Kayak Blog | The Kayak Blog

“The Astral Bouyancy Tempo 100 is a simple, light front entry PFD for general use. The Tempo features Floatection,™ engineered to provide utmost freedom of movement for the arms and torso while protecting your spine and ribs. A venting entry allows you to open the front of the vest to cool off, yet the vest remains secured. Easy Reach™ buckles allow for quick and easy adjustment to the girth of the vest. Pictured in Orange; available in colors as listed above.

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“The Lotus Designs Lolita Swim Vest was born out of recreational discontent.  Thoughtfully tailored to fit paddlers with short torsos or smaller frames, the Lolita’s sleek, tri-panel design sits lower and more securely against the sternum. Adjusts at the sides and waist for optimal comfort. With a large stretch-mesh pocket and lash tab.

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The Astral Buoyancy 50 foot low profile Polypro Throw Rope fits in the front pocket of their pullover vests and behind the pockets on their front-entry vests. All whitewater paddlers should carry a rope! A rope in your boat doesn’t help. One in your hand does. Save time in an emergency — nuff said.

“The Lotus Designs Lola PFD is for unleashing the gymnast within. For any kind of recreational paddling, it’s light and agile. The fit is so low profile and ultra-comfortable, you’ll forget you’re wearing a life jacket. Its tri-panel design hinges on princess seams, creating a breaking front panel that conforms to any body type. The vest zips at the side, providing easy entry and exit, and there’s a neoprene flange inside the zipper to prevent skin’zip. A large stretch-mesh pocket with internal D-ring keeps essentials within reach. Details: adjustment points on the side panels, neoprene waist tunnel and shoulder pads.

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“The Sherman PFD, named after the westernmost county on I-70 in Kansas, originally surfaced as a vest that Lotus Designs built for some squirt boaters, a bunch of freestyle paddlers and themselves. It’s a perfect swim vest for throwing ends at Big Rocks as well as for sailboat racers and sea kayakers. Its principal beauty is its simplicity, designed for one purpose: providing absolute, unhindered mobility. The Sherman’s unobtrusive cut, combined with eight adjustment points, eliminates any chance of irritation and distraction when you’re paddling. The majority of the flotation is placed low on the torso, with the sides scooping in radically to achieve complete freedom of movement. At the bottom of the front panel there’s an inconspicuous stretchable mesh pocket, and against your chest is an inviting, internal neoprene hand-warmer pocket. The waist-belt is constructed of soft, durable, body-conforming neoprene so it resists sliding up your torso. You can use The Sherman as a pullover sty

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“The Half-Pint  is a Lotus vest for your little one: carefully crafted, comfortable and safe, with an adjustable fit that keeps your child’s attention off gear and on the joys of the river. It’s made from durable Cordura® fabric, in a zipperless pullover design that slips on easily. Bright colors and reflective tape add visibility.

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“The Lotus Designs’ Rio Grande’s moods range from rough and rowdy in the Taos Box to slow and pensive through the southwest Texas desert. Like its namesake, our tried-and-true front-zip-entry vest is up for all types of recreational paddling. The body is low-profile and cut to allow freedom of movement; the adjustable waist, sides and shoulders create a fit that won’t ride up. Lastly, the Rio Grande PFD features a lash tab for a knife, and roomy stretch-mesh pockets with internal D-rings.

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“The Rio Bravo has a slightly lower profile than many other PFDs; the short front and back panels won’t hinder mobility. The side-panel construction puts a gusset of fabric between front and back and lets you adjust the vest to your body with a close and secure fit. Shoulder pads are long for comfort on all-day floats. A lash tab keeps a knife within easy reach, and you can stash essentials in the two generously sized stretch-mesh zip pockets (with internal D-rings). With the Rio Bravo you get the comfort and reliability of a front-zip entry vest.

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“The Wondervest 200 is Astral Buoyancy’s pullover vest for women — Astral’s first female specific design. The Wondervest features a shorter torso height and tailored sports bra that is designed to effectively support, not prop or smoosh, a woman’s chest. The upper is neoprene topped with Scholler’s® stretch Cordura®. It’s connected to the vest via our Z-Strap fit system. The large center pocket is much bigger than it looks, with room for our accessory ropes and hydro bladders.

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“Lotus Design’s newest, trim-fitting, air-conditioned fishing vest doubles as a USCG-approved, Type III personal flotation device (PFD). Deft adjustment points, die-cut, hand-skived foam and an open-meshed back keep the profile slim (and comfortable to wear, even in a high-backed boat). The low neckline, narrow chest and short waist create large armholes for unimpeded casting.

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