{"product_id":"astral-v-eight-4-0-life-jacket","title":"Astral V-Eight 4.0 Life Jacket (USCG Type III)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Astral V-Eight 4.0 is a USCG approved Type III life jacket built for people who actually wear their PFD all day, not just keep it under a seat. It is light, it breathes, and it stays put when you are paddling, casting or climbing back on a board.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe front is cut low and the back panel is mostly mesh, so it sits above the backrest of a kayak seat instead of pushing you forward. Astral's Airescape channels move air through the foam, which matters on a July afternoon on Lake Norman, the Intracoastal or a Gulf flat when a standard foam vest turns into a sweat box by noon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho it's for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKayak paddlers and kayak anglers with high-back or frame seats\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSUP riders on lakes, rivers, sounds and calm bays\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBoat days on the sandbar or the lake where everybody should have a real jacket that fits\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eInshore fishing from a skiff, flats boat or kayak in the Carolinas, Florida and along the Gulf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAirescape ventilation:\u003c\/strong\u003e channels in the jacket let heat escape so you run cooler on hot days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContoured Fit with Gaia foam:\u003c\/strong\u003e soft, PVC-free foam shaped to your torso, with a carved chest panel that helps keep the jacket from riding up toward your chin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh mesh back:\u003c\/strong\u003e works with high-back kayak seats and keeps your back from overheating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy-Access Pockets:\u003c\/strong\u003e a three-pocket front layout, set up like a trail running vest, so small on-water essentials stay within one-handed reach.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKnife storage and an integrated whistle\u003c\/strong\u003e built in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFront zip entry\u003c\/strong\u003e with a YKK auto-locking Vislon zipper and heavy duty acetal adjustment buckles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecycled shell:\u003c\/strong\u003e bluesign approved, 100% post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eApproval: USCG Type III\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDesign buoyancy: 16 lbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 1.46 lbs (22.4 oz \/ 660 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIntended use: recreation, touring and fishing\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEntry: front zip\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFoam: PVC-free Gaia foam and polyethylene foam\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eShell: bluesign approved 300 x 300 denier recycled polyester ripstop\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLiner: 200 denier high tenacity nylon and breathable polyester mesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWebbing: polypro\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eColors: Fire Orange, Water Blue, Eggplant, Soil Tan, Space Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFit and sizing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasure around the widest part of your chest, then pick your size:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eS\/M:\u003c\/strong\u003e 31\" to 37\" chest\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eM\/L:\u003c\/strong\u003e 38\" to 44\" chest\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eL\/XL:\u003c\/strong\u003e 45\" to 51\" chest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are between sizes, go with the one that lets you snug the side and shoulder straps without running out of adjustment. A good fit check: zip it, cinch it, then have someone pull up on the shoulders. The jacket should not slide up past your chin. This is an adult jacket. Kids need a youth jacket sized by their weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eUSCG approval, in plain words\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe V-Eight 4.0 is a US Coast Guard approved Type III life jacket, so it counts toward the wearable life jacket you are required to carry for each person on a boat, kayak or paddleboard, as long as it fits the person wearing it and is in good shape. Type III jackets are made for calm and inland water where help is close by, like lakes, rivers, sounds and protected bays. They are not designed to turn an unconscious person face up, so they are not the right pick for offshore runs or rough open water. Read the label inside the jacket and check your state's rules for kids and for paddleboards. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/wakelanders-blog\/uscg-life-jackets-and-epirbs-guide\"\u003eguide to USCG life jackets and EPIRBs\u003c\/a\u003e covers the basics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStill deciding between foam and inflatable, or Type III and the newer Level 70 label? Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/wakelanders-blog\/how-to-choose-a-life-jacket\"\u003elife jacket buying guide\u003c\/a\u003e lays it out by activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSee it in action\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;max-width:100%;margin:1rem 0 1.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lbG8d8UTusA\" title=\"Astral V-Eight 4.0 life jacket\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;\" allow=\"accelerometer;autoplay;clipboard-write;encrypted-media;gyroscope;picture-in-picture;web-share\" allowfullscreen loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRinse with fresh water after salt or brackish water, inside and out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHang to dry in the shade. Long hours in direct sun fade the shell and wear out the foam faster.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eStore it dry and uncompressed. Do not leave it wadded up wet in a hatch or under a cooler.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDo not machine wash or dry it, and keep it away from heat sources.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLook it over each season. If the shell is torn, the foam is crushed or a buckle is broken, replace the jacket.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePairs well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the water, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/astral-loyak-ac-water-shoe\"\u003eAstral Loyak AC\u003c\/a\u003e is a breathable water shoe that grips wet decks and boards, and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/astral-brewer-3-0-water-shoe\"\u003eAstral Brewer 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e works from the dock to dinner. For kayak or SUP days, a small anchor like the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lite-18-anchor\"\u003eLite 18 Anchor\u003c\/a\u003e keeps you on a fishing spot, and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dometic-sip-bottle-1l\"\u003eDometic Sip Bottle 1L\u003c\/a\u003e fits right in a deck bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShips free on orders over $199. Rates for smaller orders show at checkout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Astral","offers":[{"title":"Fire Orange \/ S\/M","offer_id":67781043716198,"sku":"PFDV84-343-501","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fire Orange \/ M\/L","offer_id":67781043748966,"sku":"PFDV84-343-502","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fire Orange \/ L\/XL","offer_id":67781043781734,"sku":"PFDV84-343-503","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Water Blue \/ S\/M","offer_id":67781043814502,"sku":"PFDV84-661-501","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Water Blue \/ M\/L","offer_id":67781043847270,"sku":"PFDV84-661-502","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Water Blue \/ L\/XL","offer_id":67781043880038,"sku":"PFDV84-661-503","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Eggplant \/ S\/M","offer_id":67781043912806,"sku":"PFDV84-713-501","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Eggplant \/ M\/L","offer_id":67781043945574,"sku":"PFDV84-713-502","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Eggplant \/ L\/XL","offer_id":67781043978342,"sku":"PFDV84-713-503","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Soil Tan \/ S\/M","offer_id":67781044011110,"sku":"PFDV84-837-501","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Soil Tan \/ M\/L","offer_id":67781044043878,"sku":"PFDV84-837-502","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Soil Tan \/ L\/XL","offer_id":67781044076646,"sku":"PFDV84-837-503","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Space Black \/ S\/M","offer_id":67781044109414,"sku":"PFDV84-287-501","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Space Black \/ M\/L","offer_id":67781044142182,"sku":"PFDV84-287-502","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Space Black \/ L\/XL","offer_id":67781044174950,"sku":"PFDV84-287-503","price":155.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0660\/7932\/6310\/files\/11-astral-v-eight-4-0-fireorange-front-sq.jpg?v=1792555778","url":"https:\/\/www.wakelanders.com\/products\/astral-v-eight-4-0-life-jacket","provider":"Wakelanders","version":"1.0","type":"link"}