Float Baby Float...... (Gul Impact Vest 50N Buoyancy Aid)

Member Name: mythdata

Product:	Gul Impact Vest 50N Buoyancy Aid
Date:	27/11/08 (332 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very well made to increase life vests life span, very cheaply priced...

Disadvantages: A little bit bulky to wear at first.....

INTRODUCTION

One of my hobbies is ocean kayaking, I try to do it as often as possible providing the weather is good enough, although at this time of year the Kayaks collect dust in the garage as it is far to cold to paddle around in the ice cold sea.

When I actually get around to the ocean kayaking I am always very safety conscious, as you hear so many horror stories about people being killed in the sea, so I am always sure to wear a life vest at all times, even if I am on a lake or in the sea I will never take any unnecessary risks.

Here I am reviewing the Gul four buckle 50N buoyancy aid, as I feel the life vest is something that is overlooked when taking up any type of water sport. I have tried many different buoyancy aids but this Gul one, seems to be the best that I have tried to date.

THE BUOYANCY AID

Unlike many life jackets this 50N Gul model caters for every water sport possible, it is designed to protect from the cold, help you float and potentially save the life of any wearer.

This can be worn for a number of sports including Kayaking, jet skiing, wake boarding and even water skiing as it is made perfectly to fit you without limiting your manoeuvrability or restricting you in any way.

This jacket is aimed at beginners and water sport enthusiasts, so it is an all round life vest that seems to be very popular among everyone interested in the sports. I am not sure if it is the brand that appeals to most but it certainly does the job.

I found the jacket to be very bulky at first and it felt very hard making is very uncomfortable to wear, but as the time went on and it got wet it seemed to mould to my body shape making it very comfortable to wear, it also flattened out so now it is like wearing a jumper and does not feel like you are wearing twelve jumpers.

Not only has this now become very slim line but it also has a great buoyancy feature that will keep you a float if you fall into the water. I have done this on many occasions and I have not drowned as of yet, so it really works.

FEATURES

The actual buoyancy aid has many features that really appealed to me when I was buying it, the outer jacket is covered in a shell nylon type material that is anti rip so it is very hard wearing and as the material is very light it will dry out and clean up easily, which is great as you cant help but get wet and very dirty at times.

The buoyancy aid itself is made up of six layers of 5mm PE foam, this is the part that makes you float if needed, not only that but it also gives the jacket the spongy feel making it very comfortable to wear.

The jacket is fastened from the front by four adjustable straps that a fasten together by plastic buckles, these straps are made from a heavy duty webbing similar to a dog lead, so they will never snap of break.

This life vest is very well made and will last years so I am positive that this is very good value for money.

For those of you that are interested in the Gul name, there are the legendary Gul logos on the chest and at the back of the neck.

AVAILABLITY

This Gul buoyancy aid comes in various colours, usually they are black with sections of the buoyancy panels being more vibrant. My jackets are blue and black and the other is red and black, I have never seen these in one colour but if you do get washed off your kayak then you will be spotted as they are fairly bright.

When I got mine I bought it from the Gunwarf Quays in Portsmouth and it cost me 34.99 for each jacket, I was very impressed with the price as these retailed at 60.00 each at the time.

We have had our jackets for two years now and they are still in prefect condition, but as these are the older versions they are now slightly cheaper than I paid for them, you can expect to pay 22.50 for children's and 25.00 for adults, which is very reasonable. Yes the design maybe a little out of date but if you are not into fashion status then this will be perfect.

I have looked online and you can still buy these same jackets from the website www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk for the prices above, but this does not include postage costs of 5.95.

SIZING

When it comes to buying a buoyancy aid sizing is very important, you have to make sure it fits perfectly to get all of the benefits, if you buy one that is to big it will not keep you afloat and if it is to small it will restrict your movements, so it is crucial that they fit you.

These are the sizes that are available in the Gul 50N make.

CHILDREN & JUNIORS are a 30-34 inch chest and ideal for anyone between 30-40kg in weight.

SMALL are a 34-38 inch chest and ideal for anyone between 40-60kg in weight.

MEDIUM are a 38-42 inch chest and ideal for anyone between 60-70kg in weight.

LARGE are a 42-46 inch chest and ideal for anyone between 70+kg in weight.

XLARGE are a 46-50 inch chest and ideal for anyone between 70+kg in weight.

Remember it is important that your vest can take your weight so if you are in between sizes always buy the slightly bigger one, if you are heavier than the recommended weight for that certain jacket you will not say a float for very long at all.

MY OPINION

As far as life vests go I have found this to best the best one that I have had so far, it seems to have lasted longer than previous ones and I love that it does not restrict my movements in any way.

The only thing that would put me off buying another is the fact that they are bulky at first, but I would not let to put me off I would just soak it in water a few times until it softened up.

For the price I have found this to be an outstanding buy, as some buoyancy aids can be very expensive.

I would have no problem falling into the water with this on, as I am 100% confident that it would help save my life, I can swim but some times if the water is so cold it is just not possible so this would keep me a float and my top half insulated slightly until help arrived if I ever needed it.

As I have said this is very well made and I am sure it will last me another few years before having to replace it.

Summary: I would never enter the water without one, my little life saver.