sailboat life vests

6 Best Life Jackets for Sailing (2024)

Are you looking for the best life jackets for sailing? You've come to the right place.

Sailing is, without a doubt, one of the best experiences you could ever have. The calming and gentle sound of the ocean, the slight rocking of the boat, and the warm breeze that brushes against your face simply make sailing one of the most fun activities you can indulge in. But even with the joys that come with sailing, it does have its hazards and things can quickly go wrong if the unexpected happens. The fact that you're out on the water means that there's a possibility that you can end up in it instead.

And because a simple slip is all it takes to have you over the side, it's of great importance to have a good life jacket. Given that sailing is an active sport that requires lots of movement, the best life jackets for sailing should neither be restrictive nor bulky. It should also provide good support in case you find yourself in the water. With a good life jacket for sailing, you should just stay afloat without using a lot of energy.

When sailing, safety should be a priority and this calls for the need to have a proper life jacket. But because there are a lot of sailing life jackets in the market, choosing a good one can be quite challenging. To make it a lot easier for you, we'll highlight the best life jackets for sailing.

Table of contents

Spinlock Deckvest 5D 170N Inflatable PFD

The Spinlock Deckvest 5D is an excellent life jacket made from weight-saving ripstop cover fabric. This material is soft, lightweight, flexible, and durable and can resist tear and puncture that are likely to occur during sailing. This is a highly durable life jacket that will withstand the most extreme conditions.

This lifejacket has an ergonomic design with a reliable safety harness to ensure that it comfortably sits on your neck and around your shoulder without impeding your freedom and movement. Given that it's a high-tech type of PFD, it can turn your face up and keep your head above the water in case you become unconscious. It also has an integrated sprayhood that's integral in protecting you from secondary drowning.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, the Spinlock Deckvest is a professional grade life jacket that will ensure that you're always safe. Even though this life jacket inflates automatically when water flows upward through the vest, it will not inflate accidentally when it's raining or if it gets sprayed with water. While this is a common problem in normal inflatable life jackets, the Spinlock eliminates this problem through an inside paper capsule that helps it inflate or deflate.

Its comfortable and unobtrusive design means that you can wear it all day without tiring you out. To make it safer, this life jacket has other additional features such as a flashing LED light and a flexible antenna for improved visibility in the water.

The Deckvest 5D may be a little expensive but it won't let you down as far as comfort, safety, and ease of use are concerned. It's also very durable, which makes it worth the extra investment if you plan to use it regularly. It's also versatile as it's available in three various sizes from small to XX-Large so it can be excellent for a wide range of users.

• ‍ Strong and durable exterior
• Reliable UML Pro Sensor
• Mesh pocket
• Double crotch straps
• Auto/manual option
• ‍ It's quite expensive

Check Current Price >>

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Sailing Life Jacket

No list of best life jackets for sailing can be complete without the Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Sailing Life Jacket . Well, that's because it's one of the best PFDs in the market. This life jacket has a strong exterior made from 200 denier Nylon Ripstop and Nylon Oxford. This makes it durable and resistant to tear and puncture that can occur in extreme conditions.

The Onyx MoveVent Dynamic is structured with two pads on the shoulders to make it comfortable and wearable throughout the day without feeling tired. The neoprene pads are perfectly structured to ensure that there's no chafe and to make you enjoy sailing. That's not all; it has a powerful and durable zipper closure at the front and is complemented by adjustable side belts to ensure that it fits you safely. This zipper closure is expandable and you can use it to store crucial equipment such as your mobile phone and keys.

This life jacket is uniquely and flexibly designed to ensure that it conforms to your body and fittingly stays in place even if you are hit with a huge impact. It also has a mesh at the lower back to eliminate excessive heat and make it breathable. This will make your body cool while preventing moisture from your body. This is also essential in making it lightweight and comfortable to be worn throughout the day.

The Onyx MoveVent Dynamic has a whistle attached to it. This is essential if you want to raise alarm or seek help in case of an emergency. It's also structured with reflective material on the shoulder pads to enhance visibility during low light conditions, which is integral in preventing water accidents, especially at night.

• ‍ Lightweight
• Drying loop
• Adjustable side belt
• Expandable pocket
• Neoprene shoulders
• ‍ It may be small for some people

Astral V-Eight Sailing Life Jacket

With the life vest built around a mesh base, the Astra V-Eight is a modern sailing life jacket that's designed to give you enough freedom of movement thanks to its unobtrusive design. In addition to the open sides that will not interfere with your arms, the shoulder straps are modest while the panels sit low on the body so that it doesn't move up into your face.

Even though the life jacket's high seat may back if you're kayaking, this won't be an issue if you plan to use it when sailing. The foam panel is structured with Polyethylene (PE) and EVA foam both in the front and at the back to shape it better for your body. This makes it a perfect fit for both men and women, and also very comfortable.

The Astra V-Eight has a zipper closure at the front and has a quick release buckle on the lower chest as well as two adjustable buckles on each shoulder to help you adjust the life jacket to fit you accordingly. It has a mesh at both sides to make it breathable while eliminating excessive heat to make you cool throughout your sailing escapades. This life jacket is completely free of toxic PVC.

And do you have an integral device that you want to carry with you while sailing? No problem, this vest has two zippered front pockets so that you can keep important gadgets such as an emergency whistle, an emergency knife, a strobe, and many more.

Weighing about 1.22 lbs. with a buoyancy rating of about 16 lbs, this is an extremely reliable life jacket. It is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard as a Type III life jacket and is perfect for a variety of water sports, sailing included.

This life jacket is available in various sizes and high visibility colors to make it excellent if you want a life jacket that's easy to wear and spot in case of an emergency. Overall, this is a great life jacket that scores highly well in terms of buoyancy, comfort, safety, and durability.

• ‍ Breathable
• Durable and comfortable
• Comes with adjustable buckles
• It is free of toxic PVC
• It is USCG approved
• ‍ It's bulky

Onyx Absolute Outdoor Life Jacket for Sailing

A slender life jacket that's made from nylon material, the Onyx Absolute Outdoor Life Jacket is a superb sailing life jacket that's durable and resistant to tear and puncture. It is extremely lightweight that you won't even realize that you have it on you. This means that you can comfortably wear it throughout the day without getting tired.

The fact that you can inflate it automatically or manually is essential, especially in emergencies. It doesn't matter whether it's deflated when you fall into the water; it will automatically inflate to ensure that you remain safe. Well, this jacket is designed with a carbon dioxide cylinder to help inflate automatically if it's submerged in 4 or more inches of water. As such, you'll always remain safe even if you suddenly fall into the water. This, therefore, makes it a great option if you're not good at swimming.

If you want to inflate it manually, you just have to pull a T-chord attachment at the right bottom of the life jacket and it will inflate. This makes it an excellent option if you love inflating the life jacket manually. And even if you find yourself in a situation where you're unconscious, this life jacket will keep your face and head on top of the water.

This life jacket is also designed so that you can easily wear it on top of your shirt or t-shirt and still feel good. Whether you're sailing during summer or winter, it's designed to serve you perfectly throughout the year. In terms of safety, this is another USCG-approved life jacket on this list. So in addition to sailing, you can effectively use it in a variety of water sports.

