Canadian Brands
The greatest country in the world is home to some awesome outdoor brands!
We've included both items that are made in Canada, and some that are made overseas, but these brands all originated here and have head offices in the Great White North!
Use the filter tool above to go directly to each brand.
Salus Abacus
$188.95 CAD
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The thrill and satisfaction of harnessing the wind and directing your dinghy to move and perform is an experience only sailors know. Designed for sailors by sailors, the Salus Abacus sail vest frees you to get the most out of your adventures. The tapered front, 8-points of adjustment, ergonomic pocket and rounded edges, combine to enhance your fit, comfort and performance while on the water—or in it!
This product is made in Canada
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“Salus and CYA Announce Agreement”
Canadian Yachting
Regatta Issue 2001
The CYA is pleased to announce the launch of a four-year agreement with Salus Marine which will see Salus provide PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) to Canadian Sailing Team athletes and CYA High Performance Coaches.
The design of the ABACUS Sail Vest by Salus Marine is the result of 16 months of research, surveys, focus groups and testing among sailors. Salus President, Steve Wagner, states that his company is proud to have designed a piece of equipment that meets the qualifications of Canada’s best sailors. “The Canadian high performance sailors were very clear as to what they wanted in a PFD. All we had to do was listen.”
The ABACUS Sail Vest provided to CST athletes and CYA High Performance Coaches will be red in colour and clearly identified with the CYA logo and other distinctive embroidery. A similar vest without the CYA identification is available from retailers.
According to CYA Executive Director Marianne Davis: “Our agreement with Salus Marine will provide our athletes and coaches with a vital piece of safety equipment that will enhance their ability to perform.”
Read full article (PDF)
“Slowly, but surely…”
Canadian Yachting Magazine
April 2003
Slowly, but surely, Salus Marine is making waves and its presence known everywhere. Rumors report that Canadian sailing team members are getting huge payoffs for their jackets on trade when they travel abroad. Salus is a sponsor of the Canadian Yachting Association’s high performance coaches and the national team.
The jacket we looked at blends the ease of movement for the arms in a unique one-piece design. What we loved, too, was the side zipper that allowed easy on and off when a quick change to a smock or splash top was needed.
A tight fit does nothing to constrict any movement in any direction, it’s design speaks to its designer’s DNA, obviously a sailor who has smartly incorporated a unique “ergonomically” designed larger pocket with an easy to open zipper positioned diagonally on the side. Kudos Salus!
Read full article (PDF) 
Salus Angler
$168.95 CAD
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The Salus Angler offers a unique combination of style, comfort and utility, featured in one fishing vest. The mesh design and soft foam provide exceptional comfort, which, in combination with the low profile sides and cargo-style pockets with hand warmers, make the Angler a welcome companion on any fishing trip.This product is made in Canada
Salus Bijoux Infant
$88.95 CAD
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As parents, we put safety first. In designing the Salus Bijoux, Salus stepped outside the confines of existing standards to offer unprecedented security, safety and comfort for babies 9 – 25 lbs. The front design ensures that baby turns face-up from a face-forward position. The collar cradles the head when lifted by the strap or while floating. Mesh harness and short front enhance comfort sitting upright, lying down, or in a baby carrier.This product is made in Canada
Please click here for a letter from Transport Canada detailing the approval process for infant Life Jackets. -
“Rippers Gear Test: The World’s Best Infant Lifejacket – Salus Bijoux”
Outside Magazine Blog
August 2011
RIPPERS’ GEAR TEST: THE WORLD’S BEST INFANT LIFEJACKET—SALUS BIJOUX
If you tell people that you’ve taken teensy, just-born babies out on the water—be it in a raft, a sailboat, or a 15-horsepower runabout—invariably, the first question you’ll get is, “They make lifejackets that small?” Yes, in fact, they do.
But not all infant PFDs are created equal. When our older daughter, Pippa, was a month old and traveled to Stony Lake for the first time, my mother rustled up some ancient lifejacket from the depths of the boathouse that looked like it’d been around since my infancy a billion years ago. It had surely been an adequate piece of flotation apparatus in its day, but its day was most definitely past. The chest and back flotation panels had faded from rescue-me! orange to rust-colored sepia, and the buckle on the crotch strap had to be re-threaded. We used it for a few weeks, and even cinched down to its tightest, most compact size, it still swallowed the baby. She was all PFD, no Pippa (exhibit A)…Click HERE for full article.
“Safety, Family Style”
Boats & Places
Spring 2010
As a parent, you are always trying to set a good example for your kids, something that is especially important when it comes to their safety. Most of us agree we want our kids to wear their PFDs, but we’re reluctant to wear them ourselves, cringing at the thought of wearing a bulky, hot and bothersome old life jacket.
