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Life Jackets/PFDs

Top Picks

How we choose: The best life jackets/pfds highlighted here were selected based on 14 reviews of 13 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.

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If you've used a life jacket/pfd that you think should be listed here, please share your experience.

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Astral Layla

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

This is a woman's life jacket (PFD) that is comfortable and well-designed. Front offset zipper means over-the-head entry and then zip up on the right side. Waist-belt and two side straps per side and shoulder straps all adjust for a secure fit.

Reasons to Buy

  • Comfortable
  • Useful pocket
  • Knife lash-tab
  • Tow-belt ready

I bought this lifejacket in December 2018 and have been using it for kayaking and canoeing all the 2019 paddling season, May through September. I love the fit. It has seven adjustment points (waist belt, 2 side straps per side, 2 shoulder straps) and doesn't ride up in the water. The foam is well distributed from my waist through my upper chest and across my whole back. It wouldn't work well with a high kayak seat because the rear foam goes down to waist level. The full coverage foam would be an advantage on whitewater—good protection while swimming. I also have an Astral YTV which puts more of the foam lower down and rides up in the water unless I make it uncomfortably tight.

Read more: Astral Layla review (1)

Astral V-Eight

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

Very comfortable and does the job...

Reasons to Buy

  • Contoured foam in chest area
  • Secure mesh pocket
  • Very adjustable

This is just a little info from our experience that you may not see in reviews of places that sell the Astral PFDs. Being new to kayaking and wanting quality PFDs for mostly summer paddling I liked the description and reviews about the Astral V-Eight. My wife and I tried them on at our local EMS store and found them very comfortable and well made. We bought them and like them very much. I'm 5'5" 185 lbs and the V-Eight does a good job of floating me. They have a small mesh pocket inside the top area of the left chest foam that is difficult to see in the pictures.

Read more: Astral V-Eight review (1)

Kokatat MsFit Tour

user rating: 4 of 5 (2 reviews)

Not as flashy or as low-profile as some of the newer designs, but this one won out because it appears more robust and more up to the job when you really need it.

Reasons to Buy

  • Rugged, professional
  • Five external pockets each with a keeper + one internal
  • Buckles AND zipper rather than just one or the other
  • Surprisingly nice ventilation when the zipper is open
  • High enough in back for sit-inside expedition kayak
  • Center entry easier than side entry or over-the-head

Reasons to Avoid

  • None so far

After 15 years, my old Lotus vest popped the zipper. I took offense at this and decided the new one should not depend on a zipper--it needed to have at least a buckle at the waist AND a buckle higher up.  I checked quite a few styles and almost ended up with a tiny, very-light Astral.  The MsFit Tour did not immediately come to mind because it is a women's design (I am male, 5'6" 175 lbs).  The knowledgeable salesman at the outdoor store assured me that it was a good choice for men too.  His explanation was that Kokatat's original OutFit does not sell as well for men or women because the newer MsFit is so much more comfortable for both sexes.  It allows more flexibility because the floatation is formed into a larger number of smaller sections. ...

Read more: Kokatat MsFit Tour reviews (2)

Astral Ronny

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

This is an extremely light and very comfortable PFD. I wear my PFD at all times, and I have found this to be comfortable in heat, easy to wear over a paddle jacket, nicely adjustable, and so far it seems quite durable.

Reasons to Buy

  • Lightweight
  • Pockets
  • Easy to use zipper
  • Adjustment straps

Reasons to Avoid

  • No secondary securing strap, so if zipper goes, you have no jacket on!

I had wanted to get a new PFD, one that is lightweight, cool in the summer, and which has lots of pockets! I am always carrying "stuff" and find it hard to access pants pockets when seated in a canoe. When I won my choice of Astral PFD, I selected the Ronny (men's), and am very pleased with it. This PFD has three handy pockets in the front, including one which has a beverage can holder. I wonder what beverage they could have in mind? I do not drink beer when I paddle, but I have put a small water bottle in it.

Read more: Astral Ronny review (1)

Explore more top-rated life jackets/pfds from Astral:

NRS CVest Type III PFD

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

Best PFD on the market for around $100.

Reasons to Buy

  • Great price
  • Plenty of 'real' pockets to stow gear and equipment
  • Fully adjustable to most body sizes
  • Not at all bulky like most in this price range
  • Comes in multiple colors

Reasons to Avoid

  • Doesn't fit as snug on smaller frames

This is one of the best PFD I've used to date. Granted I'm not a white water nut, but I raft and canoe the swamps and Gulf of Mexico. I've used many PFD's, and never really found one that I thought would be worth buying. Until now. I used this one one a recent trip to Deer Island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. And found myself awaiting the arrival home so I could purchase it online. The 5 zip pockets came in great for stashing gear. It also has a radio pocket, which I used for my cell phone.

