How to Choose a Life Jacket

Choosing a life jacket is the same as choosing a shirt, right? Just pick one that looks good? While that's tempting to do, it's also likely to leave you unsatisfied and unhappy with your life jacket, making you unlikely to wear it. Our main testers for this category have been avid paddlers for as long as they can remember, giving them each a deep understanding of what makes the difference between a PFD (personal flotation device) you'll enjoy wearing and one you'll end up leaving on the bottom of the canoe. When it comes to a piece of gear that's literally designed to save your life, it's important to get the right one. After all, the best PFD is the one you're actually wearing when you need it to save your life! In this guide, we'll walk through all the options and how to choose the best one for your preferred water activity.

Required by Law

Legally, there must be a properly fitting, US Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for every single person on a recreational vessel. This applies to large off-shore cruises as much as it does to your speed boat, kayak, or paddleboard. While technically, in some situations, you may not have to wear your life jacket to be in compliance with the law, you should want to. According to the US Coast Guard and the American Boating Association, over 80% of drownings occur when the victim is not wearing their life jacket. Even more disturbing, over 50% of drownings occur close to shore when life jackets are stowed on board but not worn. Skydivers wear their parachutes, football players wear their helmets, and you put your seatbelt on when you get in a car — why would you not wear your life jacket on a boat?

Types of PFDs

So you know you need a life jacket, but what kind is right for you? You may have heard reference to the five types of jackets, as system that the US Coast Guard used to you. In 2014 they announced this was going to be updated. However the rollout across companies is slow. Therefore confusingly you will see some manufacturers use the old Type I, II, III, IV, V reference, others will reference to performance Levels 50, 700, 100, 150 and some use both!

For those manufacturers using the new Level designations, there are specific criteria that make each performance level distinct:

• Level 50: Suitable for conscious users in sheltered waters.

• Level 100: Appropriate for those who may have to wait for a rescue, but are likely to do so in relatively calm waters.

• Level 150: Designed for users in all waters where they might face severe conditions. Good for unconscious users to keep their head above water.

• Level 275: Intended for extreme conditions, or users carrying heavy equipment.

Alternatively, the older Type system classifies PFDs as the following:

Type 1: Known as an Off-Shore Life Jacket, these provide the most buoyancy. They are designed for all types of waters, including rough waters and remote waters where rescue may be delayed. They will also turn an unconscious wearer face-up in the water. These are best for large ships and boats venturing far from shore.

Type II: Also called a Near-Shore Buoyancy Vest, these jackets are intended for calm, inland waters where there is a good chance of swift rescue. These will turn most unconscious wearers face-up, but not as pronounced as a Type I vest. This type is frequently found on smaller boats, commercial cruises, and may be given out with recreational boat rentals.

Type III: These Floatation Aids are good for calm, inland waters where there is a good chance of quick rescue. The wearer may have to tilt their head back to remain face-up. These are among the most comfortable for continuous wear and active use. This is the option you will find at most outdoor retailers, and can be specific to your activity such as fishing, paddling, or jet skiing.

Type IV: Throwable Devices can be used anywhere. All boats above a certain size (typically longer than 16 feet, excluding kayaks and canoes) are required to carry at least one of these. They include cushions, rings, and buoys.

Type V: Special-Use Devices are intended for just that — special use. These are approved only for their intended usage and provide the performance of a Type I, II, or III PFD, when used as directed. Importantly, if the label says “approved only when worn,” it must be worn to make you legal — and keep you safe. Some Type V's may protect against hypothermia, some are specific to sailing, and others may be manually or automatically inflated when needed. Inflatable belts used for paddleboarding on flat water are one example of this type.

Unless you're a commercial boat captain or captaining a large vessel heading off-shore, you're likely interested in a Type III PFD or a Type V flotation device with Type III usage. Type III jackets are the most comfortable and cover all kinds of activities, from fishing to wakeboarding and kayaking to paddleboarding. Our review covers only the types of PFDs used during these kinds of recreational activities, with our biggest focus on paddle sports. If you're after a life jacket for other on-water uses, check out our best life jacket review.

Choose Your Style

Now that you know you're after wearable PFD, how do you go about deciding which one is the right one? First, consider what kinds of activities you plan to do with your life jacket. Are you leisurely lying in a canoe getting a tan with friends? Are you kayaking Class IV rapids out west? Are you fishing from a kayak in your favorite river for some tasty dinner? Are you languidly paddleboarding up the shore on vacation? There are various styles of vests that are better suited to certain activities than others.

