OK, I'll just get to it, there's no way my wife's gonna be able to wear a standard outfitter issued pfd with any degree of comfort, she's just built all wrong for it. Could any of you kind ladies point me in the right direction?

My wife likes this one PFD

I too would be completely uncomfortable in a normal PFD, they just did not fit properly in the chest area. I tried on many different types/styles before settling on the Astral Women's Abba Life Jacket (looks just like the one in Scout64's link). It allows for adjustments in the chest area to accommodate different cup sizes.

I was even able to still use it when I was almost 8 months pregnant and I can attest that it did its job in keeping me afloat when we capsized. I only wish it had different style of pockets.

if your wife has a strong A cup like i do, a mens pfd would work fine. :)

Our goal at CanoeCopia this year was to find Debbie a proper-fitting PFD. With four or five different brands to choose from, we were pretty sure we'd find one. We did, but it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.

The one that fit Debbie the best was the Astral V-eight PFD. It fit the best in the chest area and it was comfortable all the way around.

When it comes to PFDs, they're all going to work from a floatation standpoint. You just have to find the one that fits best.


Debbie wearing the Astral V-eight PFD.

quote kanoes: "if your wife has a strong A cup like i do, a mens pfd would work fine. :)"

When you get to her letter you're in the second semester of first grade.

I have a men's PFD and it adjusts in the chest area. My PFD

However, I don't know that this would be enough for her. I'm guessing she'll have to try them on. Good luck.

If she's on the large chested side, I can tell you one that I probably would NOT recommend (in case you were looking at it). The MTI PFDiva Women's vest. It is comfortable once you have it on and start paddling, but I always feel like I'm putting on a bullet proof vest - it's pretty thick in the front and snug. It does have removable cups, but even removing them did not help me much. The pockets are a little tight too, not really much you can put in them.

Phil Curry is the designer women want. His Lola from Lotus was the best PFD for full figured gals until he designed sculptured women's PFDs for Astral. His Wonder Jacket comes to mind.

quote Jackfish: "Our goal at CanoeCopia this year was to find Debbie a proper-fitting PFD. With four or five different brands to choose from, we were pretty sure we'd find one. We did, but it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.

The one that fit Debbie the best was the Astral V-eight PFD. It fit the best in the chest area and it was comfortable all the way around.

When it comes to PFDs, they're all going to work from a floatation standpoint. You just have to find the one that fits best.


Debbie wearing the Astral V-eight PFD. "

That is the model that I wear as well and love the fit and feel. The only thing I would change about it would be more pockets.

quote Jackfish: "Our goal at CanoeCopia this year was to find Debbie a proper-fitting PFD. With four or five different brands to choose from, we were pretty sure we'd find one. We did, but it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.

The one that fit Debbie the best was the Astral V-eight PFD. It fit the best in the chest area and it was comfortable all the way around.

When it comes to PFDs, they're all going to work from a floatation standpoint. You just have to find the one that fits best.


Debbie wearing the Astral V-eight PFD. "

My wife has the same one.

I have this PFD, and I love it. I am long-waisted and I find that it fits very well. I tried several types, from several companies and this is the one that works the best for me.

Sorry, my PFD reference didn't come through. It is the Stohlquist BetSea.

I was all ready to recommend my MTI PFDiva, but then I read the comments by 2K10 and I see that there are other opinions about it.

Personally, I love mine. (had to remove the pads, though.)

quote Spartan2: "I was all ready to recommend my MTI PFDiva, but then I read the comments by 2K10 and I see that there are other opinions about it.

Personally, I love mine. (had to remove the pads, though.)"

Overall I do like it (and have 100% confidence in it's durability/effectiveness), it's just a little too bulky & snug for my liking. I got the small/medium, maybe would have a different opinion on it if I had gotten the next size up.

vests