Whether you’re swimming, boating, water skiing, or jet skiing, spending time on the water is a great way to stay cool during the summer. But even if you’re an experienced swimmer, it’s important to stay safe, which is why life jackets are a necessity.
But there are so many life jackets to choose from that finding the right one can be a real challenge. You have to figure out which type of life jacket is best for your water activities, as well as determine the ideal material, size, and other features to ensure the utmost comfort and safety.
How long does a life jacket last?
It usually depends on how often you use the life jacket and how well you care for it. You should inspect the jacket regularly to see if there are any rips or tears and replace it as soon as you notice any signs of damage. That includes faded color on the exterior of the life jacket because a faded jacket is harder for rescue crews to spot. In most cases, though, a life jacket will last five to seven years. Have queries regarding How to Choose Boat Propellers? Check out our guide on Boat Propellers to know more about how to choose the right boat propeller with all the necessary info.
What type of life jacket should you buy if you don’t know how to swim?
An adult only needs an extra 10 pounds of buoyancy to stay afloat in the water, and most life jackets offer at least 15 pounds. That means that any life jacket you choose should keep you safe if you fall in the water. However, check that any life jacket you purchase is approved by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to make sure it’s safe and reliable.
The Life Jacket was the accepted term for the floating vests we wear when boating or swimming. Life jackets are invented in 1854 and it saved countless lives since many years ago. Life jackets for outfitting large commercial transport ventures in potentially dangerous waters, such as coastal cruises, offshore passages, and overwater air flights, consisting of either a single air chamber or a pair of (twin or double) sealed air chambers constructed of coated nylon (sometimes with a protective outer encasing of heavier, tougher material such as vinyl), joined together and buckled with a side release buckle.
The Best Boat Life Jackets
Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Life Vest
The Onyx MoveVent Torsion Life Jacket comes in 4 different colors like Yellow, Purple, Orange, and Aqua and it is the best life jacket for users. This vest fits your body like a glove and also help keep you cool during movements. This PFD features one of my all-time favorite features. Mesh lower back allows the personal floatation device to fit snugly and securely while also improving the overall ergonomics and these are built right into Fishing Vests or hunter coats.
Features
- The design allows excellent freedom of movement for paddle sports.
- Move Vent design conforms to your body while allowing plenty of ventilation to keep you cool while paddling.
- Soft, comfortable flotation foam and it is a perfect suit for kayaking.
- Front & back ventilation for cooling comfort and also Added Security for the drivers during fishing and riding in the river.
- Flexible, sculpted design conforms securely to your body.
- Adjustable side belts let you create a custom fit.
- Neoprene comfort pads in the shoulder can be adjusted for a comfortable fit.
- The lower back mesh is ideal for seats with high backs and sits on top kayaks.
Stearns Adult Classic Series Vest
The US Coast Guard-approved PFD is designed with three adjustable chest belts that make a day on the water a comfortable one and feel good for the users. It includes webbed 1-inch straps, a durable nylon shell and PE foam inside, this life jacket is sure to be on the boat with you season after season and it as a very unique overall safety for the users.
Features
- Coast guard approved life jacket.
- Great for a day on the boat or beach and in the pool or lake.
- For use on a boat, personal watercraft, or for tow sports.
- Universal size for most adults and it is a perfect suit for kayaking.
- 3 adjustable straps and open sides for a better fit.
- Durable construction nylon shell, PE foam, three 1 in. webbed straps.
- Open-sided design, three buckle design, and they are made of durable material.
O’Neill Men’s Superlite USCG Life Vest
O’Neill Wetsuits is a good-looking vest that is made specifically for men. It’s Coast Life Jacket Guard approved and is the ideal life vest for any kind of watersport activity when you need full use of your arms such as wake sports, kayaking, and waterskiing. It gives you that extra peace of mind while you’re out on the water.
Features:
- Lightweight Polyethylene Foam.
- Coated Polyester Shell.
- Soft and Comfortable.
- Quick-Release Delrin Buckles.
- Minimal Bulk Design.
- Strategic Armhole Size.
- Quick-Release Dual Safety Buckles.
- Mesh for Drainage.
- USGC Approved.
ONYX Adult Universal Type 2 USCG Approved Life Jacket
This is a classical looking Life Jacket that is designed to provide minimum buoyancy, especially those you aren’t the greatest swimmers. This is a type II life jacket. The vest is lightweight and easy to store and has minimal bulk for improved comfort and these come standard with a grab strap and Crotch Strap and it is the best life jacket for users friendly and great choice.