“Splish Splash”
Savvy Mom
July 2006
We all love the water, but we don’t love the fear we sometimes have when our children are near water.
Drowning is the second most common cause of injury-related death for kids in Canada and of course peaks in the summer. A little good news though? We’ve hunted down some innovative new solutions to help you navigate the rough waters of water safety with your family this summer.
When we received two reader submissions on the same day raving about the virtues of the Bijoux Baby Vest from Salus Marine, Canada’s top personal flotation device manufacturer, we knew it was worth testing out…
2006 CASBA Award
Two new products from Salus that are attracting a lot of attention are their new Baby vest, called the Bijoux, which is very unique to the Canadian Boating market. The designers at Salus had to really step outside the confines of the standards to develop this important new product. It turns a baby to the face up position very quickly; the most important thing in saving an infant’s life. It’s comfortable and fits babies from nine to 25 lbs.
This very important new Baby vest has just won the CASBA Marine Industry Award. Most importantly, it is a major advance in protecting very young children. But it is also a great benefit that now there is no need for new parents to shy away from boating with the Bijoux on the market. www.CSBC.ca
Salus Marine Wear’s other new product is the Angler Vest for fishermen. www.salusmarine.com
Salus Bijoux Infant Print
$98.95 CAD
-
As parents, we put safety first. In designing the Salus Bijoux, Salus stepped outside the confines of existing standards to offer unprecedented security, safety and comfort for babies 9 – 25 lbs. The front design ensures that baby turns face-up from a face-forward position. The collar cradles the head when lifted by the strap or while floating. Mesh harness and short front enhance comfort sitting upright, lying down, or in a baby carrier.This product is made in Canada
Please click here for a letter from Transport Canada detailing the approval process for infant Life Jackets. -
“Rippers Gear Test: The World’s Best Infant Lifejacket – Salus Bijoux”
Outside Magazine Blog
August 2011
RIPPERS’ GEAR TEST: THE WORLD’S BEST INFANT LIFEJACKET—SALUS BIJOUX
If you tell people that you’ve taken teensy, just-born babies out on the water—be it in a raft, a sailboat, or a 15-horsepower runabout—invariably, the first question you’ll get is, “They make lifejackets that small?” Yes, in fact, they do.
But not all infant PFDs are created equal. When our older daughter, Pippa, was a month old and traveled to Stony Lake for the first time, my mother rustled up some ancient lifejacket from the depths of the boathouse that looked like it’d been around since my infancy a billion years ago. It had surely been an adequate piece of flotation apparatus in its day, but its day was most definitely past. The chest and back flotation panels had faded from rescue-me! orange to rust-colored sepia, and the buckle on the crotch strap had to be re-threaded. We used it for a few weeks, and even cinched down to its tightest, most compact size, it still swallowed the baby. She was all PFD, no Pippa (exhibit A)…Click HERE for full article.
“Safety, Family Style”
Boats & Places
Spring 2010
As a parent, you are always trying to set a good example for your kids, something that is especially important when it comes to their safety. Most of us agree we want our kids to wear their PFDs, but we’re reluctant to wear them ourselves, cringing at the thought of wearing a bulky, hot and bothersome old life jacket.
“Splish Splash”
Savvy Mom
July 2006
We all love the water, but we don’t love the fear we sometimes have when our children are near water.
Drowning is the second most common cause of injury-related death for kids in Canada and of course peaks in the summer. A little good news though? We’ve hunted down some innovative new solutions to help you navigate the rough waters of water safety with your family this summer.
When we received two reader submissions on the same day raving about the virtues of the Bijoux Baby Vest from Salus Marine, Canada’s top personal flotation device manufacturer, we knew it was worth testing out…
2006 CASBA Award
Two new products from Salus that are attracting a lot of attention are their new Baby vest, called the Bijoux, which is very unique to the Canadian Boating market. The designers at Salus had to really step outside the confines of the standards to develop this important new product. It turns a baby to the face up position very quickly; the most important thing in saving an infant’s life. It’s comfortable and fits babies from nine to 25 lbs.
