Best life jackets for kayaking?

June 17, 2024 5:31 AM

We bought a kayak and got two other handmedowns. Now we need life vests. They seem to range in price from $23 on Amazon to $135 on REI. Does the more expensive ones have features that matter ? We aren’t white-water rafting or doing anything particularly athletic. We’re just paddling around a local small lake and don’t want to drown if we fall in (we can all swim but are still cautious people). Thank for any advice!
posted by Ollie to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (17 answers total)

The more expensive ones tend to be better for fit and comfort - same "lift" with thinner materials, more adjustment options on the sides and front-- if you're simply doing an hour or two lake paddles, this isn't going to be as much of a concern; if you're doing 4-hour paddles, it matters more.

If it's possible to go to a sporting goods store and try on a couple, I suggest doing so. This is one area where "gendered" seems to matter - I've used "mens" life jackets and the torso length is too long and pushes up into my neck when I'm sitting in the kayak. If I go too large in size, I can get inner-upper arm chafing, etc.

I suggest go with a reputable manufacturer, and choose the cheapest option for your height and weight. And second-hand is fine.
posted by Silvery Fish at 5:45 AM on June 17 [4 favorites]

You don't need anything fancy at all for lake paddling, but I would make sure to buy those marketed as a "PFD" (personal flotation device) versus the cheap, boxy orange "life jacket".

The main reason is comfort - PFDs fit better, let you paddle. Its also nice to have pockets in the front for a snack or sunscreen. And those boxy ones will hold your head above water, but can slip much more easily than the more form fitting PFDs that have shoulder straps.

Not to do your shopping for you, but there are good PFDs on REI (NRS is the brand I see here quickly) between $70-100.

(I am a Level 2 kayaker and I volunteer regularly at a public kayaking program, so experienced not expert.)
posted by RajahKing at 5:46 AM on June 17 [4 favorites]

This article has some good tips for choosing the right device.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:05 AM on June 17

Assuming that life jackets for kayaking are not substantially different from those for sailing, there is one feature that the cheaper ones won't have, namely automatic inflation. (This review has some pictures if you're not familiar with them.)

A traditional life jacket acts as an extra layer of clothing. On cool days, that can be pleasant, but in high summer less so.

Our rule of thumb is that if you know how to swim and are wearing neither a rain jacket nor waterproof pants nor boots, you're okay without a life jacket. (So bikini and sandals would be alright.) The waterproof items interfere with swimming too much.
posted by demi-octopus at 6:09 AM on June 17

I'm an avid paddler (canoeing and kayaking) and tend to prefer a paddling specific life jacket. I find a traditional life vest restrains my range of motion in weird ways for paddling, whereas my paddling specific one does not. For my purposes, this might be a function of how my upper body is distributed (I have breast tissue to contend with) so YMMV. I'd definitely suggest trying on lifejackets before you buy them and see if they restrict your range of motion. I also like that I can stash things like sunscreen, my knife, or snacks in the pockets on my PDF. It also has a spot to put my whistle close to my head which is handy.
posted by snowysoul at 6:44 AM on June 17

Does your kayak have a spray skirt, or is it an open cockpit? If it has a spray skirt (and you plan to use it), you definitely want to get a PFD designed for paddling, and ideally you should test it out to make sure the two are comfortable together.

In addition to locating the bouyant material in places where it won't interfere with your range of motion while paddling, a PFD designed for kayaking will only extend down to around the bottom of your ribcage, high enough so the spray skirt won't push it up.
posted by pullayup at 6:55 AM on June 17 [3 favorites]

One other thing to consider is the back flotation panel of the PFD. Ones designed for paddling are often thinner and higher, so they don’t interfere with the seat or cockpit coaming when you paddle. Paddling PFDs usually have a variety of pockets for keeping useful things to hand, and the zippers will be higher quality, and last a long time, even in salt water.
posted by jimfl at 7:03 AM on June 17

Don't get an inflatable life jacket if you expect to do any swimming or if you expect someone to playfully tip you out of the kayack.

