Stohlquist

At Osprey Bay Outdoors in Clearwater, Florida, we understand why paddlers choose a Stohlquist PFD. We also know that a proper kayak PFD fitting is essential for comfort and safety here in Clearwater. The Stohlquist story began in 1977 in a barn near the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Colorado. Founded by Jim Stohlquist—an avid whitewater kayaker and waterman—the brand emerged from a clear necessity: existing life jackets simply failed to meet the mobility, comfort, and safety demands of dynamic river environments. Driven by a passion for hands-on craftsmanship, Jim set out to design apparel and personal flotation devices that worked with the paddler’s body, not against it.

Over the decades, Stohlquist established itself as an industry pioneer by focusing relentlessly on ergonomic innovation. The brand introduced groundbreaking safety technologies, including its proprietary Graded Sizing™—which tailors every PFD size individually rather than simply scaling down a single pattern—and WRAPTURE™ body-mapped foam for a contoured, low-profile fit.

From technical whitewater rescue vests to specialized touring, fishing, and family PFDs, every Stohlquist design stems from real-world testing in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Grounded in nearly 50 years of paddling heritage, Stohlquist continues to deliver precision-engineered flotation gear built to empower adventurers, protect families, and conquer wild waters with absolute confidence.