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Stohlquist Flo Review

A decent PFD, but not a great women's specific option.
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Price:  $100 List | $99.95 at REI
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Soft straps, good paddle mobility, decent breathability
Cons:  Same chest fit as the average unisex PFD, bulky high back panel, not the most durable
Manufacturer:   Stohlquist
By Maggie Brandenburg ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Aug 28, 2019
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51
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#10 of 11
  • Comfort - 35% 6
  • Mobility - 30% 5
  • Versatility - 25% 4
  • Durability - 10% 5

Our Verdict

The Stohlquist Flo is an alright PFD for paddling, but we're unimpressed with its advertised women's specific fit. We found it to be no more conducive to curves than most of the tapered-front unisex models we tested. With that said, our lady testers with smaller busts think it's a perfectly acceptable option. The half-back works well with lower seatbacks, and it retains a good amount of mobility for easy paddling. Though not a favorite among our large-chested female testers, the Flo is a decent option for smaller, casual paddlers.


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This Product
Stohlquist Flo
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award  
Price $99.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers		$119.90 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers		$97.93 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$89.95 at Backcountry
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Soft straps, good paddle mobility, decent breathabilityTapered front, comfortable, breathable, good strap management, large pocketsVery adjustable, great fit, secure and comfortable, good sizing options, moves well, flatteringExcellent paddling mobility, breathable and open design, comfortable fabric, works for short torsosComfortable fabric, moves with you, durable, secure fit
Cons Same chest fit as the average unisex PFD, bulky high back panel, not the most durableBack panel high for swimming, runs large, pockets may be in the way while paddlingFull coverage can be hot, runs a bit largeBulky, unbending and flat, rough straps, key loop catches in pocket zipperNo ventilation, sizing a bit generic for a really good fit, pushes breasts into armpits
Bottom Line A decent PFD, but not a great women's specific option.A versatile paddling jacket with good ventilation and big pockets.A highly adaptable, super comfortable women's PFD with great sizing options.Providing out-of-the-way, low profile protection that doesn't cut down on your mobility.A comfortable, full-coverage option for female paddlers.
Rating Categories Stohlquist Flo Astral V-Eight Astral Layla NRS Ninja NRS Siren
Comfort (35%)
10
0
6
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
Mobility (30%)
10
0
5
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
6
Versatility (25%)
10
0
4
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
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7
Durability (10%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
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8
10
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9
10
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9
Specs Stohlquist Flo Astral V-Eight Astral Layla NRS Ninja NRS Siren
Gender Women's Unisex Women's Unisex Women's
Intended Use Paddling, touring/recreational kayaking Recreational, fishing, touring Whitewater, sea paddling, touring, SUP Paddling (low profile) Paddling, whitewater
Entry Style Front, center zip Front, center zip and bottom clip Pull over; side entry, off-center 3/4 zip and bottom clip Pull over; side entry, 2 side clips Pull over; side entry, 2 side clips
Wear Type Vest Vest Vest Vest Vest
Sizes Available XS/S (28-34")
M/L (34-40")
PLUS (40-46")		 S/M (31-37")
M/L (38-44")
L/XL (45-51")		 XS/S (27-31")
S/M (31-37")
M/L (38-44")
L/XL (45-51")		 S/M (33-40")
L/XL (38-46")
XXL (42-50")		 XS/S (30-42")
L/XL (42-52")
Size We Tested M/L (34-40") S/M (31-37") S/M (31-37") S/M (33-40") XS/S (30-42")
Measured Weight (ounces) 21 oz 20 oz 26 oz 28 oz 29 oz
Foam Type PVC-free, PE foam PE foam & EVA foam Kapok fiber front, PVC-free PE foam back PVC-free, PE foam PVC-free, ultrasoft foam
Main Material 240D ripstop nylon shell, 200D nylon liner 200 x 400D ripstop nylon 200 x 400D ripstop nylon shell, 200D nylon liner 200D urethane-coated ripstop nylon 200D ripstop nylon shell, smooth 210D nylon liner
Rated Buoyancy 16.25 lb 16 lb 16.3 lb 16.5 lb 16.5 lb
USCG classification Type III Type III Type III Type III Type III

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Flo is a women's specific life jacket that comes in three sizes that top out at just a 46" chest circumference. It's a half-back, Type III jacket covered in 240D ripstop nylon with a 200D nylon liner.

