Get your new life vest (and gear) early this year
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Usually I’m writing a review or a how to or something like that, but instead I’m writing about the state of things right now. With the pandemic supply issues still affecting the outdoor industry, you’re going to want to get your purchases done early this year. All the new gear is starting to hit the stores right now, and if you want to get a specific product you should buy now.
I’ve needed a new life jacket for a couple of years and when I went looking last year for the vest that I wanted, it was sold out. I figured that it would come back in stock at some point during the year, but it never did. I checked everywhere and often. It seemed like every vest I was interested in didn’t come back in stock last year. This year, I’ve been waiting for and found the Stohlquist Descent at REI. I did the member sale and had cash back from being an REI member (you should join because it’s usually 10% back), so I got a really good deal. But it’s already sold out at REI in my size. Outdoor Play still has it in stock. I might add that it is on sale and less expensive right now at Outdoor Play.
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a new Stohlquist vest, but I wore my old Stohlquist Brik for most of my canoe trips last year and the fit was so good. My Brik is shot though. My Kokatat Guide sea kayaking vest is also past retirement. It’s faded, the nylon is worn, and the foam compressed. I loved that vest, but I wanted a vest with a big front pocket. The Descent has that pocket and it has all the rescue features that I might want, but really I got it because it had a big front pocket with the right amount of organization (plus it can fit two cans of coffee). It has a stash pocket for Chapstick and sunscreen near the neck line and a big pocket on the back for hydration. There’s another small pocket on the big pocket as well and a pocket for a folding knife in addition to a lash tab on the front. Inside the vest there is a big kangaroo hand warming pocket that you could stuff a sling in or a waterproof camera. It has pockets! Lots of pockets. Plus the Stohlquist fit is so good on their high-end products that feature the cross-chest cinch harness and graded fits. If you need a rescue belt, it comes with one. It also has a couple of split plastic D rings that you can pull a carabiner off quickly.
I wanted the side entry, big front pocket and all the extra pockets, so I snagged one after waiting for a full year.
For paddlers that want most of the features of the Descent but don’t want to spend the money for a rescue vest, the Rocker is a great option. It was a hard decision for me, but the extra pockets and bigger stretchy front pocket pushed me towards the Descent. The NRS Ninja is back in stock right now, too! In all sizes! In all colors! At less than $150! It also has a big clamshell pocket that can hold cans of frosty coffee and has handwarmer pockets. The rescue version of the Ninja is the NRS Zen, and it’s in stock right now. It’s so exciting to see choices in stock.
Anyway, I’m not trying to sell you on any vest, but the ones I mentioned above are my favorites. I’m just trying to tell you that if you want a specific product, it is time to beat the rush and get it now. While there are signs that the explosion in participation in outdoor sports is ebbing, it’s not back to 2019 levels and the production capacity hasn’t increased. Don’t wait. If it is in stock now and you plan on buying it later, buy it now or be prepared to wait until next year.
Bryan Hansel
Bryan Hansel is a freelance writer, award-winning photographer and a former American Canoe Association L4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor. His home port is on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, Minnesota. He also teaches photography workshops.
5 Comments
Jim Palermo
Hi Bryan;
How would you relate/compare the Rocker/Decent to the Astral Bluejacket; if you can that is? For that matter, the Rocker to the Decent. Is the front clamshell the same size? Adjustability about the same? I’d been looking at the Bluejacket for some time but it’s been virtually impossible to get.
Bryan Hansel
I don’t have any experience with the Astral Bluejacket. I have an old Astral whitewater vest. I don’t remember the model name. It was okay. I didn’t care for the fit around my ribs. The fit wasn’t nearly as good as Stohlquist for me. When in the water, I found that the Astral jacket would always ride up more than Stohlquist vests. I’m not sure if they have a similar fit to more recent Astral jackets.
As far as the Descent to the Rocker, the fit is the same but you get fewer features. The front pocket is similar, but the Descent has an elastic fabric on the pocket that stretches out and allows you to fit more it vs the Rocker. It also takes their bladder system which allows you to add extra floatation up front if you need it. That adds an extra pocket for organization in the front pocket if you don’t need the extra floatation. I think the Rocker is a good vest, but for me all the extras of the Descent made it worth it.
REI has the Astral Bluejacket in stock right now.
Eric
Does the Decent have a secure location for a VHF radio? I have the Astral Blue Vest. It took a bit to get used to the lower padding, but the freedom of movement in the shoulders is excellent, and I find it very comfortable
I have two beef’s with the Blue Vest. #1 the clam shell is great for storing a bunch of stuff, but its shape makes it hard to attempt self rescue skills. When I teach, I hate demonstrating, because it’s like a speed bump on getting on the back deck. You really have to kick and pull to get past the large bulbus pocket.
My #2 beef with the Blue Vest is there is a hole sewn in for a VHF radio antenna to poke out of the clam shell, but the inside of the vest has no location to secure the radio. The pockets inside don’t accommodate even a smaller VHF radio. The pockets on the interior need to be elastic or shaped differently. I ended up rigging a loop of bungie with a carabiner to hold it secure. There could also be another d-ring or something to clip stuff to inside the clam shell. The only clip is a small clip on the inside flap, inside a zippered mesh pocket.
Also as an instructor there are some towing skills where we can demonstrate transferring a tow to another boater. The internal tow system makes this difficult, but that goes with all rescue vests with build in tow systems.
I agree with short supply of outdoor gear. I was looking for a new boat and I snagged the last one for the year in the model I wanted that wasn’t sold at a shop 4 hrs away from me. If not, it would have been another year.
Bryan Hansel
The Descent has four organizing pockets inside the clam pocket (five if you count the air bladder pocket). Two are big enough to fit my VHF, which is a ICOM M72. If you want a antenna hole, you’ll need to add it. The main pocket closes with two zippers, so you can stick the antenna out between the two. There’s a single D ring to clip your VHF lanyard into.
Bryan Hansel
I just messed around with it and found that the antenna can be stored completely in the vest.