Full Coverage Vest

Providing the most coverage of any Type III option, a full vest is a great choice for high-impact activities. For wakeboarding, jet skiing, and other activities where you find yourself moving at fairly high speeds and getting wet, a full vest will not only keep you safe but may help keep you warm as well. Some are lined with neoprene, which can help conserve heat even in that cool water spray. With smaller arm openings and a generally taller torso, these vests aren't the most ideal for paddle sports or keeping you cool. If your plans involve being towed by a powerboat or driving a high-speed vessel with the wind whipping through your big toothy grin, you'll likely want a full vest model.

Standard Vest

With larger arm openings and a myriad of useful features, a standard vest PFD is one of the most versatile options. Extra space around the shoulders provides the added mobility you need to paddle, swim, and cast a fishing line more comfortably than in a full vest option. These vests also frequently have pockets for holding a few choice items — like a waterproof camera for documenting your fun or an extra snack to stave off that “hanger.” Some may have more specific features, like a lash tab to hold your knife for whitewater users or more pockets to hold extra tackle. They also tend to provide slightly less coverage (though about the same amount of buoyancy) as a full vest, helping you stay cooler while paddling on a hot day. If you plan mostly on paddling but like to dabble in a variety of water sports, this is the optimal choice for you.

Low Profile

Still exhibiting a generally vest-like appearance, low-profile PFDs are designed to provide all the flotation you need without covering so much of your body and getting in your way. They often have the minimum required buoyancy for a Type III vest, which is concentrated in key areas. Less buoyancy equates to a slower “pop-up” in the water. Therefore, children and poor swimmers should be advised not to use this type of life jacket. The concentration of flotation materials allows this type of vest to be more open in key areas — like around your arms for more intense paddling or frequent casting, as in fly fishing. This style is often more activity-specific, with features designed for certain uses, like a hand-warming pouch for whitewater paddling. If you're an intense paddler or need extra shoulder mobility (and are a decent swimmer), this is a good style for you.

Inflatable Belt

An inflatable belt PFD is usually classified as a Type V device with Type III usage. These are among the most comfortable options for continuous use, as they are worn just like a belt and restrict your movement very little. Some may be automatically inflated as you enter the water, while others are manually inflated by pulling a tab. Since these are only attached around your waist and require extra steps to actually provide flotation, they do require you to be an advanced swimmer — though most models specify “expert swimmers only.” This type of PFD generally requires extra maintenance and frequent inspections to ensure it's in proper working order, as a single pinpoint hole renders the entire thing useless. They typically must be rearmed with a small CO2 canister after every usage and have specific directions on their upkeep. They are a good, comfortable option for expert swimmers in calm waters doing low-impact activities like paddleboarding.

While you can try on and analyze hundreds of PFDs, the best life jacket is the one you're wearing. What this translates to is comfort. If you've been talked into a super-specific type of vest by an overzealous salesperson, but you hate how it feels on you, you're probably not going to be wearing it when you find yourself in a life-threatening situation. No one ever expects to drown when they head out on the water, so wearing your life vest is key.

Choosing Your Fit

Most PFDs are sized by weight and chest circumference measurements. Standard adult life vests are for 90+ pound individuals, but always read the label of your life jacket. If you're buying for a child, be sure to follow the guidelines — a life jacket is not something you "grow into". When measuring your chest circumference, most models will ask for the largest point around your torso. This isn't a time to think about future dieting dreams and try to squeeze into a smaller size. As this is a piece of equipment that's designed to aid you in life-threatening situations, honesty is key. Measure yourself — or better yet, have someone else measure you — at your torso's widest point and use that number to guide your size choice. Unlike regular clothing, sizing a life jacket isn't something you should guess at. Be sure to read the size measurements for the vest you're considering, as there are no “standard” sizes across styles or brands.

Adjusting Your Jacket

Just like a backpack, you should readjust your PFD every time you put it on. This means loosening all the straps every time you take it off and retightening them all again when you put it back on. Also, like backpacking, to ensure the best fit of your life jacket, you should follow the manufacturer's directions, which generally involve working from the bottom up:

• Put your jacket on and zip and/or buckle it closed. Find the lowest set of adjustable straps and tighten those around your waist — usually about the thinnest portion of your torso or just above your hip bones. It should be snug enough to not move but not so tight you can't sit down.

