****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Didn't ride up or chaf the armpits like my older life vest.I purchased the Kokatat Outfit Tour PFD Kayak Lifejacket (size Medium), for my adults Son with a 42 inch chest. However, the lifejacket that was shipped was a size Small. I thought I would need to return it because of the size difference. My Son tried it on and it fit him like a glove. The lifejacket is made of high qualify material and it's easily adjustable for a snug fit.I finally found this on Amazon. Most were sold out at local stores. Everyone is getting into kayaking during the pandemic.This is my second PFD from kokatat, since my other was stolen. I wanted to replace it with the same color and style. I've been in the drink more than a few times with it, and it really fits and floats like your life depends on it.I bought this after i tried some other vests from STOHL. They were nice but i didnt like the zippers and there was no buckle to keep the zipper from opening. Well i founds this one and it works better! READ THE INSTRUCTIONS on proper fitment. I put it on and tried to see the fit and my shoulders were too loose. i didnt like it i readjusted the buckles and started tightening from the bottom most strap first and going up, with all the strap fully loose starting out. It worked and brought the vest tight on my body at every point. I bought a medium and it fit well, i usually wear medium clothes.This PFD had a lot of great features and is of good quality. The fit is a bit of a bugaboo. I'm just below average height with a 44" chest. I'm at the lowest end of the large size range (44-48"), according to their sizing chart, which I went with to allow margin for wearing insulation in cold water situations. With full extension of the side straps, it is a snug fit with that. Of more concern is length, since the side straps should cinch under the rib cage to prevent the PFD from riding up over your head when immersed. With shoulder straps fully extended, only the lowest (waist) strap hits below the ribs.Kokatat make the best PFDs out there in my view. I have bought several and this is the latest.Fits well, and very adjustable. Comfortable for canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. I can't swim so I REALLY care about my PFD! This one gives great buoyancy and keeps me the right way up in the water (unlike some I have tried which love to dunk my face in the water!).Because I do most of my canoeing in the backcountry I like to have items I may need in an emergency (knife, fire starter, food, small stove, paracord, bug spray, compass, etc), on me at all times. The pockets and attachments on this PFD allow me to do that comfortably.Definitely a trade up from my old west marine PFD. Spent a day in a pool practicing rescues and rolls my first time wearing it. very impressed with the improvement in range of motion. Still a bit bulky in the front. Maybe even more so than my WM jacket but very firm fit and didn't ride up nearly as much after repeated dumpings and cowboy rescues.Arrived quickly in a large box with all tags still attached.I bought this after much research and at the suggestion of some of my friends who are avid paddlers. It is well built, has plenty of pockets and fits comfortably even someone who's 6' 225lbs with broad shoulders like myself.
