For the past nine years, we have released a highly anticipated Limited Edition GreenJacket PFD. The Limited Edition Program at Astral is the Crown Jewel of our product. The story and attention to design detail make these life jackets not only best in class, but a piece of art. Time tested by the world’s best expedition kayakers, the Astral GreenJacket is the top choice for river guides and expedition paddlers alike. It combines full rescue capabilities with innovative protection, comfort, and style. For the Limited Edition Program’s 10th anniversary, we will be debuting the “River Roots” version co-designed by world-renowned kayaker, producer, rapper, and longtime member of the Astral family, Rush Sturges. We celebrate what the brand has always been about – River Roots.
“The artistic expressions of kayaking, style, rhythm, and flow, are no different from the methods used by a musician, a painter or a filmmaker. Kayakers may not use a paintbrush, but the river provides an open canvas by which we can express ourselves, forge ever-lasting friendships, and find connection with the truly untouched. The opportunity to create the River Roots LE was a fun chance to combine my love for art with my passion for whitewater,” Sturges says.
The front of the PFD is a spin on the River Roots company design, and the back represents Mt. Hood looking down on the Columbia River Gorge. Sturges notes that, “In the end, I’ve always felt that combining my love for rivers, film, and music was a fun way to bring the art form full circle. I know the folks at Astral feel the same way, and hopefully some of that passion trickles into this Limited Edition.”
VP of Sales & Marketing, Christie Dobson notes, “This collaboration has soul. It hits close to home for me, as I’ve known Rush since he was a kid touring around with his school. It’s been amazing to watch him develop his career, paddling style and now this PFD and shoe – it’s been nothing short of an honor.”
Dobson says, “We celebrate 10 years of Limited Edition PFDs by including our first LE shoe, the River Roots Rassler 2.0 in Rudy Red, alongside the LE PFD. This is by far, our best LE program yet, combining our favorite PFD with our most core whitewater shoe in a River Roots theme.”
Check out a full interview with Rush on the design here.
The LE10 GreenJacket and LE Rassler 2.0 are available now. Quantities are extremely limited, don’t delay to avoid to disappointment.
