Reviewed by our experts:
The Best Life Jackets & Vests in 2021
Our experts at work
We gave our Gear lovers one job:
Test 30 different Life Jackets and write reviews of the best.
The result is 20 of the best Life Jackets on the marked today.
Momchil K
Writer & Wilderness Author
Momchil is our Gear Geek and Writer.
Torben Lonne
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Torben is a dive nut, with a passion for traveling and gear.
You love being on the water, whether it’s kayaking, paddling, boating, or snorkeling, but as you probably know, safety first.
And that’s precisely what we are going to talk about in this buying guide – life jackets and Life vests.
A life jacket or Life Vest is a must in every time you go out on the water! Period.
And the simple reason for that it provides fantastic reliability and can save your life without any exaggeration.
Some life jackets are cheaper and come with fewer features, others are more expensive hence are designed with greater features. No matter the case, in this guide you’ll find some of the best life jackets on the low-end and the high-end when it comes down to the price.
You’ll be able to relax your mind, knowing this guide will deliver you every single necessary thing you need to be aware of when purchasing a life Jacket Vest.
Without further ado, let’s dive right into it:
Top 10 Best Life Jackets In 2021
You can skim through our quick top 20 life jackets or go further down and read in-depth descriptions. There you’ll find the things we like and don’t like about each PFD.
See our quick top 10, or go further down and read our in-depth reviews.
- O’Neill Men’s Superlite USCG Life Vest
- Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Life Jacket
- Stohlquist Fit Life Jacket
- O’Brien Men’s Biolite Traditional Life Jacket
- Stohlquist Toddler Life Jacket Coast Guard Approved Life Vest for Infants
- Mex’s Flex V-Back Neoprene
- O’Neill Men’s Assault USCG Life Vest
- Stohlquist Men’s Trekker Life Jacket/Personal Floatation Device
- O’Brien Focus Neoprene Life Jacket
- Astral Ronny Fisher Life Jacket PFD
You can put your worries at peace, knowing that whatever life vest you choose from this guide, it will, undoubtedly, be high in the high rankings when we speak of life security and durability.
We’ve assembled three different sections depending on your budget:
- Budget life jackets.
- Mid-range life jackets.
- High-End life jackets.
More Fun Outside
Get more Outdoor fun in this series: Duffel Bags, Dry Bags, Hiking Backpacks, Waterproof Backpacks, Waterproof Watches, Waterproof Cameras, Waterproof Jacket, Windbreaker Jackets, Life Jackets, Selfie Sticks & much more.
Best Budget Life Jackets
If you have a spending limit and you aren’t able to invest too much in a life jacket, don’t worry. We have found PFDs of incredible quality, durable enough to keep you above the water and protect you from any potentially dangerous situations… e.g. recirculating holes.
Best Mid-Range Life Jackets
Here you can find pricier options but with a higher quality and life endurance. More convenient features, such as pockets and additional foam, can be found here so you can feel more comfortable in the life vest.
Best High-End Life Jackets
If you have the budget and you are willing to invest in a high-quality life jacket, this would be the perfect section for you to explore. Oodles of features, effectiveness, comfort, a utility is what a high-end life vest brings to the table. The cost here starts at $100 and can go up to $350+.
- O’Neill Men’s Assault USCG Life Vest
- Stohlquist Men’s Trekker Life Jacket/Personal Floatation Device
- O’Brien Focus Neoprene Life Jacket
- O’Neill Men’s Reactor USCG Life Vest
- Astral GreenJacket Life Jacket PFD for Whitewater Rescue, Sea, and Stand Up Paddle Boarding
- Astral Ronny Fisher Life Jacket PFD for Fishing, Recreation, and Touring Kayaking
The Best Budget Life Jackets
As we mentioned above, this would be the perfect section for if you are looking for an affordable pick.
And at the same time with enough durability and reliability to keep you safe.
In this budget section, we will take a look at 4 of the best affordable PFDs on the market.
