Welcome to the latest installment from the Astral Limited Edition (LE) Program. This time we dug deep into our design archives to revisit the classic Astral rescue vest, the Aquavest 300.

The Aquavest 300 was Astral’s flagship model for many years after its release in 2004, and became the top choice for expedition paddlers like Daniel DeLaVergne and his TDub posse.  In 2008 we discontinued the Aquavest with the release of the Greenjacket, which is built on a more modern foam tectonic platform and features some updated technical features. Over the years there still remains a cult following for this classic design, so we decided to bring it back for a special LE run.

As with each LE we have added a little flavor to the LE6, which we have dubbed ‘the Steiner’. The back panel features some flowing embroidery lines and our current logo. For this special design we have chosen a unique icon, the Jersey Cow, which is subtly embroidered on the black yoke in black thread.

So why the cow you ask?

In regards to the Jersey Cow, Astral founder Philip Curry recently wrote:

‘In biodynamic farming the cow is the top of the farm pyramid, always there, grazing in the background, imbibing the farm with nutrients and astral influence.”

but wait, why biodynamic farming and paddling? While the two concepts seem to be completely unrelated many of the fundamental principles in biodynamic farming are also applicable to other arts, including those of crafting pdfs or running a business as we will explain later.

Biodynamic farmers consider their land to be a unified organism, emphasizing the balance of holistic development and interrelationship of the soil, plants, and animals as a self nourishing system.  As with other forms of organic agriculture, artificial fertilizers and toxic pesticides and herbicides are completely avoided.   This incredibly sustainable movement was founded by philosopher Rudolf Steiner back in the 1920′s.

In his writings Steiner once wrote:

‘With our intelligence we live not in forces that pull downward but on the contrary, in forces that pull upward. With our intelligence we live in a force of buoyancy.’

Philip shared this quote with the Astral staff years later, and has cited Steiner and biodynamic farming as one of his motivations to start Astral. Philip runs Astral much like a biodynamic farm, using the best and least toxic materials available and using/reusing as many of our resources on site as possible. By approaching the business as a holistic system with biodynamic principles he has helped shape Astral to become the unique business it is today.  For this reason we offer this jacket as a retrospective on how far we have all come, from those who work for Astral, those who paddle with Astral on the team, and finally those who trust their lives to Astral jackets on the rivers.

 

About the LE Program: Astral LEs are ‘Limited Edition’ lifevests made in our home factory in Asheville, NC. The purpose of this program is two-fold. One reason is to offer our customers the choice to purchase a domestically made, highest end product. The other reason is to allow us to have more fun with design, to express ourselves according to seasonal creative influences. The LEs are built with the same meticulous details and supreme materials as our regular lifevests, but they are made in small batches, each having a unique artistic style. When you purchase one, not only are you going to look damn smart, but your money is helping to keep fellow Americans at work.

Release Info: Now Shipping!

Price $240

Sizing Info: (measured in inches at widest torso circumference)

XS/Med: 30-42”

L/XL: 42-54”

How to Order: Contact your local Astral dealer to place an order. We are also accepting online orders through our Shopatron store.

cow embroidery from graphic factory

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