Opinions on NRS Chinook PFD?

Hello Friends,

I'm considering buying a new PFD. I've been using an old whitewater pfd, which is a very simple design with minimal pockets. So I'm mostly looking for something with really useful pockets, for my vhf/gps and the other normal stuff. Other than that, it just needs to be comfortable.

It looks like the Chinook is a decent design...can anyone recommend it?

Paul, Grizz has one. Read the Nov. 16 post on the Stohlquist PFD.

tallpaul,

I just bought one and used it for the first time for three hours last week. It is very comfortable, the flotation on the back is up high so it clears the seat back.  Plenty of room for arm movement.  It has great ventilation, didn’t heat up at all, nor did I need to unzip the front.  On comfort, my only complaint is that, when I hunker down, my goatee rubs on the front of the vest and my chin gets tender.  But maybe I shouldn’t get so comfortable ‘cause I’ve fallen asleep and rolled the yak in the past.     I carry my Uniden Voyager VHF in my right breast pocket, my camera, chapstick and whistle in the other.  I clip my forceps to one of the loops in front and hang a Leatherman on another front loop.  I have a Berkeley digital scale in a lower pocket and haven’t filled the other pockets yet.   

I don't want to offend, but...

 I ordered one, tried it on and promptly put it back in the box and began reading the return policy ,

 Did not give it much of a chance, but my first impression was it was not as comfortable as my Osprey.

 It does have a waist strap and was hopeful that this would keep the vest from hiking up like my

 Osprey,  (sounds like I'm wearing a slip )...

 Still on the look out myself for a Better PFD ...... Danglin

Danglin,

No offense taken,  but since tallpaul was asking about the pockets and their usefulness, perhaps a comparison of the pockets on the Chinooks vs the pockets on the Osprey would be helpful to him.  Also, it might be useful as to why the Chinook is less comfortable than the Osprey.  This may help him with his purchase.  One good thing about a waist strap is that, if it is very hot and you unzip the vest, if you go over, it  still stays on and will not slip off your arms.  As far as riding up, the only way  you can really prevent that is with crotch straps, but then after five hours of kayaking, you talk like a soprano.   My only point of comparison with the Chinook is my white water PFD and the old May West, and it is much better than them.   

Agreed,
 
  It does have the pockets,

  but something about it just " Rubbed " me the wrong way when I put it on,

 Ya can buy it and always send it back, I think NRS is having a sale on their more pricy Patagonia vest,

 Might also be worth checking out.........Danglin

I agree about the nit about the Osprey. I feel in the water at the Aquan boat center in San Mateo, and the PFD slid up to my earmpits. I thought all the cinch straps had come loose. All it needs is a waist strap and ONE more big pocket for VHF/GPS/cell.

Extra Sport has a new one called "Sturgeon"........I WANT ONE!!! I just checked the Extrasport web site and they still don't have pics of the Sturgeon PFD but we have 'em at Aquan Sports.

It basically comes with only 4 pockets (2 large, 2 small) - enough to carry what you need. I'll definitely be upgrading soon.

I tried the NRS on Sunday. The flotation on the back was only around the upper chest which made sitting in a high back seat more comfortable. But I was also comfortable with the Osprey.

they still don't have pics of the Sturgeon PFD but we have 'em at Aquan Sports.

  How about posting a pic

they still don't have pics of the Sturgeon PFD but we have 'em at Aquan Sports.

  How about posting a pic

 Come on Mooch.....

  Were Waiting ........... Danglin

I tried on several different PFDs and for one reason or another I didn't like most of them.
One criteria I used when trying on a PFD was to put my back against a wall and walk my legs out a little so I looked like I was sitting in a chair with the wall supporting my back. I could feel exactly how much of my back was covered by the PFD. If I felt any gap between my back and the wall on the bottom or top of the PFD it went back on the rack.
That gap would be the same uncomfortable space between the kayak seat, the PFD and my back.
Since I don't want a lot of crap attached to me other than my VHF and my camera for convenience, pockets are not too important. If there is a pocket I will find something to put in it.  Pockets stuffed with too muvh stuff make it harder to move about and harder to see around. One is enough.
I ended up with the Extrasport Sabre. I LOVE it.
Simple, comfortable, no rubbing. My back has never felt better paddling.

I saw the NRS Sturgeon. It's a reddish color with reflective tape and four big pockets, two overlapping each other on each side of the front zipper. It's got a waist cinch with an upper and a lower cinch adjustment on each side. It felt very comfortable once Mooch adjusted it on me. The price makes me hold off buying until I really need one... $130.

Howard

So is it NRS or Extrasport?    I know that I love my Extrasport Solstice.

Michael

The Osprey has lots of little pockets if you're into filling pockets but, like Tote, I don't carry a lot on me (just my VHF and GPS). The Osprey does slide up your body if you fall into the water. I'm probably more interested in the Sturgeon than the Osprey, since I'm already familiar with the Osprey. I thought the NRS Chinook is OK too.