First Impressions, a well made Buoyancy Aid
As soon as I took the GUL Garda 50N Buoyancy Aid out of its packaging, I could tell it was a well-made piece of kit. The construction is solid, and the stitching looks neat and tidy. It’s made from a durable, lightweight material that feels like it will stand up to plenty of use. The design is simple but effective, with a sleek look that I really like.
Broad velcro waist straps
The GUL Garda 50N Buoyancy Aid has broad velcro securing straps that run around the waist and secure at the front.
These straps are fully adjustable, so you can get a snug and comfortable fit. They’re also quick and easy to adjust, so you can tighten or loosen them as needed.
The velcro is strong and secure, so you don’t have to worry about the straps coming undone while you’re out on the water.
Good sized pocket at the front, secured with velcro, with a drain hole
One of the things I really like about the GUL Garda 50N Buoyancy Aid is the good-sized pocket at the front.
It’s secured with velcro, so you can easily open and close it, even with wet or cold hands. The pocket has a drain hole, just incase you end up going for a swim.
It’s perfect for storing small essentials like a phone, keys, or a snack.
Side zip to make it easier to get on and off
Putting on a buoyancy aid can be a bit of a struggle, especially if it’s a tight fit. That’s why I really appreciate the side zip on the GUL Garda 50N Buoyancy Aid.
The zip makes it much easier to get the buoyancy aid on and off, without having to wriggle and squirm.
It’s a small feature, but it makes a big difference in terms of convenience and ease of use.
The front and back foam inserts can be removed, I assume for easy drying
One feature of the GUL Garda 50N Buoyancy Aid that I appreciate is that the foam inserts at the front and back can be removed.
This is a great feature for easy drying, especially if you’ve been out on the water all day and your buoyancy aid has gotten wet.
You can easily take out the foam inserts and hang up the buoyancy aid to dry. Once it’s dry, you can simply re-insert the foam inserts and you’re ready to go.
There are a couple of disadvantages:
The sizing is small: One thing to note about the GUL Garda 50N Buoyancy Aid is that the sizing runs small. I normally wear a Medium in other Buoyancy Aids, but I had to order a Large in this one. If you’re thinking about buying this buoyancy aid, make sure to check the size chart carefully and consider ordering a size up.
The waist elastic is very tight: Another issue I’ve had with the GUL Garda 50N Buoyancy Aid is that the waist elastic is very tight.
In fact, it’s so tight that I’m considering cutting it. It can get uncomfortable on longer paddles, and I don’t think there’s a need for it since the velcro waist straps feel really secure.
There is no shoulder strap adjustment: Finally, one thing that’s missing from the GUL Garda 50N Buoyancy Aid is shoulder strap adjustment.
While the velcro waist straps are fully adjustable, the shoulder straps are not.
This means that the buoyancy aid may not fit perfectly for everyone, especially if you have broad shoulders or a larger chest.