For years now, Zhik’s pull-over, side-zip PFD has been one of the gold standards in high-performance dinghy flotation devices. Close-fitting, lightweight and virtually nothing that might snag a mainsheet passing overhead in a tack or jibe, it’s been tough to beat. The 2025 version of their time-tested model, called the Performance Racer Cut, while not vastly different, does have some cool updates that might push those thinking of updating their somewhat ragged original (like my 2011 model) to a 2025 model.        

As in the past, Zhik offers two versions, 70 Newtons and 50 Newtons, which are indicators of the buoyancy level.  The higher the number, the more buoyancy. The 70 is labelled USCG approved, while the 50 is a buoyancy aid. It’s worth noting that as of June 5, 2025, the USCG updated their recommendations to reflect the conditions in which a PFD should be worn rather than just the weight of the user. Considerations now included are the boater’s skill level, environment, and expected rescue time. Sounds like they’re coming around to recognizing the 50 as a viable PFD.  We’ll see. 

High-Performance PFD

We got a chance to check out both, and the only perceivable difference between them is that the foam in the 70 is a bit thicker than the 50, which you’d expect. No issue, you might say?  Well, not quite. We found the 70 had a noticeably tighter fit. So, depending on how loosely your old 50 fit, you might want to try a 70 before buying to be sure you end up with a size that’s comfortable. The foam on the 70, most noticeably in the front, is shaped to fit the contours of your body, which makes the PFD feel even more form-fitting. 

Like the original, the PFD is a pull-over with a side zip and Velcro tab to keep the zipper from accidentally coming undone. Over that, a buckle connected to a strap runs around the lower perimeter of the PFD, allowing you to snug up the bottom of the jacket to your preference. One of the biggest issues with PFDs, once in the water, is that they can tend to ride up, and you end up with them around your ears. Not so here. In addition to the strap, Zhik has a wide, non-slip rubber-like grip band inside and adjacent to the strap that does a great job of preventing ride-up. The shoulder straps are soft and comfortable, and there’s even a loop on the left-hand strap for attaching a radio–especially useful for coaches or sailing instructors. In front is an envelope pocket with drainage holes and a stretch, neoprene like front, allowing you to carry slightly bulkier items, if necessary.  Our only ding is that it would be nice if there was a loop of some sort inside to which you might connect a whistle lanyard.  

No doubt, racers will love the fit and compact style of the High-Performance PFD. It’s got all the best features of early versions and more. Available in grey or black.  $139.99

Active PFD 

Like the High-Performance PFD, Zhik’s Active model comes in 50 and 70 Newton versions. And like its more expensive sibling, it includes a waist belt, interior grip band, soft shoulder straps and overall low-profile construction.  But there the similarities end. Perhaps for a lot of sailors, in a good way. For starters, this jacket is really easy to put on and take off. If you’ve struggled with pulling a life jacket over your head on the water and then trying to connect a side zipper that you can’t quite see, this is a great alternative. The essential parts of the Active model, the belt and grip band, are identical to the High-Performance Model, so it’s going to stay in place if you end up in the water. The belt buckles front center, right over the zipper. Talk about easy. 

Fit does not seem quite as critical here. While we felt the 70 High Performance seemed overly snug compared to the 50, the Active 70 fit quite well right out of the box. There’s a vertical side pocket on the front right, held closed with two strips of Velcro.  There’s no stretch material in the pocket, so what you can carry there is pretty limited. Inside is an elastic loop that you might use for attaching a lanyard and whistle. 

While it doesn’t have quite the cache of the High-Performance PFD, don’t count out the Active PFD.  All the key features, a slightly lower price. Available in black, lime and red.  $109.99

Kollition Helmet

We first looked at helmets in 2016, and at the time their use was starting to build momentum among sailors. After all, in what other sport do we have an aluminum or carbon tube swinging rapidly over our heads, often with minimal clearance, with our only protection usually a baseball hat? Today, you’ll find helmets being worn across the board. On foilers and other high-speed boats, they’re standard kit. All the cool kids are wearing them.

Zhik was among the forerunners to start making helmets for sailors. Their latest model, the Kollition, is CE EN1385 certified, which means it’s specifically designed for water sports. CE means it’s been certified by European safety standards, while the EN 1385 indicates a standard for whitewater helmets. 