• ‍ It has a very comfortable neckline
• It's made from durable material
• It is lightweight thanks to its slender design
• It's a USCG-approved life jacket
• It has both auto and manual inflation
• ‍ It doesn't work perfectly if the water is cool

Stohlquist Edge

A brilliant addition to the great Stohlquist family, the Edge is an incredible life jacket that guarantees your freedom of movement and safety. It's designed with an ergonomic WRAPTURE shaped torso to give you the utmost comfort. With its adjustable padded, four side pulls, and front waist buckle, this life jacket can easily fit any type of body. The vest's shoulders have adjustable straps to help you adjust the vest according to your fit.

It's also designed with ultra-soft buoyancy foam that will ensure that you stay afloat no matter what happens. The low-cut offset zipper makes wearing this life jacket a lot easier and can also act as an additional front pocket for storing your essentials. We have to note that the pocket is not waterproof, so it's important to use a waterproof zip lock to ensure that your gadgets and other essentials are protected against water.

The Edge has mesh at the sides for maximum ventilation. This means that excessive heat will be easily eliminated while allowing cool air to make you fresh throughout your sailing adventures. That's not all; this life jacket is designed with 3M reflective that makes it highly visible in low light conditions.

This vest is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, Transport Canada, and has both the ULC and UL listings. This means that it can be worn throughout North America.

• ‍ It has adjustable straps
• It has 3M reflective strips
• It is USCG-approved
• It's very comfortable
• ‍ The pockets are not completely waterproof
• It's bulky
• It may not be perfect for women

Mustang Survival Corp HIT Sailing Life Jacket

An award-winning deluxe life jacket, Mustang Survival Corp is designed with HIT (Hydrostatic Inflator Technology) to enhance your safety while minimizing maintenance. This life jacket can automatically inflate if it's submerged in 4 or more inches of water. This means that it will not inflate at the wrong time, say when it's raining or when it's accidentally sprayed with water.

When inflated, it provides 35lbs of buoyancy, which is more than twice the rate of buoyancy provided by most standard life jackets. It also comes with solas reflective tape, a safety whistle, and a strobe light attachment to ensure that your safety is a priority. This life jacket is designed with a fully adjustable harness to ensure that it perfectly fits on you no matter your body size.

This life jacket has two d-rings that can be essential in tethering the jacket to the jack line so that it doesn't restrict your movement and range of motion. Thanks to its low profile feature, this life jacket will enhance your mobility and allow your hands to move freely without restrictions. It is highly visible thanks to its bright and fluorescent yellow and green hues to make it excellent even low light conditions.

Mustang Survival Corp HIT is a USCG Type II life jacket that will enable you to indulge in various water sports. This life jacket is known for its superb customer service, award-winning HIT, and is excellent even in the severest of weather conditions.

• ‍ It has a superb Hydrostatic Inflator Technology (HIT)
• It has a SecureZIP Closure
• It offers great buoyancy
• ‍ It's only available in the United States

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Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

We Tested 20 of the Best Lifejackets for Boating and Sailing

• June 12, 2024

I took a group of 9 maritime professionals, sailors and sea survival experts and tested 20 of the best lifejackets on the market to find out what they're really like to use both in and out of the water.

With over 3.5 million people in the US alone participating in sailing each year, that’s a lot of opportunity for all kinds of unintended swimming, or unplanned early dismounting from our boats.

One of the most important things any sailor or boater can own is a life jacket.

All of the best lifejackets for boaters conform to a set of minimum ISO standards and are USCG approved, but how do you know which one is actually the best for your personal use and body type? Well, I and a few of my professional sailing colleagues went ahead and threw ourselves into a sea survival day of lifejacket testing. Not all lifejackets are the same, just as not all body shapes are the same.

How to choose the best lifejacket?

From their basic ISO rated start point, all lifejackets take on their own characteristics and design elements. The positioning of the CO2 inflation bottle, the shape of the bladder, the position of the crotch strap and the way it is attached, the location of the whistle, the position of the oral inflation tube and the location of the lifting strop. Some of our lifejackets on test also have sprayhoods and water activated strobe lights.

I comprehensively put these lifejackets through sea survival drills and shoreside scrutiny. To learn more about what the team tested and how we did it, go to the bottom of this buyers guide to see our crew doing their thing.

Each lifejacket has its own review page. If you want a more in-depth review, simply click through to read more.

A note from the Tech Editor: Fox Morgan The best lifejacket is the one you wear. (especially if it allows for onboard snacks)  Editors choices : At a glance  

Baltic Athena Auto Inflatable Lifejacket – Best women’s specific lifejacket  – Buy Now

Seago Seaguard 165N – Best budget friendly lifejacket – Buy Now

Crewsaver Crewfit+ 180N pro – Best premium costal lifejacket– Buy Now

Spinlock 6D Deckveset – Best offshore lifejacket

Offshore Lifejackets 190N

The best lifejackets for boaters and sailors, spinlock deckvest 6d, highly commended best all round.

Specifications: Buoyancy: 170N or 275N, Colour: Black, pacific blue, tropic white, citrus yellow, black with HRS, pacific blue with HRS, tropic white with HRS and citrus yellow with HRS,  Features:170N autoinflation, harness release system, crotch strap, sprayhood, lumeon bladder illumination, automatic strobe light,  adjustable body height

Reasons to Buy: Its form-fitting sculpted design and bright colour of casing make this a stylish lifejacket. It has excellent elevated lighting and reflective visibility, good snug fit holding the user high in the water and good sprayhood. The harness release system is another good feature.

Reasons to Avoid: The bladder is a darker orange and may not be as visible as some of the brighter bladders available. The extra sculpting can make the lifejacket feel a bit stiff to wear and makes it heavy.

Verdict: This is an outstanding lifejacket with great performance across the score board. The standout features are the lighting, both elevated and lumeon, lighting the entire bladder. The essentials are labels and easy to find and this feels like a lifejacket that has really been designed with the user in mind. Every query has been answered. If we were challenged to find a way to improve this, we’re really not sure how we would.

Read the full Spinlock Deckvest 6D review

Mustang Atlas 190 lifejacket

Raises the bar in bladder design.

Specifications: Buoyancy: 180N, Colour: Black, Red/Black,Weight 1.2kg,  Features: Pro Sensor auto inflation, crotch strap, pram style sprayhood, automatic strobe light, smart bladder design

Reasons to Buy: Very comfortable, innovative bladder design, high freeboard, understated casing design

Reasons to Avoid: Conservative outer styling might not appeal to those who like to make a statement.

From the outside the casing looks pretty standard and dare I say it a bit bland. It doesn’t shout look at me, which I suspect will have as many nods of approval as there will be shrugs of where’s the pizzazz?

It has a smooth contoured shape to fit the body and once it’s on you can easily forget you’re wearing it. The back section is cut low and doesn’t impede on a collar or the back of your neck.

The weight is also distributed nicely across the whole body so there’s no hot spots. I tried this on over the top of a T-shirt and then later with a lightweight foul weather jacket and both options were comfortable.  The quick adjust side buckles are a familiar premium feature and the tail end excess is dealt with neatly with velcro loops.

Where the lifejacket really shines though is when it is deployed as an inflated bladder. The shape is really unlike all other lifejackets currently available. The bladder at the front is more pointed or conical, with additional wave baffles built into it. This acts doubly to make waves pass around you and those that hit directly are baffled by the webs. There’s an additional little “pillow” to raise your head further still and this gives a feeling of really being raised out of the water.

