WHAT IS "LE"?
LE = LIMITED EDITION. What initially began as a way to use leftover stock fabric in our Asheville warehouse has evolved into a beloved celebration of our river community and artists.
LEs are fleeting – and once they’re gone, they never return into production, making for unique and coveted PFDs.
Here’s a (mostly) complete history of Astral LEs…
THE HISTORY OF ASTRAL LE
LE1 - Rasta
The very first LE, circa November 2009. Dedicated to the rasta love that has run deep in the Class V community for decades. Features an astronaut named “USA-ness” to honor being made in Asheville, NC, USA.
LE 2 - Astralology
The LE2 was inspired by our affinity for Astrology and features the Big Dipper and the North Star, Saturn’s rings, and an alien…
“Now this Alien is not your ordinary extraterrestrial. Sure he has a ray gun and comes in peace, but did you notice his Evil Space Boots?”
LE 3 - Samurai
The Samurai inspired LE 3 arrived in April 2010.
“With the LE3 you will be prepared to roundhouse big drops like Chuck Norris and karate chop boulder gardens like Bruce Lee.”
Part of the inspiration for the Samurai dated back to a batch of PFDs Astral made specifically for the US Freestyle Kayak Team.
LE 4 - Czech Yourself (Before You Wreck Yourself)
In November 2010, the Czech Yourself LE was Astral’s first “triad” approach to LEs (Astral+ Athlete + Artist). Jakub Nemec and Meg Smith created the aesthetic design for this highly visible LE that would make Kobe Bryant (RIP) proud. Featuring a kayaker completing his Bootie Beer penance.
Read the original blog launch here, and scroll down for more recent collabs with Meg…
LE 5 - Dark Water
Circa 2011. This classic style was inspired by Tibetan Buddhist paintings. Note the Tibetan farmer on the wing, aptly named the “Wave Harvester”. Read the original blog drop here.
LE 6 - The Steiner
The LE6 was not a GreenJacket- instead it was an Aquavest 300R, Astral’s original rescue vest.
The design is inspired by Rudolf Steiner, a radical thinker from the early 1900s that invented an incredibly effective method of agriculture called Biodynamics based on “spiritual science”. Steiner continues to inspire Astral – his words can be found on our apparel line. Read some of his words on Nature here.
LE 6 also features Daisy the Cow, a motif still used today.
LE 7 - Hawkeye
Designed in conjunction with kayaker Pat Keller and artist Kris Northern as a tribute to the craft of Class V+ exploratory kayaking, where map interpretation and solid navigation skills are the foundations of a successful mission.
LE 8 - Rise Up
LE8 was a collaboration between kayaker Evan Garcia and artist Walker Howard. Rise Up was designed as tribute to the spirit and energy of wild places.
Evan discussing the influence for LE8 in 2015: “I’ve always loved the Rasta lion style – I wanted to get a unique spin on the lion and mix that with some water. The condor and mountains came from the crazy amount of time I’ve spent in Chile…I knew Walker Howard (the artist) would be able to run with that and make into a pretty piece of art.”
LE 9 - Rainbow
As written in 2017, “The GreenJacket LE9 is a tribute to our heritage; while at the same time marking a new chapter in our evolution at Astral. We have incorporated an array of colors found on Astral’s original rescue PFDs, and the pocket liner has a unique pattern of the lotus petal.”
LE 10 - River Roots
Designed by Rush Sturges in collaboration with Sapient, the front of LE10 is a spin on the River Roots company design, and the back represents Mt. Hood looking down on the Columbia River Gorge.
“The opportunity to create the River Roots LE was a fun chance to combine my love for art with my passion for whitewater.” – Rush Sturges
Read the 2018 Launch blog here.
LE 11 - Cobra
LE 11 was a collaboration with the legendary Aniol Serrasolses and artist Eliza Carver. “The 2019 Limited Edition GreenJacket is a tribute to Chile and all its wild places,” notes Aniol. The front of the PFD highlights the Curarrehue Valley, an Araucaria (the national tree of Chile), and a full moon—a homage to Aniol’s love for moonlit laps. The back reveals the La Leona Waterfall, where the cascade becomes one with the cobra, symbolizing Aniol and his infinite connection with the river. Read the launch blog and interview with Aniol here.
LE 12 - Heron
The LE Heron GreenJacket was a tribute to the iconic Green River. “Mama Green” has played a formative role in many paddlers’ lives, including Astral Founder & CEO Philip Curry, who was among the first few groups to run the Narrows consistently in the early 1990’s. Astral donated 5% of all proceeds from the lifejacket to the Green River Access Fund. Read the launch blog and tribute to the Green here and the donation report and dedication to GRAF here.
LE 13 - Layla LE
The first ever Layla LE was designed in collaboration with whitewater kayaker Nicole Mansfield and artist Kate Shea, using iconic illustrations and color to celebrate the elegance and playfulness of water and women. 5% of sales were donated to organizations empowering women and youth in the outdoors. Read the interview with Nicole and Kate here.
LE 14 - Wild Things
‘Wild Things’ LE was collaboration with world-renowned whitewater kayaker, Nouria Newman, and artist, Bret Brown. Inspired by Newman’s worldwide explorations and Brown’s youthful and abstract illustrations, this LE is about dreaming, overcoming fear, committing to adventure and coming back home to a warm meal and your loved ones. 5% of online sales of the Wild Things GreenJacket LE were donated to Tri-haut pour l’Everest. Read more about Wild Things and our interview with Bret here.
LE 15 - Demshitz Wolfpack
The newest LE was designed in collaboration with Demshitz legend and the King of Purps, Dave Fusilli, and designed by artist and pilot, Meg Smith. This LE is about the wolf pack of kayakers, and the power of supporting your community. Read our interview with LE artist Meg Smith here. 5% of online sales of the Demshitz GreenJacket LE are being donated to RISE Erwin to assist in Hurricane Helene recovery in Southern Appalachia.
LE 16 - Perspective
Designed in collaboration with whitewater kayaking legend, Benny Marr, and Nature-inspired artist Anna Kai. The Perspective LE is the world’s first limited edition high float rescue vest and features original multi-medium artwork inspired by the learnings and teachings of our collective freeride, high stoke and high flowt community. Read our interview with athlete Benny and artist Anna here.