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Life vests for woman?
Gamalot	#1  Posted on 07/14/12 - 3:58 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1086 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/21/10	We don't have many local places here to search for decent female life vests. Gander Mountain is about it. Without getting too personal here, my wife has tried on every style in the store and none seem to consider female parts in the mix. Her typical comment is "It feels like a girdle"! Is there any particular brand of life vest that is made to fit the well endowed female that does not act as a push up bra and is comfortable to wear?
Ice Cop	#2  Posted on 07/14/12 - 6:44 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 85 Comments: 1 Joined: 08/24/09	I have what your looking for at my other boat, it is a racing lifevest that competitive sailors wear. My daughter had the same problem while racing in high school and college and this one worked great. They also had to wear the big "gumby style " dry suits so they needed something that did not bulk up on them. It comes with an extremely short waist so as not to cramp and push up while sitting. I'll get you the model number and distributor when I head to the boat today. This style also works wonderful for kids since you see them sitting on a boat with the life jacket literally choking them, no cpmplaints from any of mine when they were younger while wearing them. 1962 Custom 1989 120hp Evinrude looper
Jeff	#3  Posted on 07/14/12 - 6:49 AM
Member Posts: 1987 Comments: 34 Joined: 04/02/05	Gam, My wife has encounter the same problem. We found her a HO brand neoprene Wakeboarding life vest that is Coast Guard certified and made specifically for females. We got it at Costco of all places. 1993 23' Walkaround Whaler Drive
Gamalot	#4  Posted on 07/14/12 - 7:13 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1086 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/21/10	Thanks Guys! Our rules here are such that all boaters Must wear a vest up until May 15th. The wife complains that she has to be strapped in and choked when ever she puts it on. Mine is an adult XL and adjusts fine for me but I sure do see what she means when she puts it on. We need one that is form fitted with the gals in mind.
Dave Wheeler	#5  Posted on 07/14/12 - 8:19 AM
Member Posts: 31 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/07/08	Look at lifevests marketed by personal watercraft manufacturers. The are designed for sitting down and are available in a "womans cut" to accomodate certain above the waist appendages. A Sea Doo dealer should be able to help and have a nice choice. Just have her with you to try it on. Edited by Dave Wheeler on 07/14/12 - 8:20 AM
cwk6	#6  Posted on 07/14/12 - 9:27 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 175 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/04/11	I second the sailing/paddling life vests. Extrasport, Astral, and Kokotat all make very nice vests and have woman's specific models.
kamie	#7  Posted on 07/14/12 - 10:13 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	how about going with an inflatable vest, it's what I use. I never found a PWC vets that was comfortable and one I wanted to wear for any length of time.
wrangler	#8  Posted on 07/14/12 - 11:33 AM
Member Posts: 264 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/14/08	There is a type called a belt pack inflatable. You wear it around the waist like a fanny pack. When you need it, you open the velcro cover pull it out and put it over your head. Then you can inflate it or you can get the automatic inflatable type. Check it out. West Marine website has it. Item number# 10997427 or 12599684. Gander may have it to or you can order it. Edited by wrangler on 07/14/12 - 11:41 AM
CES	#9  Posted on 07/14/12 - 1:31 PM
Member Personal Page Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 2681 Comments: 7 Joined: 04/27/07	kamie wrote: how about going with an inflatable vest, it's what I use. I never found a PWC vets that was comfortable and one I wanted to wear for any length of time. X2 In the winter months when I boat, I wear an inflatable such as what Kamie mentions above. It's water activated and will self inflate if needed. They only count as a life jacket only if worn. My GF has the same problem with her "blessings" and the inflatable life jacket works great for her. Edited by CES on 07/14/12 - 1:32 PM Cliff 1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
fishrswim	#10  Posted on 07/14/12 - 4:24 PM
Member Posts: 168 Comments: 7 Joined: 05/25/11	X2 on the inflatables. My wife loves hers because of the comfort. We also got a Kokatat at a kayak shop. It comes in a woman's cut and it's comfy but bulky.
FlyAU98	#11  Posted on 07/14/12 - 4:31 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 147 Comments: 1 Joined: 05/22/11	Overton's has a ton to choose from: http://search.overtons.com/?vno=100&N...Life-Vests Edited by Tom W Clark on 07/14/12 - 5:49 PM
Gamalot	#12  Posted on 07/15/12 - 5:06 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1086 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/21/10	All great suggestions and gives me a mission. I just have to get her to some other stores where she can try various types on before pulling the trigger. We are heading up to Maine this Sat. on vacation and should get to stop in some places that may have better selections. We always stop at LL Bean on the way home if all else fails. There is no other stores around here and I can't deal with ordering something of this nature over the internet and not getting the exact fit she will be comfortable with. The waist pack inflatables do sound like a good possibility as long as they meet the regulations for boating here before May 15th.
Mike-Conover	#13  Posted on 07/15/12 - 5:26 AM
Member Posts: 116 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/17/07	You might also stop at Cabellas in Scarborough on your way up the pike. Easy off and on exit just before you reach Portland... impressive store!
Jeff	#14  Posted on 07/15/12 - 5:44 AM
Member Posts: 1987 Comments: 34 Joined: 04/02/05	If you are going to Maine, you should stop at Defender's. You will not find a better store for all kinds of boating gear. [Url] http://www.defender.com/[/url] 1993 23' Walkaround Whaler Drive
zappaddles	#15  Posted on 07/15/12 - 6:04 AM
Member Posts: 478 Comments: 2 Joined: 06/03/10	Look in stores or on-line in shops that cater to canoeing or kayaking. I've found that kapok filled PFDs are the most comfortable for long-term wear. It's my understanding that many women boaters feel the same about them. You can also join Cboats.net for suggestions. Zap If you can't play hurt....stay home.
Gamalot	#16  Posted on 07/15/12 - 6:12 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1086 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/21/10	Cabela's is a possibility but we will blow right past Defender on the way up at around 6:30 AM but it could happen on the way home. I always liked Defender when the store was in New Rochell.
Gamalot	#17  Posted on 07/15/12 - 6:16 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1086 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/21/10	zappaddles wrote: Look in stores or on-line in shops that cater to canoeing or kayaking. I've found that kapok filled PFDs are the most comfortable for long-term wear. It's my understanding that many women boaters feel the same about them. You can also join Cboats.net for suggestions. Zap Great suggestion Zap and there is a Kayak dealer over in Matamoras, PA that we have never been in but go by all the time.