V Eight

When I started kayaking in 2017, I tried a couple of different pfds, none of which were satisfactory. I am 5’3” and 135 lbs. My Perception kayak has fairly high seat back. The Astral V Eight met and exceeded all my needs: it is very comfortable with no tightness across the chest area and is lightweight; no arm restriction with paddling movements; the mesh back keeps me cool and the high back clears the kayak seat back; the straps can be individually adjusted. My only and minor complaint is that the pockets are small and not very useful. I have recommended this pfd to friends who have been very satisfied.

Extremely comfortable PFD with nice storage. The high back on this is the nicest feature because you do not have something between you and your seat. The mesh back is very nice on those hot summer days, but also for those cold weather days where you do not want extra bulk on top of any dry suit and base layer you may be wearing.

The best feature of this is probably the range of motion it allows. being able to have full range without being bound up like you would with a cheaper PFD is very nice for rivers where you need to be on a swivel.

real nice jacket! If you know someone that will not wear there pfd,then you might want to try a v 8..

I do have to write my disappointment in the interior light blue fabric. Within one season(10 float days) the fabric had faded to almost a white color. I did contact customer service and to their credit, they were quick in response to me. However, I was disappointed that they did not take any responsibility for the material choice put in the life jacket, nor try to keep customers happy.

I just wanted people considering this life jacket to know they will get a comfortable, well fitting, but faded life jacket.

I just bought my wife a Astral V Eight PFD 3 months ago. She has now worn it about a dozen times and she couldn't be happier. My wife loves to canoe and kayak, but there is a comfort threshold for her. The higher the comfort the more likely she is to enjoy the on water experience. I am beginning to understand that point better the older that I get. She has tried numerous vests and owns a couple of top rated ones. But she relays to me that the Astral is the most comfortable and by far the coolest temperature vest that she has ever worn. She also loves the the high back, because she is only 5'4" and canoe/kayak backs are have always been an issue. This vest helped that problem. The vest is also curved for a female in the front which relives the common tightness issues in the chest area. And she raves about feeling a little airflow through the mesh, which is found all over the vest in the right places.

Good job Astral for designing a well designed and crafted light vest.

The ventilation is superb under it, NO HIVES. I still get a little heat rash from it, but I do not get hives. It sits really well on me in my Tsunami, I also have used it on a SOT twice. Fit is good and it stays in place in the water too. The fact that I still get a rash keeps if from rating a perfect 10, but it really is close.

When I first used it the first thing I noticed was the freedom of movement and lack of awkward bulk. It does ride a bit high behind the shoulders but I think that is because of my short back -- that looks a little strange but is not at all uncomfortable, in fact it helps to ventilate. The second thing I noticed was that I didn't notice that I was wearing a PFD at all after paddling for a while! The mesh lining and perforated flotation foam actually work to enhance air circulation and I seemed to sweat no more under the vest than I did in places that were not beneath it. I have had it out 4 times now and have never felt that I wanted to take it off while paddling even in sweltering conditions (something I was often tempted to do with the Lola.)

My only complaint, and the reason for a 9 rather than 10, is that the pockets are kind of lame. There is one large mesh pocket with a single snap flap -- no zipper. I would not store anything in there without clipping it to the d-ring inside because the pouch is not at all secure. The second "pocket" is just a shallow mesh opening above the chest, within the lining, too tiny to hold much more than a chapstick and whistle (both tethered.) I've pretty much just used it to stash my thin gloves when I wasn't using them, but I suspect they could have popped out if I had rolled.

The materials and quality of Astral's construction are outstanding, as I would expect from folks who apparently were originally involved with Lotus Designs. Very nice-looking.

Overall I think this is a great vest for anyone who wants an amazingly cool and comfortable PFD that won't chafe your underarms or feel bulky while paddling. It's the only "unisex" vest that has fit my 36DD chest well. Price is upper mid-range at around $100USD, plus or minus a few bucks.