Performance Comparison


A decent life jacket but we're not impressed by its "women-specific" features.
A decent life jacket, but we're not impressed by its "women-specific" features.

Comfort


For a female-specific life jacket, we're looking for noticeable tapering on the top, or even cups or a shelf, to accommodate breasts. To our dismay, the tapering of the Flo is the same as many of the unisex models we tested. We expected better from a jacket specifically advertised for women. Our friends with larger busts found it to be unsatisfying. Additionally, Stohlquist outfitted this jacket with their typical chest cinch straps. While this feature does help fit the vest on male bodies, our female friends found it unhelpful in function, serving only to push body parts out the sides of the vest.

The half-back feature does a fine job with lower seatbacks, but for women who are shorter or a seat that's on the taller side, the height of the back panel isn't in an ideal location for comfort. The vest does have soft, comfortable straps and a covered bottom band that helps it stay comfortable rather than tight while sitting. Overall, we think it's a reasonably comfortable option for some folks. We're just not impressed with the "women's specific fit" that we feel is rather lacking in this model.

Still bulky and stiff on the front and with chest cinch straps that didn't strike some testers as very necessary or useful.
Still bulky and stiff on the front, and with chest cinch straps that didn't strike some testers as very necessary or useful.

Mobility


A relatively narrow back panel helps give the mobility women with narrower shoulders crave while they paddle. Though this jacket has no loops or tabs to help hold straps down from flapping around, we found the straps to be out of the way for a comfortable paddle stroke or swim. The zig-zag side straps help hold the Flo securely in place even as you enter the water. A large mesh back panel aids in breathability on a hot day as well. The high, thick back panel also sometimes interfered with our ability to hold our necks comfortably while doing the breaststroke as well, though not as much as some of the competition. In general, we think this is a moderately mobile life vest for casual paddling and the occasional swim.

Women's PFDs tend to be more narrow across the shoulders. In front is the Stohlquist Flo and in back is the NRS Siren.
Women's PFDs tend to be more narrow across the shoulders. In front is the Stohlquist Flo and in back is the NRS Siren.

Versatility


Advertised for women paddling, touring, and recreationally kayaking, we find that to be a pretty accurate description of the usage of the Flo. With two large, buttoned pockets on the front, the Flo does have some decent storage options. Unfortunately, these pockets are a bit on the small side for today's smartphones, and we aren't the biggest fans of the snap closures that we feel open a bit too easily when caught on something - like the side of your boat as you haul yourself back in from a refreshing dip in the water. Weighing 21 ounces, it's barely above average among the jackets we tested, though they all feel about the same weight when you're wearing them.

The Flo functions adequately for multiple on-water uses. It just doesn't do it as gracefully as other models we tested.
The Flo functions adequately for multiple on-water uses. It just doesn't do it as gracefully as other models we tested.

Durability


The Flo consists of the expected materials, with PVC-free PE foam covered by a 240D ripstop nylon shell and 200D nylon liner. It also comes with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty and directions on how to properly care for and store the vest to extend its lifespan. However, we're not particularly enthusiastic about the durability of this vest compared to some much more impressive models we tested. We frequently caught the material in the zipper, leaving little snags in the fabric. We also observed some sloppy seams with ends that began to poke out the longer we used it. Nothing actually broke or fell apart during our several month-long testing period, but we have a few reservations.

Seemingly of average durability there's plenty of mesh to get snagged on whatever you lean up against.
Seemingly of average durability, there's plenty of mesh to get snagged on whatever you lean up against.

Value


The Stohlquist Flo is fairly expensive for the performance it brings to the table. Though it's a decent paddling jacket, we just don't find that it lives up to its claims of being a great option for women. But if you've tried it on though and love the fit, or maybe found a great deal, it might be worth it for you.

Conclusion


The Stohlquist Flo is an average performer for a casual paddling jacket. While we think it makes a decent choice and has a fairly comfortable fit, color us unimpressed with its "women's specific" features.

It's a decent paddling vest but we don't feel it's much better for women than many of the unisex models we tested.
It's a decent paddling vest, but we don't feel it's much better for women than many of the unisex models we tested.


— Maggie Brandenburg