This very important new Baby vest has just won the CASBA Marine Industry Award. Most importantly, it is a major advance in protecting very young children. But it is also a great benefit that now there is no need for new parents to shy away from boating with the Bijoux on the market. www.CSBC.ca
Salus Marine Wear’s other new product is the Angler Vest for fishermen. www.salusmarine.com
Salus Capri - Women's
$178.95 CAD
-
The Salus Capri was inspired by women - designed to curve in all the right places - especially important when showing off your moves on the water. Practically outfitted with a utility lash tab, reflective trims and fleece lined hand warmer pockets, the Capri is designed for performance but molded for comfort. Stylish and practical to the extreme, the Capri will make the most out of any water adventure.This product is made in Canada
Salus Eddy Air
$158.95 CAD
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Closely modeled after the Eddy-Flex, the Eddy-Air has all the same great features with a few added touches. Two large front zippered pockets provide easy access to all your on the water gear and a high back mesh design that fits beautifully with most high back seats. The unisex styling, contoured fit, reflective trim, round edges and soft-foam construction all combine to make the Eddy-Air a step up in features and comfort.This product is made in Canada
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- Gently rounded edges for enhanced comfort and fit
- Utility band for carabiner, and secure and tidy whistle lanyard
- Customized fit with 6-point adjustment system
- High back mesh design for enhanced comfort against seat back
- Transport Canada Approved
Salus Eddy Flex
$148.95 CAD
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Our most popular vest, the Salus Eddy-Flex offers added contouring back foam, tapered shoulders, Dry-Lex back lining, pull-forward adjustments and an easy-grab zipper tab, making it a welcome companion to any water adventure. The addition of unisex styling, contoured fit, easy-on front zipper design, 3M reflective trim, rounded edges and soft-foam construction put the Eddy-flex in a league of high-end vests with streamlined features.This product is made in Canada
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“Updated for 2014″
Paddling Buyers Guide
2014 Annual
With added contouring back foam, tapered shoulders, Drylex lining, pull-forward adjustments, and an easy grab zipper tab, the Eddy Flex is a welcomed companion to any on-water adventure.
Salus Face Mask Cottage Series Paddle/Canoeing
$12.99 CAD $19.95 CAD
-
3-ply HEPA Filter Mask
- Flexible nose piece
- Adjustable ear loops
- Washable
- Internal Layer: Micro Mesh Liner
- Centre Layer: Non-woven Polyester Filter
- External Layer: Double Knit Polyester Shell
- 3 Layers in combination provide a 90 BFE rating
This product is made in Canada
Salus Face Mask Cottage Series Sailing
$12.99 CAD $19.95 CAD
-
3-ply HEPA Filter Mask
- Flexible nose piece
- Adjustable ear loops
- Washable
- Internal Layer: Micro Mesh Liner
- Centre Layer: Non-woven Polyester Filter
- External Layer: Double Knit Polyester Shell
- 3 Layers in combination provide a 90 BFE rating
This product is made in Canada
Salus Face Mask White Water Kayaking
$12.99 CAD $19.95 CAD
-
3-ply HEPA Filter Mask
- Flexible nose piece
- Adjustable ear loops
- Washable
- Internal Layer: Micro Mesh Liner
- Centre Layer: Non-woven Polyester Filter
- External Layer: Double Knit Polyester Shell
- 3 Layers in combination provide a 90 BFE rating
This product is made in Canada
Salus Face Mask White Water Paddle/Canoeing
$12.99 CAD $19.95 CAD
-
3-ply HEPA Filter Mask
- Flexible nose piece
- Adjustable ear loops
- Washable
- Internal Layer: Micro Mesh Liner
- Centre Layer: Non-woven Polyester Filter
- External Layer: Double Knit Polyester Shell
- 3 Layers in combination provide a 90 BFE rating
This product is made in Canada
Salus Jazz
$248.95 CAD
-
Inspired by pro-paddlers and adrenaline junkies, the Salus Jazz freestyle vest revolutionizes white-water PFD design. The innovative, new rocker shape contours to your torso as you bend and reach, allowing full range of motion. Combine the rocker with sculpted, low-profile foam placement in a streamlined construction and you have a superb performance vest. Whether you’re enjoying smooth soul surfing, or mastering the McNasty, the Jazz provides all the features and comfort you need.This product is made in Canada
Salus Kong Paddle Biner
$24.95 CAD
Bent Gate Large wire-gate carabiner with huge gate clearance to accommodate standard diameter paddle shafts. Ideal carabiner for river rescue, equipment retrieval, deck storage or as part of a paddle...
Salus Nimbus
$108.95 CAD
-
The Salus Nimbus makes water play safer for children and more relaxing for adults. All PFD’s float but they can’t save lives if children won’t keep them on. Designed for comfort and soft to the touch, the Nimbus encourages children to wear it for hours at a time. Specially contoured to hug little bodies, children will get the best fit, mobility and safety at the water’s edge, while swimming, or boating.
***Please Note: The colour and pattern on the inside of the PFD differs from what is shown***This product is made in Canada
-
“Cool Kid’s Stuff”
Rapid Magazine
Summer 2001The Salus Nimbus Children’s Vest is the primo of primo kid’s PFD. With an exclusive round edge design using Ensolite foam, the Nimbus is softer around the arms giving kids greater mobility and comfort. A drawstring bottom and elasticized back make for a proper fit. The leg harness is essential to keep the vest in proper position and eliminate ride-up. The Nimbus is available in sunny yellow or cool aqua green to meet the standards of the most fashion-conscious tykes (or parents). All Salus Marine Wear is designed and manufactured in Canada.
