NRS Big Water Guide PFD

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Product Details

Whether you're running the big stuff or just want to keep your head higher above the water, the NRS Big Water Guide PFD is the life jacket for you. 22.9 lbs. of flotation and built for all day comfort.
  • The Big Water Guide is a type III, high profile PFD delivering 22.9 lbs of flotation.
  • The PVC-Free foam panels are shaped and skived to wrap the body, without hindering mobility.
  • Eight adjustment points allow you to fit the jacket to your individual shape.
  • Two huge zippered pockets hold anything you choose to carry with you.
  • Fleece lined handwarmer pouches behind the pockets are oh, so welcome on cold days!
  • The well placed lash tab securely holds your rescue knife.
  • The 500-denier Cordura® shell wears like iron.
  • The webbing tab for your whistle puts this important safety device right where it's needed.
  • Webbing loops for leg straps add extra security in big water. (Leg straps sold separately.)
  • This jacket carries the US Coast Guard Certification, through testing by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Specs

Category:
  • Commercial Life Jackets
  • Front-Zip Life Jackets
  • High-Float Life Jackets
US Coast Guard Type:
The USCG classifies life jackets into Type I, II. III, IV and V categories. Most recreational jackets fall in Type III. Type V covers special use jackets, like inflatable and ones for rescue and commercial boating.
 III
Profile:
Low profile jackets are more compact, top-to-bottom, with thicker flotation panels; they provide great arm mobility. Flotation panels on Medium profile jackets cover more of the torso, but tend to have thinner panels. Flotation panels on High profile jackets also cover more of the torso, but have thicker panels for maximum flotation.
 High
Design Flotation: 22.9 lbs.
Outer Fabric: 500-denier Cordura®
Entry System: Front zip
Pockets:
  • 2 - Front
Lash Tabs:
  • 1 - Front
Adjustment System:
  • 6 - Side
  • 2 - Shoulder
Features:
  • Fleece lined handwarmer pouches
  • Whistle attachment tab
  • Webbing loops for adding leg straps
  • US Coast Guard Certification

Sizing

SizeChest
XS/M30"-42"
L/XXL40"-58"

Show Metric Sizing

Reviews

78 Ratings
4.6out of 5 stars
78 Ratings

Rated 5 stars by 68% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 28% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 3% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 1% of reviewers

Rated 1 star by 0% of reviewers

1-10 of 78 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
Mar 28, 2023
I like this jacket because the pockets are well hidden. a nice place to slip your hands into on a cool morning. oar handles won`t get caught in them when the action is on!
mark s
Rated 5 out of 5
May 4, 2022
Perfect for the Grand Canyon!
Great PFD for Grand Canyon river trips. Very comfortable. I love the zipper pockets and hand warmers.
John B
Rated 5 out of 5
Apr 20, 2022
Big Water
This PFD gives me a peace of mind above Hance, Crystal, Dubendorf, and Lava Falls!
Chris C
Rated 5 out of 5
Apr 14, 2022
Big Water Guide, excellent for rafting Big Water
When your raft decides that its time you left and throws you into the hole at Horn, this might be a bit handy. I popped up, well downstream mind you but very quickly, just in time to see my raft, now upside down, leave the hole and following me. Great flotation for rivers you really know you don't want to swim. I use a lower volume/profile PFD for kayaking, Yes, I have swum in a lower volume PFD and it was hard to catch my breath. That wasn't an issue with the Big Water Guide. The only downside? Because of the large profile it can make it tough to climb back in your raft from the river if you are not assisted by someone.
JEFFREY S
Rated 5 out of 5
Mar 28, 2022
Big Water PFD
This PFD is bulky, but it'll get the job done. When I guide Class IV and V, this is my go to jacket.
Jon G
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 6, 2021
Nice fit
marie a
Rated 4 out of 5
Dec 14, 2020
Great jacket
Well made sturdy PFD. Had same model that served me well as a guide in Grand Canyon for years. Love the pockets hand warmers. Would give 5 stars but Jacket stiff and somewhat uncomfortable also pockets tight to start, but know from experience that they will get more roomy and jacket more pliable over time.
Sharon H
Rated 5 out of 5
Oct 18, 2020
Keeps me atop the water! Yeah!
Jesse R
Rated 5 out of 5
Oct 1, 2020
Perfect jacket. My last one lasted me 8 years of hard use while riverboarding all around the world.
Jesse R
Rated 5 out of 5
Sep 30, 2020
Works fine.
John C M

Questions

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25 Questions
Why did you choose this?
NRSStore

High water!!!!!

