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Product: MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD – Unisex
Price: $199.95
Store: MEC
This MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD (Personal Flotation Device) is fantastic for kayaking! It’s comfortable to wear if a paddler’s body fits between XS (extra small) to XXL (extra extra large). A PFD takes the shape of a person’s body, which is ideal for continuous use. It’s shorter at the stomach, with adjustable straps at the shoulders. This is compared to a life jacket that is more of a one-size-fits-all rectangular shape. Its design provides additional flotation, helping you flip onto your back and keep your face out of the water. Reading up on both types is strongly recommended to see what suits your specific needs.
Table of Contents
How It Was Tested
Our tester used it while kayaking on Lake Isle. The MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD is short at the front and back, providing excellent mobility to move arms with ease and rotate the paddle comfortably! This PFD is comfortable to sit in when you’re in a kayak. When wearing a life jacket, its front and back tend to be pushed upwards due to its longer length, causing significant discomfort during this activity.
Camera
This MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD features a large front pocket, allowing a Fujifilm FinePix XP140 Waterproof Digital Camera to be stored in it. When constantly taking pictures, accessibility to the camera is handy. It’s a better alternative than tying it to a wrist, as it can get in the way when kayaking and potentially hit the side of the kayak. This camera safeguards your regular camera from damage during adventures. An awesome place to bring your camera is while kayaking in Desolation Sound. There is so much potential wildlife, such as seals, starfish, eagles, and whales, to photograph, as well as family members, your partner and your surroundings.
Tip: When kayaking on the ocean, regularly clean the lenses and screen with fresh water to capture beautiful, saltwater-free photos.
The big pocket at the front can also hold snacks. It also has a clip to hold your keys, so you don’t lose them on your trip or misplace them. A mesh pocket sits on the front, ideal for used wrappers or a small treat. Two gray pockets are located on each side, allowing easy access to a small granola bar or energy chews. Tissues can also be stored in them if it’s a nice, calm day. Otherwise, on a windy day, they could get wet. Our tester, who loves her camera and snacks, thinks this is a fantastic personal flotation device. The abundance of pockets compared to a life jacket is nice. If you’re a guide, this PFD also has a pocket to store a radio.
This personal flotation device has specific features such as a strobe attachment, a carabiner quick release, and reflective material, for more technical kayakers. Read the details on their site for more information.
Waist Band
The waist has an adjustable band that can be adjusted to fit your waist size. You’ll want it snug enough to help you float in case you fall into the water, but not so tight that it constricts your breathing and prevents you from paddling or taking pictures.
Colours and Sizes: MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD
MEC unfortunately no longer sells this personal floatation device in a beautiful yellow colour. It comes in either red or black for those interested in this MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD. The sizes run from XS (extra small) to XXL (extra extra large). A coat can fit underneath if one is needed due to high winds or rain. A neoprene suit (worn when kayaking in cold temperatures) can also fit underneath the PFD by adjusting the straps on the shoulders and both sides of the body. The padded PFD provides some body warmth, but makes it bulky to travel with.
Overview of MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD
Pros
- It has many pockets, including a pocket for a radio and clips to attach carabiners.
- It’s comfortable to wear while paddling.
- It has a thick zipper to the side (providing comfort) and allows for easy wear and removal.
Cons
- It’s bulky to carry if you want to travel with it worldwide.
- It only comes in a few select colours, and yellow is no longer available.
- It can be a pricey PFD for some people.
MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD is Best for:
- Kayakers to carry their snacks and a camera.
- It provides mobility for long journeys.
- The easily adjustable straps facilitate adding a warmer layer or removing one.
- The PFD is padded to create some body warmth.
Great review! I love all the pockets that this has, because I also like to have my camera and a few other items handy. I have been looking at this at MEC and waiting for a sale, since it is $199 now. In your opinion, would you think this is suitable for canoeing as well?
Thanks Kevin! Thanks for the heads up. I’ve update the price on my post. Oh yea, for sure. I’ve used it myself for canoeing. It’s nice to fit all your essentials for canoeing too. I hope there will soon be a sale for you to purchase at a cheaper price.
Hi! I live in Great Britain and use a Palm PFD, but I have been doing some research and it sees palm didn’t bother to get approval in the US and/ or Canada so technically my kit isn’t legal over there I want a PFD that is approved for use in both Canada and the USA, I mainly paddle on the sea so I like the VHF pocket on this. Also I’m short and the shape of the PFD looks like it would suit me. Do you know if it’s approved but the us coast guard as well as transport Canada?
Hey Heather! Sounds fun! Do you have a specific trip in mind? I love trips on the ocean. I looked on my MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD itself and it says that it’s approved by Transport Canada. Sadly, there’s no information indicating it’s also USCG approved.