Onyx M-16 Manual Inflatable Belt Pack (PFD) – Grey

15 reviews for Onyx M-16 Manual Inflatable Belt Pack (PFD) – Grey

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Oliver T – December 27, 2019

   Good for the USCG, good for me! Loading the device and tucking it into the belt took a few tries. Let’s hope I don’t have to do it again.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   CharlieHorse – January 1, 2020

   Best PFD I’ve ever used! I bought this because it would be much more comfortable than a vest while kayaking. In that, it absolutely is. On a recent trip to sea kayak, our boats filled with water and we eventually capsized. These PFDs performed perfectly. In fact, were it not for this PFD, I doubt I’d be sitting here now. Compared to other PFDs, it was reasonably comfortable while I was in the water and I had free range of motion with my arms to swim. deployment was very easy and didn’t require any really thought. If I could give this 1000 stars, I would!

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Richard Rathe – January 3, 2020

   Very Lightweight, Like the Design! Once you put the strap over your head it does a good job of keeping your face out of the water. My chin was resting on the top. Very comfortable.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Larkins – January 3, 2020

   Comfortable and functional for rowers, paddlers, dragon boaters. I am a rower and outrigger paddler and this inflatable belt pack doesn’t get in the way like standard life jackets would. It is lightweight and I forget I’m wearing it. And since having a life jacket is mandatory, this is perfect.

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Terri A – January 9, 2020

   NOT APPROVE IN CANADA 🙁 The belt itself is great … my only issue is that it is not approved in Canada … so i’m not allowed to use it for my paddleboard fitness class because it’s not ‘’legal’’ to use it as a main flotation device. I would have like for the company to say so in the description!

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Al – January 12, 2020

   Minimalist, least-intrusive option. Just realize that you have inflated it manually, then pull it over your head. This is the most minimalist, least-intrusive life vest that I could find for use in a sculling shell or kayak. I barely even know it is there most of the time. When inflated, it is basically a large rectangular float with a strap that goes on over your head. This is less comfortable than the ‘horse collar’ type, where the collar is inflated as well. Just keep in mind that when you pull the cord, the vest inflates, then you have to grab the strap and pull it over your head. This is more cumbersome and time-consuming than the horse-collar vests, most of which inflate automatically if you go into the water. Finally, the CO2 cartridge does not fully inflate the vest; if you want it fully-inflated, you will have to puff a few times into the inflation tube.

7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Jen – February 1, 2020

   Love for my SUP! didn’t realize in NY that a paddle board is considered a water vessel and therefore you must have a life jacket with you May-Nov and on you Nov-May. And obviously there isn’t any storage like a kayak. I love the pack, it’s light weight and I forget it’s even there. I also like that it has the pull string because I sometimes choose to go in the water to cool off in addition to falling off occasionally and would have to replace a self-inflate version often. I can do yoga just fine and it doesn’t get in the way (maybe it would for bridge or crow but not most poses). I do suggest buying extra cartridges to have around so if you do use it you’re not stuck waiting for one.

8. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Andy – February 9, 2020

   For use while snorkeling. We have a trip to Puerto Rico coming up and are planning on doing a lot of snorkeling at the local beaches. We both consider ourselves strong swimmers but you never know what can happen so we decided to purchase these. I have a 28″ waist my husband is 32″ these life belts fit both of us just fine with plenty to spare. We swam with these at the local pool today and discharged them to make sure they work. We were very comfortable swimming with them, barely noticeable (I was afraid there would be too much drag but there was none at all). Both belts, with a firm tug, discharged smoothly with no issues. The only issue we both had was the velcro on the underside of the belt (part of the cover that opens when discharged) snagged my one piece suit and was a bit scratchy on my husband’s skin. Minor in my opinion for a great life-saving device and peace of mind. Also very easy to rearm and repack, the company’s website has a great video showing how to do it.

9. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Bob – February 13, 2020

   Much nicer than wearing a life jacket! I’ve tested manually deploying this and it is exactly what wanted. I haven’t tested the CO2 deployment yet.

10. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Mike C – February 13, 2020

    I recommended the belt pack to all of my kayaking friends. After using it just once, I recommended the belt pack to all of my kayaking friends. A lot of kayakers don’t like to wear a life vest because it restricts movement too much. With this belt pack one you don’t even notice you are wearing a life vest.

11. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Bella V – February 14, 2020

    Perfect for our paddleboarding! Very small an unbelievably light. Perfect for our paddle boarding. It also has a Velcro type clasp to hold slack for smaller people. Very happy with it.

12. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Ocean Airbrush – February 15, 2020

    Best linebacker ever for the Florida heat and humidity! Best linebacker ever for the Florida heat and humidity. No one likes a bulky life best in our environment. I often forget I have it on and on more than a few occasions have found myself riding home in the car still wearing it because I forgot it was there. All of the cops find it impressive as well and I constantly get pulled over by them and checked for life jackets on my kayak and the look on their face when I poi tout that I am wearing one is priceless.

13. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Alice – February 17, 2020

    Waist Lifebelt is AWESOME for Dragon boat racing, lightweight and comfortable. It comes with a C02 cartridge, perfect!

14. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    dawg – February 22, 2020

    Good price to meet the state SUP requirements. I no longer have to attach a life preserver to my SUP to meet the laws. Inexpensive but meet the requirements for a sup (paddle board) without the bulky life jacket. Not for serious river expeditions but good for most waters. My wife inadvertently pulled the cord which broke the safety pin. We called the company and were sent several replacement pins for free. Make sure you do not pull the cord when you first get them and are figuring out how they work.

15. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    John W – February 22, 2020

    Good for Dragon Boat! Good product. Used it regularly for one season of dragon boat and I’ll keep using it. I also use it in my leisure kayak.