A life jacket, life vest, or personal flotation device (PFD), is a safety apparatus designed to keep you afloat in water when things go awry. It is made of buoyant materials such as foam, and covers the upper half of the body. In most places, wearing a life jacket is required by law before entering a body of water.
No two life jackets are made the same, and that’s why it’s important to consider the right one for your next water adventure. This article will review:
Types of Life Jackets
What do we love as much as the sports we play? The gear that goes with it! And water sports are no different. In this section, we’ll cover the most prominent and well-tested categories of life jackets. So toss grandpa’s old red-n-yellow PFD aside and read on:
Foam life jackets
As the buoyant superstar, these foam-filled life jackets are the most reliable option on our list. Foam life jackets and life vests are low-maintenance and ready-to-use. Though these life jackets work well in any situation, the bulkiness can partially restrict your range of motion.
This classic life jacket can be found under such monikers as Salus, Level Six, and Stohlquist—all of whom make some of the most reliable devices on the market. Or, opt for a form fitting jacket by O’Neill Wetsuits for maximum mobility.
Inflatable life jackets
Inflatable personal flotation devices provide a good range of motion, are easy to store, and are highly buoyant compared to other devices out there. Designed with inflatable chambers to keep you high above the water, these jackets can inflate in two ways: automatic and manual. Automatic life jackets inflate upon contact with water, while manual life jackets inflate with the pull of a cord.
NRS manufactures high-quality inflatable life jackets and life vests. You can also check out Mustang Survival Corp for an emergency inflatable device worn as a waist belt. Remember, an inflatable PFD requires regular maintenance as it relies on technology to function, but it’s definitely worth it.
Hybrid life jackets
Hybrid life jackets are designed with all the benefits of foam and inflatable life jackets, while minimising their disadvantages. The core of the jacket is filled with readily buoyant foam and inflatable chambers. These chambers fill with air either automatically or manually.
Though this life jacket requires some degree of regular maintenance, the foam component acts as a reliable back-up in case of emergency.
Specialized life jackets
The term ‘specialized life jackets’ typically refers to any personal floatation devices intended for dogs, children, people with special needs, or emergency personnel (think Search and Rescue technicians).
Specialized life jackets may include additional foam or inflatable chambers, multiple adjustable straps, extra pockets, and may come in irregular sizes and shapes. Basically, these life jackets are designed for specific use cases where most life jackets don’t cut it.
What to Look For in a Good Life Jacket
Like picking out your next paddleboard or kayak, there are a number of key features to look for when choosing the best life jackets. A worthy PFD will depend on its intended use and the following characteristics:
Buoyancy
This is the most important aspect of a life jacket. Essentially, it’s the feature that makes a PFD a life-saving device. Buoyancy is a measurement of how well something floats (in air or in fluids). In the case of life jackets, we’re specifically referring to buoyancy in water.
How buoyant a life jacket is largely depends on the materials (usually foam and inner tubes filled with air), as well as the weight of the wearer. Note that the distribution of buoyant material keeps the wearer in an upright or face-up position, rather than a face-down position.
Fit and comfort
Check the manufacturer’s label or size chart to verify that the life jacket is the right fit for your size and weight range. To determine if you’ve purchased a properly fitting life jacket, follow these steps:
- Fasten your life jacket as you would before entering the water;
- Hold your arms above your head to test range of motion and torso coverage;
- Have a friend try to tug the life jacket off of you—the life jacket should stay put;
- Lastly, test the life jacket in the water to make sure that the device is buoyant enough, does not slip off, and is comfortable to wear.
Mobility
Although a life jacket with a snug fit is important for comfort, you don’t want it to fit too tight. Choosing a life jacket that allows you to move freely out on the water will maximize your performance and prevent accidents, too.
Visibility
In the event of an emergency, the most important factor aside from staying afloat is being easy to detect. It’s therefore a good idea to choose a life jacket that doesn’t blend into your surroundings.
Instead, opt for a life jacket with reflective features and brightly coloured fabric.
US Coast Guard Rating System
The US Coast Guard has a rating system that measures the buoyancy of life jackets from Type I to Type V. Think of it as the American equivalent of our Transport Canada certification system.
