If you love water sports, whether paddle boarding, kayaking, or snorkeling, you probably know that your safety comes first. Nearly 85% of drowning victims in recreational activities in 2017 were not wearing a life jacket.
That is why a life jacket must be with you whenever you get into the water, for one simple reason: it saves your life!
There are many life jackets available. What is best for you depends on size, weight capacity, design, and the material used (Read more in our buyer’s guide).
So without further ado, let’s dive right into the list of the eight best life jackets for paddle boarding.
#1 O’Neill Men’s Superlite USCG Life Vest
Enjoy your paddle boarding more comfortably in O’Neil Men’s Superlite Life jacket. It is one of the budget-friendly life jackets that you can wear while different water sports starting from paddle boarding to water skiing.
The O’Neil life jacket’s main highlight is its Nylon OFD material, ultra-soft, and lightweight that offers maximum comfort. Also, the sturdy polyester shell makes the exterior of the jacket durable and long-lasting.
The Delrin buckles of this fantastic life jacket allow quick fastening and will enable you to adjust the jacket as per your chest size easily. Also, the drain holes placed efficiently in the jacket retain water.
This life jacket’s sterling feature is its design and four heavy-duty webbing belts that allow easy and quick release. While looking for a reliable life jacket in terms of safety, this is ideal.
Pros
- This life jacket for men comes with four heavy-duty for more security.
- The armhole size is quite suitable for better safety.
- The coat has overlock stitching which makes it a durable and reliable jacket.
- The mesh of the jacket offers fast drainage, and it gets dry quickly.
Cons
As per many customers, size measurement has some problems.
#2 Stohlquist Fit Youth Life Jacket
This life jacket is perfect for younger paddle board riders. If your children weigh below 90 pounds, this jacket is sized perfectly for them. Now you can take this jacket and continue your water sports with more confidence.
Stohlquist vest is best as it is lightweight, and the PFD used in this jacket is Coast Guard approved. It has front and back foam panels, and the buckles give you complete safety during water sports.
It is a perfect life jacket, suitable for all ages and sizes. You can use this Stohlquist fit vest for many sports, and you must take this flotation product with you whenever you dive into the water.
There is no concern about the jacket’s durability, as it can work well for years. Also, it comes with a complete wrap-around that provides more comfort. It has three sizes on the front side that is easily adjustable as per your fit and need.
The unique feature is its smart hanging loop that you can use to hang the jacket for easy storage and a quick-drying process. Also, it has thin material at the seatback to offer you more stability. Stohlquist is one of the best life jackets for adults, whether into boating, paddle boarding, or any other water activity.
Pros
- The adjustable three buckles allow customization as per the requirement of the user.
- The loop on the top of the jacket helps in easy drying and storing of this jacket.
- The box-stitched straps of the jacket make the product durable and sturdy.
- Its PDF’s beauty is coast guard approved, which gives you more security about the product.
Cons
- It is not suitable for women.
#3 Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Vest
You can use an Onyx Movement life jacket for all outdoor activities; the most special feature is a back mesh that gives you comfort. In case you have heavy back seats, which is a cause of the discomfort, it can easily get avoided with the help of the jacket’s back mesh. a
The jacket is equipped with premium Solas reflective material to provide extra safety, helping to stand out anywhere in the water. Also, the jacket comes with zipper pockets for where you can store your essentials.
Also, the jacket has large armholes that help you make easy movements while paddling. The mesh ventilation of the jacket gives better breathability and flexibility while doing water activities.
It is a US Coast-approved life jacket due to its durable fabric, which is resistant to punctures. You don’t have to worry about the jacket’s size, and it comes in three different sizes. Also, you will get different colors in it.
Pros
- The Solas Grade material makes the jacket more durable and long-lasting.
- The front and back mesh material helps in quick drying.
- For extra safety measures, the jacket has a slight whistle that we can use in emergencies.
- The nylon fabric provides more breathability.
- It comes with an oversized zipper jacket for storage.
Cons
- The jacket gets warm if kept under the sun.
#4 O’Brien Men’s Biolite Jacket
O’Brien jacket is comfortable, which allows you to have a great time in the water, as it is a US Coastguard approved jacket. The jacket is suited for paddle boarding, and it offers more breathability that helps in quick drainage and drying systems.
This jacket’s main highlight is its segmented panels and large armholes that allow easy movement of arms in the water. It uses Biolite material, soft to touch, and lightweight. Another safety feature of the jacket is its zipper closure that offers more security.
Also, the two adjustable belts provide you a great fit and do not move while you do vigorous water sports. There are three different colors available, black, red and yellow, and you can choose any of them as per your choice.
Pros
- The jacket has an attachment ring at the bottle where you can attach the rope.
- It uses BioLite material that supports better breathability and a quick-drying process.
- It has wide armholes for easy movement.
- This jacket features two adjustable belts for a snug fit.
Cons
- Usually, there is an issue of sizes in this jacket.
#5 NRS Vapor Life Jacket
This US CoastGuard approved jacket is an ideal choice for paddle boarding. The jacket’s feature that stands out is its side entry design, which quickly puts on and off the jacket. This PFD comes with a large zippered compartment in the front that helps in storing your essentials.
The lash tab is also present on the front side, where you can quickly put your knife and comes in handy whenever you need it. The jacket’s main feature is its air mesh inner panels, ensuring breathability and providing appropriate ventilation.
For more comfort, there are padded shoulder straps that do not cause any discomfort. It is among the long-lasting and durable life jackets due to its high-quality nylon fabric.
Pros
- It comes with an extra cushion to offer comfort and without any limitations of movements.
- This jacket also features air mesh panels that provide ventilation.
- It is lightweight and helps you to carry it anywhere with you.
- It is made up of 400 D Nylon material for extra sturdiness and durability.
