Palm refers to the Kaikoura Tour Buoyancy Aid as “A front zipped expedition level touring PFD – packed with features and storage space – which uses Palm’s Flex Formed Foam system.” Whilst it certainly looks the part on the brochures and adverts – does it live up to the hype?
If the answer to this was judged by demand and lack of availability you would certainly think so. During the summer I contacted a number of retailers to try and source a Kaikoura Tour to no avail. Forum posts abound on well known sea kayaking blogs bemoaning the lack of availability. However, the good news is that they are coming back into stock and are well worth a look.
Kaikoura Tour - Unzipped
The Kaikoura Tour is a shorter cut buoyancy aid, with quite a bulbous look at the front due to reasonably large foam buoyancy and an excess of pockets. However, do not be fooled by appearances – once on the buoyancy aid does not feel large and bulbous. The cut of the Kaikoura gives excellent freedom around the shoulders/arms allowing you to move freely.
Adjustment comes in the form of a waist and midrift straps as well as shoulder adjustment. This is easy to access and adjust wearing the buoyancy aid. A front zip design allows the Kaikoura to me removed on the water, to remove a layer of clothing for example.
Kaikoura Tour - Right Pocket
There have been many discussions on Sea Kayaking forums regarding the Kaikoura’s zip and corrosion, however it is important to note that the design has been updated with a plastic zip and this problem addressed.
Storage on the Kaikoura is superb and one of features that has led to the praise within the sea kayaking community. The front of the Kaikoura has four pockets along with fleece lined hand warmers and a whistle pocket.
The two main pockets contain pouches and key clips. The smaller front bellows pockets also contain key clips and allow storage of smaller items.
Kaikoura Tour - Left Pocket
The right main pocket has an aerial slot to allow a vhf to be stored. To my mind it provides a secure place to store the radio and listen in to radio traffic but I would be concerned about accidental button presses switching channels (I tend to monitor channels 16 & 67 on dual watch).
I currently have my iCom radio under the deck lines in a waterproof bag but would like to keep the deck clearer and keep the radio on my person. time will tell if this is front pocket is the perfect solution.
The left pocket is a more straight forward double pocket – one larger top/side entry and one smaller front entry. The larger is a great size for snacks, penknife on a lanyard and other items you wish to keep on your person.
Both left and right pockets had a reflective patch on them – an increasingly common addition to paddling kit and useful for dawn/dusk and night paddlers.
Kaikoura Tour - Back
The back of the Kaikoura has a larger pocket – obviously designed for a water bladder. The shoulder straps contain loops to keep the drinking tube organised. However, the pocket is also a perfect size for flares or other larger items. This pocket has an over the shoulder opening strip.
To round off the pockets, the right shoulder has a ‘strobe’ pocket with d-ring and whistle already attached. This is ideal for those who carry the smaller torch/strobe devices for night time or emergency situations.
Final, the Kaikoura has an flat, inside back pocket which I currently do not have a plan for – however there are suggestions floating about on the UKSRG forums.
The Kaikoura fits very comfotably and when packed is seems as if it will be functional and provide easy access to key items. I look forward to more detailed testing and will report back after a period of sustained use. if you are a Kaikoura user, let me know how you have found it!
Palm Kaikoura Tour from Palm – available from Bournemouth canoes, Woodmill and other stockists.
Features include:
• Palm Flex formed foam cut-wraps around torso
• Vent mesh lining and neoprene under arm patches
• Palm 3D ‘anti ride-up’ waist system
• YKK front zip entry with closure cover
• Easy Glide™ strap adjustment throughout
• 3M® reflective panels on shoulders, front and rear panels
• Large rear cargo pocket with over shoulder opening tab
• Double front cargo pockets with internal compartments, attachment points and VHF aerial slot
• Shoulder ‘strobe’ pocket with whistle and D ring
• Hydration bladder storage guides and park
• Front and rear lash tabs
Fabrics: Cordura® 550D Ripstop
Colour: Blue / Grey, Red / Grey
Code: BA325
Size options: XS-S (60N) / M-L (70N) / XL-XXL (70N)
I am thinking of purchasing one of these within the next week or so. I especially like the large number of pockets, and the idea of having ALL my rescue gear (and sarnies) on my person if I become seperated from my yak.
Nice review, thanks,
Brian
just out of curiosity, looking to get a handheld vhf, anyone recomend one thats nice amd compact and fits well into this jacket?
josh
Hi Josh,
I’ve carried an Icom M71 and M35 and a Standard Horizon H751 in the pocket. The Icom M71 fits very well. The larger Icom M35 and Standard Horizon H751 are both a much tighter fit. I believe the Standard Horizon H280 would fit very well as it is nice compact unit but have yet to try one myself.
It is worth noting that there have been some issues with the Icom M35 and battery terminal corrosion and the UKSRGB forums have plenty of discussion with most paddlers preferring the Standard Horizon VHF’s.
I would avoid using the little slot for the VHF aerial in the pocket as it makes it very difficult to remove the VHF in an emergency if there are other items in the pocket.
Hope this of help.
Hi duncs,
thanks for the info the model i was looking at was the Icom M33. As for in emergencys i am actualy a crew member of the local RNLI, i would preferably use the aerial slot as i can easily obtain a handsfree style earpiece for it. Also id try keep the pocket as free as possible as if im doing a training excersice with the lifeboat il need thehandheld easily available and dont want to faff around with moving other things out of the pocket.
Hi Duncan having owned my Kaikoura for a number of years now and having seen others in use I’d like to point out that whilst the front pockets are good, that these combined with the thick foam on the front does make self rescues (straddle) quite difficult. Particularly so for less agile Paddlers who struggle to pull themselves back onto the back deck of the kayak. As always try before you buy. Simon
Yep – I’ve come across a couple of other folk who mentioned the same thing. The other issue I’ve come across is the thin tabs for the D rings inside the pockets etting caught in the zip of the pocket which is a serious pain to sort whilst wearing the PFD. I believe the newer version has a different design/position for the in pocket D rings and avoids this.