The sprayhood has a pram-style arch support which keeps it from collapsing on your head and keeps the plastic away from your face. It also makes it very easy to deploy and pull forward.  Two loops pull down and go over each bladder end.

They’ve thought about emergency beacon positioning too, though these were still being certified for use at the time of testing. There’s a dedicated area for a personal locator beacon or personal AIS beacon to attach to on the right-hand lower bladder section which is unencumbered by the sprayhood.

In the water I was able to scull backwards and maneuver really easily as there was plenty of room for arm articulation. I strongly believe that all other lifejacket manufacturers are going to have to up their game in terms of bladder design. The Mustang Atlas 190 DLX has set the bar very high indeed.

Buy it now from YouBoat

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Where indicated, items have been tested independently of manufacturers influence.

Baltic Force 

Specifications:  •  Size: Adult, Colour: Black, Features:Integrated safety harness with twin loops for attaching the safety line and detachable crutch strap.

Reasons to Buy:  The larger/longer bladder provides higher buoyancy and the smart outer casing looks stylish. It also comes in a range of specification levels to suit individual needs.

Reasons to Avoid: This test model version comes without a sprayhood or light which would be essential for any offshore or coastal use after dark. Make sure you opt for the higher spec model.

Verdict: This is without doubt a highly capable lifejacket. It fits well both shoreside and in the water. The extra buoyancy is noticeable in the longer bladder. We were unable to test the fully fledged offshore equipped lifejacket and if this lifejacket suits you, then make sure you opt for that extra specification.

Read the full Baltic Force review

Buy Baltic Force from tradeinn.com

Toni wearing Seago 3Dynamic 190N lifejacket

Seago 3Dynamic

Score 62/100

Specifications: Chest size: 55 to 140cm, Buoyancy: 300N, Colour: Carbon/black, Features: Double crutch strap, pro sensor firing head, neoprene collar,  harness included

Reasons to Buy:  This lifejacket looks smart and generally well sculpted to form fit. The bladder has a crossover design to stop waves funneling into your face.

Reasons to Avoid:  It is really difficult to re-pack after inflation/re-arming. It also has a poorly designed sprayhood, the light us poorly positioned and might be a bit snug on larger people.

Verdict: The Seago 3Dynamic looks to offer so much on paper but in practice we found it had one too many compromises for our tastes. It is comfortable, but repacking is a real faff. the buckle was fiddly and the sprayhood was subpar. A little more thought into the layout and practicalities of this lifejacket could turn it around though to be a solid contender.

Read the full Seago 3Dynamic review

Buy Seago 3Dynamic from eBay

worn by Anna

TeamO Backtow

Highest scoring on test.

Reasons to Buy:  This lifejacket has a smart sculpted design, excellent sprayhood and innovative design with backtow harness.

Reasons to Avoid:  If you deploy the backtow, you’re going to need to know how to put that back together or take it to a service centre.

Verdict: A truly excellent lifejacket with innovation at its heart and the user practicality forefront.  The complexity of the backtow element means that rearming it in a hurry, unless you’re a dab hand already and have practiced shoreside, might leave you reaching for the spare lifejacket and sending this one off for someone else to do it for you.

Read the full TeamO Backtow review

Buy TeamO Backtow from promarinestore.co.uk

Ocean Safety Sport Pro 170 ADV

Score 78/100

Specifications: Colour: Carbon / Sky, Features:  Pro sensor with indicator window,  spray hood, s torage pocket

Reasons to Buy: smart stylish design from a reputable brand, neat built in stowage pocket suitable for a PLB

Reasons to Avoid: small sprayhood feels claustrophobic and too tight around the head, the trigger toggle should have better stowage to avoid accidental trigger or to avoid unsafe tucking away by users.

Verdict: This is a comfortable, sturdy, good quality and relatively well specified lifejacket at a good price. It has some great features and comes as standard with the basic equipment for going out of sight of land at night. The crossover bladder is a good design to stop waves funneling into the face, but we would advise to upgrade the sprayhood and light position to have a better in-water performance should you ever need it.

Read the full Ocean Safety Sport Pro review

Buy Ocean Safety Sport Pro 170N ADV from marinestore.com

Spinlock Vito 170N Hammar

Specifications: Buoyancy: 170N, Features: Pylon Lifejacket Light™, Lume-On™, Toggle attachment point for optional Chest Pack (DW-PCC)

Reasons to Buy: One of the best sprayhoods we’ve tested, low profile lifejacket casing, Hammar trigger means you can use this in wild sailing conditions without accidental triggering.

Reasons to Avoid: Hammar trigger means re-arming this is a faff. Quite rigid construction, might not fit smaller people as adjustment will go as small as a size 8 European female.

Verdict: This is used by a variety of professional teams, including Volvo ocean racers. The Hammar trigger mechanism is a matter for you to decide if it’s right for you. They do sell the Vito with the pro sensor trigger too. The over the head donning is a love it or loathe it style and whilst it can feel very secure and the harness loop is excellent, passing this over your head, large collar and other foulies in a rush can feel a bit claustrophobic. The back is low cut though and the sprayhood is stowed in a back panel keeping the bulk away from the collar area. It is an excellent lifejacket and has scored highly in our early test scores. The full test review is coming soon,

Buy Spinlock Vito 170N Hammar from thewetworks.co.uk

Ocean Lifejackets 270N +

Spinlock deckvest 6d 275n.

Specifications: Buoyancy: 170N,  Features:  Pro sensor automatic inflation, spinlock harness release system, structured spray hood

Reasons to Buy:  It has a larger capacity bladder for superior righting and buoyancy. It can have HRS facility and is compatibility with other spinlock products.

Reasons to Avoid:  It feels noticeably larger/bulkier than a 190N. It might impede access to liferaft if you are a smaller person.

Verdict:  Our pool tester Phil noted how much confidence this lifejacket inspired in the water. The bladder is significantly larger and provides a much greater buoyancy and visibility. It is large though, so we don’t recommend this for day to day sailing. The weight of the lifejacket comes in at 1529grams, which is 200g more than the standard 170N deckvest. This might not seem a great deal but over the course of a day, wearing this might be quite fatiguing. Of course, if you are wearing a large immersion suit or other bulky clothes or dry suit for use in deep ocean conditions, you will be very glad of the extra this lifejacket offers.

 Buy Spinlock Deckvest 6D 275N from piratescave.co.uk

Coastal Lifejackets 150-180N

fitting and adjusting with Anna

Baltic Athena Auto Inflatable Lifejacket

Best women’s specific lifejacket.

Specifications: Size: Adult (one size), Colour: White or black, Inflate: Auto inflatable, 165n

Reasons to Buy: This lifejacket is cut for women and fits really well over foul weather clothes and light weight layers. It is comfortable and easy to move around in. It is easy to fasten in all conditions. It is easy to repack and easy to check the firing mechanism.

Reasons to Avoid: The bladder might be a bit tight around the neck when inflated wearing a large foul weather jacket collar and this can be uncomfortable.

Verdict: This is an excellent choice of lifejacket for women who do a host of boating activities. High praise from all who tried this lifejacket in the dry.

Read the full Baltic Athena review

Buy Baltic Athena Auto Inflatable Lifejacket from tradeinn.com

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Spinlock Deckvest Lite

Best coastal on test for everyday wear and general purpose water activity.