The guidelines state that most adults require a minimum of seven to twelve pounds of extra buoyancy to safely stay afloat. The US Coast Guard also recommends additional life jacket safety measures that include regular care and maintenance checks, how to wear your life jacket, and how to test a new purchase.
Best Life Jackets
Now that we know what makes a worthy life jacket, let’s take a look at the goods! We love all the life jackets we stock equally, but to help you narrow down your gear options with ease, we’ve put together a list of our 11 top contenders:
Best Overall Life Jacket
If we had to choose just one life jacket for any water sport, it’s the Type III O’Neill Wetsuits Reactor USCG Life Vest. This contoured life vest with anatomical flex points is the best choice if you’re looking for top-of-the-line quality, fit, and functionality.
Designed with some of the best features in life jacket technology, this device is outfitted with closed cell PVC Marine Foam, a heavy duty zipper closure and stitched seams, quick-release dual belt system, and ventilated mesh.
What People Love About It
Its superior quality, perfect fit, and top-notch functionality make it ideal for any water sport.
Price: 0.00$
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Best Budget Option
The NRS Vapor PFD Life Vest has a reasonable price tag and doesn’t cut corners. It’s a reliable life vest constructed with a soft interior and a durable nylon exterior fabric.
This Type III PFD US Coast Guard-approved life vest features a side-release buckle system with three adjustable straps for a comfy, custom fit. The contoured torso with ultra-soft foam and ample arm space allows for great mobility. It’s the perfect budget option for most water sports.
What People Love About It
It's budget-friendly without sacrificing comfort or mobility.
Price: 0.00$
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Best Kayaking & Canoeing Life Jacket
The Salus Eddy-Flex Floatation Jacket is the top pick for kayaking and canoeing in 2024. This life jacket offers a contoured foam design with a v-cut, ensuring a comfortable fit for all body types. The Dry-Lex back lining boasts great breathability and moisture absorption, making it perfect for long days on the water. Plus, the tapered back pad and soft-foam construction allow for unrestricted shoulder and arm movement.
Designed with convenience and safety in mind, the Eddy-Flex features a wrap-around waist belt to prevent ride-up and a 6-point adjustment system for a perfect fit. The high-visibility reflective trim enhances safety.
What People Love About It
Its contoured design and high comfort level make it a favourite for extended paddling sessions.
Price: 0.00$
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Best Kids Life Jacket
The Level Six Puffer Flotation Aid for infants is loved by even the fussiest babies, making it an all-round favourite for sub-20 lbs humans. It boasts a 3-piece collar to keep heads in a face-up position, is easy to adjust, gentle on bare skin, and includes a nifty crotch strap to make diaper changes a cinch.
What People Love About It
It's comfortable and secure, keeping even the fussiest babies happy and safe.
Price: 0.00$
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Youth life jackets need a little more room to move. For that, there’s no better option than the Transport Canada-approved Salus Nimbus Printed Floatation Jacket. One of the best kids life jackets on the market, it comes in an array of fabric prints and features a bottom crotch strap, soft nylon fabric, stretchy back, and wide foam around the neck.
What People Love About It
It's designed for active kids, offering plenty of room to move and a fun selection of fabric prints.
Price: 0.00$
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Best Canine Life Jacket
Keep your furry friend safe with the NRS CFD Dog Life Jacket. This life jacket is designed with a well-balanced foam contour that even wraps around your doggo’s neck, a handle for easy hauling when it’s time to get back in the boat, and reflective tape so you can spot ‘em in the dark.
What People Love About It
It keeps dogs safe and visible, with a comfortable fit and a convenient handle for easy lifting.
Price: 0.00$
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Best Paddleboarding Life Jacket
The NRS Ninja PFD Life Jacket is a top choice for paddleboarders, offering a compact design that optimizes comfort and mobility. Its innovative Orbit Fit System, crafted with lightweight closed-cell foam, conforms to your body for a low-profile fit that moves with you. Features graded sizing, a zippered clamshell pocket, and 3M reflective accents for visibility.