• Continue tightening straps as you work your way up. Again, snugness is key. You want it to be tight enough to stay put when you fall in the water but not so tight it's uncomfortable to wear while you play.

• End with the shoulder straps, tightening them just enough to take up the slack. You don't want these so tight it pulls the jacket up to your neck or ears.

• Test the fit: Raise your arms over your head and have someone else pull up on the shoulder straps. You'll know it's properly adjusted if it doesn't move much. If it slides up to your chin, it's too loose or the wrong fit. Try adjusting again or pick a different vest.

While safety is obviously the biggest concern when wearing a PFD, remember that the best life jacket is the one you like to wear. Put it on right and take the time to find one that's comfortable for you.

Unisex vs. Women's

The majority of life jackets and PFDs are considered a “unisex” fit and tend to work equally as well for men and women. However, if you find yourself identifying as a woman with a high bust-to-waist ratio, unisex might not be the most comfortable fit for you. Women's-specific options tend to have thinner padding on the top of the jacket across the chest and concentrated padding below to leave room for larger breasts. Some even have specific cut-outs or shaped internal foam to facilitate containing your girls rather than smashing them.

However, many manufacturers make unisex jackets with tapered foam at the top already, so you may not need anything more. Additionally, you can, unfortunately, find many “women's” vests where the only difference is that they come in pink or purple or other colors deemed “feminine” (cue the eye roll). In our experience, some women's life jackets are awesome, and some are no different than a unisex vest. It all comes down to your shape and comfort level, so try them on, and don't be afraid to return or exchange online purchases until you find the right one for you.

Test Your Mobility

Whenever possible, try on your PFD before you buy it. Found a great deal online? We get it — save the cash and snag the deal, but only if you're sure you have the option to return an uncomfortable item (not just a defective one). When you do try on your jacket, run through a few tests to see if it works for you:

• Put it on! Buckle and zip it up. Adjust it accordingly. See if you like how it feels and how it works. Take it off and repeat the process a few times. Walk around the store or your house, and really be critical of how it feels. If you can't get used to it or you're not happy with how it feels, it's not the right one for you.

• Test it against your skin. If you can try it on without a shirt or while wearing your bikini top, do that. Unless you plan on always wearing it over a shirt, don't only try it on over a shirt. Have a favorite sun shirt or paddle shirt? Try it on over that and see how it feels. Putting a life jacket against your skin is drastically different than trying it on over the cotton t-shirt you wear at home.

• Move in it. Plan on paddling? Make paddling motions or, better yet, grab your favorite kayak/canoe/SUP paddle and do the motion. Thinking of fishing? Practice your casting while wearing your vest. You should always count on swimming, so take a stab at your best stroke motions. Note if the PFD rubs against your arms, sides, or neck. If you find it rubs or moves while you move, it's probably not the right choice for you.

• Sit in it. Odds are you're going to sit down while using your jacket. Even if you're on a SUP or standing in your favorite fishing hole, at some point, we all like to sit down. A PFD that isn't comfortable to wear while you sit is unlikely to be one you'll wear for long.

Care for Your Life Saver

Now that you've found your perfect style and fit don't forget to take care of your new purchase. Again, read the directions carefully. Most jackets will have cleaning and storage directions included with them that should be followed. Some also have inspection and testing guidelines as well as longevity expectations.

In general, you should rinse your PFD after each usage (especially if it involves saltwater), and you can dunk it in soapy water for a more thorough cleaning. Never stick it in a washing machine, and always hang it up to dry it in a shady spot. Store it out of direct sunlight and inspect it at least once each year for visible damage. Most, but not all, PFDs must be replaced once they have any rip or tear in the fabric, as it can waterlog the inner foam, making it less buoyant. You should also test your PFD in actual water before relying on it and make sure it provides the right amount of float for your comfort.

Conclusion

Sure, any US Coast Guard-approved PFD on your boat will make you in compliance with the laws while you're out. But if you'd like to actually be protected, know you can count on your gear when your life is on the line, and you want to be comfortable while you wear it, finding the right PFD couldn't be more important. We've spent years wearing and testing the best and worst of the bunch, and we hope this guide full of fitting advice helps you find the best jacket for whatever your style of “lake day” (or river or pond or sea…) looks like.