Astral layla womens pfd canada

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Product Details

Astral's women's-only designed PFD, the Layla, is the vest curvy women crave. Princess seams, super soft organic kapok, PVC-Free foam and sculpted front panels combine to produce a comfortable, low-profile life jacket for busty boaters.

• The women specific architecture with multi-panel princess hinge design and the internally sculpted bust cup makes the Layla a women-boater's favorite.
• Centrally placed, organic kapok panel is not only super soft, but provides comfortable coverage and fit for a wide range of bust sizes.
• A large secure front pocket with an internal divider and carabiner loop keeps essentials close at hand.
• Designed to be compatible with a quick-release belt, turns your recreational PFD into a rescue device. (Quick-release belt sold separately.)
• 3/4 front entry zipper for easy entry and exit.
• The Layla uses a combination of organic kapok, PVC-Free Gaia® and PE foam for comfortable, earth-friendly flotation.
• This jacket carries the US Coast Guard Certification, through testing by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• For those of you who fondly remember the Lotus Designs Lola life jacket, be aware that the Layla is Lola's daughter, with improved design features.

Specs

Sizing

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Astral Layla Lifejacket

Astral introduced this style of PFD almost 20 years ago, and we’ve found that no other design conforms to a curvy woman’s body better. The hinged  princess seams, boob cups, and super soft organic kapok create a special  fit that women crave.

Technical details

• Intended Use: Whitewater / Sea / Tour / SUP
• Entry: ¼ zip
• Foam Insert: Organic Kapok, PVC Free Gaia®& PE Foam
• Shell Fabric: 200 x 400 Denier Ripstop Nylon
• Liner Fabric: 200 Denier High Tenacity Nylon
• Webbing: Polypro

• Zipper: YKK® Self Locking Vislon Teeth
• Hardware: Heavy Duty Acetal
• Weight: 1.76 lbs / 28 oz / 800 gr – S/M 1.84 lbs / 29 oz / 830 gr – L/XL
• Sizing: S/M = 31-37” M/L = 38-44” L/XL = 45-51”
• Design Buoyancy: 16.3lbs
• Approval Type: USCG Type III

A highly adaptable, secure, and super comfortable women's PFD with great sizing options

Credit: Astral

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Price:  $165 List | $165.00 at REI
Compare prices at 2 resellers

Pros:  Very adjustable, great fit, comfortable, good sizing options, moves well, compatible with rescue harness

Cons:  Not cheap, full coverage can be hot, runs a bit large

Manufacturer:   Astral

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81

OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#2 of 16

• Flotation - 25% 7.0

• Fit - 25% 8.0

• Comfort and Mobility - 20% 8.0

• Quality of Construction - 15% 9.0

• Features and Versatility - 15% 9.0

Our Verdict

Against some stiff competition the Astral Layla is our favorite choice for a women's-specific PFD. Impressively it is available in four sizes and sports three adjustable side straps, so finding precisely the right fit over whatever bust you have is easier than ever. With stretchy articulated panels, quality seam stitching, a decent-sized pocket, and the option to add a rescue harness, we had a hard time finding much we didn't like about this flotation device. Ready to move along with whatever aquatic adventure you're after, our testers unanimously love this super adaptable vest.

