Have decided that I might should consider wearing an inflatable vest at all times, especially when fishing ... confused over types etc as there is a considerable price difference between BPS brand and Mustang etc, but also a buoyancy difference ! any recommendations for an old fat guy?

Good decision! I wear Sospenders.

If I'm not mistaken, if it's not an auto inflate you have to have it on to be considered a legal in the boat PFD. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

My Sospenders inflated on me in a torential down pour on greers ferry in Arkansas last spring. Scared the you know what out of me. That's the only bad thing I have to say about mine.

I'm not sure about the auto-inflate requirement to count for the carriage requirement, but I have 3 of them, none are auto-inflate, and only one explicity says on the label that it "must be worn to be considered Coast Guard certified."

I'd recommend just reading the labels before you buy.

I was checked on Monticello and we only had the inflatables, and were not wearing them, and the GW didn't say anything.

I've had my sospenders for years now and wear it anytime I'm by myself. Forget I'm wearing it so they're comfortable. Mine has inflated twice in my,not so dry, storage compartment after a rain, they have new ones out that moisture won't activate, they have to be wet. Might check on those, don't remember the brand. Also when you buy one, get a refill on the co2 and button at that time, I had heck finding one for my vest.

i have a bps one, it self inflated on a warm day with no humidity at falcon, had just taken it off lol. I think you have to have them totally on to be in the law side of it, I carry two other regular vests also just incase. Seems any type of humidity or wet will set them off lol. Can scare the holy heck out of you when they do.

Sospenders

Thanks for your info!!!!

I really considered getting one a while back. I did a lot of comparing and reading about different ones. I decided to go with this Mustang vest. Right about the time I was going to buy is when I heard the story of the older man that bought an inflatable the morning of a tournament on Fork. He was thrown out and it didn't inflate. (Rumor) It may not have happened exactly like that, but I KNOW my regular lifejacket is going to keep me above water if I ever need it to.

I have had my suspenders for over 4 yrs and have fished in terenchal rain and they have never inflated on me I had to replace the CO2 cartridge when the indicator turned red. And by the way all BPS suspenders are made by Mustang. I would recommend auto inflatable. I really like mine especially on a hot day.

Well, I have decided the same thing. I have fell in twice, once in deep water & most recently a couple of weekends ago. Luckily I fell in 5 ft. water, but the fall could have been dangerous (tried to push boat off tree and tree gave way). I was instructed by the wife that life jacket is mandatory at all times. Probably not a bad idea. Just got me a Mustang vest, so I'm going to make it part of my regular gear like my sunglasses.

thanks guys! I bit the bullet and ordered a Mustang! after falling in at brownwood last year in cold water, don't think I would have made it if I had been by myself! shoulda done this long ago, but thought it would be an interference while fishing, but seems all say you get used to it and don't even notice it! I appreciate all the comments! that what I love about TFF !!!!

I have a Cabelas auto-inflate. I wear it when I am fishing in the boat alone.

I just bought one of the BPS ones here about a Month ago and have only worn it one time so far. It was much more comfortable than a regular life jacket and I wore it all day without thinking about. I figure that if I have any problems with I can always take it back and upgrade. I made sure to hang onto the receipt. I'm curious how this things gonna feel come July. That will be the test.

I have the Sospenders and love them...never fish alone without having them on all the time...don't want to be turtle bait...they are very comfortable...I have the kind that humidity is not suppose to affect but I still wear a regular jacket in the rain...

Don't trust inflatables. Yep, they are super comfortable, cooler in hot weather, etc., but they relie on a mechanism to inflate. My regular vests float regardless. Not so comfortable when it's hot but I know they will work.