"Life" preserver

[bugs4]

OK folks, I'm in my 70's, not in terrific shape and my wading isn't too great anymore. I started using a wading staff a few years back and now won't wade without one. I'm wondering if any of you good folks wear any kind of a small, hopefully unobtrusive life jacket / vest to help if you really took a tumble in heavy water. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

 

[Schaefer406]

OK folks, I'm in my 70's, not in terrific shape and my wading isn't too great anymore. I started using a wading staff a few years back and now won't wade without one. I'm wondering if any of you good folks wear any kind of a small, hopefully unobtrusive life jacket / vest to help if you really took a tumble in heavy water. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Good on you for not being too stubborn to use safety equipment (coming from an EHS Specialist). Here is a link to a slimmer life jacket with some pockets (similar to a regular vest) that may be worth investigating. I am still in my young mountain goat phase, but I'm sure when I am older I will be wearing one similar to the link below.

NRS Chinook PFD - Charcoal | REI Co-op

With all the organization and attachment points needed for your fishing accessories, the NRS Chinook Fishing PFD is a go-to life jacket for kayak anglers.

www.rei.com

 

[Canoetripper]

NRS makes very good products. I have a lot of them for canoe trips. I have one of their self-inflating vests that is unobtrusive.

 

[afishinado]

I wear a Kokatat PFD that doubles as a fishing vest on my kayak as well as wade fishing. It works well for me >

 

[Kyle]

they make slim line PFDs and when needed you can pull the string to inflate. or a fishing style PFD that you can also use as your fishing vest. like the one posted above. good luck. be safe!

 

[pratt]

I have that NRS PFD model, but only use it in my kayak/canoe - it's great though. I was goint to say that you should look into the self inflating PFDs - much less intrusive, but just as effective if you take a dip that you weren't planning on

 

[Silent Ocelot]

Just buy a waterproof sling pack or back pack. I only wear one because it's cool or if I foresee the weather being bad (rainy). I refuse to use any safety gear as I trust my wading skills but to each their own.