The O’Neil Men’s Superlite is the budget-friendly life jacket you will be able to find. It is ultra-lightweight and comes in a stylish design. The life vest can be used for water skiing, tubing, and swimming, or just as a floating device. It doesn’t feature a bulky design, which leaves more room for you to move in. The jacket is made from a durable coated polyester shell and gives a sturdy exterior. If you need a reliable jacket, this is the pick for you. The coat is well insulated and dries very quickly. The jacket is equipped with four safety buckles ensuring that you are secure. The vest is an excellent buy if safety is your number 1 priority. The ONYX movement is ideally suited for any outdoor activities you get up to. The life vest comes with mesh at the back in case you have high back seats, which can cause discomfort. As an added safety measure, the jacket uses SOLAS grade reflective material. This makes you stand out while you are in the water. The coat has expandable zipper pockets to store your stuff. With this life jacket, your safety is guaranteed. All precaution has been taken to provide you with the best vest. The whistle can be used to alert people of any emergency that may occur. You can adjust the life jacket to fit you perfectly. Moreover, the jacket also comes with neoprene comfort pads. The material used in making this jacket is heavy-duty. However, it is still lightweight, allowing your body to move quickly. The Stohlquist Life Jacket will keep you out of many pickles due to its steadfast design. It has three buckle straps at the front to make sure you are secured in rough conditions. This PFD is Coast Guard approved. The vest only weighs 7 lbs and is ultra-lightweight. This life jacket is well suited to cover all your floating requirements. The 16 lbs jacket is USCG approved. As a result, it can hold a weight higher than 90 lbs with 30” – 52” chest. The life jacket has a universal fit to support a more considerable amount of people. If you are looking for a comfortable option for yourself and your partner, then you might consider choosing the universal Stearns Series life jacket. It is made to fit all sizes. However, if you happen to be quite more considerable or slim, you might want to refer to a jacket that is designed specifically for your weight & size. That’s because if you don’t feel the PFD tight enough when you dive in the water, it can loosen up and slip from your body. And this is something you definitely want to escape if you find yourself in jeopardy. It is made from nylon which means you can move and paddle without any issues. It’s suitable for a vast array of water sports such as kayaking, wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, and more. In order to provide extra comfort and convenience, the vest comes with 3 adjustable straps so you can make amends depending on your comfort and preference. All in all, it’s quite an attractive option. And that’s because it has a simple design, yet it is highly comfortable and able to sustain you for extended periods. 3 straps are available for maximum adjustability. If you don’t know what’s going to be a convenient pick for you and you want a couple of pairs for your wife and kids, this would be the perfect option to go with if you are on a budget. Similar to the Stearns Series the Onyx boating vest comes with 3 adjustable straps for excellent comfort. It is also approved from the US Coast Guard. A cool and significant feature adding more comfort and convenience would be the added padding around the neck. However, due to this additional cushioning, it becomes quite hard to move your head around. The life jacket is provided with large armholes for better movement when participating in different water-related activities. On the whole, the Onyx General life vest is a highly comfortable and convenient option. It’s suitable for many water sports, but keep in mind that you will have some issues with your head movement. It’s very lightweight, and you can pack it easily anywhere without much effort. If you are looking for a compact life jacket, that has an eye-catching design and isn’t bulky… All in all, it’s an excellent option for people who participate in watersports most of the time. The life jacket is very lightweight, and you can wear it anywhere without any issues. A decent pick when it comes to comfort and safety.
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The Onyx Universal Paddle Vest would be an excellent option for you. Unlike the previous model, this PFD comes without neck cushioning, and you can move your head around easily while paddling. Large armholes are also provided so you can move freely without any issues. A cool feature here that misses most budget PFDs is that this one has additional pockets. Extra pockets are handy when you have to store essentials in a hand-reach. A great avail here is the mesh added to the bottom half of the back. This allows the PFD to filtrate better and produce more excellent airflow so you can avoid any sweat on your back.
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The Best Mid-Range Life Jackets
You’ve gone through the budget vests, but it seems like you can spend more in order to get awesome and incredible features added to your life jacket. If I am right, this would be the section for you. Here we will take a look at mid-range PFDs that comes with oodles of amazing features and are priced between $40 and $100.
So if you think, this would be a budget suitable for you, sit back, relax and keep reading. You might find the perfect pick for you in the following 4 astonishing life jackets under $100.
