Listen to me – dont listen to me
Talk to me – dont talk to me
Dance with me – dont dance with me, no
Beep-beep
- bowie (fashion)

You may have noticed recently that I found my black PFD. Well, one. You see, I’m starting to think I need at least 3 PFDs. The inflatable belt for rolling practice, An “expedition vest“, and an every day vest. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking I’m channeling the spirit of Amelda Marcos here. Well, maybe. But it’s not like I have too many other vices. If others can have 16 kayaks, a snowboard, sailboat, RC airplane and a bass boat, I can have 3 PFDs. Paddling and hiking are all I do.

The final solution to my black PFD search was the Astral Aquavest 200. It lists at NRS for $136.00 at the moment. Here is the product info:

“Type V: These low-cut pullover PFDs incorporate an independent shoulder suspension system to allow for automatic torso height adjustment. A large, expandable front pocket snaps closed, an integrated fleecy handwarmer, a beverage bladder and a rope stash pocket ensure plenty of storage space. Shoulders feature daisy chain loops to hook whatever extras you need to carry. – Design Flotation: 16.5 lbs “

What I like about the vest itself first off is the freedom to move around. There is absolutely no restriction around the arms and upper chest. Very nice design that. I can easily work on most of my traditional rolling in this vest. I like the big front pocket. This was what I loved so much about the older PeakUK vests. The hand warmer is nice, but unnecessary wasted space in my opinion. The “daisy chain loops are useful as well, however it is fair to say that the Aquavest 200 is not really designed for expeditions. There are just not enough convenient locations for all the kit you tend to carry on a multi day trip. Then again very few PFDs are really designed well for multiday tripping.

The downside of the 200 was that I can’t pull it over my particular (PALM) drysuit as it hangs up on the shoulder zipper. I’m not fond of the pullover design as it is and I do think think a side entry would be an improvement regardless. And of course this is one of those vests designed for V body types not (). It will ride up a bit if you have any sort of belly. In addition I’d like to see the front pocket enlarged. It is not nearly as big as the older PeakUK vest and being enclosed, you can’t always see what you are digging around for. I could imagine an inner and outer pocket one enclosed to the back and one not, with a single Velcro top flap. Eliminating the hand warmer would create the room.

Mary and I both have a 200. She bought hers in spring I I got mine late summer. Between the two they changed the front logo from the little red star to colorful surf wave. My vanity won out. I took the old one that makes you look like a pilot for the former Soviet Union and Mary liked the pretty wave logo better. So she got the “new” one.

I still hold out hope that someone will make a solid expedition vest in black, but I’m not holding my breath either. And I did push the issue.

So who cares about red, black, blue, yellow blah, blah, blah, right? Well, right. What you wear is a choice. Some people could care less, clothing just keeps them from going to jail. Some are fashion princesses and most of us just don’t want to look stupid. So yeah, I care. A bit. Not that I’m reading “Blackwell” either. What most people don’t know about me (at least online) is my closet is black. 14 black t-shirts, black sweats, hoodies, black coats, jackets, dress pants, shirts, ties. . . Has been that way since I was a teenager. Black was a statement in the 80s when everyone dressed like some sort of deviant rainbow. Then as I’ve gotten older I always like the fact that by just wearing black, I don’t have to think about color which is a big waste of the life clock. White makes me look really really fat, green is ugly, on and on. I can’t imagine calling the wife in and saying “does this shirt clash with my shoes??” Speaking of shoes, I did have some shiny white ones once. LOL!! So when I got into kayaking it was a pretty easy thing buying paddling gear. Black hydroskins, socks, gloves, wetsuit. . But Jackets and PFDs were not an option. You have to be a hunter or boater to get used to atrocious colors! I hated all the Skittle colored gear, but you really had no choice. Thanks to our dark pioneers such as Freya & Dubside, black has become much more available which pleases me to no end. Is it a statement? Well, maybe but I’m not sure what the message is. LOL!! I did have one guy paddle up to me one day and say, “You know, all that black gear sure sets off your kayak!” Maybe that’s it. Black lets you fade away into the background. One thing is sure Valley & NDK should be thanking me for not distracting attention away from their kayaks!!

Besides how else can I aspire to be a Qajaq Ninja?

Related Posts:

1. Black Friday
2. Little Black Number
3. Black Swan
4. Traditional Fashion
5. BLACK TRAK