Specifications: Size: Adult (one size), Buoyancy: 170N, Material: Nylon, Colour: Black Graphite, Pacific Blue, Flow Green, New Bleach White, New Seagrass Green and New Mercury Red

Reasons to Buy: This is a smart looking lifejacket with a slimline feel. There are very few details to get caught or snag. The best feature are that it’s really easy to repack, fits smaller adult body types and has a high visibility bladder.

Reasons to Avoid: This might feel a little restrictive on some people with the over-the-head method of donning. It might not suit larger bodies.

Verdict: This no frills but stylish lifejacket performs well both off and on the water. It is great for everyday wear and is unobtrusive and easy to forget you’re wearing it.

Read the full Spinlock Deckvest review

Seago Seaguard 165N

Score 69/100

best budget lifejacket

Specifications: Size: Adult (one size), Buoyancy: 165N, Material: Nylon, Colour:  Navy/grey,

Reasons to Buy: Excellent value for money. The cross over bladder design works well. There’s room in the casing to add a sprayhood and light. It also comes in a version with a harness loop.

Reasons to Avoid: There are a few little snaggy areas where the straps or toggles could be tucked away better.

Verdict: We were very pleased with the performance of this lifejacket. Some would argue that it doesn’t look super stylish, but it doesn’t offend either. Where it excels is as a lifejacket in the water, and that’s where it really counts.

Read the full Seago Seaguard review

Buy Seago Seaguard from Pirates Cave

checking adjustment

Crewsaver Crewfit+ 180N pro

“best premium coastal lifejacket”.

Specifications:  Size: Adult (one size), Buoyancy: 180N,  Colour:  Black,   Features: Soft loop D-ring for attaching harness

Reasons to Buy:  It’s a smart black lifejacket that will blend in with any outfit. If you’re all about minimal, understated style this is the lifejacket for you. Along with being fitted with sprayhood and light as standard, it also has a well designed wide bladder. It is very comfortable when worn day to day. Plus, it’s easy to adjust.

Reasons to Avoid:  At the end of the day unpacking and repacking will take a longer as the rearming the firing mechanism is really fiddly. If you fly regularly with this lifejacket, the CO2 bottle seal will be an annoyance.

Verdict: This is an excellent lifejacket, leading the way with coastal lifejackets that will take you offshore and into the night with its well positioned strobe light and nicely designed sprayhood. The thoughtful design is apparent throughout, but perhaps was taken one step too far with the CO2 bottle anti-unscrew seal feature making it a poor choice for frequent flyers but an excellent choice for people who worry about their CO2 bottles coming unscrewed.

Read the full Crewsaver Crewfit+ review

Buy Crewsaver Crewfit+ 180N Pro from Marinestore

TeamO Micro lifejacket adjustment

TeamO Micro

Specifications: Size: Adult (one size), Buoyancy: 170N, Colour: Black/Orange, Black/Yellow and Blue/Yellow,  Features: U ltra light weight (approximately 900g),  a djustable waist belt and 170 Newtons of Buoyancy

Reasons to Buy: Super skinny lightweight lifejacket, one of the lightest on test at 860grams.

Reasons to Avoid: A bit of a pig to repack. Very basic with no room for add-ons such as a light or sprayhood

Verdict: The target market for the stylish TeamO Micro is likely to be for those who use RIBs, go day boating and motorboating and for other inshore sheltered water activities. If you want a lifejacket with the smallest footprint, then this may well fit the bill. If you are looking for a lifejacket that you can add to later with additional safety gear, then you might look elsewhere.

Read the full TeamO Micro review

Buy TeamO Micro Ultra Light from sheridanmarine.com

lifejacket worn by Alex

Ocean Safety Sport 170 ADV

Specifications: Colour: Navy, red and carbon,  Buoyancy: 170N,  Features:  Single crotch strap, side adjustment for bespoke fit and soft loop harness point for safety harness (harness version only)

Reasons to Buy:  One of the reasons to buy this option is that it’s a smart looking lifejacket. It’s also a ocean safety brand is well established and trusted with service centres readily available everywhere. Plus, it has a crossover bladder design.

Reasons to Avoid:  As per a previous test conducted on this lifejacket, it has suboptimal positioning of the CO2 canister on the curve of the bladder which causes it to rotate on inflation and jab into the chest or ribs of the wearer.

Verdict: Whilst there’s no doubt this is a good quality ISO rated lifejacket, it is smart and fits well, adjusts well and functions well in all aspects, however there’s no escaping its shortcomings in respect to the bottle position and the underwhelmingly small sprayhood.

Read the full Ocean Safety Sport review

Buy Ocean Safety Sport ADV from Ocean Safety (UK)

James wearing the lifejacket

Helly Hansen Sail Safe

Score 56/100

Specifications: Size: STD, Colour: Navy and alert red, Fiber content: 100% Polyamide, Features:  UML Water activated automatic inflation sensor

Reasons to Buy:  This option is lightweight and easy to stow. It has a no frills design, neat stowage for the crotch strap on the back of the life jacket straps.

Reasons to Avoid:  The performance was adequate in all areas but didn’t excel in any particular area.

Verdict: The Helly Hansen Sail Safe lifejacket is a lightweight coastal lifejacket with the ubiquitous HH branding. You get good performance all over but for the (relatively high) price it does feel that you are paying for a name and higher specified lifejackets are available at a lower price.

Read the full Helly Hansen Sailsafe review

Buy Helly Hansen SailSafe from hellyhansen.com

Toby wearing lifejacket

Waveline lifejacket

Score 61/100

Specifications:  Size: Suitable for weights above 40kg, Buoyancy: 165N, Material: 600D polyester outer shell and coarse polyester webbing, Features:Velcro closure cover and lifting loop

Reasons to Buy: This is the lightest on test and weighs just 800g fully armed. The flat profile is comfortable to wear. The velcro closure makes this life jacket really easy to check the arming mechanism and really easy to re-pack. It’s also very good value for money.

Reasons to Avoid:  If style is something you want to consider, this is probably not the option for you. There’s also nowhere to stow excess webbing after adjustment.

Verdict: The Waveline 165N auto lifejacket is an excellent budget option that works well in the water when inflated and is a no frills option for getting out on the water boating safely. A lightweight and simple lifejacket that is tried and tested the world over.

Read the full Waveline review

Buy Waveline 165N from eBay

Our previously tested lifejackets from 2017 Group test

Baltic 150 Race SL lifejacket

Read the full review for the baltic race sl lifejacket.

Specifications:   Size: ‎50-110 Kg,  Features: Anti tangle back, padded shoulders, integrated safety harness, etro-reflective patches, whistle and detachable crutch strap

Reasons to Buy:  It has good padding and a metal harness tether loop.

Reasons to Avoid:  The lifejacket’s smaller buoyancy meant a slower roll over time.

Verdict: The padding was comfortable, although the inflation tube and light assembly inside the lifejacket sat over the collar bone, which could create a pressure point over time. Unlike the longer bladder of the other Baltic lifejackets, this had a shorter, higher bladder with more rounded lobes. The standard Baltic hood had a good support arch, but the elastic straps tended to slip off the bladder. It also let spray in.

Buy it now on Amazon

Crewsaver Ergofit+ 190N lifejacket

Read the full review of crewsaver ergofit 190.

