Best_Women_s_Life_Jackets

How a life jacket fits and feels determines how well you will be able to enjoy your favorite water activities, and also how effective the personal flotation device (PFD) will be at keeping you afloat. For women, the comfort and support offered by the best women’s life jackets is hard to beat.

Made with female torsos in mind, womens PFDs conform to your body and offer phenomenal fit and comfort. In our best women’s life jacket reviews, you will discover the top 8 female life jackets on the market. Additionally, the buying guide further down has tips on how to choose the best women’s life vest for you.

1

OUR TOP PICK

Stohlquist Women’s Flo

Stohlquist Women's Flo


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Summary

With built-in supportive inner cups and availability in extra small to plus sizes, the Stohlquist Flo PFD is the ultimate life jacket for women. It offers the comfort and freedom of movement you need whether you’re going sailing, kayaking, fishing, or enjoying water sports. On top of this, it’s of top-notch quality and comes in beautiful hues of purple and orange. All this has made it a top favorite of female water sports enthusiasts.

Comfort and Features

Thanks to the low profile design, lightweight PE foam floatation, and open sides, the Flo women’s life vest allows maximum mobility whether you’re paddling, fishing, or sailing. The high back floatation sits above most kayak seats, while the cross-chest harness prevents frustrating ride-up. As for cool comfort, the inner mesh lining and mesh on the shoulders and back will keep you cool and sweat free. 

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Built-in supportive cups for a perfect anatomical fit
  • Available in extra small to plus women’s sizes
  • Low-profile design and open sides allow full mobility
  • High back flotation is compatible with kayak seats
  • Cross-chest cinch harness ensures the life vest stays in place
  • Adjustable straps and neoprene padded waistband add comfort
  • Large bellow pockets with drainage provide storage space
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best Use: Kayaking, Sailing, All Around
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type III
Sizes: XS/S, M/L, Plus
Material: 400 x 200D Ripstop Nylon Outer Shell, 210D Oxford Inner Liner

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2

EDITORS CHOICE

Stohlquist Cruiser

Stohlquist Cruiser


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Summary

Designed specifically for the female touring kayaker and sit-on-top paddler, the Stohlquist Cruiser women’s life jacket offers top level comfort and freedom of movement. It’s shaped for women and sports a smaller cut, a shortened torso, contoured supportive inner cups, and an ergonomic shaped torso that molds to your body. To cap it off, it has excellent ratings from women kayakers and comes in attractive black, mango, blue, and sage color options.

Comfort and Features

As a women’s PFD designed for touring, the Cruiser PFD offers exceptional comfort for all-day wear. Your arms are free to move, the shoulders and lower back waistband feel soft, and the mesh back ensures you don’t overheat. The back is cut high enough so it doesn't interfere with seat backs or spray skirts, and the adjustable straps allow you to adjust it to your exact specifications. Finally, the zippered pockets in front are big enough to keep your phone and other essentials close by.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Made for female touring kayakers and sit-on-top paddlers
  • Shaped for women and has contoured supportive inner cups
  • WRAPTURETM shaped torso wraps comfortably around the body
  • Half flotation/half mesh back suits rec-tour boat seats
  • Neoprene padded shoulders and lower back waistband
  • Cross-chest cinch harness ensures the life jacket stays put
  • Larger zipper pockets keep essentials close at hand
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best Use: Touring, Paddling
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type 3
Sizes: XS/SM, M/L, Plus
Materials: 500D Cordura shell, 200D Oxford Liner

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3

BEST VALUE

O’Brien Impulse Neo Life

O'Brien Impulse Neo Life


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Summary

Stylish, comfortable, and Coast Guard approved, you don’t have to sacrifice style and comfort for safety with the O'Brien Impulse Neo Life neoprene life vest womens. Because it’s made of 1.5mm neoprene and features a strong zip closure and two buckles, it provides a snug fit and is the ideal girly life jackets for water sports such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, or jet skiing.

