If you’re going kayaking, boating or white water rafting on the river, a good PFD knife will come in handy. There are a few different options you might consider such as dive knives or rescue knives. Here we will take a look at some of our top recommendations for a PFD knife that you can use while rafting or kayaking.
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PFD Knife Recommendations
- Gerber River Shorty Knife, Black [30-000967]
- NRS Pilot Knife (Orange)
- Gear Aid Akua Blunt Tip Rescue Knife with Serrated Blade and Sheath, Black, 3″ blade
- Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife with Fine Edge – Coyote Brown
- Stohlquist Squeeze Lock Knife, Red, One Size
1. Gerber River Shorty Knife, Black [30-000967]
Product Features
Brand Name: Gerber
Blade Length: 3″
Sheath Included: Yes
Our top pick for a great PFD knife is the Gerber River Shorty Knife. This knife is made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel with a durable nylon handle. The blade on this one is 3″ and features a blunt tip and serrated blade. The nylon handle featured a comfortable gripping surface which can provide gripping power even when wet. This one also includes a PFD compatible sheath which is great for holding in your lash tab. The real selling point of this knife is its budget-friendly price. This is one of the cheaper options you will find for a quality PFD knife.
2. NRS Pilot Knife (Orange)
Product Features
Brand Name: NRS
Blade Length: 3″
Sheath Included: Yes
The NRS Pilot Knife is our second spot on the list. This knife is made from a stainless steel blade with a glass-reinforce polypropylene handle and nylon sheath. The blade is serrated with a rope cutting hook, and blunt tip that can also be used as a flathead screwdriver. The knife includes a steel retention clip and has a rubber gripping surface designed to provide comfort and gripping power. Overall this is a pretty durable rescue knife that is great for taking with you on the river. It is well made, durable, and has a few good features.
3. Gear Aid Akua Blunt Tip Rescue Knife with Serrated Blade and Sheath, Black, 3″ blade
Product Features
Brand Name: Gear Aid
Blade Length: 3″
Sheath Included: Yes
The number two spot on our list goes to the Gear Aid Akua Blunt Tip Rescue Knife. This knife features a stainless steel blade with titanium coating that is perfect for cutting cord, rope, fishing line, and other materials. It has a blunt tip, serrated edge, and rope cutting hook. The knife includes a sheath with a removable belt clip and is designed to be quick release. The handle of this knife also features a bottle opener and glass breaker which could come in handy on a long river trip. Overall this is a pretty excellent knife that should be attachable to most life jackets.
4. Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife with Fine Edge – Coyote Brown
Product Features
Brand Name: Gerber
Blade Length: 4.8″
Sheath Included: Yes
If you want a well made sharp survival knife for kayaking, boating, and rafting the Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade is an excellent choice. This knife is made from stainless steel with a glass filled nylon and rubber handle. The diamond textured grip provides comfortable and clean gripping while the sheath allows for easily attaching the knife to your vest, pants, or belt. They offer a straight blade version and a version with serrated edges. Overall this is an excellent premium survival knife, but it is a little larger than you would expect from a PFD knife.
5. Stohlquist Squeeze Lock Knife, Red, One Size
Product Features
Brand Name: Gerber
Blade Length: 3″
Sheath Included: Yes
If you’re shopping for a versatile women’s fishing flip-flop that can be worn fishing, boating, going to the beach, or for a variety of other water sports, then you need to check out the Columbia Women’s Rostra PFG Sport Sandal. These sandals feature an extremely comfortable contoured footbed that is designed to provide you with maximum comfort. They have a footbed frame that provides additional foot support, while the bottom of these is designed to provide great traction on slippery surfaces. Overall these are excellent women’s water sport flip-flops that are great for fishing and other water activities.
Fishing Flip-Flip Buying Guide
When shopping for a fishing flip-flop, there are a few things you want to consider
- Footbed
- Traction
- Water Resistance
- Cost
How to Choose a Good Pair of Fishing Sandals
1. Footbed
The first thing you want to look at when shopping for a good flip-flop for water activities is the footbed. If you’re going to be standing for an extended period of time during an activity like fishing, it’s essential that you have a comfortable footbed to stand on. We always recommend a contoured footbed with arch support. These will be the most comfortable and keep you enjoying your fishing session all day long.
2. Traction
Another important aspect of fishing footwear to look for is a bottom that is designed for traction on slippery surfaces. Whether you’re fishing on a wet boat, dock, or wet rock, there is bound to be a slippery surface. You need a flip-flop that can provide a grip on these surfaces so you don’t end up slipping.
3. Water Resistance
You should also look for a flip-flop that can handle water. You don’t want a flip-flop that will absorb water and keep your foot wet. This will cause blisters and discomfort. All of the flip-flops we have mentioned here are made of a material that is designed to handle water, so you should be fine with any of the options presented.
4. Cost
Lastly, the cost is always an important thing to look at. Fishing sandals can get to be pretty expensive compared to your typical flip-flops. We don’t recommend just buying the cheapest ones you can find though, because these likely won’t last as long under the wear and tear that heavy fishing can cause.
If you also need a PFD check out our guide on the best PFD’s for rafting
