person upright but the other styles won't prevent you from doing that yourself should you be somewhat conscious.  

 

90% of the time I am wearing my auto inflate PFD and the other 10% is if I am going to an area where i might fall in or a multi day trip where i don't want to rearm.  Since I switched to the auto inflate it is automatic to put it on and I don't even realize it is on.  I have actually driven home with it on before.

Thanks for the response. Any thoughts on fishing vest style vs auto inflate? Trying to justify the cost, but I probably don't kayak enough for it to pay off.

7 minutes ago, carrageenan said:

Thanks for the response. Any thoughts on fishing vest style vs auto inflate? Trying to justify the cost, but I probably don't kayak enough for it to pay off.

I won't go to anything but an auto inflate unless i have to these days.  So much cooler and more comfortable.   There are two types, one is hydrostatic and the type that activates via immersion.  Hydrostatic is more expensive and there is zero chance of accidental inflation from getting wet as it goes by pressure of the water.  The other type has a little pill that dissolves when wet.  I have used mine ofr years in heavy rain and never had it go off on accident as of yet.  If money wasn't an issue i would get a hyrdrostatic one but the otherstyle has suited my well the past few years.

I'm seeing a few auto inflate pfds around the $60 price point (from the big box store), anyone have any issues with these?

18 minutes ago, carrageenan said:

I'm seeing a few auto inflate pfds around the $60 price point (from the big box store), anyone have any issues with these?

Depends on the brand - personally, for the 'inexpensive' auto inflates...Onyx or Mustang are the brands I look to. I've got an Onyx AM/24 now.

 

One of these years I'll be willing to cough up the cash for a Mustang HIT.

I have a Mustang and my wife uses an Onyx.  Pretty much interchangeable.   Both are extremely comfortable. 

Are you paddling the kayak?  If so, you'll want one with big arm holes that don't restrict your arms.  The auto-inflate ones have this feature.  Also, you'll probably want one with a high back, so you're not resting the back of your PFD on your seat.  Again, the auto-inflates do this.  So they're a good option for kayakers. 

 

Pretty much any PFD that is USCG approved would be fine.  Personally, I don't like the auto-inflate kind.  I'm sure they'd be fine 99% of the time, but that's just one more thing to go wrong, right when you don't need another thing to go wrong.  Plus the cartridges aren't cheap.  And you need to replace them and perhaps the activator whenever used or after 5 years.  And they don't inflate right away.  They take time for the jacket to notice it's underwater, and time to inflate.  And while this may be only a couple of seconds, I like the idea of one that's ready to go before you hit the water.  Plus, the old fashioned style jackets are cheaper.  However, they're not as comfortable and hotter to wear.  So if comfort is a priority, it would be wise to buy the one you're most likely to wear.  Also, in some states, you must wear the auto-inflate at all times (or when the boat is under power), while the old foam types just need to be in the boat with you, if that matters to you.  Personally, I'd wear any of them all of the time.  

 

Whatever you do, don't get the belt kind that just go around your waist (Type V).  They're useless in my opinion.  Type III is probably what you're looking for, the regular life jacket, vest style.  Type I and II are not comfortable to wear.  And while a Type III has a chance at keeping your head above water if you fall unconscious, they're not designed to do that (only Type I is).  Their primary purpose is to keep your body near the surface so someone else can rescue you if something goes bad.  So the best practice is to always wear a PFD and never go out alone.  And while the auto-inflate is technically a Type V, it functions like a Type III once it's inflated.  Type V is just a catch-all category, and auto-inflates came out after PDF Types were established.  

18 hours ago, Bankc said:

Whatever you do, don't get the belt kind that just go around your waist (Type V).  They're useless in my opinion

They're not useless, just not intended for the average kayak angler.  They should be used for any type of tethered rescue, because the 'belt' offers a quick release point for the rescuer.  I agree that they're probably not going to be for most kayak anglers, and I don't wear mine when fishing.  If I'm not fishing that's pretty well my PFD - the rescue PFDs are often made of Cordura, so they're a lot more durable than the ones made of ripstop, so they last a lot longer.

I’ve had a NRS Chinook PFD for the last 5 or 6 years. It’s very comfortable, has a high back pad that rests above your backrest while sitting, and has enough pockets to keep stuff without becoming cumbersome.

I don’t find it uncomfortable in hot weather.

I have thought about the auto inflate and decided against it. I want to know without a doubt that if and when I hit the water I’m going to float. Like @Bankc said things have already gone wrong, I don’t want to rely on something else that has the opportunity to fail as well. I have a NRS Chinook vest, right around the same price point as most inflatables, is it warmer most likely but I dress to fish hot anyways and something designed to save my life is worth that.

1 hour ago, DogBone_384 said:

I’ve had a NRS Chinook PFD for the last 5 or 6 years. It’s very comfortable, has a high back pad that rests above your backrest while sitting, and has enough pockets to keep stuff without becoming cumbersome.

I don’t find it uncomfortable in hot weather.

x2. I have the same one and find it very comfortable. Pockets and d-rings are great.

No experience with auto inflate so can't comment on that. When I was shopping for a new PFD I narrowed my choices down the the NRS Chinook and the Stohlquist Fisherman. After trying both I ended up with the Chinook and have zero complaints. 

On 6/17/2022 at 12:37 PM, carrageenan said:

I'm seeing a few auto inflate pfds around the $60 price point (from the big box store), anyone have any issues with these?

I’ve got the auto 33, type II for under $100 from BPS. It is comfortable and has served me well. I want a Mustang,but they are pricey over $200.00

I have an Onyx auto inflate that gets the most use. I've got an NRS Chinook and an NRS Raku and I've tried to force myself to wear one of the NRSs and I just hate them. 

Anyone tried the Mustang Inflatable Fisherman Vest? Looks like a good balance between having storage options as well as less bulky then your typical PFD's like the chinook (which I also currently own). I find it can be a little bulky for me as a smaller guy, so I'm considering picking one of these up. Not auto inflate, but does have a pull switch which I might prefer as to avoid accidentally setting it off.

i am so used to my NRS Chinook i feel awkward not having it on in my kayak.  i bought the NRS Ninja for my brother to wear when he visits.  having said that, i looked at some of the innovative ideas on the Astral PFD's and wish i bought one of those instead of the Ninja.   i like how a foam PFD really assists in me sliding back into my kayak from the water.  it is much more challenging than any attempt PFD-less.    i imagine any lifejacket has a lifespan.  so i assume i will buy another one day.  

I wear a standard pfd made by Body Glove that is pretty comfortable even when hot outside. I'm always concerned if the auto inflate will actually work when I need it, so I went with the standard style to ease my mind. 

On 6/21/2022 at 8:30 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I wear a standard pfd made by Body Glove that is pretty comfortable even when hot outside. I'm always concerned if the auto inflate will actually work when I need it, so I went with the standard style to ease my mind. 

true.  I recently bought a hybrid.  partially foam, partially inflated.  the instructions were all about inspection and what to look for before you got out on the water.  I know me, I wouldn't do any of it on  a regular schedule.  I returned the vest.  I went with the garden variety for the "Sure thing".