Astral  Bowen PFD

I've been waiting years for a lightweight yet super-high quality side-entry PFD with loads of flotation.... and finally, here it is. This is an awesome product. The clam shell pocket is unreal stash for anything you need handy. I use mine primarily on long coastal SUP expeditions, and any extra weight can add back strain with the repeated hip hinge of paddling, but I almost didn't notice I was wearing this jacket. Very comfortable. Usual bomb proof Astral build. Highly recommended.

As a short and curvy lady this fit me in all the right spots. Gave me security and comfort. Highly recommend.

I did not know I could be comfortable in a pfd! I’m a big lady and this was a game changer. It tightens lower down and all the floatation is BELOW the chest instead of right on top. For my body type a conventional pfd like the Ninja was too cumbersome and I couldn't even do self rescue practice because the pfd was in the way. Plus no matter how much I cinched it down it still floated up and was basically not safe or helpful. The Bowen feels like butter! The straps don’t feel cutting or tight and instead of being acutely aware of this huge thing in my way I forget it’s even there. Plus it’s soft and snug and sits BELOW my chest which in turn makes it stay securely in place. I love this pfd!

I had the privilege of wearing this pfd for the last five days on the Lower Salmon River. It was super comfortable, allowed good movement, and I LOVED the front storage pocket!! Phone access was quick, and as a result I got a lot of great photos and footage that I would never have if I’d had my device in the dry bag like in the past. I didn’t fall out to test it, but when voluntarily swimming between rapids it worked great. I was borrowing and will wait for a sale to buy this!! Highly recommend.

It does what it’s supposed to, and more! I’ve been kept afloat physically, comfortably, and fashionably. All the convenient storage on this PFD makes it easy to keep my snacks, safety, and first aid in check and accessible. Thank you Astral!

I have worn the same pdf for 7 years and finally decided to upgrade this year. I love it. The Bowen fits well, has amazing pockets and floatation. Its comfortable and steezy.

I would easily give this jacket a five star review except for one feature: the side buckles. On the right side the three buckles are attached too far to the rear. Too short of straps. It makes you go into contortions to snap the buckles in place. I ended up simply keeping the buckles snap attached and loose, then slipping the jacket over my head and then tightening. Excellent fit outside of that.

Just switched over to the Bowen from the Layla and love the Bowen so much more as a guiding PFD and fits my body even better as a female boater. The fit & design allows for more movement and customization than any other PFD I’ve used, and features like the super spacious clamshell pocket, side pockets for a flip line/webbing, and the multiple options for knife attachment points are a home run. Despite being packed with features, the bowen moves, feels, and swims better than any low-profile pfd i’ve tried. This is the ONE!

Just did a self support kayak trip down the Grand Canyon and found this online before I went. It was the perfect life jacket for the long days in there. Lightweight + full range of motion was a must. Big clamshell pocket held my camera, snacks and safety gear easily. Plus there's these cool velcro bits on the ends of the straps which help keep things out of your way. Was really impressed with this PFD! Will be wearing it more and more on any light and fast mission I go on.

Very disappointed with this update to the Blue Jacket. While the general layout remains unchanged, a number of important details have been changed or removed that make this jacket much less suitable to advanced sea kayaking. 1. Loss of the lash tab on the left shoulder (what do you have against lefties?). 2. The clamshell pocket layout is less functional for keeping things organized on the water. 3. A lash tab on the from of the clamshell is of questionable utility; knives kept here are in the way for re-entries and generally a nuisance. 4. The loss of quick release belt compatibility makes this PFD unsuitable for many advanced paddlers. The Green Jacket is not a suitable replacement because it has a number of features that are either unnecessary for sea kayaking or does not meet our needs in other ways. Overall, very sad to see the loss of key features in the Blue Jacket and hope to see them return before I need a new PFD.