REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable articulated fit
Multiple pockets
Thin ventilating back
REASONS TO AVOID
No bottom security buckle
Can ride up
Astral E-Ronny Review
With a comfortable slimline profile and high functionality, this well-designed PFD was an all-around favorite
Credit: Sara James
RELATED: Best Life Jackets of 2024
Our Verdict
The Astral E-Ronny is an incredibly comfortable and convenient flotation vest. Ergonomically designed, the articulated front and thin profile back panel make both sitting and moving your arms more comfortable than your standard life jacket. In addition, the mesh ventilation panels help keep you cool during long summer days. With two zippered pockets, two mesh pockets, and four attachment points, there are ample opportunities for stashing whatever things you need with you on the water. Although the reduced back protection doesn't make it suitable for heavy white water use, this jacket allows great range of movement. It will suit recreational kayakers, long-distance tourers, SUPers, and casual fishers. Check out our articles on the best life jackets to see how it ranks versus all manner of competitors.
Editor's Note: We updated this article on October 7, 2024, to include new information and relevant comparisons after our latest round of testing.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Astral E-Ronny | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Life Jacket | Best PFD for Paddling |  Best Inflatable Belt |  Best Bang for Your (Paddling) Buck | Great Value for a Universal Vest |
| Price | $135.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $77.00 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $150 List $149.95 at REI | $70.93 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $45 List $44.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This life jacket rose to the top for its ergonomic design that combines comfort with utility | Delivering more floatation while weighing less, this is a comfortable option for those that like to move around on the water | Fairly low profile but simple to use and reliable when you need it | A comfortable, easy to wear paddle jacket with a high value | Surprisingly comfortable, this super adjustable high mobility jacket is straightforward and functional |
| Rating Categories | Astral E-Ronny | Astral YTV 2.0 | NRS Zephyr | NRS Vapor | Stohlquist Fit |
| Fit (30%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (25%) | |||||
| Quality of Construction (20%) | |||||
| Features and Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Flotation (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Astral E-Ronny | Astral YTV 2.0 | NRS Zephyr | NRS Vapor | Stohlquist Fit |
| Intended User | Mens/Unisex | Unisex | Unisex | Unisex | Unisex |
| Manufacturers Stated Intended Use | Recreation, touring, fishing | Whitewater / Tour / Sailing / SUP | Paddling but for expert swimmers only | Paddling | Paddling, general boating |
| Entry Style | Front zip | Pull over; side entry, 2 side clips | Waist belt, clip | Pull over; side entry,1 side clip | Front clip |
| Wear Type | Vest | Vest | Belt (inflatable) | Vest | Vest |
| Sizes Available | S/M (31-37”) M/L (38-44”) L/XL (45-51”) |
S/M (31-37”) M/L (38-44”) L/XL (45-51”) |
Universal (27-50") | XS/M (30-42") L/XL (42-52") XL/XXL (50-56") |
Youth (50-90 lbs) Youth L/Adult XS (75-125 lbs, 27-33" chest) Universal (30-52") Adult XL (48-60") |
| Size We Tested | M/L (38-44”) | S/M (31-37”) | Universal (27-50") | XS/M (30-42") | Universal (30-52") |
| Measured Weight | 24oz | 21 oz | 18 oz | 28 oz | 13 oz |
| Foam Type | Gaia + PE foam | PVC-free Gaia foam, Polyethylene foam | Inflatable (manual by 24g CO2 or breath), high-efficiency welded bladder | Ultra soft foam | PE foam |
| Main Material | 300D diamond RPET | 300 x 300 denier 100% post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop | 400D ripstop nylon exterior | 400D nylon shell, 200D nylon liner | 200D nylon shell |
| Claimed Designed Buoyancy | 16 lb | 16.5 lb | 27.8 lb | 16.3 lb | 16 to 18 lb |
| USCG Classification | Type III / performance level 70 | Type V | Type V with Type III performance | Type III | Type III |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Standing out for comfort and utility, the Astral E-Ronny is the life jacket we recommend the most. This 5-paneled, articulated vest has a 100% recycled ripstop polyester shell and closes with just a front-center zip. There are two zippered pockets (one large enough for a VHF radio or phone) and two mesh compartments that can be used to stash additional items. Although this PFD is low profile, it still offers 16 pounds of flotation and is USCG approved as a Type III flotation aid. It is available in three sizes.
Performance Comparison
The thin back is designed to be comfortable even when seated in a recreational kayak.
