Best Life Jackets In 2022

Leading our buying guide is the Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Life Vest. This life jacket absolutely amazed us right from the get-go, with a list of features as long as the River Nile (…give or take). We’re so overwhelmed by this awesome product that we don’t even know where to begin!

First off, let’s talk about the incredibly attractive exterior that this life jacket has. The sleek colours of grey and blue combine together to create a surprisingly fashionable life vest, perfect for even the fussiest of outdoors enthusiasts. Team this design up with the abundance of features on offer and you have yourself a life jacket which can’t be competed with!

At the core of its design is the BioLite material that is used for its construction. Its outer shell is covered in about 1.5mm of lightweight Neoprene material. Not only is it the best fit for the environmentally conscious 21st-century user, but it’s extra comfy. Users having everything to gain and nothing to lose; O’Brien Women’s Impulse Neo Life Vest dries faster, it is light yet effective and fits like a second skin.

The last thing anyone would want is to feel constricted when out on the water. Well, this Neo styled vest has got you covered on that front. To ensure that this is a practical product, it is fitted with segmented panels as well as wide armholes which give users a free rein of movement. Additionally, it has a sturdy front zipper as well as two adjustable belts, just because one can never be too careful. For that extra splash of credibility, this vest is approved by the U.S coast guard as a type III personal floatation device. Users can rest assured that they are in good hands.

If you’re looking for a safety life jacket which has a bit more personality, then take a look at the O’Brien Men’s Biolite Traditional Life Jacket; available in five different colours. This life jacket has been constructed from specially made BioLite fabric, which dries extremely quickly, allowing your body to breathe. As well as this, if you couldn’t tell by the ‘Bio’ in the name, this fabric is far more environmentally friendly than the usual neoprene material which is used on life jackets.

Although made out of a different material, you can expect all of the same benefits from this life jacket. O’Brien have even gone out of their way to create wide armholes, so you have the ultimate amount of freedom when moving around. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best swimming earphones.

Your kid’s engagement in water activities no longer has to be a point of concern thanks to the sturdy workings of the Stohlquist Toddler Life Jacket. Its overall design features adjustable straps, an easy entry front zipper and an accompanying security buckle for that extra touch of security. You know what they say, you’re better safe than sorry. With the numerous straps and attachments, it is easy to get the idea that this life jacket could end up being constricting. But once in the water, there is no atom of restriction to their movement.

Also, the device has large armholes which guard against chaffing which is quite common with life jackets. It equally has an open back to ensure comfort while the child is seated. More on the front of safety; this floatation device is fitted with a conveniently positioned grab handle which will always be open in the water. Thus, if the need arises, a rescue will be incredibly easy.

It may look like something straight out of an episode of Baywatch, but this open-sided Stearns Youth Boating Vest is packed with features that put it in a league of its own. It is open sided to enhance mobility while in the water and breathability when out of it. The fact that it is open sided does not mean that there are no security measures put in place. It is fitted with a total of three adjustable straps which ensures that the vest stays in place.

The combination of PE floatation foam and nylon on the exterior takes this product to a whole new level. Thanks to its sturdy frame, this product can be used for a wide range of water sports and activities. Anything from a good old swim to water skiing is on the table. To crown it all up the life vest is USCG-approved as a Type III personal flotation device.

N.B It is best suited to be used by kids that weigh between 50 and 90 pounds.

There’s nothing quite as appealing as a product with an all-black exterior. Although we don’t judge books by their covers, we can’t deny that the sleek design of the O’Neill Men’s Superlite USCG Life Vest was what drew us in. This life jacket is recommended for water-skiing, tubing, and swimming in particular, as the minimal bulk design means that you can have full mobility and flexibility. Suitable for a vast array of body types, this life vest is the perfect option for water enthusiasts who want to look cool and get on with their tasks to the best of their ability. Make sure you also check our guide to the best swimming trunks.

If you’re looking for an all-purpose life jacket and don’t particularly care about the design, then we recommend taking a look at the Stearns Adult Classic Series Vest. This no-fuss jacket has three adjustable chest straps to keep you comfortable and secure all day long, and the open-sided design means that you can have as much flexibility as possible if you’re taking part in water sports. If you need a bit of extra reassurance, then you can find confidence in knowing that this life jacket has been US Coast Guard approved; it won’t let you down. This makes a good gift for swimmers in your life, even the most experienced ones.

We have another life jacket to show off from the O’Neill team, but this time, it goes by the name of the O’Neill Men’s Reactor USCG Life Vest. Now, you may be thinking that this life jacket is identical to the one we’ve previously mentioned – but wait! If you look very closely, you will be able to see that this life jacket has a dual buckle design instead; perfect for those who like a bit more mobility out on the water. If that wasn’t enough, this life jacket has been segmented from the core, and the anatomical flex points allow freedom with movement, which many other life jackets can’t offer. So, if you’re constantly on the move, this jacket may be the one for you. If you like swimming, make sure you also check our guide to the best swimming goggles.

More times than not, if you think of a life jacket, then the conventional bright orange inflatable comes to mind. Although you’re probably now realising that most life jackets don’t look like this, we do have an exception; the ONYX Adult Universal Type 2 USCG Approved Life Jacket. This pfd jacket is perfect for inland water near shore, meaning it’s only suitable in instances where immediate rescue is on the table. This makes the jacket perfect for shallow water activities, even your above ground swimming pool, and its minimal bulk design will mean that it’ll never become a burden. 

If you’re a fan of minimalism, then you’ll be a fan of the ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR Onyx A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket. Although its name might not sound too simple, we can assure you that the design is quite the opposite. This life jacket has been U.S coast guard approved, meaning it’s one of the safest on the market. Featuring an automatic/manual inflation preference and soft neoprene neckline for added comfort, you’ll find yourself having a carefree experience whenever this jacket is around.

Although the low-profile design of this jacket may look like the bare minimum, you won’t have any added worries. This jacket has a clever protective cover which is made out of heavy-duty materials, ensuring that it is durable enough for all the activities you get up to. Onyx have even been kind enough to include utility pockets for all your essential gear! What more could you want? If you love swimming, check out our guide to the best swim caps.

Once again, we have another epic life vest from the Onyx team. This time around, it’s in the form of a visually appealing vest which is available in two colours. Whether you opt for the bold red or the florally green, we can guarantee that you’ll turn heads for all the right reasons.

The great thing about Onyx Universal Paddle is that the sizing doesn’t come up snug like the majority of competitor’s products. This means that it is perfect for even the tallest and curviest of water-enthusiasts. We even found a review from someone who put the jacket on their dog, so it’s safe to say that this product is one of the most versatile we’ve seen! It’s safe to say that you’ll have a stress-free experience when this is on your body.

The Eyson Inflatable Life Jacket might not be the most exciting product on this list but it will save your skin in an emergency situation. You don’t need to opt for the most expensive and most stylish life jacket on the market but you need to know it’s going to work. This jacket is CE certified and SOLAS approved. That means it’s been through rigorous testing to make sure it will work correctly when you need it most. 

It’s made from a lightweight and durable fabric, has an adjustable belt for youths and adults, and can be reused multiple times. It has a buoyancy rating of 150N, which means it can support adults under 330lbs (150kg).