Full Throttle Women's Hinged Rapid-Dry Flex-Back Life Vest, Purple

This is an excellent personal flotation device all around, especially at this price. I'm concerned by the large number of reviews stating that the vest fit tighter than expected, and needed to be exchanged for a larger size. Please keep in mind that one of the main properties of neoprene is that the material becomes flexible, and stretches a great deal, when wet. When you try on a dry neoprene vest for the first time, it should be difficult to fasten, and it should fit very snugly once you are finally able to fasten it. If you need help from someone else to fasten your neoprene vest when dry, then that's probably a good fit for you. If you try the vest on when dry, and find that its easy to zip up and comfortable enough to wear around all day long, then that vest is way too big for you (as in, you may need to go down a full size or two). If you start with a neoprene vest that fits comfortably when dry, it will become way too loose once you're in the water, and you won't be safe. That's what makes neoprene an ideal material for sports like waterskiing, jet skiing, and parasailing, where you know that you WILL be in the water and the vest WILL get wet. If you're looking for a life vest that you can wear comfortably all day long as a precaution, like when fishing or kayaking, then neoprene is simply not the material for you. When trying on a new (dry) neoprene vest, I'd suggest going with what allows you to breath... seriously! If the vest fits very snug and feels tight. but you're able to breathe comfortably in and out, and you can perform simple movements like bending at the waist: great fit. If, however, the vest fits so tight that you literally feel like your chest is being compressed, and you can't breathe comfortably: obviously too tight.

I wanted to share the size chart that was on my vest to help others order the right size. See pic included with this review. I ordered the Women's medium & it fit perfect. I'm 5'6" @ 138 lbs. and I wear a 34A bra size with a 30" natural waist. Originally, I had ordered the large size based on other reviews and it was way too big in the chest & waist.Hope this helps and keeps you from having to return a wrong size vest.

My chest is ~35 inches around at the fullest point, got the medium because other vests (unisex) that are size Large are too big, and a S/M (32"-40") that's my otherwise favorite, requires about the tightest setting and even then has a too loose feel to it. The sizing of this on paper is the same as other vests (M = 36" - 40"), however - the Medium in this is too tight. So I measured this where my chest hits, and it's barely 34" (see pics) though it has some give & stretch to it. If I buckle only and/or don't zip it all the way up I get squished in a way that makes me appear more well endowed than I really am, but it's not the look I'm going for! Zipped all the way up makes it almost uncomfortable to breathe but seems to ease up after a bit. For some reason I thought it fit ok when I first tried it, but wish I'd realized it didn't and sent it back and tried the large. May still try the large or the men's large (red). Reviews there seem to echo the small fit of the women's so I'd be concerned with a M on it too.One other note, these are cut a little shorter than some traditional vests. This is nice for movement and for those who are shorter, but if you have a long torso like me (5' 8", long torso, short legs) it may feel a little strange and more exposed or not as secure at first.I do like the hinging, and the neoprene combo (have a Stearns neoprene that I like). Colors are true to the picture. Easy to fit in the strapping of a paddle board as well and can fold to fit if needed.I debated on 3 or 4 stars. 3 stars because of the fit, 4-5 for looks and function. While the more snug fit seems to be common in some other brands as well, it's just inaccurate.Update - Purchased a new Stearns Hydropene in Walmart, made similar to this and similar to my older one except has the hinging. Had to go with a Large in it as well. Medium fit similar to this one (too tight) even though it should fit 36-40". My older Stearns is a S/M (32-40") and is almost big.

I'm extremely happy with my purchase of the Full Throttle Women's Hinged Life Jacket/Vest. I was very reluctantly to order this because of all the reviews about how small it runs. I wear a medium in blouses/tops and a bra size of 36D. I would have ordered a medium if I hadn't read the reviews so instead I went with a large. The large fits me perfect and is not snug in the least bit. I was wondering if I should have ordered a medium since they expand in the water, but stuck with the large. I've used it water skiing a few times and am very satisfied with the life jacket. It's comfortable and doesn't rub anywhere (like my underarms or neck) like some other life jackets do. It also doesn't float up around my head, which I guess means it isn't too large. I love the graphics and color of the life jacket and highly recommend it.

Purchased for my almost 11 year old, 5'2", 95 pound daughter. On the advice of many others, I ordered a size up from what I measured her to be, ordered a Medium. There is some extra room in the chest area, but otherwise fits her great after tightening the buckles some. The small may have fit her but would have been snug. Now the final test will be once she gets to use it next week.Shipped really quickly. Ordered yesterday afternoon via Prime and it arrived today!

This PFD is very nice, high quality, well made and a perfect fit. I am 5'4" and weigh 134 lbs. I purchased a Large, based on other reviews. It is neoprene with memory foam construction.I purchased this particular PFD because it had a zipper, and the buckles for extra safety and a better fit.The buckles were too strong for me to release (open). After 15 minutes, I was finally able to get them open so I could try on the PFD...Not acceptable. (I am 65 and have a little arthritis in my thumbs.) It fit perfectly and was comfortable and not restricting. The length was ok, it didn't ride to up around my ears ( as some PFDs will).I really liked it, but I was concerned about the difficulty I had with the buckles. Otherwise, this is a FIVE Star product. (I returned it)

Nice bright color for visibility on or in the water. Fits as suggested!! Manufacturer could put another dart/flex point across the chest for even better comfort.

Viene muy reducido en talla