Sarahjane M

Friend’s recommendation

Brian C

For the flotation rating

Anita L

Comfortable, great flotation

Scott C
I'm thinking of getting this life jacket for my son. He is 5'11" and 240 lbs. I like the vests high floatation. He would use it for fishing from a 16 ft boat. How do I know what is the best size for him?
Jeanne

Jeanne, adult life jackets are sized by chest circumference; the only difference in the sizes is the length of the adjustment straps. This article explains this and other good information - https://www.nrs.com/learn/life-jacket-fiction-fact.asp - Please give us a call with questions, 800.635.5202.

Clyde
I am a female 5' 2" tall and weigh 108 lbs. I am looking for a lifejacket for a grand canyon private trip and wonder if this high float vest is ok for my weight. Thank you for your help.
Roz

Roz, this is a high flotation jacket and will float you high. Life jackets are sized by chest circumference, look at the Sizing tab. Give us a call with questions, 800.635.5202.

Clyde
Is this PFD suitable for stand up paddle boarding or is there another NRS product that would be better? Am not a strong swimmer
PJT

Anytime you have high flotation, you have more bulk for the extra foam. This article - https://www.nrs.com/learn/life-jacket-fiction-fact.asp - explains the needs for flotation. Unless you are going to be paddling in whitewater, whose aerated waters don't float you as high, I'd suggest one of the Medium Profile Jackets - https://www.nrs.com/category/4301/life-jackets/medium-profile-life-jackets - or a Low Profile model - https://www.nrs.com/category/4300/life-jackets/low-profile-life-jackets - With any questions, please give us a call, 800.635.5202. You always get a friendly, knowledgeable person!

Clyde
I am looking for a hi float vest for an upcoming kayaking trip to the Grand Canyon. Does anyone have any feedback on using this vest kayaking?
looking for input

Let me give you some measurements that may help you decide. Center top-to-bottom of the front is 16", the back 18". The foam panels are 2" thick.

Clyde
I'm just getting started in whitewater kayaking. I'm transitioning from a SOT. I'm 5'9 and big enough to need a L/XXL PFD. I am considering the Ninja but really want more flotation. Do you think the Big Water Guide PFD would interfere with the deck of my spray skirt? The BWG seems to be more of a rafting PFD. I know it's going to be a close call.
Angry_Yob

From the bottom of the lower adjustment strap to the top of the zipper is 15", in the back, 18" from bottom of the strap to center top. Hopefully this will help you decide. This article has good information on life jackets - https://www.nrs.com/learn/life-jacket-fiction-fact.asp

Clyde
Hi ,
I am 5.3 feet with 65 kg wight , I don't know swimming and I going for a deep water tracking , will your PFD is suitable for this .
Musth

The Big Water Guide is an excellent high-flotation life jacket. This article explains some of the facts about life jackets - https://www.nrs.com/learn/life-jacket-fiction-fact.asp

Clyde
Hi. Can you give me the strength rating of the shoulder straps? I want to know whether a carabiner can be attached to this point in a rescue situation. Thanks!
Ray

Ray, this is not a rescue life jacket. Look at our rescue jackets for this type of application - http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=1045

Clyde
I have a question about the Big Water Guide PFD. What is the size difference between a L/Xl and a L/XXL? I have a 42 inch chest. I think the L/XL will fit the best. I am worried that the L/XXL will be too big, but I can't find anyplace that sells the L/XL. Are the jackets the same size, just different straps?
weaver

Hi,
I have an XX large and with a thin athletic shirt of poly pro I can just get it
on ... it is tight ... but I have also seen people who 'slip out' of them
because they are comfortable .... BTW, did I mention that I have a 46-48" chest,
42" waist and 18" neck ?
I hope this helps ....
TTFN,
George W 'Skip' Baker
3995 H Street
Sacramento CA 95819-2751

Staff
I am 6ft 2 have a 58 inch chest and weight 290lbs I will be whitewater kayaking class 1-3 in a Liquid Logic Remix XP-10. I am an average swimmer.
Will this keep my head above the water?
Will it be comfortable enough to do 10-12 mile outings on a river or creek?
Will it work with a spray skirt and the seat back on the kayak?
LiftenW8ts

The LXXL will fit you. I imagine that with your height the jacket will fit high enough on your torso that it won't interfere with your sprayskirt. Please take a look at this article - https://www.nrs.com/learn/life-jacket-fiction-fact.asp - for information on your flotation question.

Clyde
My chest is 40". Should I go with the small/Medium or the Large/XL?
Thanks. Scott
Scott

Scott, the only difference in the sizes is the length of the adjustment straps. If you plan to wear bulky apparel you might want the larger size. Check out this article - http://www.nrs.com/learn/life-jacket-fiction-fact.asp

Clyde