NRS  CVest PFD

I misread the description and was pretty excited about that this PFD stood out among all the others because it "includes a rear bacon loop" !! I was expecting either a loop made out of bacon or a convenient place on the back to store extra bacon, which would be handy if you fill up the front pockets with salty fried pork and need a little extra capacity to make it till lunch time. As it turns out, this vest only includes a " rear bEacon loop" This is probably handy in some situations, but unfortunately limits the bacon storage and transport capacity to only the front pockets and bacon lash point on the front of the PFD.

Bought this 2 years ago for my back country canoe trips. Well designed, lots of pockets to organize stuff. Love the blaze colour and the reflective patches - If I'm in the drink, I want to be VERY visible. One qualifier to this review - this PFD has not been field tested for it's intended use as a flotation device - I haven't tipped a canoe in years and I really should test it in a local lake to be sure it will keep me afloat if needed.

I bought the CVest to do a solo 90 mile trip down the Edisto River. I wore it for 4 days in 55 degree rain and 80 degree sun. It was warm when i needed it and cool the rest of the time. Lots of pockets, but they dont get in the way if not used. I used a high back seat and the CVest never felt uncomfortable. Never got in the way when I paddled or ducking under limbs.

Went to check the Kokatat Bahia Tour, but REI did not have that one in stock, then I saw this one. Six pockets (one with loop to attach a leash to an object like your knife), 8 places to clips or strap stuff onto (look carefully), reflective trim, reflective panels, great size options...what's not to like? Well, the radio/cell pocket has ONE SMALL tab of velcro,not a strip. So it is not adjustable to cinch down or up to different size radio/cell phone. Bad move. Plus tat one tiny swatch of velcro could EASILY catch on the kayak/boat/rock/branch/paddle you name it, in an incident, causing one to lose the most important piece of safety gear after the PFD...your communications to call for help. BAD MOVE. This crucial pocket and the small one above it, should have adjustable fastex buckle closures. Might bump the price up $4 to match the price of the Kokatat Bahia Tour... I will modify it, thereby spoiling the clean looks of this otherwise well thought out vest. Oh well, penny pinchers strike again, could have been the PERFECT PFD. Still is a VERY good PFD.

Let me start by saying that I sea kayak a lot, and I'm a "fan" of NRS products. After using this vest for about 3 years, I've found some design problems that are significant enough to cause me to downgrade my rating. The vest is well constructed and very comfortable. The placement of the back flotation allows for higher seat backs (not a kayak feature I like at all!) and for enhancing the ability to roll. That also makes the vest a bit cooler in hot weather, although the chill when capsizing/swimming takes a bit of getting used to. Here are the issues I've found: it has an annoying tendency to ride up when I'm in the water, jamming itself under my chin. I've worked with adjusting all the straps to try to stop that characteristic and can't get it to stop. To be fair, I've developed a bit of a "belly," and that could be the problem. Perhaps a skinnier paddler wouldn't have this issue, so I strongly recommend trying it on (wearing your paddling clothes) and have someone tug it upwards, once you've adjusted it, and see if it'll stay where it's supposed to. My second issue relates to the radio pouch: it's too small for anything other than a very small marine VHF radio! It's tight enough that radio function buttons can be accidentally pressed while paddling. Finally, the lack of a "D" ring in the radio pocket means a tether has to be secured somewhere else or risk no tether and dropping the radio. I'd only recommend this vest after explaining those issues to a potential buyer.

Gets out of your way when you don't need it and is there when you do.