PFDs. Whats good?

I am sure it?s been said before but I will ask anyway.
I do a fair bit of solo paddling and even though I have an inflatable vest that I attach to my ski I was thinking of getting a vest to wear full time.
I am looking for a vest that is light and not too bulky that it interferes with my stroke. Also is there any vests that have inbuilt hydration systems?
Thanks in advance

The Mocke jacket is surfski specific, well priced and has the features you require.

Ditto, and the Mocke pfd is the most comfortable vest I have worn. That makes it easier to put on.

what's the price of Mocke's life jacket?

The Sea02 PFD by Kokatat is an hybrid inflatable PFD which combines the flotation of foam with an air chamber that can be inflated by mouth or with a C02 cartridge.It offers low profile,foam flotation for run of the mill self rescues,and additional inflatable buoyancy for real emergencies.When this product came on the market in USA,the price was 169$
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The main problem is to know if this PFD is approved in your country. Mocke pfd are forbidden in France where the new regulation needs 70 newton of buoyancy for surfski and kayak buoyancy-aids.Depending our practise ,racing or solo surfskiing you needs would be different.A rear pocket for hydratation is mandatory on both,but a big front one is a priority for my VHF handheld radio.Good luck to find the best model for you

I have a Mocke, my wife has a Tripper, so I have raced with both. I think the Tripper is more comnfortable and its one size fits all. When its dry it is lighter than the Mocke but they are the same when wet. Both are well made and neither interfear with the paddling stroke.

Some of my paddling mates use their Gill sailing PFDs. They are less flexible but also give free movement of the arms and there have been no chafing issues.

I know its hard but best is to try borrow a few different ones and try them for your own taste.

I agree the Mocke is a great pfd. The old Tripper had foam beads- these apparently degrade with time. But the beads also cause a kind of sponge effect when taking a long swim and make one feel very bulky and heavy. I can speak from an unhappy experience. The new Trippers are made with foam blocks similar to the Mocke, but I haven't tried one out.

The Mocke was recomended to me on this board. I bought one 6 months ago, from Ocean Paddle Sports, and have been happy with it. I paddle alone a lot, and now wear it every time I go out. It's got a small but convenient pocket in front that holds my phone and Ipod. The pocket in back holds the hydration bladder. It's made of mesh, so it isn't too hot.

I have a question though: the hydration bladder makes the water taste like plastic. Any way to get rid of that?

I use a bladder made by "source" for about two years now. there has been no problems with taste or anything else. Good quality,reasonable price.
You can get it in canada from Mountain Equipment Co-op by mail. There is an USA dealer too, I think.

Camelbak

Hydropak

Hi,

anyone knows whether the Mocke PFD can be bought in Europe? I haven't found any shop that has it so far.
What is the exact buoyancy of the Mocke pfd?
Thanks.

I bought mine from here: www.thepaddlingcentre.com/buy.php?cat=6
Delivery was by post with no problem, other than a bit slow at my end (local postal worker slowdown).

www.getwet.org.za/mocke.htm

6kg Flotation