Second the Lotus Sea Sherman
Spent a week with it on vacation and found it fits as comfortably as my older Lola, but has much more flotation and storage.
Randy
stohlquist
I bought a stohlquist after trying out a bunch. My needs were that with the SOF I had to carry a lot of stuff on the pfd and as such it was important to have some storage on the pfd.
Currently I carry in and on the pfd:
marine radio (when going out on the ocean or on a trip)
paddler medic first aid kit - see pnet
small survival kit - see pnet (both fit in one pocket)
2 cliff/power bars
blunt edge river knife attached to front.
strobe attached to back shoulder strap
extra car key in pocket on lanyard
whistle and nose plugs on small carbiner
pentax optio with float attached to carbiner on other side but resides in pocket or between me and the pfd on my chest for quick shots.
camelback 100oz strapped to the deck
storm paddle and norsaq strapped to the deck
lost about a pound in bouyancy but at least I have it all with me.
paul
Just to be different
I bought a 30$CAD Coleman all purpose PFD and later i opened the seams at the bottom, pulled the foam out, reshaped it to more of a roomy arms-thin on sides and thick in front and back fit and sewed it back up. as comfy as anything else i’ve ever tried,including brand name stuff and haven’t lost any boyancy because most of the foam i cut out went back in.