The best life jackets, according to a Coast Guard veteran

The O’Neill Superlite is a versatile performer that’s Coast Guard-approved, durable, stylish, and has a comfortable anatomical cut that won’t have you aching to tear it off after just a few hours.

With four adjustment straps, the Superlite gives you much more room to customize your fit than cheaper options, along with extra reliability. Oversized arm holes also prevent the underarms from getting pinched and cutting off arm circulation, one of the most common complaints of cheap life jackets. The deep-cut neckline also mitigates chafing so you won’t be afraid to move your head around. The Superlite is most at home doing nearshore and freshwater watersports, but is a versatile design that can be used for boating and jet skiing on calm seas as well.

Unless you have more specialized needs, the O’Neill Superlite is a fashionable choice at a reasonable price point with an emphasis on comfort. And with a Type III Coast Guard approval, it also keeps your head above water pretty well, too.

For a no-frills life-saving device that won’t break the bank, the Airhead Universal Type II does what it says on the tin. It won’t win any awards for its looks, but as a Type II PFD, it will keep your head above water even if you’re unconscious. The standard bright orange color is better for safety, too, with the highest visibility of any color in all weather and lighting conditions. The single waist strap works better than you’d expect for getting a correct fit, and is easy to use even for the most panicked boaters in an emergency. U.S. Coast Guard approval also means you don’t have to worry about the low price compromising the life-saving ability of the product.

Keyhole designs like this one will keep you face-up if you’re unconscious, but they’re more fatiguing for long-term usage because the PFD is held so close to the neck. As such, the Airhead Universal Type II is best for short canoe or kayaking outings, or for boaters to keep around and hand out at the first sign of trouble. A budget-friendly yet reliable PFD, it’s easy to keep spares of these onboard in case there’s more guests than expected and always meet Coast Guard regulations to have at least one life jacket for each passenger onboard.

Every woman I’ve talked to hates the trend of making “women’s products” that are just the same as the men’s version with a different color or print pattern on it. Mustang bucks that trend with its Destiny women’s life jacket, designed from the ground up for women’s bodies. An uncomfortable life jacket is less likely to be used, exposing people to risk when that unexpected wave or wind gust hits, so a women’s-specific design is about more than just creature comforts. A specially sculpted racerback, six points of adjustment, and Mustang’s innovative adjust-a-bust panels afford a comfortable fit for any woman’s body that won’t ride up into your neck or underarms. Extra padding provides all-day comfort and mesh pockets with integrated key clips make for a versatile vest.

In terms of safety, Mustang knows its stuff and the Destiny not only has the expected level of flotation, but also has reflective trim and a tethered whistle. While in the Coast Guard, I’ve seen women fall out the bottom of improperly fitted life vests during emergencies, robbing them of crucial protection when they need it most, and that’s precisely what the Mustang Destiny was built to avoid. The Destiny comes in at a higher price tag, but a cheaper vest is wasted money if it comes off the second you need it, or it’s so uncomfortable you hardly wear it. And with Mustang Survival’s legendary brand reputation, you get peace of mind along with the best fit for women on the market.

In addition to having a really cool name, the Kokatat Leviathan represents the pinnacle of fishing life jackets. The expertise Kokatat brought in during the design process shows as the Leviathan is not only safe and durable, but also works with the angler and not against them. With 14 pockets of various types, this vest has unrivaled versatility (hand warmer pockets included, too). Customizable fixture options for lures, flies, tools, and sinkers mean what you need is always close at hand. Plenty of high-quality zippers in a well-thought-out layout also keep gear stowed properly in the event of a tumble or big wave.

Comfort is integral to the design with articulated and contoured buoyancy foam, Ariaprene quick-drying mesh liner, adjustable side straps, and a high back to accommodate a wide range of kayaks. It’s also compatible with Kokatat’s Tributary hydration pack. The Leviathan was designed for the most demanding kayak fishing pros but works great for all types of rod and reel fishing, from fly fishing to deep sea angling. I can’t guarantee you’ll catch bigger fish with the Kokatat Leviathan, but you’ll immediately notice the extra comfort, convenience, and durability of this life vest.

I can think of no higher pedigree for a life jacket than that of the Mustang HIT. It’s what we use to protect ourselves on Coast Guard small boat crews. The HIT is our go-to PFD on patrol unless we need special cold water protection from a float suit or dry suit, and this inflatable PFD holds up under some truly spectacular conditions. When uninflated, the HIT lays flat, so you can move unimpeded. The hydrostatic inflation also doesn’t trigger prematurely, even from heavy splashes, rain, or landing in a puddle during heavy seas, but inflates quickly and reliably when submerged in four inches or more of water. Even the heaviest winds never burst the zipper, and the high-quality Cordura shell can withstand scrapes, scuffs, and snags without issue. For backup inflation methods, the HIT also includes a manual ripcord as well as an oral inflation tube.

