Seeking opinions on Rescue Vests

[ebell]

I am looking into purchasing a rescue vest and would like some input from those of you who have one or may have tried several.

Currently I am looking at the Astral and Stolquist models.

thanks
eric

[Tmuse]

I'd go with the green jacket, I really like the astral stuff.

[Renee H]

I have the Astral Greenjacket and really like it. It's not too bulky.

[okieboater]

another vote for the Astral Green jacket
I had the earlier model Astral and it never fit right, but was a good jacket. On the green jacket they fixed every thing I thought needed tweeking. The green jacket fits like a glove with the new set up.

but

several of my buds have the stolhquist rescue vest and are happy with them

my guess is both get the job done, deciding factor might be which one you can get the best deal on

[panicman]

Just got an astral green jacket and really like it. Had a stolquist extrac and did not trust how it released the rescue harness. Older model that was known to have some problems.

[Jeremy M]

The main two rescue PFDs on the market now are the one's you're looking at.

The Astral Green Jacket and the Stohlquist Descent.

A few notes on both.

The Green Jacket is an over the head PFD. A lot of straps, 9 to be precise. Typically this jacket will ride lower on the body. The only potential issue I see there, is that it puts the harness lower on the back. If you're looking for function and styling, then this is definitely the PFD for you...Now made in the USA, right in Asheville, they have several Limited Edition designs.

The Stohlquist Descent. The previous rescue PFD from Stohlquist, the XtractD, did have some issues with a tri-glide buckle attached to the harness strap that had the potential for jamming. In fact, I witnessed that on two separate occasions. I emailed Jim Stohlquist and also spoke with him in person regarding this. He agreed that changing the ring size was an option and that did seem to fix the problem. I know several folks who are happy with that jacket. However, any issues with that PFD were corrected with the Descent! Molded foam across the torso, means a better fit, while remaining low profile. The harness issue was corrected by removing the tri-glide buckle on back and replacing with velcro, to keep the ring centered. This jacket uses a larger webbing strap for the harness. It is a side zip model as well. (just another difference)

One other issue with the Xtract that was corrected was storage, the Descent has a lot of storage. It is also compatible with leg loops for a full body harness effect.(versatility) Also the "beverage" holder on front would be great for western trips. Because this jacket rides a bit higher than the green jacket, the harness strap is more centered on the back.

Regardless of which one you choose. It is important that you try them on. The Descent fit has been running a tad on the small size, so if you go that way, you might step up a size.

$0.02

[RandyJ]

What Jeremy said. I have a brand new Descent. Love it, but haven't had it in the water yet since I'm right on the border between the S-M and L-XL sizes, so waiting for the next size up to come in to see if that's a better fit. There are pros and cons to pull-over vs side-entry, but I think I'm really going to like the side-entry.

I think us75n (James) has been using one for a couple of months or so. Maybe he'll post up here and tell us about his.

[ebell]

thanks for all the input. hopefully i will run into two boaters my size wearing both types of jackets. maybe even on the same day.

I am curious if the older X tract can be retrofitted to fix the problems mentioned.

there seems to be more used ones of that model floating around, maybe for a very good reason.

anyway, thanks again
eric

[briansauer]

I am an average sized guy and bought a size medium Astral Green Jacket. I used the fitting chart to order the right size, but It was definitely too tight and really uncomfortable. I got lucky and sold it on the fly and bought a size large and it fits like a dream. So if in doubt, get the larger size! Good luck

[Owl]

eb:

I have a newer model X-Tract and I know that, although my vest didn't have the release design problem, Stohlquist had a fix for older vests that did.

[Steve S]

Owl, do you have to contact Stohlquist to get the fix for the older vests?

[ebell]

I found an 08 stolquist X tract. What year is yours Owl. It seems like a good price. Just don't want to buy the older one with the problems with the latch.

eric

[Owl]

SS:
Yes, you'd contact Stohlquist for the fix for the older vests.

eb:
My X-tract is an '06 model so the '08 should be fine. The problem wasn't with the latch but in the design of the webbing & plastic ring on the back of the vest that holds the metal tether ring in position relative to the diameter of the metal tether ring. The release webbing could bind in that assembly under some circumstances.