PFDs you'll actually wear

Dnelson said:
A few years ago, I tested a variety of PFDs for anglers, and the NRS Chinook was hands-down the favorite among my test team. In fact, it was the only 'solid' PFD we recommended. However, we also loved one inflatable: a Mustang model that is no longer offered (the Mustang MIT 150 is their current version, which matches our recommendation, I think). Mustang, based out of Vancouver, BC, makes great products, and I've lived-tested several of their inflatables (i.e., jumping out of rafts on rivers/lakes!!!). I have a Chinook I wear in my river raft, but I stick to my Mustang when I'm kayaking lakes.

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Functional Personal Floatation Options for Anglers | Gear Institute

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Thanks for posting this. Really got me thinking. I've been using a Cabela's inflatable pull tab PFD when I have gone on steelhead guide float trips. I liked wearing the inflatable PFD but never really tested it to see if it would work. I also wondered what would happen if I fell out of a raft in high water in the upper Sol Duc in February and conked my head before I pulled the tab...

Anyway, thanks to you all in this string I researched PFDs and ended up purchasing the NRS Wrangler. I only need 2 pockets so the Wrangler works for me. I received it from NRS today. It's well made and very adjustable. I plan to buy another one to lend to my buddies or son-in-laws who may come with me on those floats.
 
Grandpa Jim said:
Thanks for posting this. Really got me thinking. I've been using a Cabela's inflatable pull tab PFD when I have gone on steelhead guide float trips. I liked wearing the inflatable PFD but never really tested it to see if it would work. I also wondered what would happen if I fell out of a raft in high water in the upper Sol Duc in February and conked my head before I pulled the tab...

Anyway, thanks to you all in this string I researched PFDs and ended up purchasing the NRS Wrangler. I only need 2 pockets so the Wrangler works for me. I received it from NRS today. It's well made and very adjustable. I plan to buy another one to lend to my buddies or son-in-laws who may come with me on those floats.
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The thing to keep in mind about inflatables is that they are Mae West style- the flotation is high on your chest and in front. Fine for bobbing in a lake or ocean. However, you’re severely limited if you need to swim aggressively to avoid a strainer on a river. Also makes it tough to get back in the boat. I’d use foam in moving water.
 
I fell in a couple winters ago, took one step too far while swinging a sweet little bucket. I had my NRS Chinook on and it probably saved my life. I was on a gravel bar towards the middle of the river, but after falling in and getting swept downstream I had to swim about 100' to get to the bank. I'm gonna start wearing it for winter walk-n-wade trips this year.
 
So do I need to get over my fear of an inflatable pfd not inflating?
Had an instance this summer where I almost went over the side of my 14’ skiff. I was in first click trolling then my thigh accidentally hit the tiller throttle when I was messing with the adjacent trolling motor.
 
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John Svahn said:
So do I need to get over my feet or an inflatable not inflating?
Had an instance this summer where I almost went over the side of my 14’ skiff. I was in first click trolling then my thigh accidentally hit the tiller throttle when I was messing with the adjacent trolling motor.
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I have this too. We kept our old boat at the Edmonds drydock all winter once, and due to poor weather sealing the next time we launched it we discovered two inches of water in the cabin below. My inflatable PFD was down there and had only partially inflated. Maybe it had been like that for weeks and air had escaped out of it, or the position it was stored in was not reflective of how it would function while worn correctly, but it nags at me.
 
I had inflatables for one season before replacing them. I just plain don't trust them, and don't trust myself to manually deploy if things go really bad in an accident. I just don't think they're worth the extra risk.
 
I used my NRS Wrangler for the first time 2 days this week while gear fishing from a drift boat on OP rivers. My buddy also wore my 2nd jacket. We did a lot of casting and twitching jigs. Both of us felt like the NRS Wrangler did not hinder us at all in fishing.
I used the left pocket for my cell phone and the right pocket to hold my needle nose pliers.
It was a good purchase and thanks to all who posted and got me thinking about protection!
 
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