Compare to Similar Products

	This Product Astral Layla	Astral E-Ronny	Stohlquist Flo	Stohlquist Spectrum	NRS Vapor
Awards
Price	$165.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers	$135.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers	$99.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers	$100 List Check Price at Amazon	$94.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score	81	83	75	72	67
Star Rating	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Pros	Very adjustable, great fit, comfortable, good sizing options, moves well, compatible with rescue harness	Comfortable articulated fit, multiple pockets, thin ventilating back	Soft straps, secure fit, good mobility for paddling, decent breathability	Universal size, easy to use, comfortable back, versatile	Great mobility, stays put, durable
Cons	Not cheap, full coverage can be hot, runs a bit large	No bottom security buckle, can ride up	Bulky high back panel, pockets only have snap button closure, doesn't go large enough for all users	A bit bulky for smaller people, mediocre durability, stiff, full coverage is hot	No pockets, a bit long, full coverage is less breathable
Bottom Line	A highly adaptable, secure, and super comfortable women's PFD with great sizing options	With a comfortable slimline profile and high functionality, this well-designed PFD was an all-around favorite	A comfortable PFD that does not feel as bulky as it looks but has some size limitations	A versatile, general-use vest that is good enough to get you out on the water safely and without discomfort	A simple, comfortable paddle vest that stays in place and provides a great value
Rating Categories	Astral Layla	Astral E-Ronny	Stohlquist Flo	Stohlquist Spectrum	NRS Vapor
Flotation (25%)	7.0	7.0	6.0	7.0	6.0
Fit (25%)	8.0	8.0	8.0	7.0	7.0
Comfort and Mobility (20%)	8.0	9.0	8.0	8.0	8.0
Quality of Construction (15%)	9.0	9.0	8.0	7.0	7.0
Features and Versatility (15%)	9.0	9.0	8.0	7.0	5.0
Specs	Astral Layla	Astral E-Ronny	Stohlquist Flo	Stohlquist Spectrum	NRS Vapor
Intended User	Women's	Mens/Unisex	Women's	Unisex	Unisex
Intended Use	Whitewater, sea paddling, touring, SUP, sailing	Recreational, touring, fishing	Canoeing, kayaking, sailing	Canoeing, kayaking, sailing	Paddling
Entry Style	Pull over; side entry, off-center 3/4 zip and bottom clip	Front zip	Front, center zip	Front, center zip	Pull over; side entry,1 side clip
Wear Type	Vest	Vest	Vest	Vest	Vest
Sizes Available	XS/S (27-31") S/M (31-37") M/L (38-44") L/XL (45-51")	S/M (31-37”) M/L (38-44”) L/XL (45-51”)	XS/S (28-34") M/L (34-40") PLUS (40-46")	Universal (30-52")	XS/M (30-42") L/XL (42-52") XL/XXL (50-56")
Size We Tested	M/L (38-44”)	M/L (38-44”)	M/L (34-40")	Universal (30-52")	XS/M (30-42")
Measured Weight	28oz	16 oz	21 oz	18 oz	28 oz
Foam Type	Kapok fiber front, PVC-free PE foam back	Gaia PVC-free foam	PVC-free, PE foam	PE foam	Soft foam
Main Material	200 x 400D ripstop nylon shell, 200D nylon liner	300D diamond RPET	240D ripstop nylon shell, 200D nylon liner	240D ripstop nylon shell, 200D oxford liner	400D urethane-coated ripstop nylon shell, 200D nylon liner
Claimed Designed Buoyancy	16.3 lbs	16 lbs	16.1lbs	16.5 lbs	16.3 lbs
USCG Classification	Type III	Type III / performance level 70	Type III / performance level 70	Type III	Type III

Show full specification detailsHide full specification details

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Layla is a women's specific PFD with an impressive four available sizes. It's a full coverage type III jacket with Kapok fiber front panels covered in a 200 x 400D ripstop nylon shell with a 200D nylon liner.

Performance Comparison

The Layla's sculpted panels allow ample freedom of movement for paddling

Credit: Sara James

Flotation

The Layla is designed to deliver 16.3 pounds of flotation, surpassing requirements for US Coast Guard certification as a Type III PFD.

The foam on this PFD is distributed evenly across the vest delivering a secure and comfortable float. Our most serious white water sisters wished that the Layla offered as much flotation as its cousin, the Green Jacket, but this jacket is not quite designed for the Class V kayaker.

The Layla's even foam distribution delivers a comfortable floating experience.

Credit: Sara James

Fit

The Layla comes in four sizes, the most of any model we tested, while still covering roughly the same size range. This allows you to get a better fit from the get-go rather than trying to squeeze folks of all shapes and sizes into a single size of PFD.

To get the best fit, the Layla has not two but three adjustable straps across the sides, helping you tailor the fit to your specific body shape. Underneath those straps and buckles is a panel of mesh that keeps the straps from rubbing against bare skin. If all that isn't enough, the front panels are joined by a slightly stretchy mesh, helping you get a secure fit without compromising your breathing ability. An overall narrower top also leaves plenty of room for those with smaller shoulders to easily paddle all day without any rubbing or chafing.

Not your normal two side straps, the Layla has three adjustable side straps to adapt to whatever shape you are.

Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Comfort and Mobility

While many full-coverage life jackets tend to be stiff and ill-fitting for curvy women, this is not the case with the Layla. The "princess" cut includes seams in helpful spots that allow the vest to easily wrap around the torso. The front panels are made of Kapok fibers, making them more flexible and softer than standard foam panels. The top section is also significantly thinner than the bottom, which leaves room for breasts rather than squeezing them outward into the armpits like so many others.

