I do a lot of paddling and up until last year I used a regular life jacket for my kayaking trips.
The PFD that I was using was comfortable to wear, easy to move in and breathable. I used it for a long time and can’t say I was unhappy with it.
However I was finding that for longer kayaking trips the back of my PFD would get in the way of my high-back kayak seat and consequently I was not as comfortable as I would like to be.
I decided to explore my options. I have a friend who has one of the Onyx manual PFD’s and I liked the way it fit.
Not only did it not get in the way of my kayak seat, it also provided great range of motion.
I also liked that it was so lightweight and because it is not as big and bulky as a regular life vest, it felt great wearing it even in extreme heat. I definitely did not sweat as much with this PFD on.
I decided I wanted one but I wanted one that inflates automatically if I am submerged in water as opposed to a manual one like hers where you have to pull the tab in order for it to inflate.
I settled on the Onyx A/M-24 Deluxe PFD and after about a year and a half of regular use I couldn’t be happier with it. I decided it was time to give this life jacket a proper review.
Onyx PFD Main Features
The Onxy A/M-24 has some really great features that I personally think make it stand-out from a few other similar models on the market.
Automatic Inflation
You can buy this type of life vest with either a manual pull tab or with automatic inflation.
I really wanted one that would inflate automatically if I am submerged in water. There are pros and cons to both but for me the automatic one made since.
I do a lot of ocean kayaking. If I should capsize and I am a long ways from shore I would like to know that my PFD is going to inflate automatically no matter what condition I am in.
If you hit your head or get caught up in your kayak or boat as you capsize, it can be extremely stressful and scary. If you lose consciousness it may be impossible to pull the tab.
If you are boating with kids, dogs or others you will want to be able to help them quickly as opposed to dealing with getting your PFD to inflate.
For this reason I really wanted the added safety of a lifejacket that automatically inflates.
The nice thing about the Onxy A/M Deluxe PFD is that not only does it automatically inflate upon immersion in water but you can also pull the tab at any point even when not in water to inflate it manually.
It is also equipped with back-up oral inflation. So if anything goes wrong you can always manually inflate it yourself by blowing air into the tube.
Comfort & Fit
This vest is one size fits all and has a large adjustable range. I’m not very big so I was a little nervous when I bought it online that it would fit me properly.
Turns out the adjustable range is excellent. I find it extremely comfortable to wear. Not only does it fit me well but my boyfriend who is quite a bit larger than I am has borrowed it several times and he is easily able to adjust it for his fit as well.
The write-up for this life jacket says you won’t even know you have it on. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, you can feel it and you know it’s there but I give it total props because compared to most other PFD’s it is lightweight, low profile and does not get in the way at all.
It fits well on both males and females and on all body types. It has a soft neoprene neckline that feels really nice even when hot and sweaty. I haven’t noticed any scratching or weird pressure points. The overall comfort level is excellent.
The inside front panels as well as the inside back section and waist straps are padded air mesh. The padding provides extra comfort and the air mesh allows your skin to breathe.
It has very large armholes so you still have complete range of motion as well as a stretchy flex-back insert for added comfort.
For this reason it is ideal not only for kayaking but also for stand-up paddling, fishing and any type of boating.
There is one adjustable front clip that secures the vest in place.
Visible & Durable
The Onyx A/M-24 Deluxe is black and grey with some brighter yellow sections on the front the back and around the trims. To be honest I am not that fond of the colors and would have loved some other options. However as far as I know this is the only color choice if you want the side pockets, which I did.
There is also some reflective piping on the front and back that is not that noticeable in daylight but in the evening I found it definitely helped with keeping me visible.
I would suggest clipping either a flashlight or a red beacon to the vest for increased visibility if you will be doing some longer journeys or night paddling.
Overall the vest feels extremely durable. Over the past year and a half I have worn mine a LOT and I have also let friends use it and it still looks completely brand new. It truly doesn’t have a mark, scratch or tear anywhere on it.
The heavy-duty 420-denier nylon ripstop fabric is supposedly resistant to tears and punctures. I feel quite confident that this life vest will last for a very very long time.
D-ring Attachment
There is one side D-ring attachment that can be used to clip any type of gear or your paddle leash.
It is also ideal for securing a flashlight, whistle or other safety items.
Side Zippered Pockets
One of the reasons I chose this particular vest is because it has two side zippered pockets.
The pockets might not seem necessary if you normally bring out a dry bag with you when kayaking but from previous experience I knew that I would use these pockets all the time. They are so handy and I love that this vest has two of them.
Both pockets are padded and have fleece lining so they are ideal for storing your sunglasses, your phone, a camera, snacks, keys or any other small item that you would like to have handy and within reach.
The pocket on the right side is slightly smaller and about the perfect size for a pair of sunglasses.
The pocket on the left side is a bit larger and will hold a waterproof camera, phone or a spare CO2 cartridge.
They both zip closed and the heavy-duty nylon fabric will keep splashes of water and light rain out… however be aware these pockets are not waterproof if completely submerged.
Other Important Info
Other important information that you need to know:
- It is best suited for persons 16 years or over. The person wearing this PFD should be over 80 lbs.
- It is not recommended for non-swimmers or weak swimmers. If swimming is an issue for you it is wise to stick to a regular life jacket.
- It has a minimum buoyancy of 22.5 lbs. when inflated.
- The CO2 cartridge will need to be replaced after it is used for inflation. You will need to buy the Onyx A/M-24 Rearming Kit #1352 for this.
- It is U.S. Coast Guard approved type V life jacket / personal flotation device (PFD) with Type III performance.
What Are The Cons?
I have recommended this PFD to many friends and I haven’t heard any negative reviews. However below is some information to be aware of in order to make an informed choice if this vest is right for you.
1. The first thing worth noting is that the price tag for an automatic PFD is higher than for a similar type manual PFD. For this life vest it is even higher because it is the deluxe version with the added side pockets.
That being said Amazon often has it on sale for what I think is a worthwhile price considering this vest will likely last you forever. It is a one-time investment except for having to replace the CO2 cartridges once they have been used.
This is an added cost that you would not have with a regular life jacket. For me the added comfort and convenience is worth it but if you are not a regular paddler, it may not be worth the extra expense.
2. The next thing worth noting is that this is not the right PFD for those who are not good swimmers.
I have tested the inflation by submerging myself in water and it works really well. It inflates quickly and keeps you afloat.
However for those who cannot swim you may end up panicking because the flotation is not instantaneous.
If you are not a strong swimmer, stick with an actual life jacket. I am a strong swimmer but even for myself on certain occasions when the water is rough I will use my Stohlquist Cruiser PFD instead just to err on the side of caution and know I am fully protected.
3. It is also worth noting that the low profile design does not provide as much protection from the elements and does not add any extra warmth if paddling in cold weather.
4. There is no in-sight window on this vest that shows the status of the CO2 cartridge.
Final Thoughts
After using this life vest for quite awhile now I can tell you that I have had no issues with it. In fact I have been over the top happy with it.
It is comfortable and functional. I disarmed it once to test that it works as it should and it did just that.
I replaced the CO2 cartridge and have not had to disarm it since… which is a good thing. 🙂
The side pockets are extremely useful and although I use this vest mostly for kayaking, it is also ideal for boating, fishing or stand-up paddle boarding.
For me it is a far more comfortable option for staying safe while recreational paddling.
Where To Buy
Click Here For The Best Deal On The Onyx A/M-24 Deluxe PFD At Amazon.com.
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