Best Life Jackets Guide & Reviews
Life jackets are the single most important safety factor when taking part in activities on water. We are not just talking about being safe out at sea. It’s about being safe wherever, and whenever, you are participating in an activity on water.
You may be surprised to know that 90% of drownings occur in inland waters. Most of them were within just a few feet of safety. We are still amazed at the number of times we see in the news that people have got themselves into danger and they have chosen not to wear a life jacket. It doesn’t matter whether you buy, borrow or rent, please wear a life jacket and keep safe.
The purpose of a life jacket is to keep you afloat in the water and give you extra time. This extra time is for the rescue services to reach you. Time that can mean the difference between life and death. It doesn’t take long to drown and you will be surprised about how quickly things can take a turn for the worse. In fact, it only takes 60 seconds for an adult to drown and 20 seconds for a child to drown.
Before we get started on more detailed information on life vests we need to be clear on one thing. A life vest will only work if you actually wear it.
The United States Coast Guard recommends that you not only carry life vests but that you actually wear them. I know, it’s common sense right? Well 85% of drowning victims had access to a life vest but did not wear it.
It’s not there to grab once you are in trouble. Obviously it is going to be extremely difficult for you to put on a life jacket once you are actually in the water. It is there to wear in the event that you fall into the water. No one thinks they are going to fall into the water or get themselves into a dangerous situation but it does happen.
If you are concerned about wearing a life jacket because of how it might feel, how bulky it is of even how it will look on you then you have nothing to be concerned about. Life preserver technology has come a long way in recent years and you will find one that will suit your needs. You can also get life jackets for dogs and other animals.
The bulky, ugly, old orange life jacket is a thing of the past. Manufacturers are listening to consumers and refining fit, increasing size options and improving colors. Radical changes in life jacket design such as extra-large armholes, shaped fit, flexible panels, pockets, inflatables and more comfortable materials are making today’s life jackets much easier to wear.
You will also hear life jackets referred to as life vests, life preservers, floatation aids, personal floatation devices and PFD’s. Although people will generally use the terms as interchangeable and meaning the same thing, there are differences between them.
A life jacket and a life vest are the same. They are designed to turn an unconscious person from face down to face up in the water, allowing them to breathe. A personal flotation device (PFD) is different. They are designed to keep a conscious person afloat in calm conditions.
PFDs have less buoyancy and the floatation material is on the back of the device. This makes them less bulky and more comfortable allowing for greater movement than a life jacket.
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How Do Life Vests Work?
All life vests work on the same principal, they add buoyancy to your body. As your body already has some buoyancy, a life vest doesn’t need to support all of your weight. It just needs to add enough buoyancy to keep your head above water and therefore keep you safe until help arrives. The average adult needs just seven to twelve pounds of extra buoyancy.
The amount of buoyancy needed for each individual is different and it can be quite technical to work out. It is based on your weight, fat levels, lung size, the clothes you are wearing and the water conditions. However, you don’t need to work it out exactly like that. The easiest way to find the correct life jacket for you is to go by body weight (more on that later).
Wearing a life jacket will also help your body to retain heat if you fall into the water. This is even more important if you fall into particularly cold waters. It has been reported that up to 50% of drowning deaths are actually from hypothermia rather than from water getting into the lungs. When you are in the water you lose heat by moving therefore wearing a floatation device of some kind allows you to keep still and ideally you can get into the HELP position (Heat Escape Lessening Posture).
Which Materials are Used in Life Jackets?
When life jackets were first produced the main materials used to create the buoyancy were cork, balsa wood and kapok (a naturally buoyant material from a tropical tree). The most popular material used today are plastic foams, such as polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene, and these types are classed as inherently buoyant. You can also get inflatable life jackets that have a chamber which inflates, manually or automatically, via a gas canister.
The outer shell is most commonly made from nylon, polyester or neoprene. They are all very durable materials and they can be produced in different colours so you can get those bright, stand out colors, which will help you be seen in the event of an accident. Nylon is the most common while neoprene is mostly used in life jackets for water sports.
Although the materials are durable, taking care of your life jacket will extend its life.
What Should You Consider When Choosing Life Preservers?
Is Your Life Preserver Suitable for the Activity?
You can find life preservers tailor-made for specific activities like canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, angling, boating, sailing, rafting and wind surfing. There are four basic life preserver types (5 when you include throwable flotation aids). All life preservers are not suitable for all activities so you should choose your life preserver based on your planned activities and the anticipated water conditions. This may mean that you need more than one type of floatation device if you participate different activities.
