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

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.

I personally prefer an inflatable. I’ve used them for a longgggggg time on my bass boats but always work a traditional foam for a kayak.

It’s so freakin hot this summer though that I’m probably gonna have to give up on the foam and wear the inflatable for the kayak too because I can’t take the damn heat with the foam.

I think your in a kayak, in the lake, it has water in it that can cool you down. That's way better than sacrificing saftey...just my 2 cents and 40+ years of paddling.

I think your in a kayak, in the lake, it has water in it that can cool you down. That's way better than sacrificing saftey...just my 2 cents and 40+ years of paddling.