You will love your time in the water with the O’Brien Men’s BioLite Life Jacket that is US Coastguard approved. The jacket features a breathable design. This will aid in faster drying. A significant feature is that the coat comes with segmented panels. It has large armholes that will significantly improve your range of motion. The vest has two adjustable belts for a snug fit that won’t move around during vigorous activity. The O’Brien life jacket is equipped with all the necessities you will need to stay upright in the water. The jacket has two adjustable straps that will grant you extra comfort and convenience. The straps will also make sure you are secure and that the coat won’t slip off. This PFD is US Coast Guard approved, which shows it is of high quality. “Quite incredible and long-lasting” is how we would describe this life vest. The ultra-stylish jacket will undoubtedly turn heads when you are in or out of the water. This personal floating device comes with a double strap above the zipper. The zipper is there to ensure that the vest stays in place while you are in the water. The jacket is US Coast Guard approved for added security. The life vest is durable and has a fantastic design. You will be comfortable, and the jacket offers breathability, as well as security while in the water. The wide armholes will increase your movement capabilities while still enjoying the water. In general, this is one awesome PFD, allowing you to move freely and it is incredibly lightweight. Due to the lack of weight, you can utilize the life jacket in the vast majority of water-based activities. Absolutely worth every single penny. Amazing comfort and attractive design in one single PFD? Yes, and that would be the Onyx Curve life vest. Unlike the previous life jacket, the Onyx Curve comes with additional cushioning to provide warmth and comfort to the body. And what’s even better is that it has a mesh back design so it can cool faster and offer excellent airflow. If you are wondering if the vest provides free movement allowing you to take part in most paddling sports… then my answer is simple… Yes, it offers incredible comfort and enables you to move your hands and neck without any restrictions. This is probably one of the most comfortable vests on the market due to Amazon reviews. Truth be told, if you are only looking for exceptional comfort, you will probably won’t find a better option than this. However, if you are planning to keep essentials in a hand-reach when participating in watersports, this isn’t the pick for you. That’s because extra pockets aren’t available. By the name, we can tell that the Chinook life jacket is mainly used for kayak fishing, fly fishing and fishing in general. The great advantage of the NRS vest is that it provides fishermen with several various sized pockets. You’ll be able to handle any tint and accessory you find useful in the vest’s pockets. Similar to the previous model, this one comes with mesh designed back to provide better airflow and comfort. All in all, if you are a fisherman and you are merely looking for an effective PFD, this would be the best option for you among all other mid-range life jackets. Comfort and utility are what brings this vest to the table. An astonishing pick that every angler should have added to its equipment. Quite unusual and compelling is how we would describe the NRS Vapor life jacket. It features a lightweight and side-entry design for faster and easier put-on and off operations. What’s even better about this PFD is that there is a large zippered compartment of the front side of the vest. Besides small stuff such as a whistle and a band, you can keep larger essentials in the pocket too. On top of that, a lash tab is added to the front design that keeps your knife comfortably and in a hand-reach. All in all, the PFD features quite an unusual design, but it is highly convenient. You can use it in multiple watersports. Keep in mind if you have relatively soft and gentle skin, a rash can occur. And this is something you definitely want to avoid when you are picking a life jacket. Otherwise, it is a fantastic pick that features quite a large zippered compartment. If you are looking for a compact jacket for your toddler, that has an eye-catching design…. The Stohlquist is the ideal life jacket to keep your toddler safe and secure in the water. This life jacket has a double collar that offers excellent mobility and support in the water. The coat wraps around the body of the infant and pushes his face upward. You will also receive added security with a quick-release button over the entry zipper. The infant jacket will let you rest assured that your baby is safe in the water. You will have a grab handle that you can use to pick up your infant any time when an emergency occurs. The jacket comes in a wide array of bright colors to easily spot your kids.
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The Best High-End Life Jackets
Here you will find only end-game life jackets for real professionals. And by professionals, I mean people who spend the majority of their days at the sea or the ocean. In these cases, you must be absolutely ruthless when it comes to picking a life jacket. You need to get the highest quality vest with added foam for warmth, extra pockets to keep your knife and other crucial rescue accessories. But keep in mind, the high-end life jackets come at a substantial price of $100 and up. Not the best option for everyone.