“Tips on choosing your child’s PFD”
Adventure Kayak Magazine
December 2001Choose the PFD that most accurately describes the weight of your child, remembering to include the weight of any paddling gear they may be wearing. A wet diaper can add an additional weight of up to 4 lbs. For big boned children with low body fat you may wish to have a bit more floatation. The CCG advises that infants under twenty pound should not be brought on the water. The disproportional head size and upper body weight of an infant causes too great a risk of inversion in the water which cannot be prevented by PFD design.
If you night paddle look for a sewn loop on the collar of the jacket to hold a light or glowstick. Many jackets have reflective piping and tape sewn on for improved low light visibility.
A whistle can be attached to a separate lash point rather than to the zipper preventing the zipper from lowering under the weight of the whistle. Ensure that your child understands that the whistle is not a toy. It is a signalling tool only to be used in an emergency.
[The following section appeared as callouts to the product image attending the article]
– The floatation collar required on all PFDs for children and youths under 90lbs will help keep a child’s head floating face up in the water
– Little people have little or no waist to help keep the jacket from riding up on their rib cage, children’s PFDs have a crotch strap to help keep the jacket down. Rear fastening crotch straps are not common but they are less likely to be accidentally opened and are more comfortable for the child
– A grab loop on the collar is a must for quick extraction from the water
– It is now possible to find colours and prints that children will enjoy wearing. Rember though, yellow, orange and red remain the most visible colours in the water and the easiest to spot as your child wanders down the beach
– Drawstring closures for waist and other adjustments are less likely to pinch an errant bit of skin from your child’s tender spots than plastic bucklesSalus Marine Wear’s Nimbus Children’s Vest is available in gold or teal in all three children’s sizes with Ensolite rounded edge foam design for comfort.
519-579-3131
“Marine Seen”
Boating Business Magazine
March/April 2002Safety doesn’t cramp your style with Salus Marine Wear personal flotation devices. Ensolite soft foam, high-end labelling, and round-edge design produce wearable, comfortable PFDs. Six styles available include the Nimbus vest in infant, child and youth sizes; the Comfort Fit, in four adult sizes, for canoe and general boating; the Abacus for dinghy sailors; the Darwin for kayaking; and the Antigua pullover jacket for offshore use.
Contact Salus Marine Wear Inc.
Kitchener, ON
Tel.: (519) 579-3131
“Small Company with a Big Difference”
Ontario Sailor
January/February 2003SALUS Marine Wear is a small manufacturing company with a BIG difference.
“We make PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) that deserve to be worn,” says president Steve Wagner. All of the Salus products – from our entry level children’s vest to high performance sail and kayak vests – are consumer driven with comfort, style, fit and utility at the forefront of every design. The foremost consideration in any PFD is wearability – defined as something you will WANT TO wear. And Salus PFDs are most certainly wearable.
SALUS is proud to announce that the Canadian Yachting Association CYA is outfitting the Canadian Sailing Team with the ABACUS sailing vest.
For more information call 1-877-418-9998
“Salus means safety”
Boating Industry Magazine
April 2004Four years ago, when Steve Wagner developed the thinking behind Salus Marine Wear, it was to ensure that people wore their personal flotation devices (PFDs). Steve looked at conventional PFDs for all areas of boating; kayaks, canoes, power and sail. He videotaped the users of the jackets and then talked with them about what they liked and didn’t like about their current flotation devices.
Wagner is a graduate of Carleton University’s School of Industrial Design. After designing PFDs and hockey equipment, Steve saw an opportunity for an innovative product. He launched Salus at the 2001 Toronto International Boat Show and his staff has grown to over a dozen.
In an interview with the Toronto Star, Wagner was questioned about setting up in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. His response was that the closing of many companies in the so-called needle trade (Greb boots, Kaufman footwear and Arrow shirts) left a large experienced labour pool there to draw from.
Boating Industry Canada had the oppontunity to meet with Steve at the annual Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBA) dinner in January where Salus was presented with the Marine Manufacturer’s Award for a technological development improving boating safety or the environment.
A story told at dinner about how Salus names all of its PFDs highlighted one name in particular as having great significance. While conducting a photo shoot for the kayaking vest, Steve had to clamber down an embankment and cross a stream to get to the area where the kayakers were being photographed. With the stack of PFDs stacked neatly on his back, Steve stepped into a deep area of the stream and completely disappeared! Only the bundle of PFDs was visible.
Everyone knows that a PFD will float you safely when properly worn. A half dozen PFDs strapped to your back should not be considered “appropriate” and will not do what a single vest is intended to do. Fortunately for all of us, Steve extricated himself and continued on, albeit a little wet, to complete the photo shoot. The new PFD is now aptly known as the Darwin, after the award named in honour of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution.
