antonfourie said..

I use a PFD that has pockets and a water pouch, most races require a PFD so I just use it so that I am used to wearing it and it does not feel weird in the race.

Childsplay said..

Check out the Dakine Sweeper Waist Pack, keeps your shoulders free and weight down low on your hips. Works much better for supping than the backpack style. Save them for the ski or the bike!

SWE said..

I use a back pack every now and again. It doesn't bother me too much but have mates who hate wearing them when paddling.
I would suggest that you get one that has a chest strap. Mine has a chest strap and one around the gut area but do not do this up as it tends to move around and drop down as I bend over. Strap over the chest tends to pull the arm straps in and away from your are pits and also stops it floating around when you fall off.
Just my 2 cents. Think it is just personal opinion

HumanCartoon said..

I use a Camelback "Octane LR"...the LR stands for "Lumbar Reservoir", keeps the weight down on your hips instead of sloshing around up and down your back. Otherwise it's pretty light, has a few pockets for a bit of gear and plenty of arm room.

Air80 said..
down side is the none of the pockets have full security, ie small velcro only so have never trusted my phone in it

Jeroensurf said..

thumbs up for the sweeper.

foamballer said..

One neat little thing I saw with the Baja pack was the paddle retainer strap.

I haven't seen either of these ones in the flesh - just the overview vids on the camelbak site.

Area10 said..

You don't want zips on anything that is going to go in the sea often. You have to rinse them all the time, which means you've then got to dry them all the time... Too much trouble.

...

Incidentally, if you are going in the sea anything you carry with you should be affixed to your hydration pack or whatever by a lanyard. That makes zips redundant and is much more effective when you are trying to use something with wet hands in the middle of the sea. One fumble and it's gone...

PTWoody said..

The paddle strap is a bit of a wank as is the claim the Baja is designed to be worn with an inflatable PFD.

DavidJohn said..

I like mine.

Zeusman said..

I have the Camel Back Molokai. Very comfy. Don't really notice that I'm wearing it.

foamballer said..




I don't race, but have thought about a pfd - which one do you use?

Scott79 said..



x2, question regarding a comfortable PFD with the pockets etc ?

Thanks,
Scott.

ZephyrG said..

I have been using the Camelback Octane LR. Having the reservoir down low is ok but it is difficult to clean due to the shape of the bladder. Side pockets with zips are ok for protein bars and gel packs. Storage is excellent as I can fit a waist PFD and a flare in the pockets for meeting safety regs for open water, long distance races. Seeing some of the top racers at the NZ Champs using the Wilson Vestpac with the front pocket got me thinking about convenience for accessing gels- definitely worth a look.

Does anybody have a solution for keeping the mouth piece of the hydration pack in a convenient position so the you do not have to stop paddling and using your hand to find the nozzle?

foamballer said..



DJ/Jeroensurf - How are the zips holding up? what's the bag like to get out and clean etc.?




The camelbak website implies that the molokai doesn't have any additional storage in the quoted specs. The left figures are for the baja LR and the right is for the molokai. Is this right? The molokai looks like it would have more space.

Kieranr said..

@zephyrg: camelbak do a sleeve for the drinking tube that is shapeable so you can angle it where ever you want. Check it out on the accessories section of the camelbak website.

foamballer said..



It looks like I could get that for around $90. I was looking at the camelbak website and they have a watersports version - Baja LR ($125), which is a bit smaller gear capacity but touted as being made of waterproof/quick drying materials. I'm in and out of the water a bit - how does the Octane LR stand up being wet a lot of the time? or maybe you don't fall off as much as me ?

One neat little thing I saw with the Baja pack was the paddle retainer strap.

I haven't seen either of these ones in the flesh - just the overview vids on the camelbak site.

ZephyrG said..

I have been using the Camelback Octane LR.

Does anybody have a solution for keeping the mouth piece of the hydration pack in a convenient position so the you do not have to stop paddling and using your hand to find the nozzle?

foamballer said..

http://vestpac.quivers.com/c/380

Interesting that on vestpac's hydration page the first thing you see is:

Camel Back Systems for Every Sport | VestPac?
Our camel back systems are are incredibly light and comfortable.

So they can spell 'camel back' properly, but then leave the 'k' of their own name? Trying to pick up a few web hits? Maybe they came up with the name concept first?

In any case, the front pocket would be handy, but it would be nice if the capacity was over 1 L. I would be nice to see one in the flesh, but the only Australian distributor I could see was in Cronulla www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Paddles-and-Accessories/~a8tg8/Vestpac.aspx



Hi Foamballer,
Not sure where you live but below is a list of NSW/QLD dealers who have the latest Vestpacs so you can see them in the flesh.
These dealers are either SUP, Outrigger or Outdoor?they personally use & are very familiar with Vestpac so can answer any questions you might have.

Also, below the list is a pic of the new optional 1.8ltr reservoir that will be available in Australia throughout the next couple of months.

- Walk on Water/Ocean Adventure Co in Bermagui
- Wetspot Watersports in Canberra
- Jervis Bay Kayaks & Paddlesports
- SUP Gear Australia in North Manly
- Wind Surf n Snow in Collaroy
- ESS Boardstore in Erina
- Lake Macquarie SUP in Toronto
- Jungle Surf in Tuncurry
- Outdoor World/Kayak Shak in Coffs Harbour
- Simmocean in Coffs Harbour
- Skee Kayak in Mullaway
- Wild Watersports in Evans Head
- Roar / Gold Coast SUP in Currumbin
- JM SUP in Palm Beach
- Goodtime in Brisbane
- Briskites in Brighton
- Paddleshop in Warana

VIC ;
- RPS in Elwood
- SUP Warehouse in Mordiallac
- Alpine Country in Morwell
- Core Boardsports in Geelong