NRS Zen Rescue Life Jacket

2018-02-14T19:00:00

There are so many details that I like about the Zen Rescue PFD. I loved the Velcro pocket, flotation, and tow leash. As a smaller paddler, the overall size was not the best fit for me. If you are closer to 6' than 5' then this is a great PFD. I am excited to use the new generation Zen Rescue PFD as it is slightly smaller in design, but with all the great details. I will write a review as soon on the new Zen. If you are a larger paddler, this is a great deal on a rescue PFD.

Devo

Originally posted at

2017-11-26T19:00:01

We use the Zen Resque PFD at work and in our swift water resque training. I bought this one for personal use. Good storage, comfortable, and not bulky. While working I kind of forget I'm wearing it until I need something from a storage pouch, or the floatation. I don't use the plastic square attachment bracket for my knife. It puts the knife in an ackward place. Knife, or EMT siccors on a lanyard in the top pocket works well for me.

Craig

Originally posted at

2017-10-25T20:00:00

Brought me up quickly when I got bit by holes while IKing the Colorado on a recent 18 day trip in the GC.

Goldy S.

Originally posted at

2017-07-05T20:00:00

We looked at all of the major manufacturer's vests before we decided on a pair of these. We recently completed our level IV Swift Water Rescue training, and decided to upgrade our vest to rescue vests. Our instructors recommended Astral Green Vest, which I had the opportunity to use during our course, and have a price tag of around $300.00 After trying on a few other vest at a local white water retailer, we decided to go with the NRS Zen Rescue PFD. It has all of the rescue features needed for a river adventure, while at the same time offering more comfort and mobility than the Astral. It has a large front zipper pouch for extra storage, and also a hand warmer compartment with an additional mesh organizer to allow extra rescue equipment such as prusik and locking carabiner. We also like that the quick release is located in the front center of the vest rather than along the side. The quick release on the tether keeper is another nice feature. We have used these vests on a number of day trips, and a couple of 3 day river trips on the New River in VA. They are comfortable, and the side entry makes is easy to get in and out of.

Rick S.

Originally posted at

2017-05-17T20:00:00

All the features you need without getting gimmicky. As a guide, I love it's simplicity, with focus on function. Other PFDs have too many pockets, too much time wasted fumbling for unnecessary bells and whistles!

Nico g.

Originally posted at

2017-01-14T19:00:01

This NRS Zen PFD is good comfortable, not really bulky good flotation. i really like the hand warmer way they made Great to have one .

Bishnu G.

Originally posted at

2016-11-18T19:00:01

I typically boat close to 12 months a year, and this has been a great jacket. The hand warmer pocket is key, and the additional inner pocket is a great place to keep my frame wrench. It provides great range of movement for boating, and swimming as well. If I had one thing to change, I would turn the knife tab at an angle, since I prefer to pull down and to the right to get my knife out. Still love this jacket, and just replaced my old one with the same model!

Matt M.

Originally posted at

2016-10-11T20:00:01

Good flotation, quality materials and workmanship, rugged and durable design. However, it has some obvious flaws needing work. The most glaring being a very poorly located and unsupported knife attachment point. The weight of the knife causes the fabric to droop and hang away from the vest - literally flopping around. Using anything other than a very short bladed and short handled knife in a vertical orientation is not recommended. Even the tiny CRKT Bear Claw seems too big for this vest based on how it flops around - a Benchmade rescue hook was the only tool I would want to put on with any assurance of it likely to always be there when needed. Putting anything of volume in the pocket pushes the knife way out due to its placement and invites snags and loss because it is extending the knife out at the widest point of the body (right on the outside of the thickest flotation section). I changed to the Kokatat Maximus due to its features and best-in-class knife storage. The other area needing attention is that the vest is quite heavy and inflexible compared to others in this class from Astral and Kokatat and is therefore more tiresome to use because it resists the normal paddling motion (torso rotation and forward and back torso lean) when properly snugged up. Astral and Kokatat have both cracked the code on anatomic vest flex with their layered 'plate' approach. As said before, this is a rugged and well made vest, but it has some areas that would benefit from attention.

River R.