When you first pick it up, you’re likely to notice just how little this helmet weighs. It’s lighter than my Specialized biking helmet, although in fairness, the latter also has an extra layer of protection through Mips technology. The profile is nice and low, which is great because when we first checked out helmets almost a decade ago, we discovered we had to duck just a touch more during jibes and tacks when wearing a helmet, since the helmet was thicker than a ball cap. The Kollition’s lower profile makes that less of an issue. We also really liked the quick-adjust cradle. The knob is in the usual place at the back of the helmet.  A quick turn or two and the helmet fit perfectly.  The padded chin strap is also adjustable. 

There are lots of vents–in this case six on top and another eight along the sides. No risk of getting overheated here. The plethora of vents also makes it easier if you want to tape over the vents on the top of the helmet, an important consideration for those of us who are prone to sunburn on the tops of our heads. It’s also cut up over the ears so as not to restrict hearing, but rather than going straight back, as biking helmets usually do, coverage extends a bit down on the back of the head for more protection. Finally, the helmet has a large section of high-visibility yellow, a great safety feature if you end up in the water and someone’s trying to find you. 

There’s really nothing to dislike about this helmet. At first, we figured a small built-in visor would be nice, but we get that it could possibly snag lines. If you really want that type of shade, a visor will usually work, and it’s usually flexible enough to prevent snagging.  Available in small, medium and large.  $114.99

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Since 2008, Zhik’s popular buoyancy aid has been one of the go-to lifejackets for dinghy sailors. Lightweight, compact and high-cut around the waist, wearing it is about as close to wearing no lifejacket as you can get, yet it still keeps you afloat when you need it.

For most of the world, which uses the European Standard (CE) for lifejackets, using them in events has been no problem. However, in the U.S., the original Zhik buoyancy aid does not meet the U.S. Coast Guard standards, which, according to Zhik’s Mike Krantz, require about 10 percent more flotation that the CE standard. This meant the vest was off limits to collegiate and other dinghy sailors. And U.S. Sailing requires CG-approved vest for all of its events, unless it’s an international regatta, in which case competitors may wear flotation devices that are approved in their countries. While collegians strictly observed the rules, it has not been uncommon to see competitors wearing them in dinghy events across the country with no known significant fallout.

Still, rules are rules, and after two-and-half years of working with the Coast Guard and paying $10,000-$15,000 per color and per size, Zhik has come out with a CG-approved version of their flotation vest.

At first glance, it’s identical to the original; in a side-by-side comparison, there are subtle differences. The CG-approved version is about 2 inches taller than the original and slightly thicker, especially in the front. Comparing a four-year-old original size large to a new, CG-approved size large, the front of the new version measures around about a half-inch thicker than the original. Beyond that, the new version contains all the features of the old—front pocket, a rubber strip on the inside of the lower section to help prevent it from riding up, tapered top edges to prevent snagging the boom or sheets, zipper side entry, adjustable waist buckle and an absence of buckles on the neoprene shoulder straps. Currently available in black and cyan blue, with a red version available sometime next year.

The new version fit snugger than my four-year-old non-Coast Guard approved vest, perhaps because of the additional close-cell foam in the front. Or, it may be that the foam in the new one has not had a chance to conform to my body the way the older one has. It’s certainly not a deal-breaker, but you might notice it right off if you’re used to wearing an older Zhik vest. And, in a way, it’s good because the life jacket doesn’t ride up if you end up in the water. But, if you are at the very top end of a size range, you might want to try the next size up. Fortunately, the extra thickness doesn’t seem to restrict movement any more than the original, and it’s still considerably more compact than many of the more traditional CG-lifejackets available.

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“Harmonized.” It’s not a word you’d associate with your PFD, but it’s what brings us a seriously cool new lifejacket from Mustang Survival, based in Vancouver. In the quest for PFD use to become as normal as seatbelts and helmets are today, this one is a game changer for inshore racing.

Harmonized has nothing to do with the physical properties of this PFD. It’s a government buzzword that describes a new approval system that “results in the harmonization of safety approvals between the United States and Canada to create a standard followed by both countries.” In other words, if it’s approved north of the border, it’s legit here as well. This is good news for performance sailors.

Let’s get to the PFD. Officially, it’s the Khimera Dual Flotation PFD. The dual part starts with the vest’s slim foam panels, which delivers minimal bulk and excellent range of motion. The stated floatation of the panels alone is 7.5 pounds, which is half that of a Type II or Type III PFD. Theoretically, it’s enough bouyancy to keep your head above water, and also makes it easier to swim and/or climb back into a capsized dinghy, or swim out from beneath a turtled small craft.

