Lightweight PDF recommendation

[Monty Montana]

I recently acquired a Supai packraft for flatwater use: alpine lake fishing, calm river crossing, etc. Should I also pack along a PDF, or is that overkill for this kind of use? I kind of hate to carry a PDF that may weigh more than the boat, which incidentally is 24 oz. Andrew Skurka writes that he uses a MYOG vest that holds three 2L platy bottles at about 8 oz…maybe that's the way to go?

[Bob Gross]

I think that you will find PDF to be an effective Portable Document Format, but it has little to do with a packraft. Perhaps you got confused.

–B.G.–

[Luke Schmidt]

I have seen inflatable PFDs on Amazon.com I think they where for snorkeling. I would not use them on real water but flat water maybe.

[Monty Montana]

Hey Luke, thanks for the tip, I'll check it out! Also, thanks for being intelligent enough to interpolate a typo…I didn't know there trolls on BPL.

[David Thomas]

My wife uses an inflatable PFD during competitive rowing practice. Westmarine.com has a good overview of PFDs.

The inflatable ones are, at least, more compact when stored and when worn than the standard ones. Of course they're not as protective because you have to be conscious to activate them. (there are inflatables that auto-inflate when wetted, but that doesn't seem viable on a pack rafting trip.

When considering this application in the past, I've imagined cutting a CCF pad into a vest, double-purposing the CCF pad as a sleeping pad by saving the arm-hole cut-outs and velcro'ing them back on the pad each night for use as a sleeping pad. It could be triple purposed into an insulative vest under a wind shirt.

[Monty Montana]

Wow! You're a genius David! I wouldn't have thought of that ever. You're an example of what's good about BPL: sharing ideas with others. I just happen to have some old CCF pads kicking around, so I believe I'll get started and see what I can come up with. This idea of yours kills two birds with one stone: lightness and compactness. Thanks! Happy trails.

[Chris S]

I got a 2-chamber inflatable Anfibio Buoy Boy which I use all the time now for packrafting and IK-ing.
Obviously not as bouyant but so much less bulky and hot than the proper foam jobs which I'd only wear for a serious sea trip – and I don't really do those. 2015 version has big mesh pockets and under-crotch strap is a great idea. None of my proper pfds have that.

[Philip Tschersich]

I bought a snorkel vest online and made some modifications to it (replaced the neoprene back with mesh, added a front zipper, stripped the unnecessary crap off, etc). It turned out extremely packable, light, comfy, and when mostly inflated fits nice and snug. It's oral inflation only, so I wear it deflated on calm water, and give it a few puffs when things look less benign, or paddle fully inflated in rougher stuff. You can see it in this video: Chiniak Packraft

[Dustin Short]

I just picked up an MTI "Breeze" PFD from REI's recent outlet sale. Cost $30 and weighs 12.6oz for a size S/M on my scale. Foam so no puncture concerns. Light enough and cheap enough for sure to test the packrafting waters. I haven't gotten to test it out yet, but can't wait.

PS: I Also grabbed a Klymit LWD on massdrop for $100 and the Advanced Elements Ultralite paddle for $45, all told ~$200 and 4.5lbs to test a solid stillwater setup. I'm pleased for sure to add this new dimension to trips.

[Author]

Posts