Originally posted at

2016-09-26T20:00:01

Very comfortable, I like that it isn't too bulky. Overall I really like it. The only negative comments I have are on the drainage system, and then only because people point it out to me (typically while laughing :P ). There are three little holes where the water comes out when you swim (or roll, or anything to submerge said pfd). Once out of the water they form three obvious streams from the front of the pfd (my friends are now referring to them as udders). Great life jacket, great price, overall good deal.

Ann

Originally posted at

2016-09-05T20:00:01

The pfd fits amazing. It's very comfortable and low profile when you have it on. But once you start paddling the front is quite thick and gets in the way.

Paddler

Originally posted at

2016-04-16T20:00:01

There are no perfect Rescue PFDs on the market that suit all hard and soft boaters, I did not expect too much when ordering but I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived This Zen Rescue PFD is good value for money and worth what I paid, it is well made. I attach my knife to left shoulder strap, handle down, so its easy access with one hand if I need it fast, so that lash tab on pocket is irrelevant. My whistle attaches low on right shoulder strap for immediate access, so the flimsy plastic spiral clip in the pocket is irrelevant. Because the Quick release buckle is on the front of the PFD, the pocket cant be any bigger, but it is still a workable size. All the straps are very long, I am a solid build, or as my tailor stated "Stout", so I think the straps are longer than they need to be, this will annoy me too much so I will be trimming the straps and resewing the ends. If you are between sizes or at lower end of a size then order the next size down. Fleece "pocket" should be lined on both sides to be effective, otherwise to get same effect I can just put my hands between my PFD and my drytop to get fingers out of the wind. Good value for money. I also purchased a cow tail for this PFD.

Whitewater C.

Originally posted at

2015-08-15T20:00:00

good fit. easy movement. side buckles a little hard to reach. should come with cow tail.

will

Originally posted at

2015-07-12T20:00:00

Fits well and has plenty of adjustments to make it very snug as you need it to be. Has a nice little stretchy lanyard in the chest pocket that a whistle connects to which is very convenient. Good PFD I am happy after it's first trip of 7 days on the Salmon River.

Justin

Originally posted at

2015-05-07T20:00:00

just ran the river this weekend and got to use my new Zen pfd. very cumfy fit nice and snug. was behind the pattles all day and was well pleased with the jacket. felt safe almost forgot I was wearing it. would recomend this to any serious paddler.

ekrostik

Originally posted at

2014-11-01T20:00:01

Very comfortable, fits well and stays in place. Replaced my astral green vest. A great replacement I like that the quick release is in front and not on the side were it bumps your hand. I wish it had as many pockets as the green vest. I bought the L/XL and feel like I could have gone down in size but will like the extra room in the winter when I have a dry suit and multiple layers. Used it for multiple WW rescues - worked well

mbh

Originally posted at

2014-09-09T20:00:01

I really have loved my ZEN PFD. Non-restrictive with great buoyancy and a small footprint design on the front. The biggest problem I have is not the buckles on the shoulder straps that I've heard complaints about, but it is the knife holder. It is located on the floppy front pocket. ??? I have a rather heavy Gerber kayak knife with plastic sheath and it sags the entire pouch down. I am afraid I am going to rip the front pocket off if I ever had to quickly pull my knife out of its holder that is clipped to the lash tab. When rolling, I have also felt my dry top catch the knife handle during my roll. This wouldn't happen if there was a fixed semi-hard spot for the lash tab to located. Really dumb idea. Everything else is great.

RiverSasquatch

Originally posted at

2014-08-17T20:00:01

I like this Life jacket, nice look, good fitting, nice accessories, but the trouble it's the too thick padding on the chest. it harms the movement

Pthibeault

Originally posted at

2014-07-06T20:00:00

True to Size PFD is quite comfortable to wear for extended periods of time and the fleece hand pocket is a nice touch. Have worn the product several times now and the amount of bouyancy provided feels more than adequate and appears comparable to other Type III/V PFDs with similar purpose. My two recomendations to make this product better would be to add a second knife lash tab, or move the leash for a whistle outside of the zippered pocket, that way you do not need to leave the pocket open if you wish to access the whistle. It could also benefit from a tiny bit more reflective fabric, maybe just two bands horizontally wrapped around the back shoulder straps would do. Besides those tiny nitpicky complaints, this vest if awesome, I am glad I purchased this and saved probably 40-50 dollars over an Astral which has less flotation.