Is It US Coast Guard Approved?
Always look for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) approval number before you purchase any personal floatation device. This will ensure they meet the strict safety regulations. The legal requirements of the United States Coast Guard for personal flotation devices, life vests or life jackets are that a Type I, II, III, or V PFD should be marked with an approval number. They should also be the proper size for each individual wearing it. More on the different types of personal floatation devices later.
Is It The Right Size?
Life Vests are not a one size fits everyone situation so you need to make sure you spend time understanding what size you need. Buying the correct size will ensure you have the correct fit and that is as important as wearing a life vest in the first place. You don’t want it slipping off you as you slip into the water. Life vest sizes are based on chest size for adults and weight for children.
Children’s life jackets fall into 3 weight categories: -
Infant Life Jackets for 8 lbs — 30 lbs
Child Life Jackets for 30 lbs — 50 lbs
Youth Life Jackets for 50 lbs — 90 lbs
The sizes available for adult life vests do vary by manufacturer. Women’s life jackets are the most consistent across the different brands with the vast majority offering Extra Small (XS), Small (SM), Medium (M), Large (LG) and Extra Large (XL).
Men’s life jackets have a bigger variation of sizes available across the different brands but all of them offer SM, M, L, XL, XXL and 3XL in their ranges. From there you can also find some makers offering XS, 4XL and 5XL.
We have also found that each brand has a different, shall we say, interpretation of chest sizes so a large in one brand might not be the same size as a large in another brand. Our advice is to check the sizing charts for the life jacket you are looking to buy. Better still, check customer reviews as they usually include how the jacket was for sizing and you can get a better idea of the size you will need.
Is It The Right Fit?
You will find that different makes of life jacket have different methods for putting them on and different methods for adjusting them. The main types are pullover jackets, zip up jackets and side entry jackets. Our advice is to not be concerned with how you put the jacket it but to focus on it being the right fit for you.
The end result will always be the same — they should achieve a snug and secure fit and not ride up your body when you are in the water. Different activities will require a different life jacket design as your movement will be different with each activity.
Your movement on a boat is different to how you move on a stand up paddle board which is also different to when you are kayaking. You will need a life jacket which allows you enough movement while still being secure so it won’t slip off. Life jackets for water skiing and wake boarding need to be a tighter fit you as you undoubtedly will have an impact with the water at some point.
What are the Different Types of Life Jackets?
TYPE I PFD
Off Shore Life Jacket
These are best suited to open waters, rough seas or remote locations where rescue may not be immediate. Recommended when boating or fishing alone and you may be far from the shore.
The main benefits of these are: -
• The provide the most reliable flotation and highest amount of buoyancy
• They are designed to turn most unconscious wearers face up in the water and they help to retain the most body heat.
• Available in a variety of highly visible colors and can have reflective material to help with search and rescue
Type I PFD
TYPE II PFD
Near Shore Buoyant Life Vest
These are best suited to calm or inland water, when you are close to shore and where a fast rescue is likely to happen. Ideally suited to fishing, sailing and boating.
The main benefits of these are: -
• They turn some unconscious wearers face up in the water
• Less bulky and more comfortable than the foam off shore life jacket (Type I PFD)
• Approved for multiple sizes from infant through to all adults
• They are a good choice for children
Type II PFD
TYPE III PFD
Floatation Aid
These are a good for conscious users in calm inland water or where fast rescue is likely to happen.
The main benefits of these are: -
• They are usually the most comfortable for continuous wear
• Designed for general boating & designated activities marked on the device such as water skiing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, wind surfing and many others.
• Available in many styles, including vests and flotation coats
Type III PFD
TYPE IV PFD
Throwable Device
Type IV Life Jackets include buoys and boat cushions. They function as throwable devices and are not designed to be worn.
The main benefits of these are: -
• They can be thrown from a craft or from land
• Provide back-up to wearable life jackets
• Some styles may be used as seat cushions so they don’t take up any additional space
Type IV PFD
TYPE V PFD
Special Use Devices
Type V life jackets are intended for very specific activities. These include board sailing vests, deck suits, pullover vests, work vests, some hybrid life jackets, inflatable life jackets with OCR harness and many others.
They are only appropriate for specific uses or conditions so you should check the label instructions.. Some Type V life jackets meet the U.S. Coast Guard’s Carriage Regulations only if worn in accordance with the label.