Features:
- U.S. Coast Guard-approved.
- Low profile, compact design.
- Breathable mesh lower back.
- Less bulky and affordable.
- Durable nylon fabric adjustable belt for a secure fit.
- Minimum 15.5 lbs. of buoyancy.
- Classic, compact design.
- Sizes for all the family.
- Distinctive red color.
O’Brien Men’s Biolite Traditional Life Jacket
The main key feature of the product is Hinged Design allows for superior flexibility while wearing BioLite Construction is lighter than neoprene improving comfort for long term wear. It also comes in a nice range of colors and also comes with five different options which will offer something for everyone.
Features
- BioLite Construction is lighter and more environmentally friendly than traditional neoprene vests.
- Segmented foam construction is more flexible without compromising buoyancy.
- Zip Closure is reinforced with two adjustable belts for a secure fit and it is a perfect suit for kayaking.
- US Coast Guard Approved Type III rating means it counts toward your vessel’s required number of PFDs.
- D-Ring on the front left of the jacket is the perfect anchor for leashes, accessories, or anything else you don’t want to lose.
- Maximum comfort, Large armholes, and designed specifically for men.
Eyson Inflatable Life Jacket Life Vest
This is a Life Jacket that gives you a lot of safety features and is inflatable.and this inflation can either be automatic or manual depending on which product you use for Life Vest. All of our products have passed CE certification, you can find a CE mark and manufacturer date on airbag also suits for Racing kayaks.
Features
- CE Certificated & SOLAS Approved 3M Reflectors.
- Lightweight & durable fabric and Highly visible design.
- The adjustable belt fit for adult and Kid.
- Reusable, washable, and easy to air dry.
- This Life Jacket Buoyancy is 150N, Fits for Universal Adults under 330 lbs (150kg).
Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket
The Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket is an innovative, high mobility, low profile boating vest for kayaking, SUP, and sailing. The shape torso combined with the ultra-small footprint ensures a great fit. Looking for the Best Boat Fenders? Check out our Buyer’s Guide on Best Boat Fenders to know more.
Features
- Ergonomic wrapture shaped torso.
- Ultra-soft buoyancy foam.
- Low cut offset side-zipper entry.
- Adjustable side pulls and a front waist buckle closure let you customize the fit.
- Adjustable shoulders with contoured padded shoulder straps.
- Large arm openings for unrestricted whitewater & SUP paddling.
- Mesh sides maximize ventilation.
- Roomy, top loading front pocket for secure storage and easy accessibility.
- High visibility 3M reflective accents.
- Front knife lash tab.
- US Coast Guard Certification by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Stohlquist Men’s Trekker Life Jacket
The back side has half flotation/half cool mesh to fit comfortably above the seat backs found in today’s rec-tour and sit-on-top boats. Features include a front zipper entry, with grip tab, adjustable padded shoulders, and roomy zippered front pockets and Life Vest.
Features
- Ergonomic WRAPTURE shaped torso and it is a perfect suit for kayaking.
- Cross-chest cinch harness for zero ride-up.
- 4-way accessory lash tab on the back.
- Ventilated shoulder and back pad.
- Large zippered pockets.
- Mesh back rides high above backrest.
- Open sides for ventilation.
- 500 Denier Cordura shell and 200 denier oxford liner.
- Cross-chest cinch harness for zero ride-up.
- Ventilated shoulder and back pad.
- Hand Wash Soap and Water.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right Life Jacket for You?
Let’s get to know the key features to look for before you make a buying decision and then dive into the various types of life jackets, their price ranges and few tips for you.
Key features to look for before buying life jackets:
1. Materials
Life jackets are made from a few different materials. The most common options are nylon and neoprene. Nylon is usually less expensive, though it’s still a highly durable material. It’s also lightweight, which makes it comfortable to wear. It’s often used for paddle sports life vests because it’s easy to cast your reel or paddle a boat while wearing a nylon life jacket.
Neoprene is a more expensive life jacket material, but it usually offers a better fit than nylon. It also offers greater buoyancy to keep you afloat. Neoprene is usually used for water sports life jackets because it’s extremely easy to move in if you’re water skiing, jet skiing, or tubing. It’s also a good option for colder water because the neoprene provides extra warmth if you fall into the water.
2. Pockets and loops
Depending on what activities you plan to use your life jacket for, it helps to have pockets and/or gear loops so you can keep supplies close at hand. These include items like a compass, fishing tools, and an emergency whistle. However, be careful not to place heavy items in your pockets or on your loops because they can affect the life jacket’s buoyancy.