If you are seeking a durable and lightweight vest, the O’Neil jacket has got you covered. The O’Neil Men’s Assault is manufactured with neoprene polyester that has a great look and is very stylish. With this jacket, you will always be floating upright. The coat can also manage any weight capacity. The vest is USCG approved and is perfect for various water sports. O’Neill Men’s Assault has a minimal bulk design that aids in full mobility while you’re in the water. The O’Neil is black and is one of the most reliable jackets on the market. With this product, you will have a lot of breathing room and flexibility. You will also receive extra protection and comfort for your back. The life jacket will be a great asset to your swimming and open water supplies. The Stohlquist jacket is comfortable and also has all the trimmings of a stylish jacket. The jacket is designed to have a mesh covering at the back to support you against the seats. The shell is made out of 500 deniers Cordura and 200 denier oxford liner. The Stohlquist will be your all-in-one floating device for years to come. It is made out of ultra-lightweight nylon material. The mesh back will ensure breathability on those hot, humid days. You will also encounter a wide variety of vibrant colors. This will give you an added safety advantage. This life jacket will have you enjoying the water for hours while providing you with a comfortable experience. It has a neo-style design that is modern and trendy. The outer part of the jacket is made from biolite material for extra breathability. It will undoubtedly give you that edge in the water if you participate in water sports or water activities. This life jacket is compact and does not weigh that much. It is a fantastic fit that can be adjusted with the two buckle straps. You will manage to put it on and off with relative ease due to the large armholes. This jacket is highly recommended by everyone who has purchased it. It is a good buy for its price range. The first pick for the high-end life jackets would be O’Neill ‘Men’s Life vest. That’s because if you are seeking for impressive comfort, design, and free movement, and you have the budget to spend on it… O’Neill life vest would be the perfect fit for you. It comes with an attractive and non-thick design. Extra cushioning is added for maximum comfort and reliability. On the whole, this is an excellent life vest. It is elegantly designed, and it comes with extra cushion and padding for greater comfort during watersports. It is definitely worth the cost. When we are speaking of high-end life jackets, it would be disrespectful not to mention the Astral GreenJacket life jacket PFD. Truth be told, this is the most expensive pick on our list, guarding its price of $270. However, when it comes to rescuing missions, there wouldn’t be a better option on the market. The vest features a pullover entry so you can put it on and remove it from your body in just a few seconds. As most high-end PFDs, this one is designed with oodles of features such as PE foam inserts, PVC-free Gaia, durable Nylon, and many more that add to the overall comfort and design of the jacket. All in all, it is worth every penny. If you don’t have a spending limit and you are ready to invest in the real deal, this would be the perfect option for you. As the name suggests, the Astral Ronny Fisher PFD is designed explicitly for expert anglers. It features a front zip entry, and it comes with multiple storage options so you can keep essentials in a hand-reach. What’s even better about this life jacket is the added cushion and mesh back design. This allows you to experience unmatched comfort and you will be able to relax on your seat without rubbing your skin against the jacket. In general, this is an excellent pick for every expert angler who plans to have successful fishing campaigns. The multiple compartments allow you to have a knife, whistle, and other crucial stuff in a hand-reach. It’s definitely worth the price.
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The Best Life Jackets in 2021
There are a couple of crucial things to consider before investing in a life jacket. To come with a vest that fits your personal style and preference perfectly, you’ll have to be aware of essentials such as size, design, weight capacity, color, and others that add supremely to the overall performance of the PFD.
Size
Everything comes down to the size of the life jacket. If the vest is too small, there will be a movement restriction. If it happens to be too large, you’ll have trouble staying afloat. The perfect size is determined when you have the jacket put on, and someone tugs the PFD up. If the jacket doesn’t go up to your neck and nose and stays in its place, congratulations, you’ve found your perfect size.
Design
It’s crucial to have mesh drain panels added to the life jacket. They allow the PFD to dry quicker than average (hours faster), and provide proper ventilation. Thus you will be able to deliver excellent care to your back, avoiding sweating and perspiration.
Weight Capacity
It’s crucial to be aware of the floating capacity when you are choosing a life vest. Besides the size, the weight also takes a critical place in for our guiding list. That’s because if you are overweight and buy a jacket that is meant for lighter people, you might find it quite useless.
Color
The thought “color being unimportant” probably goes through your mind right now, but let me tell you why this is wrong. Brighter colors, especially orange and yellow, provide better visibility. And people will be able to see you if you are 100 meters away from them. Therefore rescue you.
Materials
The last essential pillar that constructs the buying decision. Nylon and neoprene are what you are looking for. They provide better durability than other materials. For example – a polyester life vest will last up to 5 years, while a neoprene one will do it for 6 and a half years.
So, after you’ve read this whole guide, you now know why a life vest is crucial to your safety and how to choose one. If you don’t want to bother yourself with buying decisions, we’ve done the dirty work for you and listed the best life jackets, depending on your budget.
Leave a comment below if you already have a life jacket and we will be happy to assist you with anything!
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about life jackets and vests
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Can you drown with a life jacket?
Unless you are trapped inside a water vessel, drag under by the undercurrent, or are stuck with your feet to an inanimate object in the water, your chances of drowning with a life jacket are extremely slim.
Similar to the snorkel fins created to help you propel through the water at a fast speed or water shoes invented to protect your feet from cuts, a life jacket is designed to keep you safe when in the water.
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What is the difference between a life jacket and a PFD?
In short, life jackets are meant to be worn by weak swimmers and children on boats, whereas Personal Flotation Devices are intended for constant wear both in and around the water.
Another difference lies in the performance of the two life-saving devices. While life vests are designed to help you gain consciousness, PFDs allow for mobility when practicing an active water sport.
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What do life jackets do?
