Bowen Personal Flotation Device
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Why We Like The Astral Bowen Personal Flotation Device
Ready for everything from whitewater to salt water, the Astral Bowen PFD supports our mobility and our storage needs on the water. This jacket is cut to keep our arms free for paddling and swimming, and the convenient clamshell pocket makes it easy to secure a radio or strobe and to stash our keys, sunscreen, and lip balm. The side buckles make it easy to get in and out of the PFD while also making it easy to adjust our fit for safety and comfort. While some PFDs are made for more limited uses, the versatile Bowen is intended for touring, sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking, and kayak fishing.
Details
- Mobility meets storage in this Astral PFD
- PFD for touring, sea, and whitewater kayaking
- Nylon ripstop is highly abrasion resistant
- Clamshell pocket with internal daisy chain and mesh storage
- Reflective accents for low light visibility
- Side buckle entry
- Item #ASLT020
- Flotation / Buoyancy
- 16.5lb
- Tow Compatibility
- none
- Closure
- side buckle
- Pockets
- 1 zippered clamshell
- Claimed Weight
- 1lb 11.2oz
- Material
- [face fabric] 420D x 220D nylon ripstop, [liner] 200D nylon, [foam] polyethylene
- Manufacturer Warranty
- lifetime
- Activity
- paddling
- USCG Type / Level
- Type III
Reviews
Q&A
What do you think about this product?
Overall Rating
4.5 based on 15 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageJune 26, 2025
Great fit and value.
Love the Bowen! Everything about it is working well, and the fit is great. Couldn't be more pleased with this purchase.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
June 4, 2025
Function and fashion, the total package.
It does what it’s supposed to, and more! I’ve been kept afloat physically, comfortably, and fashionably. All the convenient storage on this PFD makes it easy to keep my snacks, safety, and first aid in check and accessible. Thank you Astral!
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
May 7, 2025
Bowen lacks several key features of Blue Jacket
Very disappointed with this update to the Blue Jacket. While the general layout remains unchanged, a number of important details have been changed or removed that make this jacket much less suitable to advanced sea kayaking. 1. Loss of the lash tab on the left shoulder (what do you have against lefties?). 2. The clamshell pocket layout is less functional for keeping things organized on the water. 3. A lash tab on the from of the clamshell is of questionable utility; knives kept here are in the way for re-entries and generally a nuisance. 4. The loss of quick release belt compatibility makes this PFD unsuitable for many advanced paddlers. The Green Jacket is not a suitable replacement because it has a number of features that are either unnecessary for sea kayaking or does not meet our needs in other ways. Overall, very sad to see the loss of key features in the Blue Jacket and hope to see them return before I need a new PFD.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
April 28, 2025
Not for kayaking - design defeats rescue / safety
I was excited to get my new PFD which fit perfectly. I loved the features - the easy to access and spacious front pocket plus side mesh zippered pockets. I looked forward to the side entry because my prior Layla pfd was hard to zip close. BUT THEN I enrolled in a kayak safety class and found I could not do a self or even assisted rescue because that front pouch got on the way. It added substantial front to back girth that no amount of my pulling myself up onto the deck worked. For the pool practice session, I ended up taking off the pfd to complete the rescue. For the in the PNW water practicum - I exhausted myself to the point it was not a practice safety class. It was an actual rescue that the team leader had to do. So - no, I don’t recommend this for any kayaking outings. Maybe good for boating where the coast guard is likely nearby. I’m told theirs another pfd that is the way to go for women because it actually accommodates breasts and doesn’t add bulk right in the middle of the chest. I’ll be looking for one of those.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
November 25, 2024
Feels very comfortable
I've never used a pull over entry jacket before. It feels really comfortable and out of the way. The range of motion feels good too.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
November 8, 2024
Love the fit
The fit is really nice, not too bulky. Very mobile for trips around the sailboat. Works well on the catamaran as well
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
September 30, 2024
I wore it around the house after it arrived
I was so happy with how well the Bowen fit that I wore it around the house the day it arrived. Smart strap management, great storage, excellent fit, and it kept me afloat after I swam on Go Left on the Main Payette. All great features. I'm 6'0 tall and 190 lbs. Size M/L was perfect.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
September 23, 2024
Bowen PFD
Super comfortable , well designed and light weight ...
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
August 4, 2024
Great Setup
This is a great setup, comfortable and low profile
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
July 1, 2024
Heck ya rafting.
LOVE IT! Had the Layla before this, definitely fits differently but I like the range of motion.
Originally reviewed on astraldesigns.com
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