Kokatat Misfit Tour, sold to me by one of the designers, Leon at Body Boat Blade on Orcas Island…
Astral YTV.
Kokatat Outfit Tour. I like pockets.
I didn’t realize this when I got it, but having both buckles and a zipper in the front is handy. When hot, you just undo the zipper and get some relief. It’s still very secure due to the two buckles still attached. Cool down and do the zipper back up to keep some heat in.
I don’t suspect it’s the coolest (temperature) on the market. Mine is pretty faded and I’ve been considering replacing it for a little while now. Not sure with what, but I’m looking into some of the suggestions here.
Must have pockets. Built in tow/rescue belt would be nice, or at least loops that keep one attached to the PFD.
Astral Blue jacket here (and the same for my wife). Bought for the clamshell pocket. I can get a radio, a Spot, & a camera in the pocket. Very comfortable.
One drawback to the V8 (though I still love it) is lousy pockets. They have improved them a bit since I bought mine 8 years ago but they are still pretty skimpy. I tend to wear the Astral Abba when I am on a longer trip or more challenging waters where I want more stuff readily accessible in pockets.
If you see recommendations from folks on Lotus PFD’s. that brand is no longer available but the same guys that designed Lotus are now Astral. I have a vintage Lotus that I got with my first touring kayak in 2002 and I like it also, but it is a pullover design with solid sides so it is hot in warm weather.
Yep, and you can see the similarities in some Lotus and Astral models.
I’m a fan of the Kokatat MsFit Tour. Yeah, it’s a women’s vest. I prefer women’s vests as they are generally shorter in length. The MsFit Tour has very intelligent pockets.
I had a Maximus Centurion for a couple of years. Liked the way it moved but pockets weren’t great and it proved to be too long for my liking. Sold it.
Just bought a Kokatat Neptune for day paddling. It is a shorter vest with OK pockets for what I’ll use it for. I’ll use my MsFit for longer trips.
Astral Sea Wolf, discontinued but replaced by the Blue. Easily the most comfortable jacket I’ve ever worn.
Another V8 user here.
Does the V8 have a pocket big enough to hold a cell phone (iPhone XR)?
The newer ones do but they are mesh. Better have a darn good waterproof case for it. But that is true any time you have a phone along when you are kayaking. The XR is only “splash resistant”, not immersible nor warranteed for water damage.
I carry my iPhone in a small tightly gasketed Pelican box and typically don’t take it out when on the water. I carry a Pentax WG-1 camera, which is fully waterproof and immersible, for photography.
I have and my husband had a Kokatat MSFit Tour. The mens version put the zipper offside, most guys I have known get the womens version.
@Celia said:
I have and my husband had a Kokatat MSFit Tour. The mens version put the zipper offside, most guys I have known get the womens version.
Agreed, the women’s version is great for men, with multiple functional pockets.
Also, ditto Sparky’s comment - it’s nice to be able to safely leave the zipper open to cool off.
My MSFit is old and faded, so I bought the Astral V8 a couple of weeks ago. It was well-made and certainly was going to be cooler (a big bonus), but it felt a bit like wearing a parachute so I sent it back. I found the pockets lacking, although not a deal breaker. In a hotter climate I would have kept it.
@carldelo said:
@Celia said:
I have and my husband had a Kokatat MSFit Tour. The mens version put the zipper offside, most guys I have known get the womens version.Agreed, the women’s version is great for men, with multiple functional pockets.
Also, ditto Sparky’s comment - it’s nice to be able to safely leave the zipper open to cool off.
My MSFit is old and faded, so I bought the Astral V8 a couple of weeks ago. It was well-made and certainly was going to be cooler (a big bonus), but it felt a bit like wearing a parachute so I sent it back. I found the pockets lacking, although not a deal breaker. In a hotter climate I would have kept it.
Can you elaborate on your fit experience with the V8? Have you purchased something else you like better?
I believe he is making reference to the newer V8 pfd model. The flotation on the back has been raised up to the top half and thickened as opposed to the older model that had it evenly spread along the top 2/3 of the back. This was done to keep the pfd from interfering with the back of a kayak/canoe seat.
I own the old version without the “parachute” back, but paddle with people who enjoy the newer version.
@Sparky961 said:
Can you elaborate on your fit experience with the V8? Have you purchased something else you like better?
I tried the new version of the V8, the teal one in Doug’s post. He’s right on about the back - the pad is high on the shoulder blades. Sitting in a chair felt like there was no vest on - remarkable, but I don’t have high seat backs in my boats. The back brim of my hat touched the pad a little.
The front pad is compact and forward on the belly like a WWII parachute - problematic if you already have one (a belly, I mean). Others have said it doesn’t interfere with paddling, which I can believe. The mesh and holes through the vest would clearly make it cool in hot weather. I just didn’t like the feeling and the lack of pockets was enough for me to return it. It’s a worth a look if you’re in the market, I got a sale price at REI, and they have a good return policy.
I’m sticking with my old Kokatat MSFit Tour, and will replace it when it finally wears out.
Thanks for that. It doesn’t look like a good match for my next PFD but nice to see them trying to innovate.
Been using Seda’s for years. Nothing comparable out there today.
Kokatat Neptune last July to replace a 15 year old Palm X-Treme whose fabric was failing. I like the front zip on Kokatat vs no zip, over the head of former. New one also does not ride up while in the water at a comfortable cinch.
Make sure you can do an adequate re-entry with a brand new PFD. I like my PFD’s to carry a lot of gear, but ones that are stuffed full in the front make it more difficult to re-enter.