Spinlock ALTO Belt Pack: The Best (And Most Unannoying) PFD
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I have officially lost my excuses for paddleboarding without a PFD. I mean I’m actually very safety conscious (here on Saltwater Journal we’re a huge advocate water safety) — but at times I’m guilty of thinking “It’s bulky and too annoying when I paddle — look it’s beautiful and calm out there, I’m not far from shore…and I’m a good swimmer anyway…”.
Sound familiar? Have you been paddling without one? **slowly raises hand**. Wait, are we about to get arrested?! Stand down, Coastguard — I’ve put the Spinlock ALTO Belt Pack to the test, and I’m a changed woman.
Safety on the water just became, well, unannoying.
Let me share 7 features of the Spinlock ALTO that make it terrific personal flotation device (PFD) option around the water — for the SUP, kayak or out fishing — it’s perfect if you’ve been too casual in the past and want to up your safety game. But first, here are the essential details you need to know about it.
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What's the Spinlock ALTO Belt Pack exactly?
What buoyancy level does it give?
Who designed it? And does it matter?
What's the Spinlock ALTO like to wear?
Which way around do you wear it?
7 Features I love about the ALTO
Do I really have to wear a PFD — even when it’s calm and flat?
What’s the Spinlock ALTO Belt Pack exactly?
Introducing the most unannoying PFD to wear while on the SUP
The Spinlock ALTO is a compact and lightweight emergency flotation device that you wear around your waist, just like a belt. The inflation is manually activated, so if you’re in the water it only inflates when you pull a cord, which triggers a CO2 cartridge to fill the inflatable tube. You then move it around under your arms and around your chest for extra buoyancy support in the water
Manual inflation is easy with a simple pull tab
What buoyancy level does it give?
When the belt inflates, you move the floatation aid under your arms and around your chest for extra support in the water. Image © Spinlock UK
The Spinlock ALTO has a large 75N (Newton) / (17LB) buoyancy when inflated. Which is plenty for keeping a person who is conscious and able to help themselves afloat. It’s safety approved for adult users aged 16+ and weighing over 40kg.
Spinlock is also a Certified B-Corporation, and all their products are assembled and quality checked by hand in Cowes, UK. The ALTO is UKCA and CE-approved, ISO12402-5 50N Buoyancy Aid and ISO12402-6 Special Purpose Buoyancy Aid. The Spinlock ALTO is US Coast Guard (USCG) approved.
Which all essentially means good things come in small packages, and this is one of Spinlock’s best.
Who designed it? And does it matter?
Spinlock. And yes — it matters. Why? Because Spinlock aren’t spinning tall tales when it comes to how good their gear is. They’ve got a reputation for designing innovative safety products that are seriously well thought about, and are extremely durable and high quality. Based in Cowes, UK their 40 years experience shows, with everything they make designed to be as comfy as possible. So if you want to trust your gear, get something by Spinlock.
What’s the Spinlock ALTO like to wear?
Totally forgettable — in a GOOD way! I’ve worn it while paddling and heading to and from shore in the dinghy, and genuinely forgot I was wearing it. Which hasn’t always been the case when wearing a jacket style PFD, so this was a pleasant change. This one’s so lightweight, and it didn’t matter if I stood, kneeled, or sat, it stayed in place around my waist and didn’t get in the way (WINNING!).
Which way around do you wear it?
You can wear it either way at the front of your waist or the back. I prefer to have the pack behind me — it feels nice and comfy there.
Here are 8 features I love about the Spinlock ALTO Belt Pack:
1. It’s small (like really small)
With a compact and lightweight design, the ALTO Belt Pack weighs in at only 376g (13.3oz). This makes it super light, with a sleek profile and it’s easy to wear. Also, when space is important — such as being in the dinghy, on the boat, or packing gear to travel on an adventure — it’s a real feature that the Spinlock ALTO doesn’t take up a lot of room.
2. It’s easy to adjust
The belt has a big simple clip to do it up, and the webbing is really easy to slide and adjust. Plus there’s a velcro tab you can roll any excess strap into, so it’s tidy and secure. It comes in one size but adjusts to fit waists 70cm to 140cm, so it’ll usually fit family or friends too.
3. It’s comfy
There’s nothing bulky or restrictive about wearing the ALTO pack. It’s so NOT in the way, you could wear it for all kinds of paddling, swimming, or mucking around in the dinghy without ever feeling annoyed by it.
