Need A Comfortable Life Vest

[Brandon]

With more and more people fishing and lakes getting busier, I'm thinking of wearing my left vest all the time instead of just traveling to and from. Any suggestions as far as which is the most comfortable for a day of fishing?

[Bopper]

Brandon, I purchased Mustangs Airforce manual inflatable with automatic backup inflation. Prior to these I did'nt normally use PFD's unless weather/lake was really threatning. The inflatables are comfortable and less restrictive without all the bulk of normal PFD's, that I wear them all the time I'm on the water. They are U.S.C.G. approved only if worn. They have not prematurely inflated all last boating/fishing season. Good luck in your purchase.

[Jess]

Brandon,
I also have a Mustang inflatable vest. There a few models. A couple are like wearing suspenders with a belt and another is a pouch on a belt. I have the one that is a pouch on a belt. It is so convenient that you forget your wearing it. (smaller than a fanny pack) Now I often wear it all the way home and forget to take it off at the boat. The pouch model has a tab you pull to inflte the vest. An infated vest pops out and all you need to do is put your head through it. There is a tube you can blow in if the Co2 doesn't do the job or if ya want to wear in for something like swimming.(a couple breaths is enough to help float you) They are only about 50-60 bucks for the pouch. They also save a lott of space on the boat when stowed.
Jess

[Paul H]

I also wear an inflatable - NEVER take it off untill the trailer leaves the ramp. If you want an inflatable - I'd get the suspendor as after having the pouch I consider it a secondary device. The suspendors should be good as a full time vest. They are good enough for BASS.
I also have one of the "mesh" upper type of life jackets. I wear this on long runs - Erie - below dams. It's fairly comfortable - probably the coolest there is in hot weather.

I believe it was Cabala's - but might have been BPS. Was 40-50 bucks - but I think they have gone down in past years

[Greg Meyer]

I have been using the 38lb auto inflate SOSPENDERS since last year...Very comfortable...You forget you are wearing anything...Retrieved my boat a week ago and forgot to take them off...got in my truck...drove a few blocks to the local baitshop...I walked in and John, the owner, asked if I was afraid of drowning in his minnow tanks...enough said!

[eyewitness]

Are the Sospendrs or Inflate-a-vest legal replacements for what is required based on Minnesota law? Or do you have to carry both?

[bellbuoy]

I agree, I forgot to take mine off Saturday. Will probably get one for the wife now.

Bellbuoy

[JLucPicard]

Eyewitness,

Minnesota requires, on all boats regardless of length, there must be a "readily accessible" US Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III, or V wearable PFD for each person on board. Sospenders Type V (inflatables) are US Coast guard approved "when worn". I have a couple of the model 38's, which are Type V and are the equivalent of a Type II PFD.

Though Minnesota only requires a PFD be "readily accessible", it MUST be USCG approved. The Sospenders (and I imagine other brand inflatables) are only USCG approved "if worn", so for Minnesota I interpret that to mean an inflatable is perfectly fine, but it must be worn to be legal.

As mentioned in numerous other posts, I haven't had a problem with this because they are very comfortable and not intrusive.

May all your trips be safe and fruitful!

Mike