PFD Review - 06

Extrasport Osprey

Extrasport Osprey
A hybrid fishing vest/PFD, Extrasport's Osprey is all about the pockets. An angling paddler's dream vest, the Osprey has five small pockets and two large pockets to keep tools and lures accessible. Nylon loops and two D-rings hold other gear where you can reach it fast. It's not side vented, but adjustable mesh shoulders let the breeze through. Extrasport's Baja Back puts most of the flotation in the upper back to accommodate high seats, but leaves enough down low to keep the Osprey's overall bulk down and provide padding. The hinged foam back conforms to your body. The vest closes with a zip, and two cinching straps fine-tune the fit from the front, making this jacket a great choice for the less flexible. 11.5 pounds flotation, $69.95.
www.extrasport.com.

Extrasport Solstice

Extrasport Solstice
A front-zip, single-clip PFD, Extrasport's Solstice is a well-built jacket with little innovations that go a long way. The Solstice has a half-mesh back with one of the three side cinches sewn to the mesh, as well as mesh sides for extra venting without sacrificing fit. Extrasport's RetroGlide crisscrossing neoprene shoulder straps cinch down without pressure. Straps cross under a foam back panel and turn into the top-cinching side strap. It provides a quick custom fit without ride-up. The top-loading front pocket is deep and expandable, but tough to get into with more than two fingers when the jacket is on. There's a whistle on a lanyard clipped inside. Other features include reflective piping, front D-ring and lash point, and a neoprene-covered waist belt. 16.5 pounds flotation, $99.95.
www.extrasport.com.

Stohlquist Escape

Stohlquist Escape
A solid and basic PFD with a price that's right, Stohlquist's Escape is a zip-front with a simple waist belt, dual cinching side straps, and sectioned foam on the sides of the body. Straps are lightly padded and have some adjustability. Cinch them and the nylon underneath folds instead of wrinkling. There's reflective detailing front and rear, with one lash point and one spacious Velcro-close top-entry front pocket. 16 pounds 2 ounces flotation, $49.95.
www.stohlquist.com.

MTI Reflex

MTI Reflex
For light touring or daylong paddles, MTI's front-zip Reflex is a great choice. It has easily adjustable shoulders, with two side adjustments and a fabric-covered belt. Shoulder-strap webbing stretches from the rear waist over the shoulders and halfway down the chest, so when you cinch the straps down, they bring in the whole vest for a versatile fit. Side panels are made of nylon and hinged foam. 16.5 pounds flotation, $59.
www.mtiadventurewear.com.

NRS Mystic

NRS Mystic
A hinge-construction seven-panel PFD with stretchy sides, the NRS Mystic has a comfortable contoured fit. Two big stretchy side-entry pockets provide easy-to-reach expandable storage, and a Cordura exterior means that this PFD can go the extra mile over many seasons. Adjustable shoulder straps are padded. Three side straps and a waist belt hold the PFD in place. It has reflective shoulder straps and logo, and front and back strobe mounts.
16.5 pounds flotation, $105.
www.nrsweb.com.