The magic happens when you pull its manual inflation handle, which is accessible on the right side of the vest, near the waist. Firing the inflator fills two air bladders (one in the chest area and one in the back/shoulder region). The Khimera’s buoyancy jumps to 20.5 pounds, but you also still retain excellent range of motion.

Inside the vest, near the neckline, is a stowed manual inflation tube as a backup. It’s easy to deflate the vest (partially or fully) from the tube as well, which may be beneficial for climbing back onboard. Also, inside the front pouch is a holster for a spare CO2 cartridge. And unlike other over-the-shoulder units, this one requires no repacking. Just insert a new cartridge and you’re good to go.

For sportboat-racing teams that circumvent equipment requirements by keeping a brick of USCG-legal Type III inside the boat and wear CE-approved buoyancy aides, the Khimera is an excellent alternative, providing a comfortable PFD that the crew won’t mind wearing one bit.

This truly is one is the best of both types, and therein is the real harmony.
www.mustangsurvival.com, $200 and available in red, gray, and blue.

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It’s only a matter of time before all of the most stubborn one-design classes cave to allowing electronic compasses, at least those without GPS capabilities. The International Laser Class is the latest to allow such devices, prompting developers at Velocitek to push forward with its slick and stripped-down Velocitek Prism compass. At only 137 grams, it’s the lightest of its kind, and the display numbers are plenty large and visible with polarized sunglasses. A couple of technical notes: The tilt-compensated heading-in-degrees magnetic is updated every 250 milliseconds, it’s water-resistant to complete immersion for 30 minutes at 10 feet (don’t drop it overboard) and the display has a 250-degree viewing cone for visibility from a trapeze or full-hike position. The unit’s battery is replaceable, and the warranty is two years. Mounting brackets are available. The Prism does not have a countdown feature; leave that to your trusty wristwatch. $399, velocitek.com

After sailing offshore with the Mustang EP 38 inflatable ocean racing vest for six days and nights, we found plenty to like, but as in life, nothing’s perfect. Let’s start with the positive: This is one of the most comfortable vests I’ve worn. Its weight is placed on the shoulders, rather than the back of the neck like most other less technical inflatable PFDs. Sail with it all day and you’ll forget it’s there. It also fits snug to the body — much like a standard life jacket — so it doesn’t impede activities such as grinding winches or moving about in confined spaces below deck. However, to don the vest, you need to pull it over your head. I don’t have a particularly large head, but it’s still a snug fit. If you’re wearing a hat or sunglasses, those have to come off first. If your jacket has a hood, you must pull the hood over your head before putting the vest on or it will get bunched up inside the back of the vest. When you take off the vest, it’s sunglasses and hat off, hood up, then remove.

The additional effort involved in putting the vest on or taking it off isn’t a deal breaker unless you’re the type who likes to add or take off layers as the day goes on, or if you’re standing multiple watches in overnight races in which you normally remove your foul-weather gear when off watch. If that’s the case, plan on adding a little extra time.

Mustang claims the ­hydrostatic inflator will only inflate when submerged, not in rain, spray or high humidity, and that much I can vouch for. It’s U.S. Coast Guard approved and provides 38 pounds of buoyancy when inflated.

The PFD comes with removable crotch straps, back-mounted spray hood, internal storage for AIS and other electronics, integrated harness, whistle and lifting loop. The only thing missing is a loop at the top of the unit so that it can be hung on a carabineer or hook. $369, mustangsurvival​.com.

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Face it, if you’re going to get wet, you might as well be ready for it with a proper wetsuit. Don’t worry about how much that snug suit reveals because victory has no vanity. Performance on the water starts and ends with comfort, and for that we have Gill’s new FireCell Skiff Suit and Top. They’re slick looking on the outside, but turn them inside out to see the magic and intricacy of these 3.5mm made-for-sailing wetsuits. “FireCell” neoprene panels have a soft waffle construction that retains body heat in miniature pockets. Flexible panels are in every critical area, and all the seams are glued and blindstitched to prevent water entry and chafe. On the outside, abrasion-resistant panels on the knees and seat will take the abuse of kinetic dinghy sailing. The Race FireCell Top, with high-stretch neoprene that’s backed with a soft wicking liner, pairs perfectly with the Skiff Suit. Early season Frostbite Laser sailing in Newport, with 50-degree water and 40-degree air temps, confirms one thing: the FireCell creates an oven by the time you reach the weather mark. As the mercury drops, add a spray top and you’re good to go all season. $169-269 • gillmarine.com