For more civilian purposes, the HIT also has plenty of utility with optional sailing rings and harnesses, water-resistant pockets, belt extenders, and an overall unobtrusive design, affording maximum mobility during all boating activities, recreational or commercial. Being an inflatable PFD type, maintenance is more complex than your typical foam life jacket, so Mustang makes it easy with an easily visible indicator panel and a straightforward rearming kit (make sure to use Re-arm Kit C). For regular boaters and sailors looking for a low-profile option they can rely on in even the worst conditions, the Mustang HIT is second-to-none.

A quick word of warning to professional aviators though: The HIT doesn’t have a manual conversion kit, so the auto-inflation can’t be disabled. Inflatable PFDs are great for pilots because they’re low-profile, but the last thing you want is an auto-inflated balloon to trap you or others inside an aircraft during a water landing. Check out Mustang’s Pilot 38 or MIT 100 manual inflation PFDs for more aviation-friendly devices.

This probably isn’t news to any current parents out there, but kids grow fast. They also don’t always follow instructions, especially about wearing uncomfortable life jackets that fit at age six but not at age seven. The NRS Crew Child takes the guesswork out of child sizing in a high-quality and comfortable package that will keep your loved ones safe. As long as your child is between 33 and 55 pounds, this life jacket is plenty adjustable for a proper fit.

For those getting into their teen years or kids who run a bit heavier, the very similar Crew Youth is available for those within the 55- to 88-pound range. An adjustable leg strap also keeps the vest from riding up or popping off the top of your youngster if they fall overboard. The Crew Child also has specially shaped shoulders, plus enlarged arm openings for better comfort and mobility, so your kid won’t be aching to take the vest off the first time you’re not looking. Tough 200D nylon also stands up well to years of usage, and with dual U.S./Canada certification, it travels well.

NRS is an established whitewater rafting and kayaking company that has a history of supporting its customers, even publishing several helpful guides through its website for kid safety during any water activity. An excellent child PFD, combined with great support from the manufacturer, is sure to keep your child safe and foster great memories on the water that will last a lifetime.

Mustang makes fantastic life-saving products for adults, and they bring that same quality and attention to detail to the smallest adventurers with its Lil’ Legends lineup. Infants especially have trouble keeping their heads upright, so this Type II PFD with a three-piece head cradle gives excellent support, naturally positioning them upright in the water. The leg strap also keeps the vest in place on squirmy infants or in the event of a rough landing in the water. A large grab handle with reflective accents completes the safety features so it’s easy to find a bobbing infant and pull them to safety with ease.

The Lil’ Legends vest is also quite comfortable to wear for extended periods. With a soft fabric shell, mesh back, and a moisture-wicking liner, this vest combats the discomfort most Type II PFDs are known for. While more than one adjustable waist strap would be nice, there’s a lot to be said for simplicity when dealing with infants, so I don’t consider that a real drawback in this category. Similarly, it would be nice if the front zipper had a Velcro fastener or thumb snap to keep a fidgety wearer from tugging it open, though the waist belt and buckle are robust enough to keep the life jacket in place even if the zipper is fully opened.

Overall, the Mustang Lil’ Legends stands out from other infant-size life jackets for being comfortable and with enough safety built-in to keep even the most helpless infant breathing until help can arrive.

Onyx markets the MoveVent Dynamic as a kayaker’s dream, but paddleboarders really love it, too. The extremely well-ventilated design is as breathable as can be, while also allowing the flotation panels to articulate and flex along with large paddling motions. The funnel architecture of the vest also mitigates the tendency other vests have of riding up when paddling for extended periods, lowering fatigue, and making for a more enjoyable experience. There’s plenty of adjustability, too, and soft neoprene shoulder straps prevent chafing. Expandable zippered pockets keep items from falling out when in motion, and a small lash tab allows you to tether small items where they’ll stay handy.

In terms of safety, the MoveVent is both US Coast Guard and Transport Canada approved, plus has extra SOLAS reflectors for visibility. The attached marine whistle is a small but useful inclusion, too. And with a ripstop nylon shell, the MoveVent Dynamic is tough enough for many outings to come.

While the above-mentioned Onyx MoveVent Dynamic is also a great choice for kayakers, the NRS Odyssey just brings more to the table for more serious excursions. It’s a truly top-shelf product with an intuitive layout, two large zippered pockets, two VHF radio pouches, three lash tabs, a multitude of D-rings and attachment loops, plus six points of adjustment. It’s also more flexible and breathable than it looks, facilitated by seven separate flotation panels and NRS’ Cool Flow System. Needless to say, the arm holes have a paddler’s cut for a full range of motion.

I personally like that the Odyssey uses a full back design, as even on high-backed kayaks I like having the extra cushioning, but if you prefer a smaller back panel, then keep that in mind. As for durability and safety, NRS also makes life jackets for swift water rescue teams, so it really knows its stuff. The Odyssey is built to high standards with an impressive 400-denier Ripstop nylon shell and has U.S. Coast Guard Type III certification, so it will keep you cool, comfortable, and breathing air for many years.