Looking for a good performance PFD for women that doesn't inhibit or ride up while out on the trap. Has anyone had experience with the Stohlquist BetSEA or women's Motion? The BetSEA gets excellent ratings but they are from kayak enthusiasts and snorkeling use.

My wife and my son's girlfriend use/share the same betSEA and both really like it (mind you compared to off the shelf unisex vests). They're on both ends of the spectrum in regards to "endowment" and are able to easily adjust the straps to prevent ride up.

I bought a Stohlquist "Kitty" PFD for my wife, she liked it so much I bought one for my daughter also. You can find all of their products on their website www.StohlquistWaterWare.com
One of the founders of the company is a catsailor and altho they have made their name in the arena of whitewater rafting, many of their products cross over VERY Nicely. I personally can vouch for the function and comfort of their mens vest also.
Stephen

This is terrible. I had no idea that there were life vests designed specifically for women. I thought all life vests were created equal. Now that I know about the Betsea and the Kitty, I covet one. But they are SOOO expensive.

I checked our catsailor online store, and we do have the Stohlquist life vests, including the Betsea, so we obviously can get all the other Stohlquist models, as well.

Ignorance is bliss, and I was much happier when I didn't know about these jackets that are designed for the female "physique."

Now I am going to be unhappy with my off-the-shelf West Marine life jacket. But at least I know what to put on my Christmas wish list. Or maybe Rick will see this post.

P.S. I like the storage pockets in those jackets, too. My current jacket has NO pockets, so I have no place to put my Swiss Army Knife and a whistle and energy bars and sunscreen and sunglasses and compass and reading glasses (to read the compass) and cell phone and signal mirror and camera and extra shackles and line and small vice grips..... I just have to figure out how MUCH I can carry without overcoming the vest's buoyancy. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I can hardly wait until Christmas. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Gee Mary, If you think the jackets are expensive, then I may have gone overboard when I ordered and asked if catsailor.com would pricematch another site! I value the expertise, so I'm willing to pay the price.

Our prices are exactly the same as the ones at the Stohlquist site. It would not be nice to undercut any of our suppliers. If we did, we wouldn't have them very long. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Sometimes it happens by accident, though, if a supplier raises their prices and does not pass the information on to us. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Mary, you sound just like my wife........everything but the kitchen sink and often times the kitchen sink as well. Sounds like you need a vest with a built in daypack! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

All funning aside, those are neccessary items.

Walter