PFD preferance standard or inflatable?

[forgiven]

S what kind of PFD's do you all like & use?
What is good and what is trash?

I have been using the same old "vest" style zip up the front PFD for years. I was thinking of an inflatable for better mobility.
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[flygoddess]

Inflatables are great for the movement thing, but I always worried, what if you get hit in the head and are unconscious?


I too use the Zip up Vest. The kind that just go around your neck and down the front look to be a good choice.
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[IrishFloatTube]

I also use the zip up vest type, with padded front and back panels.
Extra warmth in winter, but can be a tad hot in summer.

I don't want the damp gear setting an automatic PFD off in the car on the way home, and haven't made the conversion to manual though many around me seem happy.

Anyway, if a tube flips. Do you want an inflated PFD getting in the way? I think a slimmer vest is more practical in such a scenario. An untested hypothesis of course.
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[flygoddess]

Those inflatable Suspenders sure would be nice!
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[MillerJ]

I use this one:



It's called the "Chinook" from NRS.

Has a nice high back so you can still sit comfortably in your seat without it getting in your way, and has lots of practical storage for tackle and tools.
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[flygoddess]

Great Looking Vest, M J Cool about the back riding higher, I like that!
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[zman1]

Not real impressed with the inflatable mustang vest. Here is why. Last year at the fall bullfrog open we had to help a couple who flipped their boat up in the san juan the guys wife got pinned under the boat and her auto mustang vest didnot inflate,We got them into our boat and ran down to dangling rope on the way I looked at her vest and the little deal that auto inflates it was wet[of course she was under water] took mine and threw it in the trash give me a good fiting stearns zip up!
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[kochanut]

i use this:

[url "http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=42116&deptid=2130"]http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=42116&deptid=2130[/url]

it fits great under my fly vest, and allows for maximum movement. i also used it when i was a river rafting guide.
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[Bassamatic]

I have both types. A zip up vest that I bought to use with the Malibu Mini-X kayak that I had before I discovered the exhilaration of tubing and an auto/manual inflate that I got a super deal on at a sale at West Marine. I prefer the inflatable for comfort but the zip up isn't too bad at all (although it is a little bulky and can definitely get in the way at times).
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