I have several Astrals and the V-8 is by far the coolest PFD of any brand or style I have ever used and is my “go to” in the hottest weather. Mine is the pumpkin orange – I don’t think color has that much effect other than visibility. The foam insulation neutralizes any dark color absorption factor anyway. The V-8 is very well ventilated and has a mesh back. I barely notice I have it on even on the hottest days. Often don’t realize I am still wearing it until I get in the car after loading at the take out and realize it is pushing me forward in the car seat. BUT, one drawback of the model is kind of crappy pockets. I think they have improved them in the newer versions (mine is 6 or 7 years old) but because of the vent openings in the chest they can’t really extend large pockets over that area. I have considered sewing an accessory pocket onto the front.
I also like my Astral Abba with the sealed kapok insulation – soft and flexible so it’s comfortable though it also has minimal pockets. I have not found it to be hot. to wear I notice that they have a new women’s PFD model, the Layla, that uses that same kapok flotation and has a large center pocket and offcenter zip. It does have a solid rather than mesh back though. It is based on the Lotus Lola (the folks at Astral were originally with Lotus) which is the first PFD I owned – I found that to be a comfortable women’s vest but rather warm in hot weather. With the kapok rather than the foam in my old vest, it might be less warm.
You might want to look at the NRS Ninja which is good for people with short torsos, the biggest fit problem for us smaller folks, though the size range for the NRS models is a couple inches larger than the smaller sizes with Astral. Their cVest model probably has the most pockets of the mesh back models but I have no experience with how it fits.
WOW Jim I was wondering what that tiny object strapped to your upper torso was! I suppose it might keep your nostrils above water! Well I am thankful for the responses from all those above,… petite or not! I will get the V8!
The addition of the head pillow means maybe it could be used instead of a crappy pool float, for just cooling off and kicking the feet around while lying back, exploring in and out of little coves. When you see a place you want to get out and explore on foot. you’d just get out and hoof it in your Keen water sandal/shoe hybrids.
I agree, basic swimming is a pretty necessary skill if you are going to kayak anywhere where the water is deeper than 3 feet, which is just about anywhere. I took swimming lessons as an adult and am glad I did so – most YMCA/YWCA’s still offer reasonable cost lessons. I don’t swim with any sort of style or grace, but I am confident enough in deep water now to be relaxed about it,so I can concentrate on remounting my boat without panic over potential drowning. And I know I can tread water almost indefinitely or swim to shore in most conditions.
Honestly, I never take anyone kayaking unless they can assure me that they can swim.
Interesting tidbits:
The ability to swim is not mentioned in the ACA’s Essential Eligibility Criteria for skills classes. I’ve never been asked that question before any class nor has it appeared on any event or symposium registration.
When I took the PADI dive course we had to demonstrate ability to swim and to tread water. It strikes me as really bizarre that the ACA doesn’t mandate even basic swimming for their skills classes. That would seem to me to be absolutely critical. Do you think they just presume that nobody who wanted to take the course could possibly be a non-swimmer?
25 yards is nothing – not even half the length of an Olympic pool. I learned to swim in college in a 50 meter pool and was expected to warm up with 4 lengths of it at the start of class.
But at least someone who can swim 25 yards is demonstrating comfort in the water. I have been around non-swimmers who genuinely go into mortal panic mode when dumped in the water, risking drowning themselves and anyone who tries to help them with their desperate flailing. And such people are rarely competent paddlers, being so terrified of immersion that they never really relax.
We just got the new V8 in the mail with a few other items from REI. She actually thinks the pillow float thing behind her head looks weird but I am trying to convince her about its functionality and purpose. The whole back is totally breathable mesh so it should be really cool on hot days.
It isn’t really a “head support” and should not be riding way up past her shoulders. She may need to adjust the straps to be shorter and snug up the side buckles to pull it down. I’m shortwaisted and my V-8 back tends to ride up like that too if I don’t adjust it snugly around the waist and shorten the shoulders up.
@willowleaf said:
It isn’t really a “head support” and should not be riding way up past her shoulders. She may need to adjust the straps to be shorter and snug up the side buckles to pull it down. I’m shortwaisted and my V-8 back tends to ride up like that too if I don’t adjust it snugly around the waist and shorten the shoulders up.
Agreed that is NOT a head support by any means. Every time you remove your jacket loosen all the straps. The when you put it back on snug or tighten them up again. If it’s floating your head it won’t be floating you in short order, it will be off you!