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Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD
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Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD

Item # 767267

$109.00

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

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Stay cool while paddling during the dog days of summer with the Astral V-Eight PFD.

  • Airescape™ technology minimizes vest contact with your torso and has vent ports allowing body heat to escape
  • Eco-conscious Gaia™ PVC-free foam is soft and flexible, and won't break down in a wet environment
  • Preshaped foam in front panels provides additional comfort for men and women
  • Nylon outer shell provides superior abrasion resistance and durability
  • Mesh back allows maximum airflow and increased comfort while using kayaks with high seatbacks
  • Mesh cargo pocket on the right front panel conveniently stores small essentials
  • Dial in the fit using the 2 adjustable 1 in. webbing side straps and the adjustable shoulder straps
  • 4-way lash tab on front lets you secure accessories like strobes or knives

    Sizing and buoyancy information below:
  • Small/Medium fits chest sizes 31 - 37 in..
  • Medium/Large fits chest sizes 38 - 44 in.
  • Large/XX Large fits chest sizes 45 - 51 in.

    Made in USA.

    Item 767267

    Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD Specs

    Specification

    Description

    Flotation17 pounds
    USCG ClassificationType III
    MaterialRipstop nylon
    GenderUnisex

    Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD Customer Reviews

    REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

    by PowerReviews
    Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD
     
    4.0

    (based on 8 reviews)

    86%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

    Pros

    • Good ventilation (7)
    • Lightweight (7)
    • Comfortable (6)
    • Highly adjustable (6)
    • Durable (3)

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Paddling (7)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Recreational user (3)

      Reviewed by 8 customers

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      Displaying reviews 1-8

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      Jul

      27

      2008

      (14 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Best I have ever worn

      By krlbch

      from St. Paul, Minnesota

      About Me Intermediate

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Comfortable
      • Good Ventilation
      • Highly Adjustable
      • Lightweight

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Paddling

        Comments about Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD:

        I have been canoeing and kayaking for 30 years and this is the best PFD I have ever worn. It is great for kayaks that have a higher seat back as promised. I can wear it all day and it does not rub on my neck.

        • Chest Size:
        • Feels true to size

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (14 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

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        May

        18

        2009

        (7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

         
        2.0

        Needs some work...

        By Nick911

        from Washington, DC/Internationally.

        About Me Advanced User

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Good Ventilation
        • Lightweight

        Cons

        • Rides Up in Water

        Best Uses

        • Paddling

        Comments about Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD:

        While this fits well, and is very well ventilated... I had the chance to use it in the water for its actual purpose. I have used it 'for real' in rescue training, as well as after being dumped from my kayak in a near miss. Both times, even just going in the water with it on, the only way to keep it from riding up is to cinch the PFD so tight, I can hardly take a deep breath. It failed time and time again to keep my head up out of the water, which if I was not conscious would have been a major issue.

        For just wearing, in the heat, it was great, and I was a lot cooler then everyone else, it held together after heavy use; but when it comes to saving my rear, I don't trust it.

        • Chest Size:
        • Feels too small

        Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

        (7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

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        Jul

        13

        2009

        (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        RE: Nick911

        By Amber D.

        from Houston, TX

        Comments about Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD:

        [...] comments that this is a Type III PFD. It is not designed to turn an unconscious wearer face up. For that you would need a Type I or II PFD, and I doubt you would want to wear one of those very long while paddling. They tend to be much bulkier and less comfortable. This PFD is doing its job just fine-- your problem is that you are expecting something it's not designed to do, and no PFD built for paddling will do that.

        (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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        May

        3

        2009

        (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        great!

        By germs

        from marietta ga

        About Me Recreational User

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Good Ventilation
        • Highly Adjustable
        • Lightweight

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Paddling

          Comments about Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD:

          This is the first PFD I've owned but I think its great. My wife has one too and she also loves it. We use them canoeing and kayaking, and although I've only tested it in March and April, it seems well ventilated, which is why I bought this particular product. I really don't have anything bad to say about it.