Specifications: Buoyancy: ‎190N,  Features: Three-layer cover, inflatable chin support, stainless steel buckle, AIS and MOB Lifesavers compatible

Reasons to Buy: Impressive buoyancy and has an excellent sprayhood.

Reasons to Avoid:  It’s a little rigid and bulky.

Verdict: If performance in the water is the most important aspect of a lifejacket, the Ergofit+ 190N was streets ahead of the other lifejackets tested. It was one of the fastest to inflate, but more importantly it was a good second or two ahead on the rotation test. It was very difficult for the tester to get onto their front to begin the test at all, and they spun over in close to one second. The Crewsaver Ergofit+ 190N also produced the best freeboard figures with up to 4cm more than some of the other lifejackets.

Buy it now on eBay (marinesuperstore)

Buy it now from Gael Force Marine

Helly Hansen Sailsafe Race 170 Auto lifejacket

Read the full review of the helly hansen sailsafe race.

Specifications: Buoyancy: ‎170N,  Features:  Hammar Hydrostatic pressure automatic inflation sensor, SOLAS approved Reflective elements, 5000N reinforced grab loop

Reasons to Buy:  The hammar has an auto activation function and is fast to inflate.

Reasons to Avoid:  The thigh straps might not be for everyone and its buckles slip too easily.

Verdict: Hammar inflation and an inspection window make checking and maintaining the lifejacket simple. It sits flat against the body but includes space to add in an MOB beacon or PLB. The thigh straps are slightly more complex to fit, they need to be snug so they don’t slip down and limit movement. The lifejacket was the fastest to inflate on test (2017) The hood is well-made with a supporting arch and good ventilation at the sides and front, and well-located reflective strips.

Buy it now on Hellyhansen.com

The back length is adjustable, one of only two lifejackets to offer this

Plastimo SL 180 lifejacket

Read the full review of the plastimo sl 170.

Specifications: Buoyancy: ‎180N,  Features: Double thigh support, retro-reflective tape, quick-closing zip

Reasons to Buy:  The adjustable back, good maneuverability in the water and storage for MOB built-in make this a good lifejacket for your yacht.

Reasons to Avoid:  It has a slightly disconcerting soft feel when inflated compared to other conventionally constructed lifejackets.

Verdict: With adjustable back length, (one of only a couple of lifejackets to offer this) and inspection windowvia dedicated zip opening and a separate stowage place for a personal beacon, this is a versatile lifejacket.

This jacket is designed to remain soft and flexible once inflated. We found this disconcerting initially as it felt like it had not fully inflated. The sewn-in sprayhood was easy to find with a string to pull forwards. The oral inflation tube was less simple to use.

Buy it now on tradeinn.com

Lifejackets group test – what we scored our lifejackets on

Adjust speed ease difficulty

Our testers checked how easy and quickly our lifejackets were able to change from full foulies, then down to a t-shirt then back again. The double adjuster was a popular method and was scored highly by our testers.

Fastening buckle ease with gloves

The ease with which we can fasten and unfasten the various buckles, including with gloves or cold hands. Seabelt style buckles were generally scored very highly.

Comfort men women body size

Front cross-over design

The cut and design of lifejackets varies a lot. From high cut waistcoat styles that suited the men or wider shouldered and taller people and the longer in the body cut lifejackets tended to suit a slimmer person with a waist for the lifejacket to cinch into.

Practicality . bulk snagging

Waistband stowage

Some lifejackets have been well thought through. What do we do with the long surplus piece of webbing? what about all the flappy strappy bits? Are they neatly stowed? Lifejackets that had better stowage of surplus dangly bits were scored highly.

Manual inflated view and fitment

We tried all of the lifejackets shoreside, manually inflated and looked for the essential gear, whether it fell readily to hand and how the lifejacket fitted around the body in its fully inflated lifejaclet mode. A couple of the lifejackets had top up tubes that were a bit of a stretch to reach and some were difficult to locate the whistle or lifting strop.

Ease of checking and repacking

Repacking the lifejacket

Some of our lifejackets just slipped back into their casing without a fuss, others didn’t want to go back in without a bit of a wrestle. The velcro closure lifejackets are the easiest and the tightly packed ones with all the bells and whistles required a little more consideration to careful tucking and folding. Most had easy access to check the arming mechanism within a few brief seconds.

Phil during the pool test with sprayhood deployed

Where a lifejacket was fitted with a sprayhood we scored it. Some sprayhood were considerably better designed than others. Of the coastal lifejackets on test the Crewsaver was outstanding.

Personal Beacon stowage

The offshore lifejackets should reasonably be expected to have adequate stowage provision for a personal locator beacon or AIS.  Some were much better equipped than others. The Ocean Safety Sport Pro ADV has a pocket built in, the Spinlock Deckvest 6D has an optional side pouch which is excellent.

In water testing

Plunge test

We tested every lifejacket in the pool and ran each one through basic personal sea survival drills, from manual inflation, auto inflation, swimming, rafting and climbing into a liferaft, we looked at the performance of all our best lifejackets for boaters in general use.

It is clear to see that all lifejackets are not made equal. Certainly not in how they feel from person to person.

Whilst all of our lifejackets on test performed well according to basic safety standards, they all have elements that could be tweeked and adjusted to be better functioning or designed and all of them have their unique selling points.

A final note from the Tech Editor : Fox Morgan My personal favourite lifejacket is the old Kru Sport, as it fits me so well. They no longer make this waistcoat style model, but the sprayhood and equipment storage capacity on this one is excellent. My AIS beacon fits on a webbing belt on the bladder. I familiarise myself with my lifejacket manually inflated once or twice a year or before every big offshore race. I inspect it on a regular basis and check the arming mechanism before every outing. Once you have chosen the best lifejacket that suits your needs, make sure you get to know it well. Not just in it’s rolled away form, but as a lifejacket, inflated. Know where your essential safety kit is stowed. Where is the whistle and lifting strop? Put your lifejacket on and feel around for them. Store this in your memory. The least sensible time to be doing this for the first time is when you actually need them.

Our lifejacket testing team were:

Alex :  Professional Skipper of traditional sailing vessels (Charlestown Harbour)

Paula : Chief at Charlestown Harbour

Toni : Ex RNLI lifeaboatman, Ex Brixham fisherman, Professional skipper and owner of traditional sailing and fishing vessels

Phil : Ex Lifeboatman, Ex Brixham fisherman, Ex Navy Chief Engineer, Principle sea survival skills training officer, Professional Skipper and University HE lecturer.

Anna :  Clipper Sailing Crew and experienced offshore sailor/racer

James : Retired GP and experienced offshore sailor/racer

Mike : Outward bound sailing instructor, poolside safety and drills at Western Maritime Training

Toby : Experienced sailor and dinghy racer, Senior writer at Future Marine Group

Fox : Professional sailing skipper, experienced offshore sailor/racer, Senior HE University lecturer, Tech Ed at Future Marine Group

Our lifejacket testing was held over several days.

Our dry testing day was hosted by Charlestown Harbour.

We tested all of our lifejackets for the ease of adjustment from wearing it over bulky clothes to t-shirts and then back to bulky clothes.

We looked at how easy or difficult our lifejackets were to fasten and unfasten and then try that again with cold hands or with gloves on.

We looked at the fitment of crotch straps and for any loose or dangling straps or toggles that might get snagged by accident when worn in a marine environment.