Credit: Sara James
Fit
The multiple panels of articulated foam give the E-Ronny a superior wrap around the torso, keeping arms free from the bothersome corners that plague many other bulky life jackets. The E-Ronny is particularly comfortable for stand-up paddle-boarders whose paddle strokes typically require a greater range of movement from the arm areas. There are two adjustment points on the torso of this vest, and the shoulder straps can also be adjusted, ensuring that you can get the right fit for your body shape and dimensions. Unlike many others we tested, this design does not have a clip at the very bottom of the PFD front; although we were grateful for the comfort that removing this buckle provided, especially on bare skin, it did result in the PFD being more prone to riding up on the torso.
The original design of the predecessor to the E-Ronny was based on the female-focused Linda model and, therefore, benefits from tapered padding around the chest area. This feature is comfortable for paddlers of all shapes. The E-Ronny is available in three sizes, fitting a chest size range of 31-51 inches.
The E-Ronny is great for paddlesports because of its large armholes that allow for great freedom of movement.
Credit: Sara James
Comfort and Mobility
The E-Ronny is impressive in this metric. The design's profile leaves ample room for your arms, and even stand-up paddle-boarding testers didn't complain about sharp edges or chafing. This life jacket's superior adjustability supports greater comfort and mobility when swimming or recreating.
The back panel of this PFD has a significantly thinner profile and is designed to be suitable for all seat types, even recreational kayaks with high seat backs. This can be particularly important during long or hot journeys. Mesh panels further enhance the comfort of the E-Ronny. Positioned on the side and down the spine of the back panel, these mesh spots support enhanced airflow and help to mitigate discomfort during hot summer sessions on the water.
The cut of the E-Ronny allows for fantastic range of arm movement.
Credit: Sara James
Quality of Construction
The outer shell is made of 100% post-consumer recycled, 300-denier diamond ripstop fabric that is durable and designed to withstand the abrasive nature of river adventures. Regardless of where our adventures took us, we were not worried about ripping this durable model.
The attention to detail on the E-Ronny is noteworthy. We appreciated the lapels just below the shoulder straps, which helped prevent excess straps from flapping around in your face.
The outer shell is more robust than most the recreational designs we tested by other brands We would not expect this to tear or even fray easily.
Credit: Sara James
Features and Versatility
The Astral E-Ronny stands out for its features. The front panels have two zippered pockets. One is 8 x 5 inches and is large enough to store a VHF radio or small tackle box, with an attachment loop for added security. The second pocket is 5 x 5 inches, and we found it useful for storing smaller items such as a whistle, sunscreen tube, or sunglasses.
The supplementary mesh storage compartments on the front of each pocket add further tool or snack stashing opportunities — or a place to store some of that trash you may come across on your adventures. An additional attachment point is situated on the top left breast, suitable for securing a knife or other equipment that you want to keep on hand for quick access. There are additional attachment points on the lapels which could be used to secure a whistle or other lanyards.
The largest pocket can fit a mobile phone, or a VHF radio with the antenna tucking tidily under the lapels.
Credit: Cheyenne Summer
Flotation
The E-Ronny is designed with 16 pounds of buoyancy, with more flotation distributed on the front than the back. This is a USCG Type III jacket; however, it offers approximately 0.3 -0.5 pounds less flotation than some of the other jackets we tested. Despite that fact, this jacket was more comfortable and easy to swim in, which is also a needed component to help keep you safe.
When worn in the water, the secure fit of the E-Ronny supports a comfortable floating position. If conditions were suitable, we wouldn't mind floating around the water in this jacket for quite some time. In addition, the lower profile cut around the arms makes swimming more comfortable than many of the other options we tested, so the small amount of decreased buoyancy does not concern us.
Having a nice test float down the water in the E-Ronny.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Astral E-Ronny?
This award-winning life jacket manages to fit in all the features while shedding some of the bulk we typically associate with flotation devices. It's a comfortable jacket that can carry your essentials on the water and adjust to fit a wide range of body shapes. The E-Ronny doesn't offer the highest flotation, so if you expect to be weighing yourself down with heavy fishing gear or other high-density objects, consider an option that is more activity-specific. It isn't the cheapest option either, but it offers substantially more comfort and usability than the budget competition.
A comfortable option, particularly for kayakers.
Credit: Sara James
What Other Life Jackets Should You Consider?
If you are drawn to this jacket's fishing-friendly features, you may also want to consider the NRS Chinook Fishing, which offers slightly more space to stash those essentials. Alternatively, if you are drawn to the low-cut profile and want to keep it as streamlined as possible, check out the Astral YTV 2.0, which has a more flexible cut and much smaller streamlined stash pockets.
—Sara James
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