BlueJacket Personal Flotation Device
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Why We Like The Astral BlueJacket Personal Flotation Device
The Astral Blue Jacket is a sea-kayak-inspired PFD that also performs at an extremely high level in various whitewater, angling, and sailing applications. Equipped with loads of features that make it stand out from many other PFDs at similar price points, it combines a lightweight design and a solid storage capacity into a product that will be at home on the river, creek, lake, or open ocean.
Details
- Dominate aquatic environments with this lightweight sea/river crossover
- Foam Tectonic system agile, yet snug
- Side-entry buckles enable side and pullover access
- Front clamshell, plus side stash pockets hold loads of goodies
- Hydration bladder-ready with mesh back pocket and looped sleeve
- Item #ASL001V
- Flotation / Buoyancy
- 15lb 8oz
- Closure
- side-release buckle
- Pockets
- 1 chest, 2 zippered side stash
- Claimed Weight
- 2lb
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited 1 year
- Activity
- paddling
- USCG Type / Level
- type III
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
4 based on 12 ratings
Review Summary
What do you think about this product?
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageApril 24, 2024
Another Winner
Loving the Blue jacket. Lighter than my old Green Jacket. The flip down front pocket is the main reason I bought the jacket. Plus I can slip in a tow harness if I need to be prepared for doing any light rescue work.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
December 24, 2023
Love it!
This is my second bluejacket and I love it, love the side entry, love hopping off the raft to swim in it, love the large frontal pocket for sunscreen and the small back pockets for guests trash.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
November 25, 2023
Great product
Perfect PFD for freestyle kajaking. Thanks to a lot of freedom of movement and wearing comfort. I love the colour and the lightweight. I also use it in my touring kayak.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
September 6, 2023
I love the bladder but it takes practice
I purchased this about a year ago specifically because I liked the fit of the green jacket but wanted the hydration bladder as well as a side entry. Though the hydration bladder (not included) takes some practice getting the loops connected so it hangs properly, I’ve never had a problem with it “falling out” while I’m wearing it even when I’m swimming class III/IV rapids. That just sounds like user error. It does fall out once you take the jacket off though, which is annoying. I think the ability to access to water outside of my spray skirt highly overcomes that annoyance though. My only gripe is that the tube doesn’t fully secure to my shoulder strap and so I need to tuck it into my hand sleeve and tighten the sleeve down when I’m not using it. The mag clip that comes with the bladder does not fit the connections on the shoulder strap. When the bladder is full, you have a snug fit so if you’re right on the edge of sizing, I would suggest sizing up if you plan to use the bladder. I would also like to see newer models of the blue in the cool custom designs that they make the green in each year. Fix the should strap attachment point for the tube, make sure the bladder doesn’t fall off when you toss it in your gear bag, include some cool designs and I will totally purchase again when mine wears out.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
March 21, 2023
Hydration option for the BlueJacket it a failure
Yes, I am going to be a bit harsh on this review. I would give this pfd five stars if it had an adequate a hydration option. Regrettably it does not. It meets all my other needs as a sea kayaker and instructor, but one. I find this to be a major failure. I have been using either the older Astral Sea Wolf or my newer Blue Jacket as my PFD of choice for the last ten years, but I have always had to jerry-rig my on water hydration system. Astral claims the BlueJacket is compatible with the Camelbak Crux 1.5 L H2O bladder, but I have yet to find a kayaker that uses the Crux with the BlueJacket. I just purchased said bladder to give it a try. It really does not work. Didn't anyone test this out? You might be able to mount the Crux inside the BlueJacket, but you will not want to wear it for any length of time. It's difficult at best to hang the Crux off of the two recessed web straps in the BlueJacket. They are located way-up and behind the pfd’s mesh back panel, but it is possible with patience and dexterity. What I cannot tolerate is the large hard plastic of lid of the Crux jammed against my spinal column. This set-up is not tolerable just walking around the house. I cannot image trying to paddle while wearing it. It’s back to a jerry-rig.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
December 20, 2022
no appropriate pocket for hyration bladder
This could be a good sea kayaking pfd but unfortunatley it has no appropriate pocket for the hydration bladder. The hydration sleeve should be closed at the bottom as it is not sufficient to fix the bladder to the loops at the top. In my opinion the hydration pocket is a must have on a sekayaking pfd. It is a bit sad but because of that I will return the BlueJacket.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
October 14, 2022
no latch tab for knife
So what do you recommend I do with my safety knife when there is no lash tab on this PFD ?
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
May 20, 2022
Mostly good
Pros: -Comfortable design for paddling/rowing. The panels that move independently make a big difference from past pfds I have used -Ease of donning/doffing— this was one of my main reasons for not purchasing the green jacket because I wanted to have a side entry -Clamshell pocket—I carried a “pin kit” (traction devices, biners, Prussiks), a bear paw device, my father’s very expensive hearing aids in a water proof case, and sometimes my phone for photos and it all fit comfortably. Cons: -Sizing. By far the biggest issue. I’m not a particularly small woman (5’6” and 140 lbs) and the size Sm/Md borders on too big. When I tried it on initially it seemed fine but as the foam molded to my trunk more it became noticeable that the straps were cinched all the way tight and it still didn’t feel as tight as I wanted it to potentially swim a class 8+ Grand Canyon rapid. PLEASE make a smaller size for the average and below average sized women!!! -the sleeve for hydration bladder seems a bit gimmicky. I can’t see how it would be comfortable to have a bladder inside the foam of your pfd and it would be entirely suspended on a clip at the top as there is no bottom support in the “sleeve” that holds the bladder -No good place to attach a river knife! Was very bummed that the only place to attach a river knife was on the shoulder strap where my NRS pilot knife hung over the zipper for the clamshell. Not sure why they couldn’t add a lash tab on the clamshell like with the green jacket.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
January 10, 2017
Mr
A nice pfd but the option to attach a hydration pack is a gimmick that does not work. There is no sleeve for it to sit inside, the bladder simply drops out of the bottom of the pfd into the water. leaving you garrotted by the pipe. Astral say it can be attached via loops- the loops are there but I can see no easy way of attaching it.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
January 10, 2017
The coolest and most comfortable PFD around!
If you like arm freedom of movement and minimal feel in a PFD, this is a great one. I am also really in love with the clam shell pocket, except for one thing--it needs a couple places with D rings or loops inside of it to attach keys or miscellaneous small stuff that you don't want falling out. It does have 2 larger zippered pockets but could use more tie down loops IMO. I like how the spine is protected fairly high in the back, unlike a lot of freestyle vests. Easy to put on over the head, light weight, and floats really high. I thought the pocket in front would get in the way since it does have a presence but there was no issue rolling or leaning forward. Love the blue color too. Works really well for the less endowed lady; I found the Layla to not work for my less than robust upper body. Equally at home rowing a raft or kayaking and I love the softness of the Kapok foam and actually wish the whole thing was made of it but it does not feel stiff or rigid like a lot of PFDs because of the contoured hinged panels. I am pretty excited to be using this awesome PFD! Thanks, Astral!
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
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