- It comes in four different bright colors, red, lime, blue, and black.
Cons
- Some of us may have allergies to high levels of Nylon, so if you are one of them, avoid buying this life jacket.
#6 Lifesaving Pro Manual Inflatable Life Jacket
While looking for a lightweight and budget-friendly life jacket that comes with great features, then this Manual inflatable must be your first choice. You may find this is an ideal option for you because of its unique features.
The sterling highlight of this jacket is its waist belt, which allows you to adjust the jacket from the waist area instead of chest straps. Another unique feature of the inflatable life jacket is reflective bands in the front for better visibility.
You don’t need minutes to inflate the jacket, only 3-5 seconds of inflation, and your jacket is ready to wear. Due to its 3M reflectors, the jacket quickly appears in the dark. It is suitable for youth and adults as it has an adjustable belt.
It is made up of high-quality Nylon, polyester, and neoprene, ensuring breathability and dries quickly. Another best part of the jacket is it is reusable and easily washable.
Pros
- This jacket allows free movement as there are no chest straps.
- You can inflate the jacket at your home with an inflating device you get with the jacket.
- This jacket consists of high-quality materials.
- You can easily wash the jacket by deflating it.
- It has 3M reflectors attached for easy visibility in the dark.
- SOLAS approves it.
- As it has waist straps, it makes neck movement easy.
- You will get zippered pockets at the front for storage.
Cons
- There is a lack of cushioning due to neoprene material.
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#7 Onyx General Purpose Boating Vest
It is similar to a standard life jacket, with three adjustable straps that offer great comfort. The US CoastGaurd certifies the jacket due to its stability and durability. The unique feature is padding around the neck, making the jacket more comfortable and convenient.
This life jacket features wide armholes for better movement during water activities. The jacket’s flotation foam is made up of durable material and helps in better and comfortable floating.
It is one of the most durable with chest straps with floatation foam and comes with an open side zipper which is considered an outstanding style. Also, manufacturers provide all sizes in this jacket, either for children or adults.
Pros
- There is an extra layer of cushioning and foam that provides more comfort and stability.
- This jacket is equipped with three adjustable belts on the front side for a tight and easy fit.
- It has large armholes for free movement of arms during outdoor activities.
- It is one of the affordable life jackets available in the market.
Cons
- As the neck area has added cushioning, it may restrict neck movement.
#8 O’Neill Men’s Assault Jacket
It is a USCG-approved life jacket, comes with great features that make it an ideal choice if you are looking for a premium life jacket. This jacket is worth money as it is sturdy and lightweight.
This jacket uses high-quality neoprene fabric that gives a stylish and trendy look. With the use of this jacket, you will always enjoy vertical movement in the water. It is a perfect life jacket for various water sports.
With its less bulky design, it offers excellent mobility in the water. The back lumbar pad at the jacket’s lower area is the main highlight that provides extra support. The zipper on the front is available for easy operations and two small adjustable belts.
Pros
- The jacket’s special feature is that it has nitro lite foam with low water absorption power.
- The long zipper on the front gives more stability.
- The main advantage of buying this jacket is its lumbar back pad that offers more comfort and support.
Cons
- As it is black, it absorbs more heat if kept outside in the sun.
- The zipper may get tighter for some.
- It is an expensive life jacket as compared to others.
Buying Guide – Factors To Consider Before You Buy the Best Life Jacket for Paddle Boarding
Before you head to online platforms to buy the best life jacket for paddle boarding, you must know some factors you must keep in mind while making a selection.
Here we are helping you by guiding you best with the considerations you must know before hitting your pocket for a life jacket.
- Size: The size of the life jacket matters a lot; it is the main factor that you must check before you buy one. If the size is small, you will restrict your movements in the water. Vice Versa, if the size is large, you will find difficulty in floating. Always buy a perfect size as per your chest size. You must try the jacket by putting it on and checking its fit. Ensure you buy a jacket that does not reach your neck and face.
- Design: With advanced technology, many of the best life jackets come with mesh drain; ensure you get one that has mesh drain panels. Such life jackets help in quick-drying and also offer appropriate ventilation.
- Weight Capacity: While choosing the best life jacket for paddle boarding, it is essential to know its weight capacity. In case you are heavy and get a jacket with a lightweight ability, you will face a problem at the time of activities. Along with size, you consider the weight.
- Color: You must be wondering why color should is a consideration while buying a life jacket; the main reason is visibility. Go for bright colors like yellow, red, green, and more, as they have better visibility than black or blue. Also, black life jackets tend to get heat when kept under the sun for more time. Many people do like t match the color oof their paddle boards but you should definitely put safety first and consider colors fr visibility.
- Material: Another important factor while buying a life jacket is its material. Nylon and neoprene materials are more durable than others. Although many life jackets use polyester, they have less life span than nylon and neoprene life jackets.
Wrap Up
Choosing the best life jacket is crucial when it comes to water sports. Buying a life jacket depends on many factors like your age, weight, gender, and which activity you are into. Whether it is paddle boarding or skiing, anything near to water requires a life jacket.
Water sports enthusiasts know it is vital to get CoastGuard approved jackets. All the life jackets mentioned above are Coast Guard approved, comfortable, stylish, and come with unique features.
In our opinion, O’Neill Men’s Superlite USCG Life Vest is the best option for paddle board enthusiasts. It gives you a lot of safety with its four webbing belts and is very comfortable to wear because it weighs just 1.3 pounds.
Suppose you are into both Kayaking and paddle boarding. In that case, Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Life Vest is a great option because of its mesh back design, which helps you sit comfortably in backrest supported seats.
For my younger paddle boarders, Stohlquist Fit Youth Life Jacket is a great option. It is light and comes with foam paneling which gives your good mobility.