Dean

Originally posted at

2014-06-06T20:00:01

I've been kayaking for 20 years and have used life jackets of nearly every available brand and model. However, I've never used a jacket that fit so well, performed to sych a high standard, and cost so little. If you're looking for a pfd, look no further. It literally gets no better.

Isaiah g.

Originally posted at

2014-05-28T20:00:01

I love this vest. I use it for white water kayaking and do some raft guiding with it. It adjusts really well and fits true to size. The only problem I have with it is that I have broken two knives off of it. The knife wiggles around because it is connected to the pouch, so it catches on the side of rafts when your pulling yourself in. I ended up connecting my knife to the shoulder strap and I haven't had any problems since. If your not using it for rafting then you will be fine!

Benji

Originally posted at

2014-05-13T20:00:00

I'm a guide on the ocoee and it's perfect for what I do. Comfortable all day long, and allows for a huge range of motion. I love the hand warmers.

Alex

Originally posted at

2014-04-07T20:00:00

I use this as a whitewater vest. I am a big guy XXL. I have been kayaking and raft-guiding a long time, since the late 70's. Lately I mostly paddle class 2-3-4 in an IK. I have been through many PFD's and over the years and I have been on and off about the rescue vests. I have usually had current swiftwater rescue 1 but anymore I dont keep it current as a semi retired private boater. The rescue vests are usually heavier and hotter, but seem to be a bit more durable overall. This vest is extremely comfortable, and not overly heavy for a rescue vest. It has super adjustment features and I particularily like the adjustable shoulder straps. It has so many features I cant list it all but some ones I have noticed are whistle attachment and knife attachement are both right on placement wise. The side-buckles seemed a little weird at first but after 1 day I was used to them and they work fine. Took a little dip down on Pilar Racecourse last Saturday goofing around on sleeping beauty, and The vest stayed in place well during this class 2 swim. It seems kind of bulky when you look at it in the store, but its not that way at all when worn. Overall imho, this is the best vest of this type you can get right now. I tried on Astral, kokotat, Stohlquist, and another NRS PFD, the bigwater guide, and several other non-rescue vests and decided this vest was definately worth the extra bit of money. If the red looks pink to you on the NRS website you are not alone. I hoped when it said red it meant red and it is red, not pink at all.

PhilBob

Originally posted at

2014-02-03T19:00:01

I love this jacket! Great design for whitewater kayaking and rafting. Like that there aren't buckles on the shoulders, making it more comfortable carrying kayaks. Also love the size of the storage pocket...big enough for some rescue gear and a bottle of sunscreen! Only issue that I have is that the smallest size is still too big! I am a 5'8" female that weighs 160 lbs and it still doesn't cinch tight enough. Need an XS/S! Also, the strap for the tow strap carabiner slips through the buckle...I was told that the material has been changed and it no longer slips.

Lauren

Originally posted at

2013-12-28T19:00:00

I purchased three different Type V 'Rescue' PFD's so I could compare features and fit. This one has the right balance of fit, comfort and features. It also happens to be the cheapest of the three. Curiously, it has several design features that are built in that do not have an explanation in the owners manual. The NRS Co-Pilot knife fits the lash-tab on the front of the PFD perfectly.

WilliamP

Originally posted at

2013-10-15T20:00:00

I really like the pockets and the adjustablitiy.

Mamba's r.

Originally posted at

2013-09-24T20:00:00

Awesome Vest. Hardly realize that it is there.

Mad D.

Originally posted at

2013-08-27T20:00:01

I have been shopping for a new rescue PFD for over a year, but have been struggling to find a low profile vest that meets all my expectations. I loved this vest with its' design, storage, and cut. Sadly though, the S/M sizing is too big and I'm a 5'9" 155lb female, which is an average size for a female, but regardless the vest doesn't fit snug. Hoping NRS will make a size XS/S :0)

Female B.

Originally posted at

2013-08-01T20:00:01

I've used the Zen for SUP and rafting, with plans to also use it in my sea kayak later in the month. This is a solid rescue vest that's very comfortable to wear all day.

sleepygoat

Originally posted at