Stohlquist Betsea PFD - Women's
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The women-specific Stohlquist Betsea PFD is full of comfort and functionality for all disciplines of paddling, including long tours, thanks to front and back lash tabs and its "forget it's on" fit.
Shop similar products- Graded Sizingâ„¢ means that each size offers a truly different cut of shape and foam (versus the common practice of simply using shorter or longer straps)
- Consequently, paddlers will have less bulk along the side of their body when paddling and just the right amount of coverage in the event of a swim
- Ergonomic, women-specific torso comes with precurved WRAPTUREâ„¢ foam and built-in, contoured, supportive inner cups that wrap rather than crush
- 2 large zippered pockets for easy accessibility and storage
- Expanding front pockets have side-entry, fleece-lined handwarmer pockets
- Reinforced eyelets on front allow accessory attachment
- Mounting loops on back for hydration bladder (not included) or other accessories
- Ventilated shoulder and lumbar pads help keep you comfortable
- Adjustable shoulder straps customize the fit
- Cross-chest cinch harness eliminates ride-up
- 4-way accessory lash tabs located on chest and back shoulder
- 3Mâ„¢ reflective trim on both front and back
- U.S. Coast Guard Approved
Imported.
View all Stohlquist Women's PFDs| Best Use | Paddling |
|---|---|
| Flotation | 16 lbs. 4 oz. |
| Material(s) | Nylon/closed-cell foam |
| Lash Tab | Yes |
| Weight | 1 lb. 11.1 oz. |
| Gender | Women's |
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Incredible PFD to Busty Women
I started sailing this summer and needed a PFD that was comfortable, had pockets for stashing my phone, keys, etc., and most of all, fit properly! I wear a 36H bra so finding one with enough room in the chest without sacrificing fit in other areas was important! This jacket is perfect! The padding is low on the vest and overall it has a super sleek profile. The pockets are well placed and don't stick out like they do on other vests. This thing is so comfortable that I don't mind wearing it one bit! It's well made and feels very high quality. I also tried on the Kokatat MsFit but if you're looking for a sleek design that's cut for curves the Stohlquist Betsea is far superior, in my opinion.
Comfortable for a PFD
I've only used this PFD once so far, and the floatation of really wasn't tested. Took it kayaking and found that it was fairly comfortable for a PFD, and did allow freedom to move and paddle, which was nice. My fingers don't have great circulation anymore, thanks to my winter activities, so the fleece pockets were REALLY nice when the breeze kicked in and hit my wet hands. It's very well built. Size is spot on, and while it isn't as streamlined as I would like, it isn't the bulkiest version I've ever worn either.
Painful padding placement in chest area
I found this PFD incredibly uncomfortable to wear and had to return it. The poor foam placement in the chest area meant that the only way I could wear this without stabbing my chest with foam pieces was to loosen it to the point of utter uselessness. I am not at all busty and have a straight-ish body shape, so it was somewhat of a novel experience to be painfully squished in the chest area (with loose straps elsewhere). Nonetheless, this PFD achieved that. I do not recommend this pfd, unfortunately. Sizing note: my chest/waist measurements are 34"/27". I ordered the XS and still had plenty of room to tighten the straps on this PFD. I often struggle with adult PFDs being too large, and this would have been great if not for the terrible design of the chest area.
Mixed Feelings
Comfort: 3/5. Quite bulky in the front—makes it feel snug and it's a bit uncomfortable to sit in, plus it gets really hot. The breast cutouts are a nice touch but probably not crucial for someone with a small chest like myself. The lowest clip that prevents it from rising up when you're in the water has to be super tight around your ribs to be functional. When it's not super tight, it sits at an inward angle and rubs your stomach with a rough material. Effectiveness: 5/5. I tried floating face down in my pool to test the buoyancy of this PFD, and every time it immediately flipped me onto my back without me moving at all. I was impressed, especially when comparing it to another Body Glove life jacket I got from Walmart (which did nothing to save my life in a face-down-in-water situation). When the lowest strap is tightened as much as possible, it does not float up around your neck/chin (though it does when the strap is not as tight as can be). I felt pretty secure while wearing it in the water. Kayak Compatability: 4/5. The back sits at a super awkward height for a kayak seat. It's not really long enough to comfortably sit between your back and the seat, but it's not short enough to sit above the seat completely. I kept having to pull it down so that it rested between me and the seat, otherwise it kept pushing up around my neck and shoulders which was uncomfortable. It might stay down if I had the lowest strap as tight as possible, but that's just not comfortable when sitting for hours. The side straps surprisingly did not rub on my arms when paddling, however I always wore a t-shirt or long sleeved shirt while kayaking so I'm not sure if it would've rubbed my bare skin. I don't think it would based on the position of my arms when paddling. Overall: 4/5. I have not decided if I will keep this PFD or return it. I wanted to try on others, but sadly a lot of REIs stores don't carry a wide variety of PFD's (specifically women's PFDs). I ordered this online and might order a few others in the spring to try on. I just feel "eh" about this one. It does the job but I'm never really excited to wear it. I think I'll look for something less bulky and that has a better (longer or shorter) back length.
Great Life Presever
Such a great buy- so many Compliments- it’s stylish and functional
Funcation and fitting
Functional and fitting ,I love using it so much, thanks for the great product.