MTI Lifejackets is a major player in recreational paddle sports and their foray into the sailing market is with the Vibe PFD. The Vibe is U.S. Coast Guard Type III, and while it’s designed primarily for whitewater standup paddle boarding, it’s a proper fit for sailing because the foam panels are sculpted in way that the bulk is low and focused around the side and back, not high on the chest. In other words, when tacking, jibing or ducking under the boom, there’s no battle of the bulge. The “Z-strap” system, as well as waist and shoulder adjustments provide excellent custom fit, although, the shoulder adjustment points should be covered to prevent snags. The straps need to be trimmed of excess tails as well. A large mesh front pocket will hold a lot (bars, tape, sunblock), and includes a tethered whistle. With reflective detailing, the Vibe is available in safety orange or blue, which makes this PFD perfect for the Opti kid to the sportboat stud. $95 • mtilifejackets.com Find a Retailer

Sperry’s 7 Seas deck shoe is the perfect footwear for any size boat. Water runs straight out through the vented soles, and the woven mesh is hydrophobic so it dries quickly. The heel offers excellent support,for running around the pointy-end, or roll tacking a dinghy. Slip on a neoprene sock and you’ll even be able to wear them with your drysuit when the weather takes a turn. You don’t need to sacrifice style for performance either, so go ahead and wear them straight to the regatta party after racing. $89.95 • www.sperry.com

What sets Henri Lloyd’s Freedom Jacket apart from its competitors is clear, literally. The jacket’s hood features the Optivision system with clear panels allowing sailors full visibility. Windproof and waterproof from the hem to the hood, the jacket has a thick and high fleece collar for warmth and a visor for full-face protection. Henri Lloyd Photoluminescent Reflectors absorb UV light (sunlight or artificial) and after dark they release energy to increase illumination. Snug cuffs and draining pockets ensure a dry experience. $295.00 • www.henrilloydonline.com

Whether you’re foiling at 40 knots or just know all too well why it’s called the boom, a sailing helmet offers crucial head protection. Zhik’s H1 helmet is a thin profile helmet that won’t make ducking under spars a challenge. Half-inch foam lining protects your most valuable asset, and internal channels allow for airflow to keep you cool, even on hot days. We put it to the test and found that of all the helmets we tried, the H1 came out ahead. $119 • www.zhik.com

It’s hard to go wrong with anything from Helly Hansen, and these salopettes are no exception. The number one feature these bibs offer is breathability, despite being completely waterproof. No matter how hard you are on deck, or how far you are over the rail on a choppy day, sailors will stay warm and dry without sweating through them. While some salopettes have an overwhelming amount of fabric, the fit and cut of these pants are perfect. It’s also notable they have an adjustable hem, so whether you’re tall and lanky or petite, they can be adjusted to not drag the deck. $275 • www.hellyhansen.com

All the offshore personal safety gear you’ll have onboard for your next race is secondary to your tether. “Stay attached to stay alive,” is a motto to live by… World Sailing recently updated its offshore regulations for 2018 where all crew must now have a three-point safety line. Spinlock’s DW-STR/03 and DW-STR/3L safety lines both meet the new standard. They’ll be in high demand before next year’s Bermuda Race, so get one now. $160 • www.spinlock.co.uk

Accessories

Take it from Terry Hutchinson, hydration is critically important. Drinking enough water during a day of racing often goes overlooked, but can have a big impact on your energy levels. Hydroflask’s rugged, vacuum-sealed, stainless steel water bottles will keep your favorite race day drink cold and stand up to the beating of rolling around down below. Hydroflasks range in size from 12 to 64 oz, but our favorite is the 32oz – enough water to keep you quenched all day, and it won’t take up too much space. $39.95 • www.hydroflask.com

Every sailor should own a pair of Kaenon sunglasses. They’re rugged, stylish and come with an unbeatable warranty for when the saltwater takes its toll on your lenses. The Burnets – favorites of college sailors everywhere – are a top choice, with wide lenses that offer maximum protection, even for your peripherals. Pick from a variety of lenses to suit your needs (or style) and get out on the water. $239 • www.kaenon.com

