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Kayak Buoyancy Aids
Get safe for summer with our buoyancy aid check list.
As the warmer weather approaches now is the time to check through all your paddling kit and do a spring clean.
This will ensure any kit that has been stored over the winter is fit for use so that you can enjoy the coming season.
This time round we will be focusing of BUOYANCY AIDs also known as PFDS (Personal Floatation Device) as they are one of your main bits of kit and can potentially save your life. Buoyancy aids (BAs) are NOT LIFEJACKETS.
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Be honest with yourself, have you cleaned and dried your Buoyancy aid every time you use it? Does it just get chucked in the kit bag until the next paddle? Or even left to dry in strong sunlight?
Foam shrinkage is an issue over time. All foam shrinks but the better quality, single piece foams shrink less and are affected by impact or compression less. Layered polyethylene foam shrinks and compresses the most.
A 15 year old buoyancy aid will offer much less buoyancy than it did originally, (when new) just through foam shrinkage. Add to that compression damage, through being used as a cushion or padding to protect something and there will be significantly less buoyancy in the garment than when it was new.
Not cleaning the Buoyancy aid can lead to a bacterial build up, in turn this creates mould and can eat away at the foam inside that provides the buoyancy. With the foam deteriorating it will reduce the buoyancy so not function properly when you most need it. Moving parts such as zips can also fail if left dirty or covered in salt water.
If the zip pull is alloy there can be corrosion and the pull may snap. Not great if you are trying to get your safety knife out but can’t.
The other thing to consider is if you have changed your paddling activities. A touring specific buoyancy aid will not be suitable for white water. A very basic buoyancy aid may not stand up to the rigours of off shore sea kayaking.
If the answer is yes to any of these the performance of your buoyancy aid may be compromised.
So here’s the check list:
Fit for purpose: Will the buoyancy aid be suitable for your on coming paddling activities?
General appearance and condition: Is the buoyancy aid dirty? If so remove the foam if you can and put the Buoyancy aid in a pillow case and bung it in the washing machine on a cool wash.
If you can’t remove the foam use a mild hand washing soap and give it a scrub.
If the foam does come out, give it a scrub with warm but not hot water to get off any mould and dirt. Hang up to drip dry out of bright sun light.
Aggressive detergents will also attack the foam so it’s best not to use them. |
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If there are signs of the foam degrading is probably best to purchase a new buoyancy aid.
Zips: If the zips are jammed a good soak and scrub will usually free them up.
Check for corrosion as a failing zip pull could be an issue if you’re trying to get that safety knife or Mars bar out! Salt is the biggest culprit of jammed zips.
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Webbing straps and adjustment buckles: Check straps for fraying and buckles to see if they are cracked or worn. If the webbing straps are frayed you may not be able to fasten the buoyancy aid well enough to stay on when you need it most.
Fit: Does your buoyancy aid still fit? Is it comfortable?
An ill fitting buoyancy aid that is uncomfortable can turn a great day into a miserable experience.
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Considering a new BUOYANCY AID / PFD
These days all newly designed buoyancy aids are governed by ISO standards, these are more international accepted and comprehensive, checking materials and components as well as overall design and function.
- All CE marked buoyancy aids are still current and fully accepted as it is only new designs that require the ISO standard.
- As well as new standards there have been a lot of changes in design and materials.
- Lots of the newer buoyancy aids are using more environmentally friendly foam, which goes by the brand name Gaia foam.
- Gaia is ultra soft foam with lower density, reducing its weight and increasing its flexibility so you get a better fitting garment.
- It is easy to clean, resists most chemicals and Petroleum based products and is CFC free.
- Other design features you may find include the new wrap around 3D forms for greater comfort, maintaining high levels of buoyancy with out the massive bulk.
- More effective reflective materials, you should see the inside of the shop at night when the lights are out! Perfect for busy boating areas or off shore paddling.
- Hydration bladder pockets or attachment points for hydration packs and the all important Fleece lined hand warmer pockets and for the hot days Mesh linings for more comfort against the skin.
- For the ladies there is a better range available these days so have a chat with one of our female sales team for advice.
Touring Buoyancy aids Top 3:
1, Palm Kiakoura. Palms top end sea kayaking and touring buoyancy aid.
Made with Gaia foam and has a great modern wrap around fit, lots of pockets and Hydration bladder at the back.
AS Watersports are happy to recommend the Palm Kiakoura as their favourite kayak buoyancy aid for touring. Available in red or blue. Free delivery in the UK.
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Yak Vent Buoyancy Aid orange blue |
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2, Yak Vent, Yaks touring buoyancy aid has useful pockets can be fitted with a hydration bladder pouch and a modern low fit.
