After scouting the entire gorge below a few hundred feet below us, we committed. As we looked down on the Stehekin River towards the last crux rapid, made of three high-virtues, dynamic recurrence holes, we knew that no one was going to turn.

We were both ready: all the 22 pounds packed in the new one wearing flora Astral Indus PFD – But still, there was hesitant because I pushed my partner and charged for protection through the crashed whitewater.

In a sport where you should rely as much on your equipment as your abilities in highly resulting whitewater, it was a relief to know that I had the most performing lifestyle on the market with me for riding. The Indus is designed for high-volume freestyle paddling in this way, and while other high-float waste exist, some people may match this PFD with paddling chops brought to the river.

In short: The new Astral Indus PFD class V is designed for whitewater cakers that are advancing the game. It does not come to change the classic greenjacket, but rather adds to the incredible lineup of the astral of PFD to all types and paddlers levels. What did I learn about this PFD after paddling in this summer.

To see how the Whitewater-Reddy Sindhu pile up against the rest of the options, check the gearjanki Best PFDs Buyer Guide,

Astral indus PFD: Review

I get used Astral Greenjacket For the last 5 years, as my only PFD, from casual floats to the first dynasty campaigns. This has always been my favorite piece of whitewater kayaking gear, so the question was clear: Indus Remove my beloved greenjacket?

With the last of the summer snapack, the ultra-classic multide kayak kayak trip-barge was on the River-Docket, except for the high glaciers of the northern cascade and would travel to an ideal test. A 3-day condolence from the heart of the Northern Caskens National Park down to the powerful glaciers-fed lake chalan.

All the world’s best in this campaign is: Small and Technical Bridge Entry Before entering Creek, a 3-mile increase with the famous Pacific Crest Trail, before it begins to raise more and more tributaries, a large-scale high-trunk class V is spreading in the Valley Valley and spreading to the largest natural lake in the Washington state.

A new type of PFD

Astral has a stored history of safety product development in Whitewater Discipline over the last few decades. The most famous PFD design of the brand is Greenjacket, which is the most popular and badly Vachable PFD on the market to this point.

For almost a decade, the top paddlers in the game have progressed whitewater kayaking from the highest waterfalls to the largest waterfall rapids in the Greenjacket. Now, a new era of PFD is here, designed for the highest-least rivers and new generation paddlers that are pushing the game on high dimensions.

Sindhu is designed for especially high-length whitewater river kayaking and is named after one of the most frightened and revered rivers in the world. In Pakistan, Rondu Gorge of Sindhu has pushed the class V discipline of Kayaking for decades.

All-new Indus PFD has a plan of 22 pounds, which is about 6 pounds more plotions than the greenjacket. But how did Astral manage this PFD to keep this PFD comfortable, form-fitting and lightweight with all those who combine plotions? How will this PFD be caught in your gear, scouting and staying throughout the day?

In the area: pockets

Astral has an infection away from its Classic Chlamshell front pocket in the Indus, opt for a simple, low-profile design on the right side of the jacket. It limits the amount of storage, but the safety equipment you are using to limit the couple weight and increase the planetism, prefer it.

When I started packing my PFD with the campaign gear for Bridge Creek, it became clear how different the Indus front pocket is from the Greenjacket. Typically, I use that pocket using a CPR mask, earplugs, gamin inrech, a snack, allen keys, additional wingtones, and of course, my lucky river knife from the pneumpatumi river in Ecuador and a 10 feet booting with a carbinner.

This possibility is accumulated for 3 pounds of additional weight in my front pocket. With this change in the front pocket, I have been forced to update my habits.

I have continued to keep my Buddha in the front zip pocket, but have dropped my other rescue objects, shifting to storing my beloved earplug in my drysuit. After the initially closed by design changes, I now feel that Astral made a well thought out thought out to push users to push more efficiently about internal storage.

Knife storage

Indus Two knives offer placement options. The center of the first jacket has a dedicated internal knife storage slot. This pocket is generous and is a loop to secure a knife and a velcro is off to prevent it from slipping out.

The knife pocket helps users to reduce infection away from chlameshell pockets that do not want to mounted the river knife on the outside of the jacket. However, the Indus has an external knife tab outside the vest for those who want to use a river knife with quick access.

On the Bridge Creek, I found myself that no boator wants to be on a multida trip in the forest. I torn the tough of my kayak on a large rock in the river, and I was forced into plastic together using my cooking stove and river knife. Fortunately, I was able to assemble my kayak quickly and hold my river knife to do a job.

Back pockets

The Indus include large side pockets that are more useful than the greenjacket. Here, I am able to store the necessary rescue equipment, mainly my pin kit, which includes Puli, Prusic and Additional Buddha.

Even with a majority of my rescue equipment, do not overload or limit the back of the jacket. The rear pockets are designed to reduce bulk and distribute weight equally, which contributes to the overall comfort and balance of PFDs.

Plivity and mobility

Indus PFD There is an impressive 22 -pound floatation, a significant increase in 16.5 pounds in a greenjacket. This “high float” technique ensures that you also bounce in the most turbulent water.

The added flotation test is particularly noticeable, providing an additional layer of protection when the flow is high, and the results of the river are more astronically. Floating in the takeout of my local home run, I immediately felt a difference in additional plotions, as I swim with my head over the water crossing the powerful Eddy lines.

Despite the increased plotation, the Indus maintains excellent mobility. The design ensures that the added does not limit bulk movement, making it suitable for both high-vantage rivers and tight technical low-volumes. I noticed that even in the tight and technical bridges Creek’s headwatters, I could still move and paddle the same with Greenjacket.

Astral Indus PFD: Conclusion

Astral Indus PFD There is a high-demonstration lifejacket that excels in high amounts of whitewashing conditions. Its unmatched bounce, combined with thoughtful design, it is one of the most game-changing PFD designs to date.

If you often paddle high -volume rivers and require a PFD that provides maximum planns and protection without compromising comfort and mobility, it is worth the Indus switch. For those who prefer small, more technical creek, the greenjacket can still be a better option due to its more streamlined fit.

While limited front pocket storage and added bulk may require some adjustment, the benefits of increased planma and mobility can be largely beaten from these shortcomings. The added plotation, while maintaining the classic design, fit and comfort of Astral, will cement the Indus as an essential piece of safety devices for the world’s top paddlers for the coming years.