Stohlquist Descent Personal Floatation Device

This PFD is really awesome. I tested it in a lake and the first thing I noticed was it kept my hips at the surface of the water. You really float in this vest. This vest makes you float so that your feet and legs are near the surface of the water so you dont get snagged or stuck on rocks and debris. My old class 3 vest made you float down river like a top. Feet dragging and knees bouncing off rocks. This class V vest is much safer and it allows me to conserve a ton of energy because it makes you float effortless. The pocket is a good size which fits my keys and miscellaneous items. Buckles and zipper is strong. It does stretch a little in the water. So I had to retighten all straps when it was submerged in water. Im in between sizes so I got the LG/XLG. Normally I would be in a MD/LG, but the specs said for a 40" chest to get the larger vest. And im glad I did because this vest is pretty tight on me when Im in the water and all straps are tightened all the way. Its definitely not too big, but Im pretty sure the MD size would have been too tight. Especially in the hot summer months under the sun on the river. Emergency strap works flawlessly and the whole vest is great quality. Extremely comfortable to wear all day long.

To start off, I am 5' 6" 190 pounds with a belly that sticks out more than my chest which is 44 inches. So Yeah im chubby, lol.I was looking for a PFD that doesn't ride up as I am not a good swimmer at all. My buddys cheap life vests all ride up in the water and that leaves me less than confident. I went to REI and tried on a bunch of different life jackets and had my buddy try to pull them off me over my head. the stohlquist rocker did the best job at staying put. With pfd's its all about FIT. So I came to amazon and decided that if the rocker was good then the bit more expensive but higher build quality of the DESCENT should be great. I ordered the large/extra large and when it came in I headed to the lake to try it out. I also bought the optional ADD A BOUY and put it in the big front pocket.. I put it on and cinched it up tight and waded out into the water until it was deep enough to fold my feet up to float and floated around for a bout 20 minutes without the add a bouy" inflated yet. The DESCENT kept me up out of the water pretty high with my shoulders just at the waters surface. I then inflated the ADD A BOUY witch adds about 5 pounds more boyouncy and was elated to see that it raised me up so that my shoulders were now a couple inches out of the water. The DESCENT stayed put and did not ride up at all and after a few minutes I forgot I was even wearing it. I then tried different positions in the water like laying back and laying forward and straight up with my legs together and my arms tite at my sides and it kept my face out of the water admirably. with or without the add a bouy inflated.(better with it inflated of course). The strap arrangement especially the cinch straps on the front chest area really hold this PFD in place and it was very comfortable. I probably would have been just fine with the Stohlquist rocker , but I like the added toughness of the DESCENT and do not mind at all the added expense. I took off the rescue strap as that will never be needed for my use. I basically just use it for fishing in a small 10 foot boat and floating around the middle of the lake with friends. I do get a lot of compliments on how it looks and people inquire where they can get one. I've even let a few people try it out that are smaller chested and bigger chested and it has a wide range of fit. Everyone likes how it doesn't ride up and stays put while allowing you a wide range of movement with your arms. I have NO PROBLEM fishing for hours with this PFD on. The front pocket is a good size and the, ahem," beer holder" stretch pocket works great! ,HA HA..I find the pull straps to all be easy to access for loosening or tightening and where it is so comfortable I will actually wear it. Wish I could give it 10 stars. I highly recommend the" add a bouy" it really works to keep you higher out of the water.This is a really great performing PFD even if you are not going to use it as a rescue unit.

Great Type V PFD for sailing. Use it on the 2017 Chicago to Mackinac yacht race and could not be happier with it's performance. Harness is not exactly designed for tethering in at night and it's breaking strength is reported at 770 pounds. I use the front belt for hooking up my tether. I take this PFD over my inflatable with harness due to the improved impact protection and sure buoyancy over an inflatable. Free range of motion for your arms and great rib and back protection for buoy racing. Used it last weekend on a Melges for a weekend regatta. At this time I can't find anything better on the market.

While i did not get to try this PFD while paddling, i do think it would be an excellent PFD if it fit. I love the way it looks and the construction and materials feel solid. The PFD hugged my torso nicely when i tightened the straps down, but there is only one problem. The Shoulder straps are not adjustable, and therefore, cause the vest to awkwardly sit very high on my chest. The straps themselves are also narrow and dig in to my neck causing chafing. I'm a pretty average 5'11" guy, for reference. The fact that your torso has to be a certain length for this to fit is ridiculous. If you are considering buying this, make sure you try it on first, because it's only going to fit if your of a certain size.

Keeps my fat az above water and my hands-free so I can eat donuts -while I’m swimming! well not really swimming just kind of bobbing.

Hands down, the most comfortable, well-made, and versatile vest I have ever worn. The price was sensational and the reviews online are 100% accurate- this is an all-around wonderful vest.

I'm axactly 39 across the chest, this is a bit restricting and difficult to zipper, the position of the zipper is odd given the bulk of the chest area. I wouldn't recommend this for women that are on the busty side. I'm keeping it because I have a friend who can wear it..

I've been very pleased with this new jacket. It stays in place due to the very grippy neoprene inside, but doesn't bind up or feel as though it's not moving with my torso. You can hardly feel it when it's on. I bought the accessory throw bag (which fits nicely into the huge front pocket), and tow rope. I wish the clip-in for the biner on the tow rope was on the right side but oh well.All in all a bomber jacket...love the look and I think it's going to last a long time.

Initially found the pfd too tight despite having a 36" chest, size indicated 39" but after a few times worn and the padding starts to comfort into my body, its comfortable and snug fitting.Only setback is the knife patch is too low for comfort. So had to improvise knife point using cable ties.Overall happy with purchase