In S/M, M/L and XL. Adjustable shoulder straps and side panels, with stretch mesh.
Available in orange or blue. Free UK delivery.
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3, Peak Adventure Zip. Peak’s top end sea kayaking and touring buoyancy aid features large pockets, tough Cordura material and comes complete with a Hydration bladder.
Available in S/M, M/L or XL, fully adjustable shoulder straps and side panels.
Free delivery in the UK.
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Touring personal floatation device, Peak Adventure Zip
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General Purpose Buoyancy aid’s top 3:
1, Yak Kallista Legacy. Our best selling GP buoyancy aid is suitable for most paddling activities. It features a nice low fitting cut, two small pockets and easy adjustment. It is light weight but tough fabric.
In blue, red or grey. S/M, M/L and XXL.
Free delivery in the UK.
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Yak Kallista Kayak PFD |
Palm Hydro Adventure Buoyancy Aid |
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2, Palm Hydro Adventure. Palms best selling all round touring buoyancy aid. Great for kayaks, sit on tops and open canoeing. Features front pockets, hydration bladder pouch at rear and plenty of attachment clips.
Blue, Olive or Red. XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL.
Free UK delivery.
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3, Yak Axle. A new buoyancy aid from Yak which has a two part front allowing good movement of the upper body. Fleece lined hand warmer pockets and can be fitted with a hydration bladder pouch.
Perfect for first-timers and versatile, suitable for playboating, surf or entry level white water.
S/M, M/L and XL. Blue/Black or Grey/Black.
Free UK delivery.
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Yak Axle Buoyancy Aid |
WW River running Buoyancy aids top 3:
More on choosing a white water buoyancy aid. Click here.
 Palm Axis Extrem Buoyancy Aid |
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1, Palm Axis. Our best selling White water buoyancy aid with a chest harness for rescues.
Features a good size pocket for all you karabiners, knives and safety equipment.
Secure webbing and strong buckles for demanding white water.
XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL. Free UK delivery.
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2, Astral Green jacket. The new creeking buoyancy aid from Astral features Gaia foam, chest harness, Flotection impact protection, side entry and loops for a sit in harness.
Features include an
- innovative freestyle tectonic front panel
- additional protection at the back
- internal back band for mid-back comfort.
This PFD is designed as unisex, providing a perfect fit for men or women who are looking to step up their creek game.
Available in Green/Black and Red/Black.
S/M, M/L and L/XL.
Free UK delivery.
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 White Water Buoyancy Aid |
 Yak Descent WW Buoyancy Aid |
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3, Yak Descent. A white water buoyancy aid from Yak. Strong shoulder straps a chest harness, large front pocket and side entry, tough Cordura materials and low price all combine to make a great cheaper but still safe buoyancy aid.
S/M, M/L and XL.
Free UK delivery.
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WW Play and surf Buoyancy aids Top 3:
 White Water Buoyancy Aid Palm Fusion |
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1, Palm Fusion. This has been at the top of the play boaters wish list for a few years since it first arrived in the River Tec range about 7 years ago.
Small low cut foam shape for maximum freedom of movement. Small pocket for keys or Mars bar!
XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL
Free UK delivery
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2, Astral Newton. A very light weight vest from Astral. A two part, Freestyle Tectonics design allows massive upper body movement. Simple should strap design and low profile make this buoyancy aid perfect for play boating and surf kayaking.
Available in Black, Red and Blue.
S/M, M/L, L/XL
Free UK delivery
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 Astral Newton WW PFD |
 White water PFD from Palm. |
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3, Palm Helix. A new style buoyancy aid from Palm featuring Gaia foam, 3d wrap around anatomical fit. Suitable for river play and free riding.
XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL
Free UK delivery
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Female Specific and female friendly buoyancy aids.
Getting a PFD that is designed to fit properly is very underrated. If it fits well it works well.
1, Astral Bella. A great all round buoyancy aid for Women. The women’s specific fit has a shorter torso, an internal back band for mid height comfort and internal bra for added support.
Available in blue or grey/pink.
S/M, M/L, L/XL
Free UK Delivery
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Astral Bella, White Water Buoyancy Aid for Women |
Yak Kurve Buoyancy Aid |
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2, Yak Kurve. Not a female specific buoyancy aid. Neoprene panels in the side provide a great fit for ladies. Suitable for most paddling activities except the extreme stuff.
Red/Black or Blue/Black
S/M, M/L, XL
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3, Palm women’s RT white water. A chunky zip up vest for the hard stuff. An excellent white water Buoyancy aid but on the chunky side.
You can buy on line or come into the shop for friendly professional advice to help you find the correct buoyancy aid.
Your life could depend on it
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