Reviewed by Geoff Jennings

The Lotus P-vest is an older design, it’s been around for a few years, but it’s still a top favorite among rescue-trained kayakers for a variety of reasons. As with any PFD, fit is critical, and the p-vest fits a wide range of paddlers well. Lotus Designs developed a “box” construction method for building PFD’s that, while more expensive and complicated to build, allows the shape and thickness of the foam to be careful controlled, which allows them to build low profile vests that fit great.

Lotus has top-notch quality control, a stellar reputation and an excellent warranty, so there should be no concerns about quality. As I mentioned, the fit on me is awesome, the vest is never in the way, never budges, and is comfortable. The Rescue belt is secure and easy to use. I like the way the buckle (when threaded correctly) is held in the same place at all times, and also enjoy the convenience of a cavernous pocket on the chest. This pocket also allows the addition of their “implant” which adds a few pounds of flotation for those extra dicey times.

Using the p-vest with Lotus Design’s River Tow accessory provides a comfortable set up that has performed well for me. Doing swift water rescue training and in a few real life simple (thankfully!) situations, the vest, belt and tow have worked great, with a few minor quibbles.

The shoulder straps on the p-vest are annoying. Over a short period of time, they slip, meaning you have to constantly readjust them. I fixed this by adding a few plastic tri-glides, such that the metal buckles still provide the strength, but the plastic buckles prevent slipping. Due to my not liking to have to constantly rethread the rescue belt, I wear my P-vest as a pull over, not using the side entry zipper, but I find that the zipper frequently come loose and unzips itself. My only other concern is more theoretical, and involves the River Tow Accessory. The river tow has two parts, one half is a piece of webbing with bungee inside, this attaches to length of webbing stored inside a small pouch, which is then attached to a carabineer. The idea is that you then have two lengths, with and without the extra length of webbing deployed. It seems to work pretty well, though on the river I’ve not yet needed the longer option. My concern is if, in the chaos of a real rescue situation, the longer option deployed unintentionally. Again, it’s hypothetical, but a concern.

Overall, I’m impressed with construction, fit and features of the P-vest, and wear it for most of the paddling I do.

Note: The P-vest is a Rescue Vest, and is designed only to be worn by rescue trained paddlers. While I believe that every paddler should take a swift water class, I know the majority have not. Do not use a Rescue vest unless you are well trained in their proper use; there are hazards and concerns that are unique to them, and you could rapidly make a situation worse instead of better if they are used incorrectly.