Safegard Kivva Type V Universal Adult Lifejacket

CLOSEOUT - This is a particularly good buy in that a) every type V vest sold today is way over $100, b) it is actually American made, and c) it should last well over 20 years. The retail is $109

Kivva Universal size type V - This jacket is best purchased for use by multiple friends who might be rafting with you - that is, friends who vary quite a bit in chest size - and who are also too cheap to buy their own lifejackets. It is best used with larger people (those with waists above 34") because it does not cinch down so well on skinnier paddlers. We do not recommend you purchase this one for yourself because it is far from comfortable. Despite the use of a quality foam front and back, the two front panels don't feel soft or flexible because the foam is stitched very tightly into this part of the shell. The back is very soft though due to it being less than half the thickness of the front. In fact, the 70% - 30% front to back foam ratio used in this design means the person wearing it will turn over onto their back faster and more easily than with just about any other model.

Unlike the more basic Safegard Goliath lifevest, this model has adjustable shoulders and a completely different range of size adjustment. If your chest is between 56" and 59" at the biggest point, you must stick with the Goliath. But the Kivva covers chest measurements from 38" (Safegard claims 30" but we've found that unrealistic) all the way to 55" or 56", and with the adjustable shoulders it can be worn by people as short as 5'2". The Big Water from NRS is a far more comfortable jacket than the Kivva, but the Kivva beats everything else in our lifevest section for beefiness. The outer shell is bomber 800 denier, and the two center buckles are oversize 1.5" versions. You could run this one over with a pick-up and not hurt it.

These come in a dark orange and blue two-tone with black trim and are fairly attractive. Made in USA.

Note that as these lifejackets are closeouts, we will not take returns on them, and it is your responsibility to measure your chest (or whatever part of your torso is the biggest) before ordering.