Astral Green Jacket Rescue PFD Review

I've been using the Astral Green Jacket rescue PFD for two seasons now. I use it for everyday paddling as well as teaching River Rescue courses.

The thing I love most about it is the way it fits. It's comfortable and it doesn't get in the way of my range of motion. It's also been very durable, which is really important to me.

When teaching rescue, I am constantly swimming out into the river and pulling myself up onto rocks. The jacket gets a lot of abrasion from the rocks, and mine is still going strong after two full seasons. The front pocket is slightly worn, but that's it. I know rescue vests are more expensive then others, but this one makes up for it in the long run.

Pros

Cons

Fit: Easy to put on and really comfortable. Doesn't impede paddling movement at all.
I love the tether pockets, but the zippers tend to open sometimes. I have to keep checking to be sure they stay zipped.

Durability: I'm pretty hard on my gear, and this jacket gets a thumbs up.

Pockets for the tether keep the tether out of the way. Available on both sides too. I use the other one to hold a couple of biners.

When using the throw rope that fits behind the front pocket, it was too bulky and got in the way of paddling and rolling. It's a great idea, but it didn't work for me. Plenty of people use them and don't have the same problem, so maybe it's me.

Large front pocket for stuff

 

The Verdict

I will never buy a different PFD until Astral comes out with one even better.

I hate it when my jacket messes with my range of motion. The Astral is comfortable, bouyant, and durable, and it has useful features.

 

 

What do you think? Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published

About Us

We're a group of whitewater kayak, raft, and stand up paddleboard enthusiasts committed to stocking the highest-quality gear and deliver it to you as quickly as possible.

Learn more about us

Don't Forget About These

What else are we up to?

View all
First Impressions: Finding Her Flow in the Jackson Kayak Flow Whitewater Kayak

First Impressions: Finding Her Flow in the Jackson Kayak Flow Whitewater Kayak

Jonny Ortiz
A quick run down of the new Swiss Army Knife of Kayaks, the Jackson Kayak Flow from CKS customer Halie Orr! I was just taking off the river the day...
Gear Up for Fall Releases

Gear Up for Fall Releases

Jonny Ortiz
As the crisp air settles in for Fall Paddling season with popular events such as Beaverfest, Gorefest, Gauley Fest and Russell Fork Rendevous, make sure you are prepared with the gear you’ll need to have to stay comfortable and support your team on the river! Here are a few recommendations from CKS Online's Lead Buyer, Jonny Ortiz.
Jackson Kayak Rockstar V - Why We Still Love it in 2023

Jackson Kayak Rockstar V - Why We Still Love it in 2023

Jonny Ortiz
As water levels gradually drop, we find ourselves praying for rain and anticipating fall releases to alleviate the low water blues. My focus has s...