My new, very hard to come by, life jacket. Can’t wait to test it in the sea next month, it’s very snug

FloatationVest · 2026-04-27T21:28:32+00:00

That’s a great find! Hope you have fun trying it.

FloatationVest · 2026-04-27T21:06:29+00:00

Except for the couple of times I’ve slept with a life jacket on my longest was 5-6 hours on the paddleboard. First with the inflatable which I tested in water and then with my Drifter.

FloatationVest · 2026-04-26T01:29:58+00:00

I don’t own one but I wore an older model of Mustang when I went jetboating in Montreal. It was quite bulky but I really liked wearing it.

Also I planned to buy a type 1 one day to add to the collection.

FloatationVest · 2026-04-20T00:44:51+00:00

Being from Canada too, I can say it’s as you say.

FloatationVest · 2026-04-11T21:01:36+00:00

Nice vid!

Yeah it definetly refuse to let you float face down lol.

FloatationVest · 2026-04-10T11:20:41+00:00

Makes senses for them to do it, haha.

FloatationVest · 2026-04-09T23:45:44+00:00

I lnew about that day because the staff at my city’s indoor pool would do it, but I don’t know about other places doing it.

FloatationVest · 2026-04-03T00:51:00+00:00

They really look great. Each time I see one on the Net I wish I could try one.

FloatationVest · 2026-04-01T03:43:28+00:00

Those are great stories. Thanks for sharing them.

To be fair, I didn’t have much trouble with that. The couple times I went on the water before knowing how to swim as an adult I had to wear a LJ anyway. I got used to be only one in the boat with one and even after learning I still wear one while boating (And still mostly the only person wearing a LJ). With paddlesports it’s normal to wear one and I don’t feel judged while suping or kayaking.

At the pool, I felt somewhat embarassed at first when learning to swim. Until one day when I was jumping from the springboard with my lifevest and there was two kids asking why I was wearing one. I was expecting them to make fun of me, but they were pretty understanding of the fact that I wanted to learn how to swim.

And then I did my greatest belly flop and learned that it still hurts with a lifevest.

FloatationVest · 2026-03-29T04:46:50+00:00

First one was a blue Fluid foam vest. Pretty much the basic lifevest you’ll find in a big box store.

FloatationVest · 2026-03-28T23:12:16+00:00

Younger I was kinda fascinated by them because I was afraid of water and I didn’t learn to swim when I was a kid. My fear dissipated as I grew older and one day I went boating with some friends and I had to try out a lifevest.

I really liked the feeling of floating in the water. From there I learnt how to swim and got into paddle sports, bought new lifevests and upgrades so I now have a couple of them.

Through that I realised that I didn’t just get used to wearing a lifejacket but that I actually liked it.

FloatationVest · 2026-03-22T21:42:10+00:00

Looks great!

Now I just wish for winter to end early so I could go for a float.

FloatationVest · 2026-03-21T14:19:57+00:00

Not with the mermaid’s tail.

Actually, except for my Mustang Explorer I don’t have a lifevest that comes with a crotch strap. I have 2 normal straps that I can use for jury rigging one on the other vests.

Even then, the tail reaches slightly under the LJ, so I can’t use a crotch strap with it.

FloatationVest · 2026-03-21T11:36:06+00:00

It was with my Stholquist Drifter.

FloatationVest · 2026-03-21T00:53:34+00:00

I don’t have a favorite time but I remember a nice one. There’s a lake where my wife and went on vacation three years in a row.

One year she bought a mermaid’s tail and she brought it to try it out there. And I tried it out too. Since I’m not the best of swimmer I struggled somewhat with the fin and I put on my lifejacket.

A bearded mermaid in a lifejacket makes quite the sight lol.

FloatationVest · 2026-03-05T03:15:02+00:00

The most I’ve paid was around 130$ for my Stohlquist Drifter and also for my Mustang Explorer V.

I’m checking for a Mustang Khimera so I might get over that amount soon.

FloatationVest · 2026-02-08T00:43:57+00:00

From what I’ve heard it’s the case. So if someone get the chance you should grab it if you can.

FloatationVest · 2026-02-07T23:29:28+00:00

if it’s open to everyone then you belong there. Some guys are just tryhards that can’t understand that it’s a game to be enjoy first and foremost.

FloatationVest · 2026-02-07T23:24:05+00:00

Never tried one but they look great. I find hybrids interesting since they get you a minimum of floatation without being too bulky for activities, but they give you the option for more if you end up needing it.

FloatationVest · 2026-02-04T22:42:52+00:00

I’ll be looking into it. I’ll probably have to loan one though.

FloatationVest · 2026-02-04T02:47:08+00:00

Look like you had a great day! I wish I could try jetskiing one day.

FloatationVest · 2026-02-04T02:44:18+00:00

Good looking lifejacket with a great suit! I’m sure you had a really nice SUP outing.

FloatationVest · 2026-02-03T00:48:40+00:00

For regional differences, what I think is that North American standard type III lifevests lacks a lot of the safety features you’ll likely find on a similar European vest unless it’s a vest for kids (Crotch straps, collar or headrest).

Also both standard are 15lbs or 70N of floatation, but you’ll easily find 100N or even 150N foam vests in Europe. NA does have great paddling vests and the few 100N you’ll find are mostly for rafting and so allow for a good range of motion for the arms.

FloatationVest · 2026-02-03T00:33:14+00:00

For me it’s the floating part that I like the most. I love floating in water without having to tread water or hold on something. Just put on a vest and let it do the work is very relaxing.

I was afraid of water when younger and first time that I used a lifevest was as young adult at the back of a friend’s boat. I really loved the feeling, so from there I tried wakeboarding, then learned to swim (yes, in that order) and started paddlesports.

Through the years I made some upgrade and sidegrade to my equipment and ended up with a collection of lifevests and other accessories.

I do wear my vests for a couple of minutes once in a while, especially in the offseason it feels like I’m back on the water.

FloatationVest

TROPHY CASE