Astral’s Indus: Riding the Rapids with Revolutionary Buoyancy

In an era where whitewater rivers are being tamed at record-breaking flows, Astral steps in with a splash, introducing the Indus, a life jacket that’s not just a safety gear but a game changer in the extreme river running scene. With the Indus, Astral isn’t just dipping its toes in the water; it’s diving headfirst into the future of high-performance wilderness gear.

Crafted from the ground-breaking Foam Tectonics architecture borrowed from its predecessor, the GreenJacket, the Indus is making waves as the world’s first freestyle-inspired high-float PFD. This isn’t your grandpa’s life jacket. With a whopping 22 lbs. of buoyancy, Astral’s latest innovation is the equivalent of giving whitewater athletes and guides their own personal rescue team, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. That’s a 33-percent flotation boost, folks – because when it comes to surviving the wrath of the rapids, more is always merrier.

Philip Curry, the visionary Founder and CEO of Astral, shed light on the impetus behind this breakthrough. In an era where river runners are challenging the fervor of higher flows, the demand for enhanced buoyancy became undeniable. The solution? A seamless blend of Foam Tectonics that ensures the PFD’s foam panels move independently, heralding a new era where safety does not compromise the body’s natural movement.

“People are running rivers at higher flows than ever before. As a brand that makes gear to promote calm confidence in extreme places, it’s obvious that more buoyancy was needed in case of a swim. The obstacle has been how to do it in a manner that doesn’t interfere with your body’s natural biomechanics.“ explains Philip Curry, Founder and CEO of Astral. “The answer is our signature “Foam Tectonics” architecture that allows the various foam panels to work independently of each other .”

Designed with the elite whitewater athlete, guide, and swiftwater professional in mind, the Indus is a testament to Astral’s commitment to leading-edge, performance-oriented gear. Its low-profile, mobility-forward fit, complemented by reinforced shoulders, a quick-release belt for swiftwater rescue, Astral’s proprietary Flotection impact protection system, and ample storage options, positions the Indus™ as the vanguard of high-volume whitewater descent gear.

Benny Marr, a titan in the world of big water kayaking, praised the Indus for its unparalleled ability to marry function, fit, and style without sacrificing an iota of comfort. In his view, the Indus represents a crucial evolution for the whitewater industry, enabling paddlers to tackle colossal whitewater challenges with an added layer of safety.

“Modern PFDs have to balance function, fit, and style. The Indus™ puts function first by significantly increasing flotation without compromising comfort or fit,” said Benny Marr, big water kayaking legend. “This is an important consideration for the whitewater industry as more and more paddlers take on huge-volume whitewater. More flotation for safer progression in the sport.”

Retailing at $375, the Indus isn’t cheap, but it is an investment towards making your next whitewater paddling adventure safer.

ABOUT ASTRAL
Since 2002, Astral has been at the forefront of designing wilderness equipment that’s as good for the planet as it is for your outdoor adventures. From reducing toxic PVC foam in the PFD industry to winning accolades for their groundbreaking footwear, Astral’s commitment to innovation, performance, and sustainability is unwavering. For gear that’s built to last and designed to inspire, visit www.astraldesigns.com.