First things first. . . I do NOT go out on the water without wearing my PFD 100% of the time. (I promised my wife). I am a Crappie fisherman and am often out in the middle of the lake. I am in a Hobie PA14. I have a flag, a whistle and an air horn to hopefully keep the bass boats at bay. I’m typically out on the basic Texas reservoirs, such as Cedar Creek and Palestine.

I currently am using a quality inflatable PFD. I have often wondered if I should be using a foam filled PFD. I have come close to pulling the trigger on an NRS Chinook.

I would like some “opinions” on this, and some first hand experience if there is any. Let me know what you think. Do the inflatables do a good job of keeping your head above water? Or, do the PFDs, like the Chinook, way out perform the inflatables?

Thanks folks. . .

John

Inflatables introduce a couple other points potential failure.
I also appreciate the pockets on the foam filled and the added UV protection.

I met a kayaker at Mariner Sails who was buying a foam filled PFD. The previous day he had fallen overboard and had a difficult time getting back in his kayak with his fully inflated PFD. He said it was like fighting a giant balloon strapped to his chest.
My personal view has always been: Foam filled PFDs don't fail. Mine has a single pocket on the front for my fishing license, driver's license, whistle and spare truck key.

Kudos for wearing a PFD all the time. I am off shore so I need a top quality PFD. I have worn the inflatable before and no doubt they are more comfortable BUT.....when you find yourself unexpectedly overboard in deep water, you can’t believe how busy your hands are going to be especially if you are still holding on to gear. Another vote for non inflatable PFD.

i wear the NRS Chinook. it is comfortable enough to wear all day year round. i like a few pockets to keep things in and the way it's cut in the back for sitting in a kayak seat. i've never owned an inflatable so i cant speak to that.

Thanks for the replies. . . I think this question is one of those that, "If you have to ask, you probably already know the answer." And this issue has really been on the back of my mind. That is, inflatable v. foam filled. I never thought about re-boarding the boat with that on. I can see where that would be difficult.

I will probly be getting that chinook soon.

So. . . Does anyone have any other suggestions for a good PFD? The Chinook looks like it would be as comfortable as one could be. I'm most concerned about getting too hot rather than the comfort factor.

Thanks folks. . .

I’m not a fan of inflatable PFD’s mainly due to what they are after inflated. Yeah they are better than nothing but not much beyond that. It’d be really hard for many of us to re-enter a kayak wearing an inflated inflatable pfd.

I’ve tried several high dollar pfd’s and I keep going back to an Onyx I bought from Academy for about 35 bucks. It’s lightweight, comfortable, not bulky at all but still provides adequate protection if I was ever tossed from the yak. No pockets but I don’t need them. I do clip pliers to it using a carabiner tho.

I had a Kokatat for many years.. rarely wore it in south florida where it was hot most of the year.. went to inflatable but it was nice in colder weather. On ebay you can find some of the older styles for big savings... dont believe they make the Maximus any more but there is one for sale there.

https://kokatat.com/leviathan-PFD-lvhlev

Another perspective: I'm a fluff chucker. I have fished in high winds many times in the past, and will undoubtedly do so again many times in the future. Considering that my local Orvis store used me as a casting instructor -- strictly for the comic relief, of course -- one can imagine that I have foul hooked unintended targets more than once. Truth be told, many times more than once. And on those windy days, all too often the unintended target was skin, clothing, or a PFD. My skin, my clothing, and my PFD (the real reason all of my flies are barbless). For that reason, I'd seriously consider a traditional PFD. In my bass boat the wife and I used inflatables, but we had traditional Type IIIs in the hatch. No room to do that in a kayak, and I don't even do that in my skiff. It's your money and your choice, but a traditional Type III (or II, or I) is a much more logical choice than an inflatable. Especially in a kayak. I wear a PFD 100% of the time in a yak. I -- and everyone else aboard -- wear a PFD any time we are above idle speed in the skiff. You can put it on or you can walk back to the ramp. My boat, my rules.

OP: you are asking a hotly debated question amongst kayakers

Here is where I land on the hotly debated issue... Im not implying that my opinion is "right", its simply where I personally land on the subject.

I know myself, if it's not comfortable in hot weather, I won't wear it. If I get used to not wearing it when it's hot, I won't wear it even if it's not hot. Because of this, I wear a Mustang inflatable (in my opinion, this is the absolute most comfortable PFD). I fish out of a PA14 and am unlikely to ever hit the water. If I do, I am protected. Because I don't have a traditional PFD in the kayak, I carry an extra bobbin and CO2 cartridge in case I ever need to reload it when on the water.

If I was white water kayaking or jacking around with a 10' kayak in open water, I would absolutely wear a traditional PFD because I am very likely to hit the water and don't want the hassle of reloading an inflatable.

Personally, I have never heard of a quality inflatable failing, but I realize that it is possible... Just like it's possible that the seatbelt in my truck could fail.

Some will use potential failure as a reason not to use an inflatable. However, I use "human nature" (i.e.: comfort) as a reason to recommend an inflatable for people like me (i.e.: someone who has been known not to wear a PFD) who fish out of a relatively stable kayak.

In short, I believe that for every potential inflatable failure, there are 10,000 points of danger from people that elect not to wear a traditional PFD because traditional PFD's are relatively hot and uncomfortable (especially in the heat of summer).

The re-entry concerns mentioned above are absolutely valid and I cannot debate them. Even still, I know myself and stick with the inflatable.

This is my two cents... and might be worth just that

Here’s one reason I’m not a fan of inflatables

https://youtu.be/2WS4HpDywG4

Mike I sure hope you didn’t jinx yourself sir. It’s hard to flip a PA14 but wind and water have plenty of power to do so.

That what happens when you use the cheap AM24 with chalk bobbins. Don't take much moisture to set it off.

Haaaaaaa. That’s a Bill Dance Blooper of I’ve ever seen one. I’ve got a decision to make that’s for sure. As all y’all know, summertime fishin’ these days is H-O-T. . . Hot! ! ! I Do wear my inflatable 100% of the time, but I’m afraid I’d skimp if I got a foam filled and got too hot.

I’ll tell ya the thing I’m most worried about is being on a brush pile in the middle of the lake and having some Yahoo in a bass tourney trying to get to the next spot. I’ve had guys fly past doing 60-70mph. If I get hit or have to bail out and my kayak is damaged, I really want to know my PFD is gonna support my head and keep me a float. That’s why I considered a new foam filled.

Thanks so much for the replies. And YES, I did ask for Opinions and First Hand Experience.

Get a "paddling PFD". Rear flotation is on the shoulders, the back is usually mesh, cooler, and doesn't interfere with paddling. I used an Academy cheapo, the foam deteriorated, and it was junk. I bought an NRS Chinook, and it's been nice. Pockets hold everything I need, it's not hot to wear. I also use it in my skiff, as I'm almost always alone, and I clip my "Dead Man's Switch" from my outboard to it. Lots of good paddling PFD's out there. Do your homework and buy a good one, and it'll last for years.
Never scrimp on safety. You're only cheating yourself(and surviving loved ones). IslandJim