The main benefits of these are: -
• Designed for specific activities — check label for limits of use
• Continuous wear prevents users from being caught without protection
Type V PFD
Types of Life Jacket Inflatable Mechanisms
Automatic PFD vs. Manual PFD
Automatic inflation devices are supposed to inflate on contact with water and usually it does take being submerged in water to activate. A spray of water will not normally be enough to make it inflate. The real benefit of this is that it could save your life if you are knocked unconscious while going into the water. The downside is that automatic inflatable life jackets could also inflate inconveniently if you, for example, plunge through a wave and you get water dumped on you. This can be combatted by choosing an automatic inflatable life vest which is activated with water pressure.
A manual inflatable life vest requires you to be conscious and aware of what you are doing so you are able to pull the release for the cylinder. This is the more reliable of the two inflatables and requires less servicing but doesn’t have the added safety measure of inflating if you are knocked unconscious.
Whether it’s automatic life jacket or a manual life jacket, some life jackets will also have an oral tube incorporated into the design. This allows you to top up the air bladder when needed. Many manufacturers have a CO2 cylinder which will not fully inflate the vest and therefore you may need to top up the bladder, depending on how long you are in the water before you are rescued.
How do Automatic Inflation Life Jackets Work?
An Automatic inflation life vest uses a water-soluble capsule attached to the inflation unit. Its mechanism pierces the CO2 cylinder and releases the gas when submerged or when it senses other water-related triggers (e.g. water pressure). Units with automatic inflation mechanisms may also be manually inflated by using the ripcord.
How do Manual Inflation Life Jackets Work?
A manual inflation life vest releases the CO2 gas from the cylinder via ripcord Cylinder Seal Indication: Makes it easier to determine if the CO2 cylinder is properly armed. Life jackets with cylinder seal indication are considered more reliable.
The CO2 cylinders in life jackets without cylinder seal indication must be inspected regularly to determine if they are charged.
Should All Life Preservers be Tested?
Trying your life preserver on before your start your planned activity will make sure it is the right fit and that it will perform exactly how it should do in the event of an accident.
You should test it in shallow waters to ensure you are completely happy with its performance. You can check the buoyancy of life preservers by relaxing your body and tilting your head back. Ensuring your life preserver keeps your chin above water and that you can breathe easily. If your mouth is not well above the water then you will need a life preserver with more buoyancy.
Your life preserver should not ride up your body when in the water. However, If your stomach is larger than your chest then some ride up may occur but this should not impairs its performance. It should still keep you safe by keeping your head above the water.
How to Choose a Life Jacket Suitable for Your Activity
Life Jackets for Boating
To meet United States Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a USCG Approved life jacket for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and over must have at least one Type IV throwable device as well. You have plenty of choice as all you need are standard life jackets, which tend to be the best value, as you don’t need any additional features like you do for other activities. There are even a lot of different colors to choose from.
You should also consider having life jackets on board that will fit various sizes as this will ensure you cater for anyone, and everyone, you have on board. You don’t have to push the boat out to achieve this (see what I did there?) as you can get universal fitting life jackets which will cater for a wider range of size. As usual you should still check and test it fits each person properly before setting off.
All states have regulations regarding life jacket to be worn by children. You can check out your state here
In states where no children’s life jacket law is in place, a US Coast Guard interim rule requires children under 13 on moving boats to wear a USCG approved life jacket that fits.
Our Choice of the Best Life Vest for Boating
Life Jackets for Kayaking and Canoeing
In a canoe or kayak you need to paddle which means you need freedom of movement. Therefore you need to choose a life vest which will not interfere with what you’re doing. A life vest with large arm holes and one which doesn’t have too much of the floatation foam on the shoulders & upper chest. This will allow your arms and upper body to have enough freedom of movement to paddle as well as ensuring you don’t suffer from any rubbing or chafing.
Another good feature is one which has the floatation foam sitting high on the back so you can wear it comfortably with high back seats. Having mesh on the lower back is also good for ventilation on those hot days.
We always find a good kayak or canoe pfd is one with zipped pockets to store some of the necessities like glasses, sunscreen and snacks as having these close at hand will make your time on the water a lot easier.
Our Choice of the Best Life Vest for Canoeing and Kayaking
Life Jackets for Water Sports — Water Skiing & Wake Boarding
When it comes to choosing the right life vest for water skiing and wake boarding, the golden rule is tight is right. You should think of it as a second skin and it should therefore be a really snug fit. You want to make sure there are no air gaps between your body and the life jacket. Air gaps can cause bruising to your ribs when you fall. Life jackets for water sports are typically made of neoprene which means they will stretch slightly when wet.
