Astral started out over 20 years ago building the most high end rescue and whitewater PFDs on the market. Over these 20 years Astral has made great gains in building recreational, Fishing and whitewater PFDs in a sustainable manner. This post is here to help you decide which Astral PFD could be best suited to you.
Astral PFDs and life jackets are sustainably built, and built to last. They will perform much better than lower quality PFDs and life jackets you'll find at big box stores like Costco or Canadian Tire. Higher quality PFDs are designed with comfort and performance in mind, and make your sunny days on the water that much more enjoyable for years to come!
We have been an Astral dealer for over 15 years now. We have seen them evolve from a mainly whitewater focused brand to an industry leader in sustainably built PFDs and footwear. In this quick Astral PFD comparison guide we highlight the basic features, pros and cons of the Astral PFD lineup at AQ Outdoors.
Astral PFD Buying Guide
Astral EV-Eight Recreational Mesh Back PFD
Astral EV-Eight Breathable Highback PFD
$200.00
‚ The‚ Astral EV-Eight Breathable Highback PFD is a fully breatheable, bluesign certified PFD with a recycled Polyester Shell. The EV-Eight has been a long time favorite for recreational paddling customers and the new EV-Eight takes the same tried… Read More
BEST FOR
Both male and female recreational paddlers. High back recreational kayak seats. Comfort and breathability.
WHO BUYS IT
The original Astral V-Eight Recreational Mesh Back PFD has been a long time favorite at AQ Outdoors for recreational paddlers of all shapes and sizes. It tends to be preferred by paddlers using high back recreational seats and also recreational kayak anglers. From a fit standpoint it has a wide fit range, however, those with short torsos tend to prefer other models of recreational PFDs.
Note: The Astral PFD lineup is not Canadian Coast Guard approved but is US Coast Guard Approved. This doesn’t have any implications as paddlers as the standard is almost identical. If this certification is important to you please check out our lineups of NRS, Kokatat and Mustang PFDs and lifejackets.
FEATURES
- Entry: Center Front Zip
- Foam Insert: PE Foam & EVA Foam
- Shell Fabric: Bluesign approved, 100% Recycled, 300D Diamond RPET
- Liner Fabric: Breathable Polyester Mesh
- Webbing: Polypro
- Zipper: YKK Self Locking Vislon Teeth
- Hardware: Heavy Duty Acetal
- Weight: 1.22 lbs / 19.52 oz / 553.83 gr
- Design Buoyancy: 16lbs
- Approval Type: USCG Type III
Astral Greenjacket Whitewater Rescue PFD
Astral Greenjacket Rescue PFD
$490.00
Looking for a top-of-the-line rescue PFD? Look no further than the Astral Greenjacket Rescue PFD. This vest is designed for extreme environments and situations, making it a favorite among the world's best river guides and expedition paddlers. With a newly… Read More
BEST FOR
Whitewater kayaking, Creek Boating and Whitewater Safety and Rescue applications.
WHO BUYS IT
The original Astral V-Eight Recreational Mesh Back PFD has been a long time favorite at AQ Outdoors for recreational paddlers of all shapes and sizes. It tends to be preferred by paddlers using high back recreational seats and also recreational kayak anglers. From a fit standpoint it has a wide fit range, however, those with short torsos tend to prefer other models of recreational PFDs.
Note: The Astral PFD lineup is not Canadian Coast Guard approved but is US Coast Guard Approved. This doesn’t have any implications as paddlers as the standard is almost identical. If this certification is important to you please check out our lineups of NRS, Kokatat and Mustang PFDs and lifejackets.
FEATURES
- Entry: Pullover
- Foam Insert: PVC Free Gaia and PE Foam
- Shell Fabric: 500 Denier Cordura Nylon
- Liner Fabric: 200 Denier High Tenacity Nylon
- Webbing: Nylon
- Zipper: YKK Self Locking Vislon Teeth
- Hardware: Heavy Duty Acetal and Stainless Steel
- Weight: 2.9 lbs / 46 oz / 1315.42 gr
- Design Buoyancy: 16.5lbs
- Approval Type: USCG Type V
Astral V-Eight Fisher PFD
BEST FOR
Paddlesports (Kayak, SUP, Canoe and Raft) angling applications or angling from motor boats or around deeper water (docks etc).
WHO BUYS IT
Anglers looking for a comfortable, breathable angling PFD without too many bells and whistles. This Astral V-Eight Fisher PFD is not going to appeal to the angler that wants to carry everything on their person. We find those looking for a lightweight, comfortable, minimalist angling PFD are drawn to the V-Eight Fisher.
FEATURES
- Entry: Front Center Zip
- Foam Insert: PE Foam & EVA Foam
- Shell Fabric: 400 x 200 Denier Ripstop Nylon
- Liner Fabric: Breathable Polyester Mesh
- Webbing: Polypro
- Zipper: YKK Self Locking Vislon Teeth
- Hardware: Heavy Duty Acetal
- Weight: 1.37 lbs / 21.92 oz / 620 gr
- Design Buoyancy: 16 lbs
- Approval Type: USCG Type III
Astral Otter 2.0 Kids PFD
Astral Otter 2.0 Kids PFD
$215.00
Kokatat PFD Buying Guide Best Whitewater PFDs - Complete Guide Best Kids PFDs and Life Jackets The‚ Astral Otter 2.0 Kids PFD is a high performance and super comfortable kids PFD designed for those recreating in whitewater or moving water.… Read More
BEST FOR
Kids paddling whitewater craft such as kayaks, SUP, rafts and canoes.
WHO BUYS IT
Families whose kids are paddling whitewater or high performance flatwater. The Astral Otter 2.0 Kids Whitewater PFD is an industry leading PFD for kids that are getting after it at all levels. The fit, comfort and mobility mirror that of a fully featured adult whitewater PFD.
The huge upsides of this vest are the range of motion, comfort and fit for hard paddling kids. As a parent you do need to be aware that it doesn’t have the neck ‘flap’ that keep the swimmer floating face up. It is advisable that kids using the Otter 2.0 are pretty competent swimmer in the pool without a PFD.
FEATURES
- Entry: Front Center Buckle
- Foam Insert: Organic Kapok & PE Foam
- Shell Fabric: 200 x 400 Denier Ripstop Nylon
- Liner Fabric: 200 Denier Light Weight Nylon
- Webbing: PolyPro
- Zipper: YKK Non-corrosive coil
- Hardware: Heavy Duty Acetal
- Weight: 1.3 lbs / 21 oz / 595.34 gr
- Sizing: Fits youth 50-90 lbs
- Design Buoyancy: 11.5 lbs
- Approval Type: USCG Type III
Astral PFD Buying Guide Summary
Thanks for checking out our comparison! We offer FREE SHIPPING on all these Astral PFDs across Canada, and our paddling experts are ready to help answer your AstralPFD questions. Feel free to contact us below, or visit us in store!
Related PFD Articles
Best Recreational PFDs and Life Jackets for Paddling
NRS Recreational PFD Buying Guide
Mustang Survival PFD Buying Guide
About the Author: I am a 40 something year old Australian now living in Cochrane, Alberta Canada. For the past 12 years I have been an owner of AQ Outdoors / Aquabatics. A proud father of 3 kids and husband to Nikki.
I have been into the outdoors for as long as I can remember, family camping and surfing trips as a kid graduated to a lifelong passion for most things outdoors. Whitewater paddling has been a core part of my life over the past 24 + years. My twenties were spent chasing hard whitewater all over the world, much of my thirties spent learning to teach it and now I love getting out in whitewater with my family whenever I can.
AQ Outdoors Contact
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