4. It’s durable
You can tell it’s well made. The exterior material feels thick and durable, with good stitching to stand up to the usual rigours of boat life — like being stashed in a travel bag, or locker and doused in saltwater out on an adventure.
5. The colours are cool (aka high visibility)
The Alto comes in a very cool colour range
Is it wrong that I’m putting ‘I love the colours’ ahead of the last practical features?! It’s true though — the ALTO pack comes in some great colours. Importantly it’s got great visibility when inflated, with a bright yellow bladder (the floaty tube around your chest) that makes it easier for someone to spot you.
6. I’m in control of inflation
Call it my personality type if you will, but I like being in control — and in the case of casual water activities (like being on the paddleboard) I like knowing that if I fall in (which is always a possibility), it’s not going to automatically go off, unless I decide I need the extra inflation support. The ‘pull to inflate cord’ is super easy to find and a quick tug is all it takes to inflate it.
Note: There are plenty of automatic PFD options available if you prefer, and when I’m in rougher weather conditions or out sailing, I’ll always wear my high buoyancy lifejacket (like the Spinlock Deckvest LITE).
7. It’s versatile
There are plenty of reasons we’ll keep the ALTO Belt Pack with us to throw on when we head out for a paddle or jump in the dinghy (especially while it’s a legal requirement by our New Zealand Maritime rules to wear a PFD at all times). It suits a range of water activities and can be easily worn by other crew or family!
Happy to wear the ALTO every time on the SUP
Do I really have to wear a PFD — even when conditions are calm and flat?
Yes. Look I get it, I do — if you can swim well, and it’s calm, and you’re close to shore it’s easy to just be like ‘I’m fiiiiine, I don’t need a PFD on’. But the thing is health incidents and water accidents CAN happen at ANY time, no matter the conditions or your swimming ability.
Plus, in so many parts of the world, it’s a maritime requirement to carry (or wear) a PFD, and it’s not uncommon to receive a fine if you’re caught without one (ka-ching $$).
The ALTO is literally so easy to clip on around your waist — there’s really no excuse for heading out without one — or any PFD you have!
Is the ALTO reliable?
Yes. The manual inflation system works flawlessly. It inflates quickly and like most PFDs, the ALTO provides the added security of an oral inflation tube, allowing you to top up the air if necessary.
A WORD ON MAINTENANCE
As with all PFDs and lifejackets, you need to be checking them regularly to ensure they’re in good working condition. Regularly is at least annually, every three-months if they’re highly used, or as often as you like! The best advice for how to check/care for/service it is from Spinlock.
Note: Re-arm kits for the 16gm CO2 cartridge are sold separately (part number DW-RAK-75).
Is the Spinlock ALTO Belt Pack right for me?
If you’re new to choosing safety gear that’s going to suit you — check out my The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best PFD and Lifejacket which takes you through all the basics of buoyancy levels, styles of lifejacket and finding the best PFD to suit different water activities.
The Spinlock ALTO is safety approved for adult users aged 16+ and weighing over 40kg. It’s adjustable to fit chest measurements of 60cm to 145cm (27.5 - 57 inches).
Just to be clear, it’s not a lifejacket that will give buoyancy if you’re unconscious, or needing a high level of flotation support such as in rough or offshore conditions. It’s also not approved for white water paddling, water skiing or other high impact, high speed activities.
BUT it’s ideal for heading out on the SUP, kayak, small boat fishing or taking the dinghy out. Basically, any casual water activities where mobility and freedom of movement are important, while still meeting safety requirements.
Where can you buy one?
Spinlock Alto Belt Pack in black
If you’re in Aotearoa, New Zealand head to Lusty & Blundell who distribute Spinlock marine gear. Internationally, you can buy direct from Spinlock in the UK, some Spinlock gear is available their USA Amazon site, or you can find a local dealer to you.
REARMING KIT
Spinlock have an excellent guide to the rearming kits. For re-arming the ALTO 75N belt pack (2 x 16g cylinder) you’ll need DW-RAK/75.
In Summary
I couldn’t find any faults with the Spinlock ALTO. I tried! If you’re looking for a manual waist belt PFD, and you don’t need to wear a full vest or lifejacket, then the ALTO is a great option. It’s so easy to wear you’ll actually want to use it. And that’s what it’s all about!
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