          • Gift:
          • No
          • Chest Size:
          • Feels true to size

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Sep

          11

          2009

           
          5.0

          Excellent fit and comfort

          By stormy

          from Riverside, WA

          About Me Recreational User

          Pros

          • Comfortable
          • Durable
          • Good Ventilation
          • Highly Adjustable
          • Lightweight

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Paddling
            • Waterskiing

            Comments about Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD:

            For a large man, this is the most comfortable vest my husband has ever used.

            • Gift:
            • No

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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            Sep

            5

            2009

             
            4.0

            Nice, light PFD

            By TidalDave

            from Seattle, WA

            About Me Advanced User

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Comfortable
            • Durable
            • Good Ventilation
            • Highly Adjustable
            • Lightweight

            Cons

            • Pocket isn't great

            Best Uses

            • Paddling

            Comments about Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD:

            This was the first PFD I bought, and, for simple day-paddles, it's great. I still wear it when I want a PFD that's lightweight and minimal, like when I'm just going out for a 1-2 hour paddle. But, if you want a PFD that's good for solo kayaking and/or multi-day touring, the lack of pockets / storage will prove to be a problem. For solo touring, I ended up investing in a deluxe Kokatat PFD that's ideal for touring (room for VHF radio, flares, logbook, flashlight, hydration pack, etc.).

            One other downside: the snap on the pocket of this PFD could be hard to unfasten if you were out of your boat in cold water. It's hard enough to unsnap with warm hands in the summer. With numb fingers after 5 minutes in 45-55F water, I can see it being a big problem.

            • Gift:
            • No
            • Chest Size:
            • Feels true to size

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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            Jun

            27

            2009

             
            4.0

            Comfortable hot-weather PFD

            By Amber D.

            from Houston, TX

            About Me Recreational User

            Pros

            • Comfortable
            • Good Ventilation
            • Highly Adjustable
            • Lightweight

            Cons

            • Rides Up in Water
            • Would like more pockets

            Best Uses

            • Paddling

            Comments about Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD:

            This is my first non-inflatable PFD, and I really like it. At 4'11" and 110 pounds, I had trouble finding an adult PFD small enough for me, and the small/medium size fits nicely. The molded chest panels are a comfortable fit for women. Even as short as I am, the high back doesn't interfere with my seatback or cockpit coaming when kayaking.

            Can't beat the ventilation and comfort for hot-weather activities (without going to an inflatable, that is). I paddle on the gulf coast, and I've never yet been tempted to stash it. And it doesn't chafe when worn with little or no clothing underneath.

            Cons: I've tested it in rescue/recovery training and it does ride up a little, but not so much that I was worried about it not doing its job when needed. But I would definitely recommend cinching the waist strap as tight as you can get it.

            It has just one cargo pocket on the right side, and I wish there was a matching one on the left so you could more easily store essential safety gear. There is also a tiny stuff pocket inside the left breast, but I wouldn't stick anything important there.

            • Gift:
            • No
            • Chest Size:
            • Feels true to size

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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            Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

            Jun

            3

            2009

             
            4.0

            nice choice

            By spoon!

            from northwest oregon

            About Me Novice User

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Comfortable
            • Durable
            • Good Ventilation
            • Highly Adjustable
            • Lightweight

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Paddling

              Comments about Astral Buoyancy V-Eight PFD:

              This is the first PFD I've purchased and I feel this is a great value. It is super comfortable(the shaped chest panels are a nice touch), not a bit sweaty even on very hot days and the mesh back fits well with the high seat on my kayak. A vest can't work if you are not willing to wear it. I held off on giving it the five stars only because I haven't taken a dip with it yet.

              • Gift:
              • No
              • Chest Size:
              • Feels true to size

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              Was this review helpful? Yes / No

               - You may also flag this review

              Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

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