If you’re looking for a great pair of sunglasses for that sailor that’s accident-prone, Smith’s Lowdowns will give you top quality performance without breaking the bank. The Lowdowns offer great protection, a wide field of vision, and won’t slip off your face; perfect for when you need to scan for puffs, or get caught off guard by the jibe. Smith has a variety of lens colors and styles for any condition. (Croakies sold separately) $69 – 169 • www.smithoptics.com

There are coolers, soft and hard, big and small, but for the cramped confines of a sportboat, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is the one you want. Yes, it’s $250 retail, which its critics say is overpriced for a soft cooler, but this thing is anything but soft. Built with rugged waterproof PVC and welded seams, it could very well be the last cooler you ever buy for your raceboat. Our test unit has endured a year of abuse, stored haphazardly in bilges, regatta after regatta and it’s no worse for the wear. Durable? Yes. Easy to open? Nope. But that’s the point. As advertised, the 10 x 11 x 12-inch Hopper kept our contents chilled from dock-off to post-race chilling, but the beefy leak-proof zipper isn’t meant to be opened and closed all day long. Fill the Hopper Flip before the race, using one frozen water bottle, open it once for a mid-day sandwich break, and again for the sail in to enjoy a six-pack of 12-ounce cold ones. $250 • www.yeti.com

For sailors that don’t take themselves too seriously during a night of beer can racing, having music on the boat is an essential part of practice, or racing around the buoys for fun. If you’re looking for a waterproof speaker that you’re guaranteed not to lose if you capsize, then the UE Boom 2 is ideal. The rechargeable speaker is about the size of a tall-boy beer can and has a metal ring on the top of it to clip or tie into the boat. While some speakers get muffled by wind and spray, the UE Boom 2 is loud enough. It has a durable exterior that even the most accident-prone sailor would take effort to break. It holds a charge for up to 15 hours and connects to any device via bluetooth. $180-200 • www.ultimateears.com

If you’re looking for book recommendations for your America’s Cup fanatic, we’ve got two that have passed our desks of late. First, Chasing the Cup: My America’s Cup Journey by Jimmy Spithill. If you’ve ever wondered what makes the talented ginger from Down Under so driven to win the America’s Cup (and then lose it to Team New Zealand in Bermuda), the revelation is in this memoir: he is a product of his upbringing: free-wheeling, rough and reckless, and always out to prove himself. The book journeys through his youth, his rise in the sport, and those who’ve opened doors for him. The narrative’s only shortcoming, however, the mere glimpses into the tight-knit inner world of his Cup campaigns. For this, there is Alan Sefton and Larry Keating’s new release: Exposed, the Dark Side of the America’s Cup. Two others currently on the editor’s nightstand: the fascinating and in depth The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst, and Second Wind: A Sunfish Sailor, an Island, and the Voyage That Brought a Family Together by acclaimed author and Sailing World alum Nathaniel Philbrick.

The VIRB Ultra 30 shoots video in 4k at 30fps. But the video alone isn’t the most amazing feature the VIRB has to offer. On par with Garmin’s other products, the G-Metrix allows athletes to overlay gauges and graphs with race data, allow sailors to analyze angle, speed, boat drift, water depth, wind speed and acceleration.With the VIRB taking high-action video is easier than ever. The Garmin VIRB boasts a 1.75 inch display, and voice controls to start and stop recording or even take a picture. Without taking hands off the sheets or tiller, the VIRB does its thing while you do yours. Show off real time stats by having VIRB livestream your race or practice data to YouTube, for coaches, spectators and fans to stay in the moment. The VIRB has a range of accessories do you can mount the camera virtually anywhere, including on a drone. It is compatible with a variety of Garmin watches and GPS devices to maximize data input. Garmin also offers a 360 camera if you want to take your capture to the next level. $399.99 • www.garmin.com

This case first caught our eye when a teammate jumped into the pool after a day of sailing with her phone without hesitation. There are a lot of waterproof cases for iPhones on the market, but none as trustworthy as the Pelican Marine Case. Just like their line of hard cases, the Pelican iPhone case is sturdy and tough. There are no soft jelly pieces to rub off, or flimsy seals, it’s made up of five layers of protection that withstand more than six feet of water for 30 minutes. With a long history of creating military equipment, there’s no doubt Pelican can deliver to sailors too. $22-70 • www.pelican.com