Comfort and Features

Comfort is one of the reasons the Impulse is a top rated women’s life vest. That’s it’s lightweight and has wide arm holes gives you plenty of maneuvering capabilities. This life vest also features multiple hinge points on the front and back. While the material and workmanship are top-grade, the price is accessible making this an exceptional value for money. 

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Girly life jackets with beautiful colors and styling
  • 1.5mm neoprene outer shell provides stretchy comfort
  • Lightweight with wide arm openings for unrestricted mobility
  • Zip closure and two belt buckles ensure a secure fastening
  • Multiple hinge point on the front and back for flexibility
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best Use: Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, Jet Skiing
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type III
Sizes: X-Small to X-Large
Material: 1.5mm Neoprene

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4

Stohlquist Women’s Escape PFD

Stohlquist Women's Escape PFD


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Summary

Boasting USCG and Transport Canada approvals and featuring low-profile and sculpted foam, the Stohlquist Escape women’s life jacket provides top level safety, comfort, and style on the water. It molds to your body to provide body hugging comfort that won’t get in the way of your favorite water sports. As for style, this good looking life jacket comes in attractive sail blue and violet color options.  

Comfort and Features

Thanks to the low-profile design and roomy arm openings, the Escape PFD is one of the best women's life vest for kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. Fully adjustable sides and shoulders allow you to dial in the fit while the padded shoulder straps feel comfortable. Handy features include a zippered pocket for necessities and reflective accents for visibility in low-light conditions.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Approved by both the US Coast Guard and Transport Canada
  • Super-soft and low-profile buoyancy foam sculpted for a feminine fit
  • Adjustable shoulder and side straps and pull adjusters minimize ride-up
  • Reflective accents help with visibility in poor light conditions
  • Convenient pocket for items you want within easy reach
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best Use: Sailing, Paddling Water Sports
Approvals: USCG and Transport Canada
Size: XS/SM, M/L, Plus
Materials: 200D Nylon Outer Shell, 200D Oxford Liner

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5

Stohlquist Betsea

Stohlquist Betsea


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Summary

The fit and comfort the Stohlquist Betsea women’s life jacket offers is unparalleled. This is thanks to an ergonomic shaped torso that wraps around the body for a close, low profile fit, princess seams, sculpted inner cups that wrap around your bust, and graded foam sizing. Safety is top notch as well, and the Betsea is approved by both the US Coast Guard and Transport Canada. 

Comfort and Features

Designed with paddlers in mind, the Betsea PFD has extra wide armholes that gives your arms lots of room for maneuvering and comes packed with features that enhance your experiences. The cinch harness minimizes ride-up, and the shoulder and lumbar pads are ventilated. Storage options include two large zippered pockets, a webbing hang loop, keys attachment point, and 4-way lash tabs. Other features include lined hand warmer pockets, and reflective trim.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Approved by both Coast Guard and Transport Canada
  • Ergonomic WRAPTURE shaped torso contours around your body
  • Built-in contoured supportive inner cups wrap around bust
  • Graded foam sizing provides the ideal buoyancy and fit
  • Cross-chest cinch harness eliminates ride-up
  • Shoulder and lumbar pads are ventilated
  • Two zippered pockets, lined hand warmer pockets, and 4-way lash tabs
  • High-visibility reflective trim on front and back
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best Use: Kayaking
Approvals: US coast Guard and Transport Canada
Size: SM/MD and LG/XL, XXL
Material: Nylon

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6

Body Glove Phantom Neoprene

Body Glove Phantom Neoprene


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Summary

Thanks to neoprene construction, the Body Glove Phantom neoprene life vest womens lives true to its name. It fits your body like a glove giving you the comfort, freedom and safety you need to make the most of every adventure on the water. With the close-fitting design secured by a zipper and two buckles, it’s one of the best women's life vest for water sports such as jet skiing. 

