Astral Indus PFD Review

Learn more about the Astral Indus at astraldesigns.....
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[@gkaplan555]

thanks! I'll be supporting your channel here soon...I really appreciate all your work!

[@rickspencer3839]

Long time viewer. First time commenter. Received this PFD the day you released this video. Ordered the higher float based on your review and my experience swimming “medium” rapids in a commercial PFD. It is “fairly” bulky compared to a “low float” PFD. I am 6ft and 250 lbs member of the US armed forces with a self measured “48 inch” chest. BARELY fit even without a wetsuit. It will be tight once I gear up. If you are XL or above, I would maybe not consider this PFD.

[@robertalesi3565]

I definitely like the NRS lifejacket for rafting, I row and I totally agree about what you said. Thanks for the review, I know a few people who raft who had said they want one of these so this was good to know

[@bchoodriver]

NRS rapid responder pfd for a rescue pfd for rafting? Thanks The videos are very helpful

[@charlesmcdonald5465]

How did it swim when you got it wet at little green wall?. Was it noticeably higher floating?

[@GearGarageTV]

Yes

[@michaellund3440]

Any suggestions for medium / high float PFDs that work for rafting?

[@GearGarageTV]

NRS Big Water Guide PFD

[@lilahjill]

Astral makes really nice pfds! Love the review

[@Matkatamiba]

Could you do demo scientifically testing how fast different jacket floatation levels float you back up to the surface? It'd be interesting to see low - medium - hi float jackets and how they perform in flatwater vs aerated water.

[@GearGarageTV]

Some day when I have a pool and tons of free time

[@JustinBaker2567]

I'm 155 pounds and I'm all about high float pfds. I don't think that 16 pound PFDs have any advantage on challenging whitewater, unless I'm hiking in and packrafting something that's lower volume (concerned about weight and bulk). 16 pound PFDs are a bit more comfortable and fine for easy whitewater or flatwater. The Indus fits so well that I barely notice it on my body.

[@james_short]

Nice review man, just addressing a common misconception about floatation. Heavier people do not need more floatation - denser people do. Your natural buoyancy is created by the volume of water you displace (heavier people displace more water as they are larger), and how well you float is the ratio of your own weight to this buoyancy, not just your weight. For most people, this is more or less the same. In my view, more buoyancy is always good. So the real defining character is how much buoyancy can you comfortably cram onto your body. Larger people can cram more on, so should. But this is extra floatation, not compensatory flotation to be "as floaty" as a smaller person.

[@GearGarageTV]

Heavier people need more flotation to rise to the surface quickly based on Newton’s Second Law. You are correct if you are already on the surface.

[@james_short]

@@GearGarageTV I did some maths, your right. I overlooked this in my consideration. Acceleration to the surface is proportional to floatation of PFD per mass of wearer. It is also proportional to the ratio of the density of water to the wearer, which is normally more or less 1 (showing in still water, the only real factor is as I said above). I would be interested to see how this changes in whitewater? What is the point at which increasing life jacket floatation makes minimal perceived improvement in whitewater?

[@markminturn4821]

Great review of a great vest. It is not great for rafting. The quick release buckle sticks out enough that it rubs the inside of your forearm when you stroke the oar. Unless your handles are set quite wide apart, you will get sore on your right arm.

[@Jezacharda]

Wait, your phone is waterproof?

[@GearGarageTV]

Yes

[@josephmyers64]

"I really believe all PFDs should be designed around phones cuz we all carry our phones" Shouldn't pfds be designed around safety and flotation? Come on.

[@GearGarageTV]

Yes the should obviously be designed around safety and flotation first

[@LoganLovell]

I had the same initial reaction to that comment - but you have to look at the full context of what he is saying. I don't think Zach meant "PFDs should be phone-centric", I think he was more so pointing out that phone storage/pockets on PFDs shouldn't be overlooked, as most people are carrying them for a variety of reasons and they need to start including that in the design from the beginning, not as an after thought. I prefer to keep mine in a dry bag, and any filming is done on a dedicated camera but not everyone has/needs that, and plenty of people are using them for other reasons aside from filming. Obviously a PFD's primary function is flotation/safety, but his comment is directly referring to pockets/features on top of that main function.