10 Best Sailing Life Jackets In 2023

Made of neoprene and equipped with a zipper and buckles closure, the O’Neill Men’s Reactor sailing life jacket provides a snug and secure fit even when things get hectic. If you ever fall overboard, rest assured this Coast Guard Approved life jacket will stay put while in the water and help you float. 

Comfort and Features

Despite the snug fit, you can still move around on the deck and work your boat without feeling restricted. This is thanks to the lightweight and segmented design with anatomical flex points. The O’Neill Reactor life vest also sports a relaxed fit with expansion foam panels that give you comfort and flexibility.

O'Brien Traditional neoprene sailing life jacket offers all day comfort. Thanks to the comfortably snug fit that doesn’t get in the way of sailing, you won’t mind wearing it while under way. A USCG approved sailing life vest equipped with reliable foam floatation, it also won’t fail you when you need it most.

Features and Comfort

With a heavy-duty zip closure and two belts with buckles securing the vest to your body, you are assured the Neo Life will stay put no matter what you’re doing. Since this traditional life vest focuses on comfort and safety, it doesn’t come with extra features like pockets.

The best thing about the O'Neill Assault sailing life jacket is the NytroLite foam floatation it’s equipped with. Compared to regular PVC foam, it’s lighter, offers 10% more buoyancy, and holds 15-20% less water. With these advantages, the Assault is incredibly comfortable to wear while sailing. Additionally, it’s designed with anatomical flex points to give you a full range of movement.

Comfort and Features

Thanks to the non-bulky design, flex points, and supportive lumbar pad on the lower back, the Assault life vest is one of the most comfortable sailing PFDs. An interesting thing about its design is that the front is shorter than the back. This works very well at preventing ride up. The two buckle straps tuck away into pockets so they don’t get in the way.

The reason many sailors love the Astral YTV Type V sailing life jacket is that it offers the perfect balance between comfort and freedom of movement on the sailboat, and high floatation in the water. The minimalist and feather-light low-profile design with large arm openings makes it super comfortable and gives you a full range of motion. In an emergency situation, the foam inserts provide 16.5 pounds of buoyancy. 

Comfort and Features

Attributable to a shelf between the lower and upper sections, the Astral YTV feels flexible and roomy at the chest and is one of the best sailing life jackets for women. To keep the bulk low and comfort high, it uses a pullover design instead of a zip opening. A secure fit isn’t compromised though as the life vest also features six adjustable straps. Storage options include two small side pockets, and a quick access lash tab.  

The kind of fit the Stohlquist Edge sailing life vest offers is unparalleled. It features a body-wrapping torso design that conforms to your body and allows you unrestricted movements. Another outstanding thing about this top rated sailing life vest is that the foam is sized to match the size of the sailor and provide the ideal buoyancy. Offering 15 lbs. 8oz to 17 lbs. 8oz. of sea level buoyancy, rest assured the Edge will handle your weight if you ever need it to keep you afloat.

Comfort and Features

The Stohlquist Edge is all about comfort. The ergonomic shape, mesh sides, and padded and contoured shoulders deliver incredible comfort, while the extra wide armholes and neck provide maximum mobility for sailing. The highlight features are the roomy top loading front pocket, and the bulk-reducing side entry zipper. Other features include sheathed shoulder straps, side pulls, buckle closure, lash tab, and reflective accents.  

The Onyx A/M-24 inflatable sailing life jacket offers exceptional comfort. Ultralight and airy, you can have it on the whole time you’re on the boat. If you happen to fall overboard, it will deploy automatically upon touching water. With a minimum buoyancy of 22.5 pounds, you can count on it to keep your head out of the water. Being an inflatable, it’s meant for strong swimmers only and must be worn while underway.

Comfort and Features

If you prefer manual inflation, the Onyx allows you to switch from automatic/manual inflation to manual inflation only. Inflating it manually is easy – simply pull the jerk or use the back-up blow-tube. Features include padded air mesh on lower panels, back and straps, utility pockets, a fleece-lined sunglasses pocket, and a D-ring for accessories. Made of a 200-denier nylon ripstop, this top rated sailing life vest won’t tear or puncture easily.

Featuring wide armholes, segmented panels with multiple hinge points, and a stretch panel that molds to and moves with your body, the O’Brien Flex V-Back sailing life vest provides top-level comfort, and a maximum range of motion. As for safety, this is a U.S. Coast Guard Approved Type III life jacket that provides the safety you need while sailing for fun.

Features and Comfort

The Flex V-back is made of BioLite, which is a super-soft, lightweight, breathable, and eco-friendly alternative to neoprene. As for fit, the full front zipper closure makes the life vest easy to get in and out, while the adjustable belts allow you to fine-tune the fit. Finally, this life vest also features a PSC lanyard attachment ring.