The Darwin Awards salute the improvement of the human genome by honouring those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it. Steve is definitely not a candidate.
Salus Marine Wear offers eight lines of flotation devices, from the Nimbus for children, through the Abacus – adopted by the Canadian Yachting Association as the offical vest of the CYA high performance sailing team and their coaches – to the Antigua, an offshore pullover and jacket.
Safety, comfort, design and looks all add up to a product that has made an impact on the Canadian boating scene in only four short years. Steve’s tireless support of his retailers at all of the major shows is his personal trademark. We look forward to watching the hard work pay off for Salus Marine Wear.
www.salusmarine.com
Salus Nimbus Denim
$118.95 CAD
-
The Salus Nimbus makes water play safer for children and more relaxing for adults. All PFD’s float but they can’t save lives if children won’t keep them on. Designed for comfort and soft to the touch, the Nimbus encourages children to wear it for hours at a time. Specially contoured to hug little bodies, children will get the best fit, mobility and safety at the water’s edge, while swimming, or boating.
***Please Note: The colour and pattern on the inside of the PFD differs from what is shown***This product is made in Canada
-
“Cool Kid’s Stuff”
Rapid Magazine
Summer 2001The Salus Nimbus Children’s Vest is the primo of primo kid’s PFD. With an exclusive round edge design using Ensolite foam, the Nimbus is softer around the arms giving kids greater mobility and comfort. A drawstring bottom and elasticized back make for a proper fit. The leg harness is essential to keep the vest in proper position and eliminate ride-up. The Nimbus is available in sunny yellow or cool aqua green to meet the standards of the most fashion-conscious tykes (or parents). All Salus Marine Wear is designed and manufactured in Canada.
“Tips on choosing your child’s PFD”
Adventure Kayak Magazine
December 2001Choose the PFD that most accurately describes the weight of your child, remembering to include the weight of any paddling gear they may be wearing. A wet diaper can add an additional weight of up to 4 lbs. For big boned children with low body fat you may wish to have a bit more floatation. The CCG advises that infants under twenty pound should not be brought on the water. The disproportional head size and upper body weight of an infant causes too great a risk of inversion in the water which cannot be prevented by PFD design.
If you night paddle look for a sewn loop on the collar of the jacket to hold a light or glowstick. Many jackets have reflective piping and tape sewn on for improved low light visibility.
A whistle can be attached to a separate lash point rather than to the zipper preventing the zipper from lowering under the weight of the whistle. Ensure that your child understands that the whistle is not a toy. It is a signalling tool only to be used in an emergency.
[The following section appeared as callouts to the product image attending the article]
– The floatation collar required on all PFDs for children and youths under 90lbs will help keep a child’s head floating face up in the water
– Little people have little or no waist to help keep the jacket from riding up on their rib cage, children’s PFDs have a crotch strap to help keep the jacket down. Rear fastening crotch straps are not common but they are less likely to be accidentally opened and are more comfortable for the child
– A grab loop on the collar is a must for quick extraction from the water
– It is now possible to find colours and prints that children will enjoy wearing. Rember though, yellow, orange and red remain the most visible colours in the water and the easiest to spot as your child wanders down the beach
– Drawstring closures for waist and other adjustments are less likely to pinch an errant bit of skin from your child’s tender spots than plastic bucklesSalus Marine Wear’s Nimbus Children’s Vest is available in gold or teal in all three children’s sizes with Ensolite rounded edge foam design for comfort.
519-579-3131
“Marine Seen”
Boating Business Magazine
March/April 2002Safety doesn’t cramp your style with Salus Marine Wear personal flotation devices. Ensolite soft foam, high-end labelling, and round-edge design produce wearable, comfortable PFDs. Six styles available include the Nimbus vest in infant, child and youth sizes; the Comfort Fit, in four adult sizes, for canoe and general boating; the Abacus for dinghy sailors; the Darwin for kayaking; and the Antigua pullover jacket for offshore use.
Contact Salus Marine Wear Inc.
Kitchener, ON
Tel.: (519) 579-3131“Small Company with a Big Difference”
Ontario Sailor
January/February 2003SALUS Marine Wear is a small manufacturing company with a BIG difference.
“We make PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) that deserve to be worn,” says president Steve Wagner. All of the Salus products – from our entry level children’s vest to high performance sail and kayak vests – are consumer driven with comfort, style, fit and utility at the forefront of every design. The foremost consideration in any PFD is wearability – defined as something you will WANT TO wear. And Salus PFDs are most certainly wearable.
SALUS is proud to announce that the Canadian Yachting Association CYA is outfitting the Canadian Sailing Team with the ABACUS sailing vest.