Made with sustainability in mind, the Ninja combines a recycled ripstop nylon shell with a recycled nylon inner. The 4-way stretch polyester lining is comfortable against the skin, and the side entry system with multiple adjustments ensures a secure fit. Ideal for active paddleboarding, it also includes practical features like a hand warmer pocket, strap garages, and multiple attachment points for gear.
What People Love About It
The Ninja Life Jacket offers unparalleled comfort and flexibility, perfect for active paddleboarding.
Price: 0.00$
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Best Jet Skiing Life Jacket
Mobility and seated comfort are the most important aspects of a good jet ski jacket. That’s why we’ve chosen the Mustang Survival Corp Horsepower Neoprene PFD. Not only is this water skiing life jacket TS Marine approved, it also features chafe-resistant airsoft foam, a split-tail back panel, and large armholes for a high range of motion and zero ride-ups.
What People Love About It
Its exceptional mobility, chafe-resistant comfort, and secure fit, make it perfect for active water sports.
Price: 0.00$
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Best Boating Life Jacket
In this category our pick is the Assault USCG Life Vest by O’Neill. This life jacket features strong seams, a concealed dual belt system, great lumbar support, and NytroLite foam technology—all combined with a lightweight fluid foam Neoprene outer shell.
The minimalist design makes it the right choice for fly fishing mobility and comfort on long speed-boating trips. So, if you’re looking for a life jacket that is both incredibly sleek and US Coast Guard-approved, this is the right pick for you.
What People Love About It
Its durable construction, enhanced support, and lightweight Neoprene shell make it ideal for fly fishing and long speed-boating trips where mobility and comfort are key.
Price: 0.00$
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BEST LIFE JACKET FOR WOMEN
The Mustang Survival Moxie Foam Vest is designed for women who prioritise comfort and functionality on the water. With its tailored fit and eight points of adjustment (including an Adjust-A-Bust system and adjustable shoulders) it offers a secure and custom feel ideal for active water sports.
Breathable mesh panels on the back prevent discomfort from seatbacks, while features like removable underbust memory foam pads, two zippered mesh pockets, and sunglass loops ensure convenience. Reflective trim and a tethered whistle enhance safety. Plus, its lightweight design meets Level 70 standards for buoyancy in the USA and Canada.
What People Love About It
Its perfect female-fit and thoughtful design includes an Adjust-A-Bust system and breathable mesh, ensuring comfort and safety.
Price: 0.00$
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BEST BREATHABLE LIFE JACKET
The Astral EV-EIGHT is made for those in search of a highly breathable life jacket. Featuring the world's first breathable PFD technology and a bluesign approved 100% recycled Polyester shell, it combines innovation with sustainability.
Designed with Astral's patented Airescape technology, it offers excellent ventilation. Meanwhile, the ergonomic design and high mesh back ensure comfort and unrestricted movement. The EV-EIGHT is ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and other water activities where staying cool and comfortable is your top priority.
What People Love About It
Its unmatched breathability and high mesh back provide superior comfort and ventilation during long hours on the water.
Price: 0.00$
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FAQ
Q: What type of life jacket should I choose?
A: Choose a life jacket with a buoyancy rating that’s appropriate for your weight range and is designed for your water sport of choice. You’ll need to decide between an inflatable, foam, or hybrid jacket.
No matter what you choose, however, always invest in a good life jacket that fits well and is Transport Canada- or US Coast Guard-approved.
Q: How do I determine the right size for my life jacket?
Q: How often should I replace my life jacket?
A: On average, you should replace your life jacket every three years. Sooner if it shows signs of deterioration such as fading colour, mildew spots, or cracks in the fabric, webbing, or foam.
To increase the longevity of your PFD, minimize exposure to the elements like sun, dry air, humidity, and salt water.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine the best life jacket for your situation. Keep in mind that the most important features are:
- Fit, size, and buoyancy for your body type;
- Fabric-to-skin comfort;
- Roam VS inflatable technology;
- Range of motion.
Whether you’re into paddle sports, sailing, or just lounging on a yacht, wear a life jacket that will keep your head high enough above water to prevent drowning. Never underestimate the utility of a good life jacket and always wear one when engaging in water activities. Additionally, a brightly coloured life jacket will make you easier to spot in an emergency situation.
Now, the fun part—time to shop your next life jacket!
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