Comfort and Features

Besides the stretchy comfort provided by the Neoprene outer, the Body Glove Phantom womens PFD features soft and segmented flotation foam making it one of the most comfortable female life jackets for water sports. On top of this, the jacket has strategically placed drain panels and glide-lock printing that prevents ride-up ensuring the vest stays where it should no matter what you’re doing. 

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Neoprene outer shell provides superior fit, comfort, and durability
  • Segmented foam flotation enhances flexibility and comfort
  • Heavy-duty zipper and two belt buckles secure the jacket
  • Interior glide-lock printing helps prevent annoying ride up
  • Hidden buckle straps at the back and optimally positioned drain panels
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best Use: Water Sports
Coast Guard Approved: Yes
Sizes: Small to XX-Large
Material: Neoprene Outer Shell and Innertech Lining

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7

MTI Adventurewear Moxie Adjust-a-Bust

MTI Adventurewear Moxie Adjust-a-Bust


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Summary

For curvy women, it doesn’t get better than the MTI Adventurewear Moxie women’s life jacket. Adjustable bust support is the thing that sets it apart from other women’s life vests out there. You get soft open-cell foam pads you can insert to support the bust and smooth out the pressure. With three sizes to choose from and 6 adjustment straps for fine-tuning the fit, you can rest assured the Moxie will fit you well. As a bonus, the vest features reflective trim and comes with a tethered whistle.   

Comfort and Features

Made with modern recreational and touring kayaks in mind, the vest back is designed to accommodate tall seat-backs. Furthermore, the mesh lower allows the heat you generate as you exert yourself to escape. For storage convenience, the Moxie PFD includes two generous pockets big enough to accommodate all your essentials, loops for your sunglasses, and a daisy-chain for attaching items like a fishing net or strobe.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Adjust-a-Bust system provides adjustable bust support
  • Mesh lower back promotes airflow and keeps you cool
  • High-back design works well with tall seat backs
  • Two large zippered stretch mesh pockets with sunglass loops
  • Shoulder mounted daisy chain attachment system
  • Adjustable shoulder straps and four side adjustments
  • Reflective trim and tethered whistle help with rescue
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best Use: Recreational and Touring Kayaking, Curvy Ladies, Ample Busts
Coast Guard Approved: Yes
Sizes: XS/SM, D/L, XL/2XL
Material: 300D Polyester

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8

GlideSoul Reversible Impact Vest

GlideSoul Reversible Impact Vest


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Summary

Finally, a super comfortable GlideSoul impact vest perfect for water sports such as wakeboarding, water skiing, and wake surfing. The lightweight and flexible design allows you to maneuver with ease, while the snug fit keeps the vest from riding up when performing tricks. Due to this, it has become a top favorite of female water sports lovers. This top rated women’s life vest also gets high marks for resilience, as it doesn’t fade or stretch easily.  

Comfort and Features

The non-bulky and form fitting design provides the ultimate comfort and support for high-speed water sports. The high-density foam provides enough buoyancy to keep you on top of the water while the segmented design offers flexibility. The GlideSoul is also longer than standard PFDs, which enhances the comfort and protection. As a bonus, the vest is reversible so you can pick the color you want for the day. 

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Flexible and foam fitting impact vest for water sports
  • Longer than typical live vests for enhanced protection
  • Resilient and durable 100% polyester construction
  • Segmented high-density foam for safety and flexibility
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best Use: Wakeboarding, Water Skiing, and Wake Surfing
Coast Guard Approved: N/A
Materials: 100% Polyester

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How To Choose A Women Life Jacket – Buying Guide

How_To_Choose_A_Women’s_Life_Jacket

Type

Life jackets are classified into five sub-categories, depending on their intended use. Here is an overview of each type: 