Just like the name suggests, life jackets are supposed to keep you afloat (read=alive) should you fall overboard. While it sounds self-explanatory, you need to make sure you have the right life vest.
Here’s how to choose the life jacket that could potentially save your life:
- Opt for the model that is designed for the water sport you are planning on practicing;
- Scan the weight requirements of the particular jacket and make sure it fits you well;
- Make sure it is in good condition, meaning that there are no holes or tears;
- Wear it!
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What are the best life jackets?
The best life jackets are the ones that are versatile enough to be used while paddling, snorkeling, boating, and kayaking. And, surely, the security they provide is not just a nice bonus, but rather a necessity.
To narrow down your list of choices, look at our personal picks:
- O’Neill Men’s Superlite USCG Life Vest
- Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Life Jacket
- Stohlquist Fit Life Jacket
- Mex’s Flex V-Back Neoprene Life Jacket
- O’Neill Men’s Assault USCG Life Jacket
- O’Brien Focus Neoprene Life Jacket
- Astral Ronny Fisher Life Jacket PFD
Read full reviews of each life jacket on DIVEIN.COM by clicking the links above.
I am 82, I have a small Aluminium boat 12″. I have had two incidents when going lake fishing. Falling into water in very low temperatures. The problems are using an automatic Air operated life jacket.When I am in the water I am very restricted With my arms and the angle of my body tends to push me more on my backTherefore I am more restricted on the bottom In shallow waters. I am looking for a jacket that is zipped with two straps or more, My weight is 200lbs/5’6″ chest 48 inch chest with clothes.
The water conditions I would be in would be relatively calm lakes
I am looking for a jacket with velcro stretch lumbar support, and with a pocket
I am looking for a lifejacket for Laryngectomees. I don’t breathe out of my nose or mouth. I am a total neck breather, I breathe out of my stoma in my neck and can not get water in it! If I fall into water, the water will fill my lungs and I’ll drown. Can you help me find one? Thanks
Hi Frank,
I’m sorry, I’ve no idea which Life jacket/vest that would do well here. Are there not some support groups that can help, and maybe someone in the group that have faced same problem and found a suitable product.
I want to know what you recommend to wear for boat fishing that is not bulky & hot?
I am a short man, 5ft 3inch. I am I good shape and am a non swimmer. I enjoy boating and water sports and am looking for a light weight fitted jacket to be comfortable in the water. I want it to be secure and not float up around my neck
My sister and I just purchased an inflatable kayak and are not happy with our bulky life vests. They are the standard classic ones. Can you help me with one that is the lightest weight that is safe? I am 170 lbs. and my sister is 130 lbs. We are willing to pay for whatever price we have to to find comfortable vests.
Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Life Jacket:
I have not been able to find this in the $40 or less group. is there a place where I can buy one for under the $40?
Hi Carla,
I can see the prices have gone up on this model. I can’t find it at this price either, so we’ll have to update the guide.
Thanks for the comment.
Hi there
i am trying to find an answer to this question:
is there any life jacket, life preserver etc that is GUARANTEED to keep head above AERATED water
Hi Huia,
Not in the once that we have tested, as this was not part of our critics in the tests.
This is so much helpful!! life jacket is essential things!! thanks for this information
I am petite, good swimmer like to paddle board and kayak – but can’t find a comfortable light vest option.
5’1 110lbs Suggestion?
I also have 2 children similar size as me that swim in the lake – I alway insist they wear life jackets – any recommendations for small (but not child size) vests that are flexible for movement?
Hi Jennifer,
Try to check out our guide to Kayak LIfe Vests
I recently purchase a life jacket form Mustang Survival, and it’s been great to me. Super comfy and the material feels top quality. Have you ever tried them before or reviewed them? I’m looking to buy one for my kid shortly and want to get them the best available. Cheers!
I’ve not tried any PFDs from that brand, but I can see they have mostly inflatable life jackets–the likes of which I use when sailing. They’re great for freedom of movement. We’re currently updating our list with newer and improved options. Could be it makes the cut if it makes sense to get our hands on one.
Looking for a light weight pfd to wear while swimming in open water. I am 5’9″ and weigh 185 lbs. I am a strong swimmer but also want to be safe.
I have a paddle vest for kayaking but find it too bulky to swim in.
Literally not a single recommendation for women. It’s important, because I’m currently searching for something that is going to be comfortable to wear while having boobs. Feeling pretty left out right about now.
I’m sorry that you’re feeling overlooked. It’s not unjustified. Hope it helps that we are currently curating and working on lifejackets for women. It’s on its way! Any models you’d like reviewed, please reply with the names.