We manually inflated all of our lifejackets and assessed their onboard equipment and location. Some lifejackets have the minimum or lifting strop, whistle and top up tube, others have spray hoods fitted and lights. We assessed how easy those items were to find and use when wearing the lifejacket inflated.

Where suitable, we looked at where a personal locator beacon or personal ais beacon would fit on or within the lifejacket casing or bladder.

We packed away our lifejackets and assessed how easy or difficult they were to stow back into their casings. While we were doing this, we also looked at how easy it would be to rearm a lifejacket if it had been triggered.

Our Pool testing day was held in Plymouth Life Centre Diving Pool and organised by Western Maritime Training.

In the pool we had a liferaft set in place for us to run through standard sea survival drills and practice. Western Maritime Training kindly set the pool up for us as per standard STCW personal survival techniques training days .

We highly recommend that anyone who spends time heading out of sight of land for leisure or pleasure should consider doing this course.

While we were in the pool area, we assessed the manual trigger mechanism and auto inflate mechanism of lifejackets. How hard is it to pull the trigger to activate the gas canister or when auto inflating, did the lifejacket turn us over quickly?

We assessed the comfort of the lifejacket when inflated and how easy or difficult they are to readjust whilst in the water. such as tightening crotch straps or cinching in waistbands.

Where lifejackets were fitted with a sprayhood, we looked at how easy it was to locate and pull over the bladder, checking its effectiveness/practicality.

We formed a human safety circle and assessed what practical grab holds our lifejackets had, then we climbed into a liferaft, also checking for practical use and ability to physically handle a person giving them assistance to enter the liferaft.

After testing

We hung up our inflated lifejackets to dry and confirmed that all remained fully inflated for well over 48hours. In fact all of our test lifejackets remained inflated for two weeks, by which time only one of them had slightly started to soften.

What’s the scores?

Each lifejacket was independently scored by members of the testing team.

We took those scores and averaged them for each criteria.

We added up the individual element scores and converted this to a percentage rating.

Throughout the process all notes were taken from our testers and those comments can be seen in each review and within our buyers guide.

Note: all of our lifejackets tested conform to either  ISO 12402-3 (coastal/non harness) or iSO 12401 (harness versions), and this means that they all meet the basic safety standards you would expect from a lifejacket.

In order to conduct unbiased testing, our test team were given full freedom to test and evaluate the lifejackets presented to them on the tests days. their opinions are made in a professional capacity and skippers and end users of the products and are a result of direct hands on experience. this does not override any official safety rating or certification. legal disclaimer is available here.

8 Best Sailing Lifejackets Which Are Comfortable & Flexible

Here at Cruising Freedom, we’re huge advocates of safety at sea. It’s for that reason we recommend seriously dependable safety equipment.

In this list, we’re going to look at the best sailing lifejackets for coastal and offshore cruising. Whether you sail a yacht, catamaran or even a trailer sailor, this list will help you choose the right life vest for your sailing conditions.

For those short on time and simply want an easy answer, then…

We highly recommend the ➜ Mustang Survival C orp HIT Inflata ble Life Jacket 👍

(It’s #2 on our list but is much more budget-friendly!)

Likewise, you can hang around on this page as we’ve covered various different life jackets ideal for cruising, sailing, racing and crossing oceans.

Let’s begin.

1. Spinlock Deckvest 6D 170N Inflatable PFD

Talk to anyone in the sailing community and they’ll often recommend the Spinlock brand for blue water cruising. Fun fact: We have spotted Spinlock life jackets on some of the most popular YouTubers we’ve covered on Cruising Freedom.

The 6D is their latest model which recently replaced the 5D model. It doesn’t come cheap but what price can you put on real and reliable safety? It’s comfortable, flexible and will last for years to come. This is the best overall, though not the best for your wallet, which is why #2 should be considered for budget cruisers who need to buy more than a couple of life vests.

2. Mustang Survival C orp HIT Inflata ble Life Jacket

The 2nd life jacket for cruisers on this list is the Mustang Survival Corp HIT which has also been highly praised in the sailing community. They’re red in color as opposed to black making them more visible in the unfortunate event you have a Man Over Board incident on a passage crossing.

Again, it isn’t cheap but certainly nowhere near the price of the 6D Spinlock above. You’ll be able to buy two HIT hydrostatic inflatable lifejackets for the price of one Spinlock. If you’re a budget cruiser, this would be my pick.

3. NRS OSO Lifejacket

A mistake I often see when people seek out a new lifejacket for their yacht is thinking that they would only use it for sailing. Let’s not forget that lifejackets are often used in the dinghy as well, plus canoeing and even on a SUP in rough conditions.

That’s why the NRS OSO makes a good all-rounder. Sure – it’s not a true sailing jacket, and I’m not pretending that it is…but it sure does make up for it with the savings. There are numerous zippers for stowing your stuff such as sailing gloves and its design keeps you warm on those cold night crossings.

4. Stohlquist Edge PFD For Sailors

Stohlquist has created quite a name for themselves in the PFD industry at large and recently ventured into sailing life jackets. What they offer are similar to the NRS mentioned above but more-so orientated for casual wearing. After all, most cruisers aren’t using their lifejackets as much these days especially if they have a protected cockpit.

The ‘Edge’ model gets my pick. It’s seriously affordable and comes in a range of colors. Kids also like their designs as you they move around much more easily. That’s especially useful in tropic conditions such as the British Virgin Islands.

5. Astral V-Eight Sailing Life Jacket

Another recreation option is the Astral V-Eight which is ideal for those who rarely put on their life jacket. You might have a protected helm area or simply choose to use direct tethers. If so – throw on the Astral V-Eight when you’re going up on deck for 5 minutes.

They’re snug-fitting yet breathe surprisingly quite well. The straps can dig a little into the shoulders but this isn’t a model you’d be expecting to wear all day and night on a multi-week crossing. Just think how many extra gallons of diesel you can fuel the tank with given the savings you’ll make with this model!

6. Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Sailing Life Jacket

For the performance-orientated cruisers (Outremer and Gunboat…anyone?) then the two lifejackets above wouldn’t really be as useful. Instead, I’d aim for something tighter so the shoulder straps won’t get in the way.

The Onyx MoveVent is a good choice for moving around on the cockpit or when you need to put a reef in the main. It’s not inflatable but you’ll avoid the risk of accident inflation when actively moving around. The only thing missing is a reliable D-ring for a tether!

7. Stearns Sospenders Manual Inflatable Life Jacket

Lucky #7. Is this a coincidence? Or perhaps I’ve left the best until last. Likely it’s the later.

Stearns have one of the slimest life jackets around. Many customers have reported that they don’t even feel like it’s there! Great for night watches especially as there is a D-ring so you can stay tethered to your boat in rough seas.

8. Onyx A/M-24 Deluxe Auto/Manual Inflatable PFD

Many cruisers are sailing around the world on a true shoestring budget. For sheer value for money, it’s really hard to go past this model. It’s light, comfortable and seriously affordable too!

Now, its quality isn’t the best and I wouldn’t expect it to still be performing on a Pacific crossing in 5 years time but if you just need something to get you by for these next few years, then this is the life jacket that you’re looking for!

