Fit and comfort
is what my priority would be! Been reading since I posted this thread. Looks like the hundred dollar range is where I am headed. More than that I eill have some problems here! 
PDF
I have a few Kokatat’s PDF’s and love all their products which include drysuit and a lot of others. My favorite PDF is a Solquist Trekker. Super comfortable, pockets could be tad better for variety but not bad. Shorter back is more comfortable than my Kokatat’s. Foam is layered and contours nicely. I do some long paddles 15+ miles and really forget it’s on me. 6-1 & 235 lb. Far from 50 bucks though.
Or PFD…
I did the same thing two days ago.
Onyx MoveVent PFD
– Last Updated: Aug-20-16 12:29 AM EST –
I'm not familiar with this brand, but they are discounting some colors and sizes (sounds like you would be an M/L size based on the reviews). Look like decent vests for under $50.
http://www.amazon.com/MoveVent-Curve-Paddle-Sports-Medium/dp/B0179WLQU4/ref=lp_3399011_1_14?s=boating-water-sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1471666939&sr=1-14
http://www.amazon.com/MoveVent-Dynamic-Paddle-Sports-Medium/dp/B00P26X1ZS/ref=lp_3399011_1_7?s=boating-water-sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1471666939&sr=1-7
The Trekker
is one I am looking into.
The Onyx seems to be available in a number of places in the $40-50 range. Looks good. Have to read some reviews and check out Dick’s Sporting Goods.
MoveVent Dynamic
My family use the MoveVent Dynamics and love them. Very comfortable and the high back doesn’t interfere with the seats in the kayaks.
Stay away from cheap pfd’s. If they are not comfortable, you will be inclined to not wear it. We never mind putting these on.
A few PFD buying tips
Don’t buy more than you need – there is a temptation to buy a big, expensive PFD with lots of features. Don’t do it - especially if it adds bulk to the PFD. Think about what you need and keep it as simple as possible.
Look for good freedom of movement – the PFD should have a deep neck, large armholes and narrow shoulder straps. It should fit snug yet allow good freedom of movement when paddling. Kayakers also need to consider the seat back, so you might prefer a low profile or high back version.
Adjust it properly – a good PFD will have up to eight different adjustments to help you customize the fit. To fit your PFD, first loosen the straps and put in on. Then, tighten the straps from the bottom up - beginning at the waist and ending at the shoulders.
Test it in the water – I know you can’t do this before you buy, but the best place to test your PFD is in the water. A properly adjusted PFD should stay tight around your torso, and definitely shouldn’t ride up over your chin. When you lean back, your face should stay above the water. It shouldn’t be so bulky in the front that you can’t pull yourself up into the boat in a self or assisted rescue.
I went through the process last year, and even though money was no object, I ended up with a mid-priced PFD from NRS – the Vista. I’m a canoeist, so I wanted a full back, which it turns out is tough to find these days. I needed a tab for my knife, a hook and pocket for my camera, and a secure pocket for my keys. At $75, the Vista was a bargain, and it has worked out great for me.
nrs chinook
Don’t skimp too much on life vests. it’s like, your life may depend on it.
The chinook has lots of pockets in the right places and I really like pockets. It’s got the high back also so it’s more comfortable with mesh down low.
PFD
Get something that is intended to be used with a kayak. You will find kayak PFD’s are shorter. When you get in that Carolina 14.5, you want the bottom of the vest to clear the seat back. You will be much more comfortable on long paddles.
I see
that there are kayak specific PFD’s. I like to do plenty of research before a purchase. My first kayak experience was 3 weeks ago on a Florida vacation on a Dolphin Bali 10SS. I just drove 2 1/2 hours one way to buy a Carolina 14.5 because of research. I know that there are better kayaks that might fit me better but at 6’ 2" they are not easy to come by used.
Hoping to try some PFD’s on this weekend to get an idea between a $50 fit and a $100 fit.
Try then on, then look around
– Last Updated: Aug-24-16 10:25 AM EST –
If you want to be a little uncouth, you could go to a good kayak shop and try them on until you find one you like and then check around on the Internet for a really good deal.
I got really lucky and found a close out on a high dollar rescue vest for $54 (saved $135). I was able to drive down and pick it up, so no shipping. It has been a spectacularly good vest.
If you want one that will last a long time, go for the 500 Cordura fabric. You'll be hard pressed to find a better jacket than the NRS Ninja for the money.
Carolina 14.5
The Carolina 14.5 is a good kayak. I have one. It’s roomy and comfortable. Like any kayak it has it’s pluses and minuses. I find it’s a good all around boat.
I do the opposite.
I like to do my research to see what I might be looking for and what prices are and THEN go to the stores to see what they have to offer and what they might come down to to make the sale. They are “usually” more flexible then you think.
Don’t focus on price
All type III PFD’s have a minimum of 15.5 pounds of floatation - any of them will keep you floating in the water. It’s really about comfort - having the floatation in the right place, having adjustments that keep it in place, and having the features (pockets, clips, etc.) that you need. You may be surprised to find that the perfect PFD is not the most expensive out there.
I just bought a new one last Friday
My old Lotus finally wore out and I have been trying different ones on.
On the recommendation of a recent PFD post here the majority recommended the Astral V-8.
After trying it on and liking how light weight it was, I happened to notice another Astral called the “Ronny” which seemed to be just as light and had almost no bulky material in the back along with a center webbed mesh for ventilation.
It fit well so I bought that one.
Yesterday I portaged our 17 foot canoe for over a mile with it on and a water bladder on over it, and never even noticed that it was there.
Tomorrow I’ll give it the swim test.
I am not saying to get it, since each person requires a different fit, but you might want to check it out.
I paid 89$ for it at REI and you possibly can get it cheaper at other places.
jack L
Going to check REI
It’s not too far from me. Thought I might have had some time today but it didn’t go that way. I’ll look into those recommendations. Thanks!
So I took a ride
to REI after reading up on the Astral V-Eight and the Ronny. The V-Eight has the high back to accomodate kayak seats and is what I am looking for. REI didn’t have them. The Ronny was very comfortable but had a low back. The Trekker by Stolhquist fit nice but was quite a bit more than I have been finding. Labor Day Sale coming up though!!!
High seat back?
Unless you lilly dip in a rec boat or paddle a SOT fishing kayak you’ll find that most serious paddlers set their seat backs just about as low as they can get them, or even better, use a back band.
You want support way down low in your back and a high seat back only encourages slouching and limits your ability to rotate your torso as you paddle.
So, within reason, don’t be put off by a PFD that isn’t expressly designed for a high seat back.
any L L Bean stores in your area?
L L Bean stores used to stock the V-8 but I know they are not in that many states.
So now I am confused
whether to get a high back pfd or not. I believe my Carolina14.5 doesn’t have a true touring kayack seat back. Wouldn’t you need a kayak specific pfd to have the back sit above the seat back?