With a full-coverage back and mesh panels on the sides, the Layla does lose some breathability. Despite this drawback, we think the full-coverage back is well worth it, as our shorter female testers regularly found that seatbacks are too high for a half-back option to clear. The full-back spreads out the padding, so it's not too thick and offers comfortable support for leaning against a backrest. We found that the Layla runs slightly large, as our main tester with a 35-inch chest circumference was tightening the S/M (designed for 31 to 37 inches) nearly all the way to get the perfect fit. It's not as large as many of the others we tested, though, and over a shirt or paddle jacket, we think this isn't noticeable. All our testers loved wearing this jacket, no matter what size or shape, because it is adaptable to a range of bodies.

The foam panels are designed to contour around your body providing a snug comfortable fit.

Credit: Sara James

The secure fit of the Layla helps keep the jacket in place, whether wet or dry. Additionally, because it's easier to find the right one of four possible sizes, the straps aren't excessively long. The Layla also has large, easy-to-use containment loops for the tails of the shoulder straps to keep them away from the face. We had no problems paddling, jumping into the water, swimming around, and wearing this PFD all day without feeling like it was restricting movement or needing to readjust it.

With plenty of flotation, a secure fit, and plenty of range of movement, the Layla is a perfect white water PFD for the budding river enthusiast.

Credit: Sara James

Quality of Construction

With a 200 x 400D ripstop nylon shell and a 200D nylon liner, the Layla is beefier than the average life jacket we tested. As a result, we had no issues with the durability of this vest during our several months of testing. Beyond quality materials and solid construction, one of the most impressive aspects of its longevity is in the Kapok front panels. Unlike the standard foam panels in the vast majority of PFDs that, if punctured, must be completely replaced, Kapok can be patched. The Layla comes with directions for drying, sealing, and patching a puncture, as well as a guarantee that Astral themselves will fix it if preferred. While the likelihood of puncturing your PFD is low, it's nice to know that if it happens to the Layla, you won't have to purchase a whole new vest. At the time of this writing, Astral also guarantees their work with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty.

Overall, we're quite impressed with the construction and durability of the Layla. We had no issues with ours and couldn't find anyone else online complaining about theirs breaking down prematurely either.

Comparing the interiors of the women's Astral Layla (left) to the unisex Astral V-Eight (right).

Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Features and Versatility

Astral advertises this jacket for all types of paddling, from whitewater rafting to kayak touring and SUPing. Not only do we think this is spot on, but thanks to its quick release harness capability, it can be upgraded to support rescue scenarios. On the other end, we love the comfort of the Layla so much that we're happy wearing this jacket on a speedboat. We could even imagine wearing it while standing in the river fly fishing. Furthermore, it has some handy features and pockets that make it really useful. The front pocket top unclips and flips open to reveal two inner pockets and a bungee loop to help keep you organized. Behind this pocket, there's also a hand warmer pouch, and a knife tab is on the left panel.

The opportunity to add a rescue harness is not only convenient for avid white water lovers but is a testament to the level of design inherent in this PFD. Although it's comfortable enough for leisurely days on a boat, it also can be rigged and ready for Class IV whitewater.

A medium size pocket, a spot to attach your knife, and a spot for your quick-release rescue belt makes this jacket ready for whatever aquatic adventure you want to jump into.

Credit: Trevor Croft

While we like and appreciate the features of the Layla, there is one area where we feel the vest isn't living up to its potential. Due in part to the cut, the front pocket and handwarmer pouches are narrow, and it's difficult to fit a large smartphone in the pocket and clip it shut. To use the handwarmer pouch, you have to stack your hands on top of one another. The whole vest also weighs 26 ounces, which is a bit heavy compared to other models we tested. Regardless, we don't really feel like we could tell much of a difference in weight when wearing any given vest, so we don't count the weight against it too much.

When you are on the water, you are not likely to notice the extra weight of the Layla PFD.

Credit: Sara James

Value

The bad news is that this excellent life jacket is one of the more expensive options we tested — although, according to our testers, the comfort and performance are well worth the extra money. Additionally, white water enthusiasts may find that this one PFD can suit their playboating and creek boating needs, saving them money over owning two PFDs.

Conclusion

We feel like we can't say enough good things about the Astral Layla. While there are many "women's specific" PFDs available, none of the ones we tested came close to the comfort and adaptability we found in the Layla. For those who've been dying to find a life jacket they're actually willing to wear all day, we believe that the Layla is the answer.

The Astral Layla is available in some attractive colors, designed to inspire your stoke and love for the river.

Credit: Regina Nicolardi

— Sara James and Maggie Nichols