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Life Jackets

A life jacket is the most important piece of gear for anyone spending time on the water. West Coast Sailing offers a great selection of comfortable and durable life jackets and bouyancy aids that fit great for both adult and junior sailors.

Shop Sailing Life Jackets from Astral, Rooster, Stohlquist, and Zhik Best selling sailing life jackets from your favorite brands so you can make the most of your time on the water. Not sure which style is right for you? Check out our guide below.

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NRS Ion PFD

NRS Women's Siren PFD

Zhik USCG Approved PFD

Rooster USCG Approved PFD

Astral Layla Women's Life Jacket

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Zhik Junior USCG Certified PFD-0040

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Sailing life jackets and buoyancy aids.

Sailing life jackets are an essential part of your apparel kit and the one piece of gear that can truly save your life. The importance of a life vest, especially for kids, is obvious and cannot be taken lightly by anyone who gets on a small sailboat. Be safe and enjoy your time on the water with these comfortable and stylish life jackets. We carry US Coast Guard approved life jackets as well as CE approved Buoyancy Aids and Inflatable PFDs. Options available for men, women, and kids in a variety of styles, colors, and price points, so we have something for every budget.

Types of Life Jackets

US Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets These are US Coast Guard approved, Type III life jackets (sometimes called personal flotation devices or PFDs), and meet all requirements for US Sailing. Type III life jackets are the most common among small boat sailors. They have more foam buoyancy than a buoyancy aid and are designed to keep a person facing upwards in the water , even when unconscious. This is the primary safety benefit over a buoyancy aid and why a proper USCG approved life jacket is recommended for most sailors, particularly youth sailors and those who are poor swimmers.

Buoyancy Aids Popular in Europe, buoyancy aids are typically lighter and more slim fitting than USCG approved PFDs. They have less foam buoyancy than a proper life jacket and will not keep a person upright in the water if unconscious . These should only be used by experienced swimmers and in conditions where there is access to quick rescue and/or sailing in sheltered water.

Inflatable PFDs Designed for larger boat sailing, these vests automatically inflate in water. Popular among keelboat and offshore sailors. They are not recommended for dinghy sailors who may more routinely enter the water in the event of a capsize as this will trigger the inflation. They offer similar flotation properties to a standard Type III life jacket.

Pinnies & Spandex Vests Typically worn over a life jacket or buoyancy aid, these stretchy spandex tops help prevent snags. They are often decorated for team sailing. By no means a required piece of gear, they have become popular among many dinghy sailors to represent clubs and sailing teams.

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The 5 Best Sailing Life Jackets

A top sailing life jacket will fit comfortably and help keep a person safe while sailing or out boating on the water.

A life jacket is a great personal flotation device (PFD) that helps protect men, women and children when sailing.

There are a number of top sailing life jackets to choose from with each having its own strengths.

The best sailing life jackets are:

• Best Overall : Onyx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest
• Best For Men : Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket
• Best For Women : O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest
• Best For Kids : Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket
• Best For Price : Stohlquist Fit Adult Life Jacket PFD

These life jackets for sailing will ensure safety and good buoyance in the water while also fitting comfortably. There are both offshore life jackets and inshore life jackets on the list.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.

1. Onyx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest

The best overall sailing life jacket is the Unisex MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest manufactured by the brand Oynx in Minnesota, America and sold worldwide.

Most retailers price the Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest between $60 and $90. This life jacket comes with a 1-year warranty to protect against manufacturer defects and errors in workmanship which is a great comfort for first-time buyers.

The Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest is U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada approved and comes with a USCG/TC label inside the life vest so buyers know it provides great safety in the water.

It is a Type III PFD which means it is an approved device designed to have more than 15.5 pounds of buoyancy.

The Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest is constructed of 200 denier nylon outer shell, shoulder adjustments with neoprene comfort pads, adjustable side straps, mesh material on the front and the back, a non-corrosive heavy-duty front zipper and soft, lightweight floating foam to help with buoyance.

This Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest's adjustable side belts and shoulder straps help adults to conveniently alter the size of the life vest to fit their body size perfectly.

The Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest comes in 3 size options including:

• X-Small/Small : 90lbs+ adult with an adjustable chest size of 28" to 36"
• Medium/Large : 90lbs+ adult with an adjustable chest size of 36" to 44"
• X-Large/2X-Large : 90lbs+ adult with an adjustable chest size of 44" to 56"

The Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest comes in two color options which are blue and yellow.

For better and more enhanced visibility when sailing, the yellow-colored Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest is our recommended color to buy.

The benefits of the Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest are:

• It is comfortable & breathable : This life vest has great ventilation with mesh material on the front and back to help make the life jacket more breathable in warm weather and keep people cool
• It is a unisex life vest : This Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest is unisex so it can be worn by both men and women and is not restricted to one gender
• There are plenty of size options to choose from : This life vest has 3 different size options to choose from that can be adjusted to fit most adult body shapes and sizes which means there are plenty of options
• It is lightweight : The Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest weighs 1.2 pounds meaning it is lightweight and easy to wear without sacrificing flexibility or mobility
• It is cheap : This life vest is one of the cheapest top sailing life jackets on the market with a price of just $60 to $90

One disadvantage of the Oynx MoveVent Curve Paddle Sports Life Vest is it does not have any pockets so there is no place to store items when sailing.

Oynx Life Vest On Amazon →

Oynx Life Vest On Walmart →

2. Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket

The best sailing life jacket for men is the Men's Edge Life Jacket manufactured by the brand Stohlquist in Buena Vista, Colorado, America and sold worldwide.

Most retailers price the Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket between $100 and $140. This life jacket comes with a 3-year warranty to protect against manufacturer defects and errors in workmanship which is a great long time period warranty for added peace of mind. This life jacket weighs 1.7 pounds.

This life jacket is perfect to use when sailing and doing watersports.

The Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket is U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada approved and comes with a USCG/TC label inside the life vest.

The Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket sea level buoyancy ranges from 15.8 pounds buoyance to 17.8 pounds buoyance.

The Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket is constructed of lightweight PVC foam material for great buoyance, 240D mini-ripstop outer shell, 200D nylon inner liner, 3M reflective accents for the best visibility in all light conditions, mesh sides for improved ventilation in warm weather, anti corrosive zipped front pocket for storing items with a front waist buckle closure for the perfect fit, 2 adjustable shoulder pads and 4 side pulls.

The adjustable shoulder straps, adjustable side pulls and the wrapture shaped torso fits around any body type and gives a custom and unique fit.

The Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket offers exclusive sizing known as Graded Sizing. This graded sizing provides the perfect dimensions with varying amounts of flotation foam for many sized sailors to ensure the right amount of buoyance and comfort.

The Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket comes in 3 size options including:

• Small/Medium : This is an adjustable chest size of 33" to 39" with a sea level buoyance of 15.8 pounds
• Large/Extra Large : This is an adjustable chest size of 40" to 46" with a sea level buoyance of 16.8 pounds ‍
• 2XL : This is an adjustable chest size of 46" to 52" with a sea level buoyance of 17.8 pounds

These sizing options cover most adult body sizes and shapes.

The Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket comes in 4 color options which are red, black, royal blue and lime green/grey.

