Rescue Vests-any opinions out there, haha!

[kayakdoc]

So i'm needing to upgrade my PFD and looking at either a Astral Green vest or a Stohlquist Descent (new version of the xtract). Kinda like the side zipper opening of the Stohlquist (plus it has a "beverage pocket" on the front-definately adds bonus points!). Any thoughts on pros/cons of each out there?

[okieboater]

I have the green jacket and am real happy with it.
Several of my bud's have the descent and are very happy with them.
Either one should work, probably comes down to which one feels right to you.

[Cowper]

If you google, you'll find a study of about 5 such vests, that Jim Simmons and some others with Arkie connections put together several years ago. One of the suprizing things is how closely all of the vest rated to each other - one might excel in a given category, while another would take the lead in something else. The net result was a bunch of highly rated vests with the "top choice" getting down to personal preferences. As time goes on, this study is probably now in need of updating to reflect current choices, but it provides good food for thought and what things to look for.

If I had to choose today, I'd probably go with the new Extract, because I like having a zipper and the pockets look more accessible to me. I've come very close to getting a Green jacket several times, but always stopped short because I find some of the pockets hard to access in a store demo, so I tend to imagine that "bulked up" with my winter gear on and cold hands, these pockets might become unusable to me.

But I've never met an unhappy Green Jacket owner ....

[Louiscov]

If you decide to go with the Astral Green Jacket and can wear the L/XL, I'm getting ready to list a brand new one in black/lime for $165. Never used, still has the tags on. I bought it on a 20% off sale at this price but have broken my kayak paddle & need a new one & am selling the vest.

Send a PM if interested.

[RandyJ]

Love my Descent. If you get one, make sure you try one on...I had to bump up a size. I think they have them sized a bit wrong. The Small-Med should be labeled XS-S, and so on up the chain. But otherwise, has been great. Lots of versatility with the pockets. Haven't trained or used in an actual rescue situation, though. Hope to train/practice some with it in 2011 when there's liquid stuff moving in the stream channels again.

[Shep]

Cowper, you are right on with the accessibility of the side pockets on the greenjacket. I like mine, but it certainly isn't the be-all, end-all.

[okieboater]

Yup, like my green jacket a ton. Those side pockets are nice, but definitely hard to get too.

[Don Harwood]

Kokatat makes the Ronin Pro which is a nice rescue vest also.
I have a Stohlquist Descent and a Astral Green Jacket too.
I have had a Stohlquist X-Traxt-D and Extrasport Pro Creeker.
They all have some nice features but then none are the perfect rescue vest.
The companies that make these products are more interested in whats "sexy" and "sells" than what is actually needed to perform really well.
It's like a popularity contest! A lot of paddlers buy stuff based on what they have seen out there and what is popular or trendy.
I helped review many of the vest that Cowper referred to and other instructors that helped will all tell you the same thing,
they all could be better.
The manufacturers are starting to listen some to what a lot of SWR Instructors are telling them.
They all have pros and cons, so it really is what you prefer.
I would suggest looking very closely at all of them and checking for the features you prefer, like pockets, spine proctection, fit, etc...
Or you can do like I do and have them all!

[kayakdoc]

Thank you everyone for the info. Cowper I will check out Jim's/et al review. I think I will probably go for the descent for the side zip and pocket access. I'll shout out a review when I have used it to it's best potential!
Pray for Rain and Lots of it!

[Regud]

As for me, it came down to fit.

The Astral cinches down on me better than the other brands. However, I do agree that the pockets on the Green are not designed in a way that they are easy to access.