Although being a UK based and Nookie being a UK based company you wouldn’t have seen a great deal of Nookie gear on the site. This is something that is set to change with some new Nookie gear landing at Unsponsored HQ for review.

Nookie Rockhopper PFD - First Look
Nookie Rockhopper PFD – First Look

First up is the Nookie Rockhopper. It is designed to be at home on the sea, lake, river or play wave. It is an over the head slab style PFD with QR buckles on the right hand side to make it nice and easy to get on.

The outer shell is made from 500D Cordura so you know it will take a beating and come back wanting more.

Nookie Rockhopper PFD - First Look
Tough Cordura and the option to fasten a knife to the outside.

The front pocket is accessed via a two way zip, with both zip tabs having additional fabric zip pulls. The pocket itself is pretty big, with a number of smaller compartments, you’ll get loads of gear in there with ease and it remains straight forward to access and root around in even when full.

Nookie Rockhopper PFD - First Look
Nookie Rockhopper PFD - First Look

One unusual feature is the additional of a rear pocket. These were quite a thing many years ago and it’s good to see a return of the feature.

Nookie Rockhopper PFD - First Look
Nookie Rockhopper PFD - First Look

The pocket has two sections. One that has been designed to store a hydration bladder (there’s also a velcro loop to hold the end of the hose) and a mesh outer pocket designed to hold things such as flares.

Nookie Rockhopper PFD - First Look
Nookie Rockhopper PFD - First Look
A small hole is provided to route a hydration house out of the pocket and over the shoulder.

It’s a nice touch that would see this PFD being perfectly at home on a range of different waters.

The floatation provided by the Nookie Rockhopper is 66-74N depending on the size of the PFD. This one at Unsponsored HQ is L/XL so has 74N.

The straps on any PFD are one of the most critical components and a failure of such would be a big deal. Nookie have used Failsafe shoulder straps with a continuous length webbing bar-tacked at both waist and shoulder.

Nookie Rockhopper PFD - First Look

We’ll be giving this PFD a fair bit of use over the next few months and will report back with updates along the way.