NRSOdyssey Lifejacket (PFD)

I tried several different PFD's before finally choosing the NRS Odyssey. I sail and race Hobie catamarans in all conditions, and wanted 1 PFD for racing and recreational use.2 important features for MY sailing PFD:1. - a full thin back. Many nice PFD's are designed with a thick short block of floatation on the back - it is designed to ride above the back of a kayak seat. These may not work well for small boat sailing. That thicker back floatation block catches on the boom as you crawl under. The full "thin back" design is much more streamlined and smoother for crawling under the boom.2. Pockets - I carry a VHF radio in my PFD, plus lip balm, whistle, an energy bar, a spare watch, and sometimes a knife. You need pockets for that. The NRS Odyssey has pockets designed to hold a radio (or phone), plus plenty of pockets with room for anything else I might need.I also like my PFD to have a center zip - not a pullover or side zip. Center zip is easier to ventilate on hot days. The Odyssey also has a bottom clip, so I can unzip the PFD safely on light air days. Also, the zipper "indentation" makes it easier to find my trapeze hook. Center zip PFD's have better pockets too.The NRS Odyssey is very comfy to wear, does not restricting sailing movements - such as sitting, crawling, or squatting. My upper arms don't get chaffed from rubbing around the arm holes while running the mainsheet. The foam pieces are all tapered to lessen the thickness at the corners - a nice touch. The thin smooth back makes it comfy to lay down on the tramp between races too. Fabric is ripstop which should increase durability. A bonus nicety - there are slots to store the ends of your shoulder straps - no more straps flapping in your face.The NRS Odyssey may seem expensive, but my last PFD lasted more than 10 years of heavy use. A less expensive PFD will still float you just fine, but I don't think with as much comfort or convenience.

Hopefully, I'll never have to actually see if this PFD works. I use it when I'm out kayak fishing. Pockets are good size, zipper works good, overall a good fit. Only thing I woud change would be to remove the padding on the back, it can become uncomfortable after a few hours of fishing and sitting.

Comfy and pockets

I was looking for a life jacket when sailing hobiecat.This is perfect. One pocket for a radio (iCom size), one pocket for cell phone (iPhone pro fits), Car keys.No mesh in the back. Highly recommended.

I kayak just about every weekend. I'm currently trying to kayak every lake in Nebraska. I've kayaked over 120 lakes in the last 3 years. (On YouTube STONE KAYAKING.) Anyway I do a lot of kayaking and this life jacket is so darn comfy I often forget I'm wearing it. It has tons of pockets for stuff and it fits true to size. The long back on it is perfect for my seat in my kayak. I no longer have to keep pulling it down. Knock on wood I haven't had to test this PFD. I'm pretty sure it will do it's job. Wear it..it will save your life and make your adventures more enjoyable.

I was impressed initially, but while wearing it, if wasn't the easiest to get around in, and the foam dented to be really thick in the front and made doing several tasks much harder to do.Overall, a nice looking pretty that feels sturdy, just not the best wearing when on the boat

I am a member of a volunteer team of rescue divers and swiftwater rescue technicians. This PFD is perfect for one of the roles I have on our team. Our divers are tethered to a person on shore (Shore Support) with a safety line/communications line. As a shore support member, I have a communication link to the diver and to our on scene team lead and this PFD has the perfect amount of pockets to store a radio, emergency cutting gear and is a perfect fit for long operations.

This product is great, doesn’t ride up while in kayak or raft. Durable materials, definitely worth it for a NRS jacket.