Inflatable PFDs use consumable cartridges of CO2 and once inflated aren't really any "fun" in the water like a comfortable Type III PFD is. Inflatable life jackets are better suited for instances where falling in the water is more of an emergency situation.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 7:34 AM on June 17 [4 favorites]

(Also kudos for doing the right thing by getting PFDs. There are so many people who either don't realize how unexpectedly dangerous being out on the water can be or refuse to believe how easy it can be to get into trouble.)
posted by RonButNotStupid at 9:30 AM on June 17 [1 favorite]

Hi! One additional piece of info that may be useful to you. In my state, Oregon, our paddle boards are considered watercraft. We are required to have permits, life jackets and a whistle. In Idaho I know we also have to have permits - we go camping there sometimes and take our boards.
So it is worth a quick check of your state’s Marine Board and rules!
Here’s the relevant piece of the Oregon FAQ:
The USCG determined that stand-up paddle boards are considered boats for the purpose of life jacket and sound producing device requirements. Based on this determination, and if the stand-up paddle board is 10 feet or longer, the operator would need to have a permit.​
posted by hilaryjade at 9:46 AM on June 17

I vote for a nicer paddling-specific PFD. I think mine was around $80 on sale, a few years ago. PFDs designed for paddling have better range of motion for arms/shoulders. They also have pockets.

(If you don't usually go in the water you will be tempted to just put your keys in the pocket without a dry bag, and one day you will forget and dunk the keys. Pockets are still great.)

I've done boat races where the race provides cheap zip-front PFDs, and those rub and restrict in annoying places for paddling.

FWIW, I am quite cautious and kayak on local small lakes, and have ended up in conditions exceeding my comfort level multiple times. (I was fine, the boat was fine, but type 3 fun.) Wearing PFD all the time is a great plan, it makes the PFD one less variable.
posted by mersen at 10:02 AM on June 17

You want a Type III that you find comfortable.

Type III PFDs are designed for "inshore" activities -- activities where you can see the shore -- and are designed to allow freedom of movement. (See here for more on the other types). Anything classified Type III will have the same level of flotation; that is, everything rated Type III will provide the same level of safety. So a $300 Type III PFD isn't "more safe" than a $60 one.

The only other thing that matters is comfort. If it's not comfortable, you'll be tempted not to wear it. You really always need to be wearing your PFD, so removing any possible excuses not to is a super-good idea. So spend whatever you need to spend to find a PFD that's comfortable.

(Personally: I think Astral makes the most comfortable PFDs on the market; you might try the E-Ronny/E-Linda (same jacket with gender-specific cuts) or the EV-Eight (super light and comfortable but one shape) if you wanted a place to start.)
posted by dorothy hawk at 11:06 AM on June 17 [1 favorite]

Another vote for Type III PFDs that are specific to paddling. As a matter of safety, it is also worth learning self-rescue and assisted rescue techniques in kayaks - falling in shouldn't mean ditching your boat except in extreme circumstances. Classes for such things are inexpensive and fun.
posted by Ardnamurchan at 12:00 PM on June 17 [2 favorites]

Agree it is worth it to try it on to ensure range of motion. Also consider pockets that can carry: beer, bait, binoculars, trial mix, sunscreen, knife.
posted by Vox Clamato at 2:29 PM on June 17

Some great answers here, so I'll chip in with a super minor point; pockets! A pocket to throw a snack, phone, sun cream in is really helpful to me.
posted by Faff at 9:11 PM on June 17

If you're just paddling around to have fun, you definitely don't want to be wearing something uncomfortable in all the ways people have already mentioned. I would go to a sports store if there's one nearby that sells a range of PFDs and try a bunch on to find what feels right. It should be able to be adjusted reasonably tight around your torso rather than 'loose for comfort' because loose is not comfortable here.

Once you know what you want, or at least the type and size, you can probably buy them a lot cheaper second-hand or online. Knowing exactly what you want first is the key - they might all look the same, but they are most definitely not. If your only water activity is paddling, definitely favour kayaking-specific PFDs for comfort and pockets.
posted by dg at 5:43 PM on June 18

Response by poster: Thanks everyone. This was very helpful, and I didn’t buy the $23 one. It’s a birthday gift, so I went to the local outdoorsy store and picked out a high-quality paddling-specific vest that can be exchanged if need be. For the other three members of the family I’ll try to get second hand.
posted by Ollie at 4:57 AM on June 20