Testing Astral Green Jacket PFD’s | Photo Mountain Weekly News
Let me start this review off by saying that this product is not, a life jacket, instead, this review is of a flotation device device from Astral. Astral’s GreenJacket PFD has become the go-to rescue vest for kayakers, paddlers and river guides around the world. If you ever find yourself in a rescue situation, the Green Jacket can prove to be especially useful.
Astral PFD USCG Type V
Astral built all the bells and whistles into the GreenJacket PFD which is rated as a United States Coast Guard Type V. Although this PFD won’t keep your head afloat if you get knocked out (only type 1 PFD’s work that way) it will pretty much do everything else one could ever need, especially when it comes to river rescues.
How to Use the Astral GreenJacket
This pullover style PFD comes in 3 sizes and is easily adjustable via backpack style buckles. Each side of the GreenJacket has 2 buckles that when tightened bring the foam of the Astral PFD in around your body for a nice custom fit. These buckles can also be used to get in and out of the GreenJacket or you can simply pull the Quick Release Rescue Harness tab to open/loosen the PFD allowing for easy in and out access. It’s important to really tighten the buckles down against your body so there is no chance of you coming out of the PFD and swimming down river without a personal flotation device.
The Quick Release Rescue Harness is rated for 1200 lb making it a great tool for tethered or live bait swims. On the back of the GreenJacket PFD is a Stainless Steel loop that attaches to the harness. Once a Carabiner has been added and a rope set to the end of the line rescue swims become possible.
Astral Green Jacket Pockets
For a PFD Astral’s GreenJacket has a ton of pockets which is never a bad thing on the river. Each side of the PFD has 2 small side entry gear pockets that work perfectly for storing a pair of Carabiner’s on one side and a set of pulleys on the other.
Working up the jacket the main zippered front pocket has a slot for a cell phone, a place to put a secondary knife, snacks, and a second zippered mesh pocket to store a set of car keys.
What Can Be Improved on the Astral GreenJacket?
The front of the Astral GreenJacket PFD has a slot to attach a river knife like the NRS Pilot, however, it was unpractical to use. And overall not very functional unless you like losing knives. Perhaps this is not an Astral problem, however, most of the guides here in the Tetons using this vest all prefer to store their knives inside the main pocket of the PFD instead of attached to the outside.
The thinking goes that if you are reaching for your knife, the extra second it takes to slow down and pull the knife out of the main pocket most likely will be a benefit you in the long run. If you insist on attaching your knife to the GreenJacket try using a butter knife to guide the knife holder into the slot on the front of the PFD.
Astral GreenJacket Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Highly functional for river rescues
- Great pockets for storage and organization
- Built-in features enhance safety and convenience
Cons:
- Attachment of river knife is impractical
- Guides prefer storing knives inside main pocket
Overall Impression
This PFD is packed full of features, it’s built for rescues, has the ability to attach a Web Toe directly to the front of the GreenJacket and Astral’s 45-foot Throw Rope can even sit inside the chest area of this PFD. Last but not least my favorite feature was likely the Green Jackets built-in fleece lined hand warmer pockets. When you’re hands get cold and you’re not moving on the river, these little sleeves go a long way.
This is the best personal floatation devise on the market for whitewater use, and just about everything else too. For $365 the AstralGreen Jacket goes a long way to keep you and your group safe on the river. The GreenJacket is the perfect rescue PFD for taking a swiftwater rescue course, thanks to all the front and side pockets and features guides and recreationalists can use both on and off the water in rescue situation.
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