The benefits of the Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket are:

• It is extremely comfortable : With the ergonomic wrapture shaped torso and mesh material for ventilation, this life jacket is extremely comfortable to wear when sailing
• It comes with a storage pocket : This life jacket comes with a zipped front pocket which can be used for conveniently storing items
• Large arm openings prevent chafing and improve mobility : This sailing life jacket comes with large arm openings which helps prevent chafing and discomfort and improve mobility
• 3M reflective accents means great visibility : This sailing life jacket comes with 3M reflective accents which makes it safer and more visible in any lighting conditions
• It comes with a great 3-year warranty : This life jacket comes with a great long 3-year warranty

One disadvantage of the Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket is it is better suited and fits better on men and it is not recommended for women.

Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket On Amazon →

Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket On Walmart →

3. O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest

The best sailing life jacket for women is the SuperLite Life Vest manufactured by the brand O'Neill in Santa Cruz, California, America and sold worldwide.

Most retailers price the O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest between $50 and $90.

This life jacket comes with a 2-year warranty to protect against manufacturer defects and faults which is a great bonus for first-time buyers of this life jacket. This life jacket weighs 1 pound so it is lightweight.

The O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest is U.S. Coast Guard approved and comes with a "U.S.C.G. Approved" label inside the life vest.

The O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest comes in 4 size options including:

• Small : This is an adjustable chest size of 30" to 33"
• Medium : This is an adjustable chest size of 34" to 36"
• Large : This is an adjustable chest size of 37" to 39"
• X-Large : This is an adjustable chest size of 40" to 42"

These sizing options cover most adult female body sizes and shapes.

The O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest comes in 4 color options which are

• Black, turquoise & lime
• Black, smoke grey & black ultra violet
• Black & turquoise
• Pacific blue, navy, ultra violet & white

The O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest is constructed of a coated polyester shell, lightweight polyethylene foam, 4 heavy-duty 1.5" wide webbing belts with Delrin buckles, large armhole size, overlock stitched strong seam and quick-release quad safety buckles.

The benefits of the O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest are:

• It is comfortable : This lightweight life jacket at just 1 pound and the adjustable straps fits helps to make this life jacket to fit comfortably on most body types and the polyethylene foam is soft for added comfort too
• It's great value for money: This life jacket is one of the cheapest top sailing life jacket and buyers get a great quality life jacket for a reasonable price of $50 to $90
• Large armhole size improves mobility : This life jacket comes with large armhole sizes which helps to improve mobility while wearing it when sailing
• It has multiple color options to choose from : Sailors can choose from 4 different color options and patterns which gives plenty of choice for the female sailors

One disadvantage of the O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest is it does not have a pocket for storage.

O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest On Amazon →

O'Neill Women's SuperLite Life Vest On Walmart →

4. Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket

The best sailing life jacket for kids is the Unisex Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket manufactured by the brand Zeraty and sold worldwide.

Most retailers price the Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket between $25 and $50. This life jacket weighs 13.12 ounces so it is extremely lightweight.

The Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket is EN 13138-1: 2014 approved meaning it meets European safety standards.

The Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket comes in 3 size options including:

• Small : This is for recommended ages 1 to 3 years with a weight range of 18 pounds to 40 pounds and a size recommendation of 33.4" to 39.3"
• Medium : This is for recommended ages 4 to 6 years with a weight range of 40 pounds to 55 pounds and a size recommendation of 39.3" to 49.2"
• Large : This is for recommended ages 7 to 9 years with a weight range of 55 pounds to 77 pounds and a size recommendation of 49" to 55"

These sizing options cover most children's body sizes and shapes.

The Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket comes in 2 color options which are blue and pink so there are life jacket colors that both boys and girls will like.

The Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket is constructed of EPE polyethylene foam cotton, 5 layers of 0.6cm thick cotton, flexible 2MM neoprene, double adjustable chest nylon straps with quick-release buckles, adjustable nylon crotch strap, 50-N buoyance aid and a front zipper.

The benefits of the Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket are:

• It is a great price: This life jacket is a great price at $25 to $50 and it is not expensive and the price fits in most sailor's budget
• It's comfortable : The Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket is comfortable with an ergonomic design and adjustable straps to help ensure the perfect fit and the flexible 2MM neoprene is soft on the skin
• Large armhole size helps with mobility : There are large armhole sizes that help with mobility when sailing. The larger armholes also allow for space so kids can wear armbands too
• It is unisex : This kid's life jacket is unisex and not restricted to one gender which means both boys and girls can get one

One disadvantage of the Zeraty Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket is it does not come with a warranty.

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5. Coleman Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket

The best sailing life jacket for the price is the Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket manufactured by the brand Coleman in Minnesota, America and sold worldwide.

Most retailers price the Coleman Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket between $25 and $40. This life jacket weighs 1.4 pounds.

The Coleman Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved and comes with a "U.S.C.G. Approved" label inside the life vest.

The Coleman Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket comes in 2 size options including:

• Universal: This is for adults 90 lbs+ with a chest size of 30" to 40"
• Oversized : This is for adults 90 lbs+ with a chest size of 41" to 52"

The Coleman Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket comes in 2 color options which are blue and red.

The Coleman Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket is constructed of soft polyester nylon shell, crosstech flotation foam, two 1-inch webbed adjustable straps and 3 adjustable buckles.

The benefits of the Coleman Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket are:

• It is comfortable : The soft crosstech flotation foam and adjustable straps make this life jacket comfortable to wear
• It is cheap : This life jacket is the cheapest top sailing life jacket on the market with a price of $25 to $40 which means most sailors should be able to afford it
• It is durable : The crosstech flotation foam is extremely durable and this life jacket can last up to 5 years

One disadvantage of the Coleman Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket is it does not come with a warranty.

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Top Sailing Life Jackets Comparison Table

What To Consider When Buying A Sailing Life Jacket

The factors to consider when buying a sailing life jacket are:

Size & Comfort

The price of a life jacket for sailing is an important factor to consider when buying one. Due to a life jacket being crucial for safety while sailing, it is best to not buy cheap or poor quality life jacket. However, some great life jackets costs as little as $60 so there are great priced options for every sailor's budget.

When choosing a great life jacket for sailing, it is vey important to only choose life jackets that are safe and meet the proper safety standards.

Typically, a buyer should only buy a life jacket that is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard or Transport Canada.

Typically, a life jacket that is approved by these government bodies will have a label inside the life jacket with a mark labeled "U.S.C.G. Approved" or "T.C. Approved". Also, only purchase a life jacket from reputable retailers.

The size and comfort of the sailing life jacket is another factor to consider before buying it.

Sizing for life jackets can be different than sizing for other clothing items so make sure to read the sizing chart of the life jacket to get the perfect measurement for your specific body size.

A buyer will need to choose a life jacket that fits their own body dimensions. A properly fitted life jacket will ensure maximum efficiency when sailing. A properly fitted life jacket will also be more comfortable to wear.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Sailing Life Jackets

Below are the most commonly asked questions about the top sailing life jackets.

What Are The Top Sailing Life Jacket Brands?

The top sailing life jackets brands are:

• O' Neill's
• Helly Hansen

How Much Do Top Sailing Life Jackets Cost?

The best life jackets for sailing cost between $25 and $140.

How Much Does The Cheapest Top Sailing Life Jacket Cost?

The cheapest top sailing life jacket is the Coleman Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Jacket which costs $25.

How Much Does The Most Expensive Top Sailing Sailing Life Jacket Cost?

The most expensive top sailing life jacket is the Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket which costs approximately $100 to $140.