Honestly, I already have a three year old Blue Jacket in the black and pine green color, but bought a Prijon Beast in almost this same Glacier Blue, and just could not pass up have a matching PFD. My old one is now dedicated to pushing rubber, where it compliments a Shredder with esteem! I will love them both equally~
Prof. Hines
Verified Purchase
1 year ago
Comfy And Secure
Comfy but secure fit, love the low profile allowing a great range of motion. Clam shell front zip pocket is quite handy for things like rescue carabiners, snacks, or a fly box. I can wear the Blue all day and forget I'm wearing it.
Verified Purchase
1 year ago
At Last, The Perfect Pfd.
I have been a boater since 1996 and this is by far the best PFD I have ever had. The clamshell pocket is ample in size and by design very easy to access. The profile allows for unimpeded movement while delivering 16.4 pounds of floatation. The placement of the straps allows for a fit that feels as comfortable as it secure. I especially appreciate the design of the shoulder strap adjustments that make it easy to adjust from the lower front of the pfd rather than the awkward top of the strap standard. The build quality of this vest is industry unmatched IMHO. Thanks Astral!
Mark F
Verified Purchase
1 year ago
The Versatile Green Jacket Is Just What I Needed.
I have been looking for a good versatile and comfortable PFD. I’m an Instructor and teach safety in my classes so often play the rescue victim so know how effective it is when in the water and out of your boat. I also serve as a safety boat for paddling events so have towed a number of Kayaks, Canoes and SUPs for exhausted or injured paddlers as it performs well. I enjoy sea kayaking and surfski paddling so paddle often in rough conditions and confident the Green Jacket adds additional safety. It has plenty of flotation and appreciate the extra protection it gives my rib cage. I did some open water rescue training on Lake Superior in windy conditions there was never a problem with the Green Jacket it stayed secure and in place. I recently purchased a second one as we spend the winter paddling season in Texas so want to always have one handy.
Judd Lefeber
Verified Purchase
1 year ago
Comfortable, Innovative, Brilliant Design
The fit is great. It’s designed so well that I barely know I have it on. The bottom part gently hugs my torso, very comfortably moving with me. Yet, the front clamshell stay’s slightly away from my body, even when its separate straps are pulled down tight, making it feel roomy and freeing. And the cut up top leaves plenty of room for every movement. It’s really a brilliant, innovative design. The small, side gear pockets and the large front storage pocket (with really smart and convenient sun pockets) is also definitely a huge plus!
Verified Purchase
2 years ago
Another Winner
Loving the Blue jacket. Lighter than my old Green Jacket. The flip down front pocket is the main reason I bought the jacket. Plus I can slip in a tow harness if I need to be prepared for doing any light rescue work.
Becca
Verified Purchase
2 years ago
Love It!
This is my second bluejacket and I love it, love the side entry, love hopping off the raft to swim in it, love the large frontal pocket for sunscreen and the small back pockets for guests trash.
Sascha
Verified Purchase
2 years ago
Great Product
Perfect PFD for freestyle kajaking. Thanks to a lot of freedom of movement and wearing comfort. I love the colour and the lightweight. I also use it in my touring kayak.
SJP
2 years ago
I Love The Bladder But It Takes Practice
I purchased this about a year ago specifically because I liked the fit of the green jacket but wanted the hydration bladder as well as a side entry. Though the hydration bladder (not included) takes some practice getting the loops connected so it hangs properly, I’ve never had a problem with it “falling out” while I’m wearing it even when I’m swimming class III/IV rapids. That just sounds like user error. It does fall out once you take the jacket off though, which is annoying. I think the ability to access to water outside of my spray skirt highly overcomes that annoyance though. My only gripe is that the tube doesn’t fully secure to my shoulder strap and so I need to tuck it into my hand sleeve and tighten the sleeve down when I’m not using it. The mag clip that comes with the bladder does not fit the connections on the shoulder strap. When the bladder is full, you have a snug fit so if you’re right on the edge of sizing, I would suggest sizing up if you plan to use the bladder. I would also like to see newer models of the blue in the cool custom designs that they make the green in each year. Fix the should strap attachment point for the tube, make sure the bladder doesn’t fall off when you toss it in your gear bag, include some cool designs and I will totally purchase again when mine wears out.
The Lost Mermaid
Verified Purchase
2 years ago
Perfect Modern Design
Love the modern PFDs with easy access pockets. Use the main pocket for knife, sunscreen, lip balm, energy bar and whistle. Side pocket easily holds flip line and carabiner, and stash easy grab astral throw line in hand pocket behind main pocket. Perfect!
Joe
3 years ago
Hydration Option For The Bluejacket It A Failure
Yes, I am going to be a bit harsh on this review. I would give this pfd five stars if it had an adequate a hydration option. Regrettably it does not. It meets all my other needs as a sea kayaker and instructor, but one. I find this to be a major failure. I have been using either the older Astral Sea Wolf or my newer Blue Jacket as my PFD of choice for the last ten years, but I have always had to jerry-rig my on water hydration system. Astral claims the BlueJacket is compatible with the Camelbak Crux 1.5 L H2O bladder, but I have yet to find a kayaker that uses the Crux with the BlueJacket. I just purchased said bladder to give it a try. It really does not work. Didn't anyone test this out? You might be able to mount the Crux inside the BlueJacket, but you will not want to wear it for any length of time. It's difficult at best to hang the Crux off of the two recessed web straps in the BlueJacket. They are located way-up and behind the pfd’s mesh back panel, but it is possible with patience and dexterity. What I cannot tolerate is the large hard plastic of lid of the Crux jammed against my spinal column. This set-up is not tolerable just walking around the house. I cannot image trying to paddle while wearing it. It’s back to a jerry-rig.
H.K.
3 years ago
No Appropriate Pocket For Hyration Bladder
This could be a good sea kayaking pfd but unfortunatley it has no appropriate pocket for the hydration bladder. The hydration sleeve should be closed at the bottom as it is not sufficient to fix the bladder to the loops at the top. In my opinion the hydration pocket is a must have on a sekayaking pfd. It is a bit sad but because of that I will return the BlueJacket.
Douglas
3 years ago
No Latch Tab For Knife
So what do you recommend I do with my safety knife when there is no lash tab on this PFD ?
mark
9 years ago
Mr
A nice pfd but the option to attach a hydration pack is a gimmick that does not work. There is no sleeve for it to sit inside, the bladder simply drops out of the bottom of the pfd into the water. leaving you garrotted by the pipe. Astral say it can be attached via loops- the loops are there but I can see no easy way of attaching it.
hilde
9 years ago
The Coolest And Most Comfortable Pfd Around!
If you like arm freedom of movement and minimal feel in a PFD, this is a great one. I am also really in love with the clam shell pocket, except for one thing--it needs a couple places with D rings or loops inside of it to attach keys or miscellaneous small stuff that you don't want falling out. It does have 2 larger zippered pockets but could use more tie down loops IMO. I like how the spine is protected fairly high in the back, unlike a lot of freestyle vests. Easy to put on over the head, light weight, and floats really high. I thought the pocket in front would get in the way since it does have a presence but there was no issue rolling or leaning forward. Love the blue color too. Works really well for the less endowed lady; I found the Layla to not work for my less than robust upper body. Equally at home rowing a raft or kayaking and I love the softness of the Kapok foam and actually wish the whole thing was made of it but it does not feel stiff or rigid like a lot of PFDs because of the contoured hinged panels. I am pretty excited to be using this awesome PFD! Thanks, Astral!
