Fladen PFD (Hi Vis Yellow)

[surfblaster]

Hi,

I am looking at gettin my PFD sorted out and I really would like the hi vis yellow one which is reviewed on here. However, having searched the net, i can't find them for sale anywhere.

Do they still make them or can anyone suggest a similer pfd. I liked the look of this particular one as the pockets look just right, it appears to not be to bulky, the hi vis is good to be seen and it is mentioned as not being to expensive.

Any help would be most appreciated.

[lureman]

I have that PFD myself
I believe Fladen have discontinued them

[ZEBRA]

they are not made in the uk anymore they do have another version without the pockets but that particular one has gone shame as it was a good pfd

[surfblaster]

Thank you for your replies chaps.
I have given up on that particular pfd now and am instead looking at another one which looks just right for the job , although i think a little more wonga as well.

[philpot]

Can I just throw in an idea, Buy the pfd that fits you correctly and wear a fly fishing mesh waistcoat on over the top for the pockets. To use a pfd to store all your fishing bits and pieces suddenly increases the size of your belly making self rescue more difficult and my belly is big enough. If you find yourself in the drink, simply take off your waistcoat in the water, throw it on the kayak and have an easier climb aboard the kayak.

Let us talk for a moment about pfd fit. I think it was last year when I was in Runcorn with Zeb and Buddy and we were discussing this very subject. I tried on a number of pfd from different makers and it was very surprising how good or how bad the fit was. When looking for a good fit, I am saying it is no good having a pfd that tries to slip over your head when in the water as it reduces your movement. Now the quite expensive pfd that I had did just that as we proved on the day.

By trying different pfds on we found that not all have enough length in the shoulder straps to allow you to tighten the waist strap in your waist, in fact many of them would only go down to a couple of inches above your waist. This means that upon entry into the water, the pfd shoots up as you take a sharp intake of breath.

I am sure Zebra will remember this and just how many even from the same manufacturer would not give the perfect fit. I had sold the Palm Kaikoura to myself as the one to have but it did not fit well enough but the Palm Symbiant Tour gave a superb fit and saved me approx £40 in the process. Not enough thought is given to correct fit but again had it not been for the three of us discussing the subject to such a level, I would not have known either.

Keep the subjects of tackle storage and pfd/saving your life as totally separate items. If hi-vis is what you want and the only pfd that fits you is black, buy a hi-vis waistcoat from Arco for £2. The priority should be your safety and the ease of your self rescue.

This is my best fit pfd

www.palmequipmenteurope.com/gear/symbiant-tour.html

Right I have got it off my chest.

Phil