For more information call 1-877-418-9998
“Salus means safety”
Boating Industry Magazine
April 2004Four years ago, when Steve Wagner developed the thinking behind Salus Marine Wear, it was to ensure that people wore their personal flotation devices (PFDs). Steve looked at conventional PFDs for all areas of boating; kayaks, canoes, power and sail. He videotaped the users of the jackets and then talked with them about what they liked and didn’t like about their current flotation devices.
Wagner is a graduate of Carleton University’s School of Industrial Design. After designing PFDs and hockey equipment, Steve saw an opportunity for an innovative product. He launched Salus at the 2001 Toronto International Boat Show and his staff has grown to over a dozen.
In an interview with the Toronto Star, Wagner was questioned about setting up in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. His response was that the closing of many companies in the so-called needle trade (Greb boots, Kaufman footwear and Arrow shirts) left a large experienced labour pool there to draw from.
Boating Industry Canada had the oppontunity to meet with Steve at the annual Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBA) dinner in January where Salus was presented with the Marine Manufacturer’s Award for a technological development improving boating safety or the environment.
A story told at dinner about how Salus names all of its PFDs highlighted one name in particular as having great significance. While conducting a photo shoot for the kayaking vest, Steve had to clamber down an embankment and cross a stream to get to the area where the kayakers were being photographed. With the stack of PFDs stacked neatly on his back, Steve stepped into a deep area of the stream and completely disappeared! Only the bundle of PFDs was visible.
Everyone knows that a PFD will float you safely when properly worn. A half dozen PFDs strapped to your back should not be considered “appropriate” and will not do what a single vest is intended to do. Fortunately for all of us, Steve extricated himself and continued on, albeit a little wet, to complete the photo shoot. The new PFD is now aptly known as the Darwin, after the award named in honour of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution.
The Darwin Awards salute the improvement of the human genome by honouring those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it. Steve is definitely not a candidate.
Salus Marine Wear offers eight lines of flotation devices, from the Nimbus for children, through the Abacus – adopted by the Canadian Yachting Association as the offical vest of the CYA high performance sailing team and their coaches – to the Antigua, an offshore pullover and jacket.
Safety, comfort, design and looks all add up to a product that has made an impact on the Canadian boating scene in only four short years. Steve’s tireless support of his retailers at all of the major shows is his personal trademark. We look forward to watching the hard work pay off for Salus Marine Wear.
www.salusmarine.com
Salus Nimbus Tie Dye
$118.95 CAD
-
The Salus Nimbus makes water play safer for children and more relaxing for adults. All PFD’s float but they can’t save lives if children won’t keep them on. Designed for comfort and soft to the touch, the Nimbus encourages children to wear it for hours at a time. Specially contoured to hug little bodies, children will get the best fit, mobility and safety at the water’s edge, while swimming, or boating.
***Please Note: The colour and pattern on the inside of the PFD differs from what is shown***This product is made in Canada
-
“Cool Kid’s Stuff”
Rapid Magazine
Summer 2001The Salus Nimbus Children’s Vest is the primo of primo kid’s PFD. With an exclusive round edge design using Ensolite foam, the Nimbus is softer around the arms giving kids greater mobility and comfort. A drawstring bottom and elasticized back make for a proper fit. The leg harness is essential to keep the vest in proper position and eliminate ride-up. The Nimbus is available in sunny yellow or cool aqua green to meet the standards of the most fashion-conscious tykes (or parents). All Salus Marine Wear is designed and manufactured in Canada.
“Tips on choosing your child’s PFD”
Adventure Kayak Magazine
December 2001Choose the PFD that most accurately describes the weight of your child, remembering to include the weight of any paddling gear they may be wearing. A wet diaper can add an additional weight of up to 4 lbs. For big boned children with low body fat you may wish to have a bit more floatation. The CCG advises that infants under twenty pound should not be brought on the water. The disproportional head size and upper body weight of an infant causes too great a risk of inversion in the water which cannot be prevented by PFD design.
If you night paddle look for a sewn loop on the collar of the jacket to hold a light or glowstick. Many jackets have reflective piping and tape sewn on for improved low light visibility.
A whistle can be attached to a separate lash point rather than to the zipper preventing the zipper from lowering under the weight of the whistle. Ensure that your child understands that the whistle is not a toy. It is a signalling tool only to be used in an emergency.
[The following section appeared as callouts to the product image attending the article]
– The floatation collar required on all PFDs for children and youths under 90lbs will help keep a child’s head floating face up in the water
– Little people have little or no waist to help keep the jacket from riding up on their rib cage, children’s PFDs have a crotch strap to help keep the jacket down. Rear fastening crotch straps are not common but they are less likely to be accidentally opened and are more comfortable for the child
– A grab loop on the collar is a must for quick extraction from the water
– It is now possible to find colours and prints that children will enjoy wearing. Rember though, yellow, orange and red remain the most visible colours in the water and the easiest to spot as your child wanders down the beach
– Drawstring closures for waist and other adjustments are less likely to pinch an errant bit of skin from your child’s tender spots than plastic bucklesSalus Marine Wear’s Nimbus Children’s Vest is available in gold or teal in all three children’s sizes with Ensolite rounded edge foam design for comfort.