Watches

Nixon has made a smart watch for people who want to get away from their tech and get on the water with more ease. The Ultratide goes beyond just the tides, offering current conditions like wave height, wind direction and speed, swell direction, and the temperatures of both the air and water. You also get Surfline’s general assessment in a tidy one-word note, like “Fair” or “Good”. Powered from the Ultratide/Surfline app on your iPhone, pick your forecast locations sync it once and you’re done. Surfline collects live data for over 2,700 locations around the world, so it’s rare they don’t have the spot you are looking for. Good look trying to smash this watch too, the stainless steel case and rubber coating are sporty and tough and it’s guaranteed to stay in place. The best part? Throw away your cables! You don’t have to charge it, for at least a year, then when it tells you the battery is low, send it to Nixon and they’ll replace the battery for free and service it to make sure the watch stays water-tight. $300 • www.nixon.com

If your tactician is numerically challenged, tackle the issue “header” on with the handy Tacking Master, a wrist-worn navigational organizer that helps visualize wind trends, tacking angles, and starting-line bias. This is no gimmicky device, but rather a useful tool used by pros and amateurs alike. In the pre-start, take a wind reading off your compass and rotate the top dial (it’s like writing the bearing on your deck), and the move the mark dial (small orange triangles) to the location given by the race committee. Then, turn the lock-down dial keep them in place. Color-coded guides then show starting line bias (after taking a bearing). As you sail the course, make adjustments to the dial to track wind shifts and mark locations. $75 • www.tackingmaster.com Buy It Now on Amazon

Hardware

Opening a Ropeye catalogue or browsing their inventory of rigging “gadgets” is like walking through the front door of the brand’s creator Jaanus Tamme’s brain. Hailed as one the most innovating and creative individuals in the sailing hardware business today, the Estonian engineer and his R&D team deliver clever pieces of kit that make you rethink your control systems and attachments. Ropeeye’s earliest offering is the through-deck carbon and Dyneema Loop padeye, but they’ve expanded into stunningly simple low-friction bearing-free blocks. Start at the small end with a 1,000-kilogram safe-working load U1 block (shown), recommended for sheets, runners or halyard turning blocks. $165 • www.ropeye.com

Ready to finally convert those fatigued metal shackles with the more modern “soft” variety? (Yes, it’s a good idea). Option No. 1: Go to the chandlery, buy a splicing kit and a few feet of Dyneema SK78, launch YouTube on the computer to learn how, and fumble for an hour perfecting your first few diamond knots. Option No. 2: type fisheriessupply.com into your browser and order a pair of factory-spliced D12 Soft Shackles (7mm). Trust us, option two is much easier. $35 • www.fisheriessupply.com

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Spinlock Aero Pro PFD

For high-performance sailing, Spinlock’s newest design combines efficient form with added protection. The first phase of the project was designing the T2 vest for America’s Cup challenger Land Rover BAR. The T2 then evolved into the Aero Pro model, available in early 2017. The new design, an overhead-entry PFD, is made of pliable, high-buoyancy foam meant to move with the body while also providing required protection for crashes and capsizes.

The most unique innovation in the T2 is its back panel, which is made of shock-absorbing body armor for impact protection. On the Aero Pro, this panel can be replaced with a hydration bladder with a tube feed. The flotation is constructed within a woven shirt with a close-fitting neck and waist gaiter to eliminate snag points. For Land Rover BAR sailors, the T2 also includes a knife pocket, accessible to both hands, and a recessed emergency oxygen cylinder in the back panel, but these features are not included in the Aero Pro.

While not U.S. Coast Guard-approved, the Aero Pro meets ISO requirements and weighs 1.6 pounds.

Mustang EP Ocean Racing Inflatable Vest

Mustang undertook a two-year design process to create its EP Ocean Racing Inflatable Vest, which meets U.S. Coast Guard and ISO regulations. The design focuses on comfort and movement, using a low-profile chassis that is slimmer around the body than on older models, without the bulk of a front closure system.

At 3.6 pounds, the PFD feels heavier in the hand due to added features — including a spray hood, integrated harness and lifting loop — but the weight is distributed evenly to sit across the shoulders, not the back of the neck. The hydrostatic inflator and cylinder are oriented sideways to avoid contact with the ribs during movement, and a shortened waist profile provides good mobility. By merging design and function, Mustang has created a high standard for offshore personal flotation, and at a reasonable price ($329).

For 2017, Mustang has also released its Elite 38 Inflatable PFD, designed for high-performance sailing with a body-armor panel.

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