3. Fit
Getting the fit right for a life jacket is crucial for reliable protection when you’re in the water. A life jacket should have a snug fit without being too constrictive or uncomfortable. You can find life jackets in adult, youth, child, and even infant sizes, though each category has different criteria for sizing.
Adult and youth life jacket sizes are usually based on chest measurements, so you should measure the widest part of your chest to determine the proper size. Children’s life jacket sizes, on the other hand, are based on weight, so be sure to weigh your child before purchasing a jacket.
To make sure that a life jacket fits properly, loosen all the straps and put on the jacket. Close it and then tighten the straps. Once the jacket is tightened, pull on it from the shoulder straps. If it slides up around your head, it’s too loose. To make sure the jacket isn’t too tight, move your arms in common swimming motions to make sure that you have a free range of movement without any chafing.
4. Reflective patches
In case of an emergency, it’s a good idea to have reflective patches on your life jacket. Reflective patches can help rescue teams locate you in the water, particularly if they’re searching at night. You may also want to choose a life jacket in a loud, bright color to make you more visible during the day. Are you searching for the best fish finders with GPS? Check out these from Garmin.
Types of Life Jackets:
- Type I – A Type I life jacket is also known as an offshore life jacket, and it is designed to help you stay afloat in rough, open water for a prolonged period of time. Type I life jackets provide a minimum buoyancy of at least 22 pounds for foam jackets and 33 pounds for inflatable jackets. Type I life jackets can keep you face up in the water even if you’re unconscious, which is why they’re often used on ocean fishing boats, cruise ships, freight ships, and other large commercial ships.
- Type II – Type II life jackets are also known as near-shore buoyant vests, and they are designed to keep you afloat in calm, inland waters where you’re likely to be rescued quickly. They’re typically less bulky than Type I jackets and most have a minimum buoyancy of 15.5 pounds. In calmer waters, a Type II life jacket can usually keep you face up in the water if you’re unconscious.
- Type III – Type III life jackets are used mainly for water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, wakeboarding, and other water sports. They have a minimum buoyancy of 15.5 pounds, but their comfortable, lightweight design means that they aren’t very effective at keeping your face up in the water if you’re unconscious.
- Type IV – Type IV flotation devices aren’t wearable life jackets. Instead, these emergency floatation devices are meant to be thrown to someone who’s fallen in the water. Horseshoe buoys, ring buoys, and buoyant cushions fall into this category. Type IV flotation devices usually have a minimum buoyancy of 16 to 20 pounds.
- Type V – Type V life jackets are designed for special use. Inflatable styles typically have buoyancy ratings between 22 and 34 pounds, while foam models have buoyancy ratings between 15.5 and 22 pounds. Type V life jackets are usually worn by Coast Guard rescue teams, offshore deckhands, and whitewater guides. They’re not generally intended for personal use.
Life jackets price ranges:
- Life jacket prices vary based mainly on the jacket type, though it’s important to note that larger sizes usually cost more than smaller sizes. In general, you can expect to pay between $12 and $150 for adult life jackets.
- Type I life jackets usually range from $24 to $122. Type II life jackets are usually less expensive because they don’t offer the same amount of buoyancy. They typically run from $12 to $55.
- Type III life jackets are usually the most expensive option for personal use. They don’t offer the same buoyancy as Type I jackets, but their comfortable, lightweight design makes them ideal for water sports, which drives up the price. You’ll usually pay between $38 and $150.
Tips:
- Before any water activity, always inspect your life jackets for any rips, tears, or other damage that might affect a jacket’s performance. If you find any damage, the life jacket is not fit for use and should be replaced.
- After using your life jackets, always rinse them with clean water. Let them dry completely before putting them away.
- Don’t leave your life jacket out in the sun. Sunlight can weaken the jacket’s materials and cause it to break down.
Final thoughts:
While we love the Puddle Jumper’s comfort and style, overall safety wins out, making the Stohlquist life jacket our top choice for the best life jacket. It’s approved by the US Coast Guard with all the safety features you would like — neck support, crotch straps, grab strap, and bright color — all wrapped in a sleek, non-bulky design. And it’s not only free, but it’s more convenient than many of the other choices.
Today there are plenty of flashy and cute life jackets on the market but don’t let them distract you from the important safety features you need. Because that is all that matters in case of an emergency.
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