519-579-3131
“Marine Seen”
Boating Business Magazine
March/April 2002Safety doesn’t cramp your style with Salus Marine Wear personal flotation devices. Ensolite soft foam, high-end labelling, and round-edge design produce wearable, comfortable PFDs. Six styles available include the Nimbus vest in infant, child and youth sizes; the Comfort Fit, in four adult sizes, for canoe and general boating; the Abacus for dinghy sailors; the Darwin for kayaking; and the Antigua pullover jacket for offshore use.
Contact Salus Marine Wear Inc.
Kitchener, ON
Tel.: (519) 579-3131“Small Company with a Big Difference”
Ontario Sailor
January/February 2003SALUS Marine Wear is a small manufacturing company with a BIG difference.
“We make PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) that deserve to be worn,” says president Steve Wagner. All of the Salus products – from our entry level children’s vest to high performance sail and kayak vests – are consumer driven with comfort, style, fit and utility at the forefront of every design. The foremost consideration in any PFD is wearability – defined as something you will WANT TO wear. And Salus PFDs are most certainly wearable.
SALUS is proud to announce that the Canadian Yachting Association CYA is outfitting the Canadian Sailing Team with the ABACUS sailing vest.
For more information call 1-877-418-9998
“Salus means safety”
Boating Industry Magazine
April 2004Four years ago, when Steve Wagner developed the thinking behind Salus Marine Wear, it was to ensure that people wore their personal flotation devices (PFDs). Steve looked at conventional PFDs for all areas of boating; kayaks, canoes, power and sail. He videotaped the users of the jackets and then talked with them about what they liked and didn’t like about their current flotation devices.
Wagner is a graduate of Carleton University’s School of Industrial Design. After designing PFDs and hockey equipment, Steve saw an opportunity for an innovative product. He launched Salus at the 2001 Toronto International Boat Show and his staff has grown to over a dozen.
In an interview with the Toronto Star, Wagner was questioned about setting up in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. His response was that the closing of many companies in the so-called needle trade (Greb boots, Kaufman footwear and Arrow shirts) left a large experienced labour pool there to draw from.
Boating Industry Canada had the oppontunity to meet with Steve at the annual Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBA) dinner in January where Salus was presented with the Marine Manufacturer’s Award for a technological development improving boating safety or the environment.
A story told at dinner about how Salus names all of its PFDs highlighted one name in particular as having great significance. While conducting a photo shoot for the kayaking vest, Steve had to clamber down an embankment and cross a stream to get to the area where the kayakers were being photographed. With the stack of PFDs stacked neatly on his back, Steve stepped into a deep area of the stream and completely disappeared! Only the bundle of PFDs was visible.
Everyone knows that a PFD will float you safely when properly worn. A half dozen PFDs strapped to your back should not be considered “appropriate” and will not do what a single vest is intended to do. Fortunately for all of us, Steve extricated himself and continued on, albeit a little wet, to complete the photo shoot. The new PFD is now aptly known as the Darwin, after the award named in honour of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution.
The Darwin Awards salute the improvement of the human genome by honouring those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it. Steve is definitely not a candidate.
Salus Marine Wear offers eight lines of flotation devices, from the Nimbus for children, through the Abacus – adopted by the Canadian Yachting Association as the offical vest of the CYA high performance sailing team and their coaches – to the Antigua, an offshore pullover and jacket.
Safety, comfort, design and looks all add up to a product that has made an impact on the Canadian boating scene in only four short years. Steve’s tireless support of his retailers at all of the major shows is his personal trademark. We look forward to watching the hard work pay off for Salus Marine Wear.
www.salusmarine.com
Salus Outcast
$178.95 CAD
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Whether you’re a paddler who likes to fish, or an angler who likes to paddle, the Outcast is the ideal PFD, offering a unique combination of kayak and fishing features in one vest. Contoured fit, soft foam, rounded edges, and a high-back construction make the Outcast perfect for fishing in comfort. Two large front pockets and gear-clips spin the Outcast into a must-have piece of fishing gear.This product is made in Canada
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- Six points of adjustment
- Utility lash tab
- Rod Stabilizer
- Back hang ring for landing net
- Two large zipper pockets
- Dry-Lex lining for breathability
- High back mesh design for comfort against seat back
Salus Pig Tail Bungee Tow Line
$34.95 CAD
PT-440 (Yellow) With a universal fit for all QR-belts, the Salus Pig Tail extends from 26 to 44 inches. The tow system is fitted with a 2” stainless steel O-ring...