Read more: NRS CVest Type III PFD review (1)

NRS Vapor PFD

user rating: 4 of 5 (1 review)

A great low price paddling PFD. It may not offer all the bells and whistles of higher end PFDs, but it is made of high quality materials with a form fitting design that provides comfort.

Reasons to Buy

  • Fit
  • Material
  • Sizing
  • Comfort

Reasons to Avoid

  • Not many pockets or options for customization

I first purchased two of these PFD's when I got my first canoe at the age of 17. I chose them because my parents made it very clear that I would not be allowed to use this hand-me-down canoe unless I outfitted it with the proper safety equipment. Where I bought, what I bought, was up to me. These PFD's were inexpensive, comfortable, and offered a very low profile.  A big factor for me is the profile of the PFD. I wanted something that made me feel as though I wasn't wearing a PFD, and this one was the closest to that I could find in my price range.

Read more: NRS Vapor PFD review (1)

NRS Ninja PFD

user rating: 4 of 5 (1 review)

The lightest PFD with best best freedom of movement available.

Reasons to Buy

  • Lightweight
  • Lined, twin front panels warm up your hands quick.
  • Handy little front pocket
  • Freedom of movement

Reasons to Avoid

  • Knife clip in awkward location

I got this life jacket from my employer at Pocono Whitewater, Jim Thorpe, Pa. I previously was guiding with a Stohlquist Wedge-E, which — once broken in — was a fantastic jacket. I have to say though, the NRS Ninja is a prime piece of equipment. The design is simple, buckles and straps keep their position, but are adjusted easily. My favorite part is how light it is. Even when it's wet, you barely realize that you're wearing it. I've only had it for half of one season, but guiding out of it I was never able to screw it up, heavy denier cordura really hols up against getting your salad tossed in the rocks.

Read more: NRS Ninja PFD review (1)

ONYX MoveVent Torsion Vest

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

Feature-rich, value-priced PFD, perfect for kayaking.

Reasons to Buy

  • Comfortable profile of flotation padding, leaving shoulders free for non-restrictive paddling
  • Panel design, separated by mesh vents conforms to your body
  • Quality fabric and construction
  • Value priced—features equal to PFDs costing twice as much

I found this brand PFD at a well-known general sports chain store after an exhaustive search for a comfortable life vest for recreational kayaking that fit my restrictive budget and my 50s-plus female torso. I had tried out several other brand vests that I had bought then returned due to deciding I did not like the fit. I tried on the ONYX MoveMent Torsion vest in the local store, really liked the fit and the price, but did not buy it right away. Later I returned to the store, but the vest was gone so I ordered it online.

Read more: ONYX MoveVent Torsion Vest review (1)

Kokatat Orbit Tour

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

This PFD is excellent for freedom of arm movement. It fits well over a paddle jacket. The straps can be adjusted to fit tighter when a paddler is wearing only a bathing suit. After six years of use while kayaking salt water, it's still in good shape.

Reasons to Buy

  • Excellent buoyancy
  • Freedom of arm movement
  • Adjustable straps
  • Short in the body so there is no bulk below the waist

Reasons to Avoid

  • Sticks out a bit far in front on small people
  • Some women might not like the fit on breasts, but I do

The Orbit is a very well-constructed PFD. I have used mine for seven years but all the straps and seams are still strong. The bright orange fabric has faded a little in sunshine and shows a few grubby marks. It looks like what it is: a tough PFD that has been worn hundreds of times on bright sunny days, in salt water and fresh, on muddy rivers and tarry docks. It is still very buoyant and holds me up when I do safety practise. What I like best about the Orbit is the freedom of arm movement.

Read more: Kokatat Orbit Tour review (1)

Kokatat Maximus Prime PFD

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

This is a functional, durable, comfortable, and secure feeling PFD.

Reasons to Buy

  • Comfortable
  • Easy to adjust
  • Allows plenty of mobility

Reasons to Avoid

  • Pockets are not ideal

I love this thing. Super comfortable, no sense that my movement is restricted, and excellent, reassuring fit. This is a type V rescue PFD and comes with the typical bells and whistles: tethering system, quick release, tow ring, and a covered sheath mount for your river knife. All things you hope you don't need to use, but that you must have for safety on whitewater and sea kayaking (don't forget the rescue class(es)!). Fit is easily and extensively adjustable and pockets are easy to reach. Tethering is secured and adjustable to prevent snags all while being easily accessible.

Read more: Kokatat Maximus Prime PFD review (1)

More Reviews of Life Jackets/PFDs

Trailspace reviewers have shared 14 reviews of 13 different life jackets/pfds.

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