I get what you're saying Jerry. DWeste, I take your point as well.

When my family is on the water we're usually paddling. My concern for personal use, and use by DS, is that the inflatable ones, while they do appear to be more comfortable, leave more room for error. I want my not-quite a swimmer 8 year-old in a jacket with a butt strap, which will roll him over and hold his head up. I would also worry about malfunction, especially if I tested and refilled it myself. (I have very bad techno-karma!)

Likewise, I can see big benefits in them in some situations, like the floatation issue Aussie points out. I'm also more likely to get my fishing mates to wear one they hardly notice than the standard bulky ones they usually use as seat cushions. "We only fish 200 meters from shore and we paddle the niine-nine. What could happen?"

I like simple old school in most things. The new jacket I buy tomorrow is going to be a good old Canoedogs-style one. Not inflatable but hopefully cut well enough to allow for comfortable paddling, with some pockets for a little gear. I may upgrade though. Jerry's convinced me that there's a time and a place for everything.