Salus Proto
$298.95 CAD
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The Salus Proto is an ideal white-water cross-over vest for play boating as well as guiding, river running and tripping. Strip it down for play boating with the ability to conceal most of the webbing and adjustments for a clean, streamlined vest. Or, gear it up with the quick-release belt, tow line, river knife, strobe and hydration pack, to make it a great choice for guiding or long river trips.
***Hydration pack and tow line are not included***This product is made in Canada
Salus Quick Release Belt
$38.95 CAD
2" wide rescue belt features a quick release cam buckle and stainless steel tri-glide. Attachment buckle for most rescue PFD’s.
Salus Regatta
$148.95 CAD
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The Salus Regatta’s easy-on, the front-zipper design offers a unique contoured fit, blended with high-end sailing features that make this vest ideal for both men and women. The tapered front, 3MTM reflective trim, 6-points of adjustment, soft foam, rounded edges and Dry-Lex breathable liner, combine to enhance the fit and provide excellent performance features for all calibre of sailors.This product is made in Canada
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- Customized and secure fit with the 6-point adjustment system
- Unisex styling with roomy upper body and contoured fit
- Napoleon style zippered pocket with full drainage
- 3M reflective trim positioned high on front and back for greater visibility
- Customized and secure fit with the 6-point adjustment system
Salus Skippy Dog Vest
$98.95 CAD
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Most dogs can swim but they have more fun in the water and you have greater peace of mind, when they wear the Salus Skippy dog vest. The Skippy uses Cordura® nylon for durability. Flotation under the belly and chest give greater buoyancy, lift and comfort against the belly-lifting straps. Tummy-saver padding helps protect active dogs. Two-handle straps make it easy to grab and lift your heavier playmate out of the water.This product is made in Canada
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“Gear Hound”
Adventure Kayak Magazine
Summer 2004Dogs are inherently good swimmers – they even have a popular stroke named after them. But if you are putting your dog in any situation where the “doggy paddle” may be inadequate – whitewater or surf for example – it is your responsibility to set your hairy friend up with the best flotation money can buy. There are a few critical details to look for in any flotation device for your dog; a secure method of attachment, proper buoyancy distribution, and a handle. The need for a handle becomes apparent when one tries to help a terrified terrier or neurotic Newfoundlander back aboard a semi-swamped kayak!
Salus Skippy Dog Vest
What puts Skippy ahead of the pack is the foam zone; the back of the coat is mesh and foam wraps the belly, chest and sides instead. Doggy floats higher, and when lifted his weight is distributed across the padding – nowhere do straps touch fur. Three clip attachments with buckles on the opposite side for a centred fit in case Dog chews too many sea biscuits and beefs up. One open-topped mesh pocket. Two handles for heaving waterlogged heavies. Canadian made.
“Pet Safety Ahoy!”
Canadian Yachting Magazine
October 2004The new designs and fabrics have made for a better fitting, cooler and safer life jacket for your other best friend. Just think of the logistics of trying to rescue your dog from some rough water with no hands to grasp, the inability to communicate and maybe a high free board that creates an insurmountable barrier. I love giving gifts that are really for me.
Salus Torrent
$248.95 CAD
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The Salus Torrent was inspired by those who seek the most out of each adventure. If you've pushed yourself to the limit to feel the rush of a heart-pumping rapid, you know words can’t capture the sensation. The Torrent hugs you, bends and reaches with you, freeing you to experience your adventure to its’ fullest. Designed to attach a quick release belt and tow-line, the Torrent easily converts into the ideal guide or tripping vest.This product is made in Canada
Salus Ungava
$178.95 CAD
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Ideal for kayak touring, the Salus Ungava is a unisex-style vest with all of Salus' trademark features: soft foam, rounded edges and contour fit. Additional features, including hand-warmer pockets, the ability to attach a quick-release belt, zippered security pocket, mesh drop-down pocket for quick access, 5 lash points and added reflective trim, make the Ungava a welcome companion on any open water adventure.
***Please note:- Colours may differ slightly than what is shown in the pictures.
This product is made in Canada
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“Kayak Touring”
Paddling Buyer’s Guide
Annual 2014
The Ungava is a unisex vest with the Salus trademark and features soft, rounded edges and a contoured fit. It also has the bonus features of fleece lined pockets and the option to attach a quick release belt.
“Sea Kayak Supplements – Performance Enhancing Gear”
Adventure Kayak
Spring 2012
Ungava is an Inuit term meaning “towards the open water” – a fitting name for Salus’ new, full-featured touring vest. The Ungava has a traditional center front zip entry, a Dry-lex breathable liner and roomy upper body for a comfortable fit. Click HERE to read full article.