LOCALadk Magazine

72 Summer 2018 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk "For someone that benefits from large pockets, I find it ver y useful. The buckle and strap along the bottom of the life jacket provides a ver y snug fit and keeps it from riding up. " - Brendan W. NRS Personal Flotation Device (PFD) We support the WE AR IT New York campaign that encour- ages boaters to wear a life jacket at all times. New York State law requires a life jacket to be worn by anyone riding in a boat less than twenty-one feet long between November 1 and May 1. Wearing one at all times is just good practice and ensures a higher level of safety. Have a PFD that is safe, functional for the intended use, and, perhaps the most important, comfortable. If a jacket is not conducive to the type of boating people want to do, then it is safe to assume many people will opt not to wear them. With so many canoers and kayakers on the Adirondack lakes all season, we turned to Northwest River Supply (NRS) for some advice on PFDs particularly these kinds of activities. NRS was started in 1972 by a professor named Bill Parks. He was drawn to water and wanted to help others discover and enjoy what he loved so much. The Adirondacks provide endless water-based adventures and we are happy to recom- mend a company like NRS. NRS recommended two different PFDs for us to demo and review. The cVest Mesh Back is new for 2018 and is designed with kayakers in mind. It puts the majority of the back flota- tion up high so as not to interfere with the kayak seat. The lower portion is mesh, which is comfortable and provides some ventilation. It is a Type III US Coast Guard-approved jacket made of 400 denier ripstop nylon. Key features in- clude two large zippered pockets as well as two small du- al-entr y pockets. We found these were great for stowing just about anything. The jacket has an easy front zipper, two side adjustments, and a shoulder adjustment, which allows you to get the right fit. The second PFD we tried was the Surge. This jacket is de- signed for ultimate comfort and has a seven-panel design that easily conforms to your body. The back panel is thinner, thus reducing bulk and adding to comfort while paddling. Ventilation is a key component of this jacket; it's designed to keep you cooler on hot days. This jacket also is made of tough ripstop nylon and features include two pockets, and 3M reflective accents. Many local outfitters carr y NRS products, so stop in and tr y on one. The staff will be happy to help you find the right PFD and get you out on the water safely. WE AR IT. Gear Review

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