Battling with the sea or rivers is a difficult enough task without being compounded by feeling like Michelin Man. Whether you’re a sailor or a paddler, mobility is a must and after years of unyielding buoyancy aids, the Astral Newton Playvest is a shift in the paradigm. The sculpted foam is cut so that when you lean forward to unhinge yourself from a tricky situation this vest won’t get in the way. The ‘Stretch Stop Webbing’ is continuous from waist over shoulders which provides great strength in the event that you need to be dragged out of the water. There are also neoprene hand warmers behind the front foam plate, essential for keeping all those digits in place on long cold excursions and a large, hidden zippered pocket at the front that is easy to reach and protected by foam. The Astral Newton Playvest has a buoyancy of 50 newtons and is the answer to the bulky low-riding playvests of the past. Available from www.i-canoe.com.