Related Post: Life Jacket Buying Guide

  • Type I – Type I are emergency life jackets designed for commercial sailing applications. Designed to provide buoyancy in the roughest of seas, these life jackets can flip an unconscious person face up. However, they are incredibly bulky and not suitable for recreational water sports.   
  • Type II – These jackets are generally designed for two purposes: for emergencies in calmer seas and for infants who can’t swim. Some of them are capable of turning an unconscious person face up. The downside is that they are bulky and uncomfortable to wear. 
  • Type III – Type III jackets strike a balance between comfort and safety. For this reason, they are the go-to life jackets for recreational activities on the water. They provide adequate flotation for people having fun close to shore.
  • Type IV –Type IV life jackets are the throwable floatation devices. The rings and cushions thrown into the water to help a person stay afloat. 
  • Type V – Finally, Type V flotation devices are designed to provide extra support and safety for specific activities such as waterskiing or sailing.   

Related Reviews: Life Jackets For Water Sports & Wakeboard Life Jacket

Fit

A life jacket is supposed to fit snugly around your body, but without being restrictive. When you get into the water, it shouldn’t ride up or come loose. The first step to ensuring the right fit is to order the right size. To determine what size to order, take your chest measurements and compare them with the size chart. The best women’s life vest also feature multiple adjustment points, allowing you to customize the vest to your exact specifications. 

Material

Nylon, polyester, and neoprene are all good materials for life jackets. They are quick drying and can resist abrasion. However, neoprene is generally seen as the superior material due to the fact that it’s stronger, harder wearing, and also provides a little bit of stretch. Nylon and polyester are also great, as they are lightweight, resistant to tearing, and fast drying. 

Weight Capacity

It’s very important to make sure that the PFD you choose can support your weight in the water. Some life jackets are designed for kids, while other are meant for adults. If you’re of average build, all standard life jackets will be able to hold your weight. If you’re on the plus side, larger sizes are available and these offer more flotation. 

Color

Visibility on the water can be a problem, especially in low-light conditions. While color is mostly a matter of personal preference, having a life jacket in a high-visibility hue such as orange or yellow is a good idea. In the event of an accident, the bright color can help rescuers spot you easily. Some personal floatation devices even feature reflective accents for improved visibility in low light conditions. 

Buoyancy

When it comes to life jackets, buoyancy refers to how much the vest lifts you out of the water. Life jackets are designed to keep your mouth and nose out of the water so you have a clear path to breath. Standard life jackets provide a 7 to 16 pounds of buoyancy lift, which is more than enough to keep you afloat without struggle. Once you buy PFD, you can test its buoyancy in a safe place such as a pool. If your vest is working well, you will be able to float and breathe effortlessly. 

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FAQs

What_is_life_jacket

Q: What Is A Life Jacket?

A: 

A life jacket is a personal flotation device you attach around your body as a safety measure while on the water. If you happen to fall overboard, it will provide buoyancy lift to keep you afloat without struggle.  

Q: Will A Life Jacket Save Your Life?

A: 

Yes, as long as you’re wearing the right type of life jacket for the kind of situation you’re in, a life jacket can save your life. If you’re a recreational kayaker or boater, having a Coast Guard Approved Type III or Type V life jacket to keep you afloat should you fall in the water can be the difference between life and death. If you’re a professional sailor in the roughest seas, you will need the extra safety and buoyancy provided by a type I life jacket. 

Q: What Life Jackets Are Coast Guard Approved?

A: 

Coast Guard approved life jackets carry a mark of approval they only earn after meeting stringent regulations for safety. However, not all life jackets are approved by the Coast Guard. It’s important to make sure the live vest you go for has been approved by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). 

Globo Surf Overview

Whether you’re out kayaking, fishing, or swimming, a life jacket is essential to ensure your safety. Female life jackets are designed to offer the perfect fit for ladies. Whether you’re looking for girly life jackets or just a standard womens PFD, our list of the top ladies life vests has something for you. Hopefully, our women’s life jacket reviews and buying guide have given you the knowledge you need to pick the best women’s life jacket for your needs.

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