10 Best Life Jackets In 2023

Wake sports, waterskiing, tubing, swimming…, the O'Neill Superlite adult life jackets can handle it all. This is thanks to the minimal bulk, extremely fast-drying fabric, and four buckles that ensure the life vest remains secure even when hitting the water at high speed. With the roomy under-arms, this is also a top rated life vest for any activity where you need full use of your arms.  

Fit and Comfort

True to its name, the Superlite lifejacket has minimal-bulk. This coupled with the relaxed fit makes it one of the most comfortable life jackets on the market. You’ll barely notice it as you play in the water. Even though the polyethylene foam is soft and lightweight, it provides effortless flotation even in deep water. 

Material and Features

To keep the bulk low and comfort high, the Superlite comes with only the bare essential features. The four-belt straps with strong buckles are the highlight features and they ensure a secure fit for watersports. Finally, the coated polyester shell lends it two advantages: strength and fast-drying performance after water sporting.

Thanks to the type II keyhole design, the Airhead Keyhole life jacket can flip the wearer face-up in the water. This makes it the best life jacket for non-swimmers, kids, and anyone apprehensive about being on the water. Above that, the high-visibility orange makes sure the wearer is easy to spot. The price is also hard to beat, making the Keyhole a fantastic way to stay safe and legal at a very low cost.  

Fit and Comfort

Even though the Airhead Keyhole is a type II personal flotation device, it’s designed with minimal bulk and this improves comfort a lot. Besides, the material is soft and doesn’t irritate the skin and the strap allows you to adjust the fit for comfort. The vest is comfortable when paddling as well, as it won’t cut under the arms.

Material and Features

The Airhead is all about delivering reliable flotation. As such, it has only basic features. The adjustable strap allows you to personalize the fit while the orange hue ensures visibility. As for construction, the stitching is solid and the closed-cell foam resilient so it won’t break down easily.

Featuring a flexible 5-panel design, the men's NRS Oso PFD conforms to your body and moves with you. This makes it the best adult life vest for kayakers and rafters. It provides an excellent range of motion for rowing, fishing, and swimming. When you need it most, the foam flotation delivers 16.5 lbs. of flotation while the reflective accents ensure you’re visible even in low-light. 

Fit and Comfort 

The NRS Oso comes equipped with 6 adjustment points so achieving the perfect fit and feel is easy. Additionally, the multi-panel design molds to your body while the ventilated design ensures you don’t overheat. Finally, shoulder straps keepers secure the webbing out of your way.

Material and Features

Made of a 400D ripstop nylon, quality is excellent and the NRS Oso is a lightweight life jacket yet strong enough to hold up to the rigors of outdoor use. Two large zippered pockets and a hidden lash tab come handy for securing essentials you need handy while on the water.

Lightweight and slender, the Eyson inflatable life jacket is the most comfortable life jacket for boating, paddling, and fishing. You won’t even notice you have it until you need it. As for reliability, it’s CE certificated and inflates to provide 150N of buoyancy, enough keep your head above water. Depending on your preference, you can opt for an automatic or a manual inflation model.

Fit and Comfort

Comfort is the greatest thing about the Eyson life vest. A slender and lightweight life jacket, it adds minimal bulk to your torso, is cool to wear in the summer heat, and allows you a full range of motion. Donning and doffing are easy thanks to the quick-release buckle, and the adjustable strap webbing allows you to personalize the fit.

Material and Features

For superior resistance to tears and punctures, the Eyson inflatable life jacket is composed of a tough polyester oxford neoprene outer, and a nylon + TPU airbag material. Rescue features include SOLARS reflectors for visibility in low-light conditions and an emergency whistle for alerting rescuers.

Offering a superior range of motion and exceptional organization options, the Astral Sturgeon life jacket is the best adult life vest for fishing and ocean kayaking. You have multiple places to organize essentials you need close at hand without them getting in the way. In the water, the EVA and PE foam provide 16 pounds of buoyancy lift to keep you above water.

Fit and Comfort 

The Astral Sturgeon life vest for adults is streamlined and has arm openings cut wide to ensure you have the freedom and comfort you need when paddling and casting. In addition to this, the back design works very well with kayak seats while the polyester mesh interior keeps you cool and dry when paddling or fishing under the hot summer sun.

Material and Features

The main feature on the Astral Sturgeon is the clamshell pocket on the front. It’s roomy and has multiple compartments on the inside. Other storage and organization features include a slip pocket for a VHF radio, a holster for pliers, a pocket for a folding knife, clipping points for tools such as retractors, and a lashing point for a light. Last but not least, the Cordura nylon material the vest is made of is of superb quality.

When it comes to versatility, the Hardcore Water Sports life jackets are hard to beat. With open sides and three security straps, they suit a wide range of activities including waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Above this, they are available in sizes for the whole family and come in high-visibility hues to make the wearers visible in all water situations.

Fit and Comfort

Thanks to the large armholes, Hardcore life jackets provide breathable comfort and superior mobility for water sports, paddling, and fishing. As for fit, adjustable belt straps ensure the lifejacket conforms to your body for security and comfort. For extra security, the life jacket for kids has an adjustable crotch strap. 

Material and Features 

To provide comfort, quick-drying performance, and durability, the Hardcore Water Sports life jackets are made of a high-quality polyester Cordura fabric and closed-cell PE foam that provide a great flotation without too much bulk. Finally, you have several high-visibility hues to choose from – neon orange, neon yellow, red, and white.

For tackling whitewater rapids, the Astral Green rescue life jacket is the best life jacket out there. It’s a type V PFD made for whitewater kayakers and rafters and river rescue professionals. As such, it boasts a tough and utilitarian design equipped with convenient storage space and handy rescue features, all while maintaining a low profile that doesn't impede mobility.   

Fit and Comfort

Thanks to the tectonic foam panel that conforms to your body and moves with you, the Astral Green ranks as one of the most comfortable life jackets. It is very comfortable to paddle with and does not rub on armpits. Furthermore, three adjustment buckles on each side allow you to cinch it tight without losing comfort. 

Material and Features

The top feature on this top rated life vest for rescue is the spacious and easily accessible front storage pocket for a rescue rope and other essentials. Other great features include a quick-release harness, a tow system, side pockets, and a felt-lined hand warmer. As for durability, the 500D Cordura nylon material it’s made of is resistant to snagging by branches and rough rocks.