Watersport life jackets usually have a lower profile (makes them look slimmer compared to other types) as the foam is more evenly distributed across the the front and back of the vest.
Activities like wake boarding, water skiing, being towed on an inflatable tube and riding a personal watercraft include a risk of hitting the water at high speed. The best watersport life jackets must withstand these impacts, stay intact and stay attached to your body.
Fasteners will come in the form of belts or zips. Belted vests will have three or four strong belts encircling your torso which ensures they won’t get torn off easily, even when you crash and burn at high speed. Zips will mainly be at the front but you can get some with the zips at the side or at the back. Zips at the back of a vest obviously make it more difficult to put on and take off on your own.
Look for vests that have water sports marked on the label and you can be sure of getting a life jacket that will give you the protections and freedom of movement you will need.
Our Choice of the Best Life Vests for Water Sports
Life Jackets for SUP Stand Up Paddle Boarding
First thing to mention is that the United States Coast Guard has classified stand up paddle boards as a vessel when they are used outside of swimming, surfing and bathing areas. This means that you are required to have a USCG approved life jacket as well as a whistle, a distress light and flashlight (if you are on the water after sunset). The World Paddle Association have a good article on it.
Freedom of movement is important when paddle boarding so you need to choose a life jacket that gives you the protection and safety you need without hindering you as you move. You are really looking at 3 options — a life jacket with large arm holes and no floatation foam on the shoulders, an inflatable life jacket or an inflatable life belt.
All of these will give you the freedom of movement you need so it may come down to come down to your preference. Price isn’t an issue as you will find they are quite similar in price.
Our Choice of the Best Life Vest for SUP
Life Jackets for Fishing
You may need a vest that allows you to have the freedom of movement depending on where you are fishing and what type of boat you are in. You should be looking for a fishing life vest which has no floatation foam on the shoulders, has large arm holes and has the foam high up at the back as this will allow you to comfortable sit on seats.
The key difference with life vests that are suitable for fishing is that you, as do most anglers, will want to have integrated features such as large pockets, D rings and clips. This allows you store your collection of lures, leaders and tools.
You also have the option to have a auto inflating life vest which gives you the benefits of an anglers vest with the added safety feature included.
Our Choice of the Best Life Vests for Fishing
Automatic Inflation Life Jackets
Automatic inflatable life jackets are very popular as they can be worn without the bulk of an traditional life jacket. When you fall in the water the inflatable will inflate automatically. They can also be blown up manually in case of malfunction.
These are highly visible when inflated and turn most wearers and unconscious users face-up faster than traditional PFD’s. Many inflatables have more buoyancy than foam types and many of them come with additional features.
There are quite a few automatic life jackets which are very good but do not have USCG approval. We have only listed those with United States Coast Guard Approval. We believe this is by far the better option as it gives you peace of mind and keeps you compliant in situations where you must have a USCG approved jacket.
As with other water sports, you will need a life jacket that will allow you the freedom of movement while still giving you the safety you need in the event you find yourself off your board and in the water. You will need a life vest that offers a degree of stretch and flexibility. This will allow a tight fit while still giving you the freedom to move around.
Our Choice of the Best Automatic Inflation Life Vests
Life Jackets for Children
As highlighted earlier, life jackets for kids fall into three size categories and these are based on the child’s weight: -
Infant for 8 lbs — 30 lbs Child for 30 lbs — 50 lbs Youth for 50 lbs — 90 lbs
The same rules apply as they do for adult life jackets, it must be the right fit and it must be appropriate for the activity they are taking part in. What is suitable for the swimming pool or beach may not be suitable for when they are on a boat.
For infant and child life vests we recommend you get one with an adjustable safety belt which goes in between their legs and stops the jacket from riding up when they are in the water, therefore ensuring their head is kept above the water. For infant vests look for one which has collars to support their head.
There is plenty of choice when it comes to youth life jackets as they are essentially a smaller version of the adult jackets with materials, fasteners and entry systems being exactly the same. We recommend buying the youth version of any adult life jackets where possible as you will be familiar with it and you obviously like it. If it’s not possible then reading customer reviews is a good way to go..
One of the most popular children’s life jackets is the Stearns Puddle Jumper. Although the Puddle Jumper is United States Coast Approved we wouldn’t recommend this to be used as a full on life jacket when you are out on boats etc. It’s great for learning how to swim and is fine for when you are anchored and you want to swim/play in the water but we would recommend you buy a standard life jacket when you get moving.
As with adult life vests, you should carry out a test in shallow waters to ensure it fits correctly, stays on and keeps their head above the the water.