Life Vest Buying Guide | How To Choose The Best Types Of Life Jacket

Source: DHgate, Tag: Outdoor Sports

A life jacket is something you simply can’t do without for all your adventures on the water. Check here to learn how to choose.

A life jacket is something you simply can’t do without for all your adventures on the water. This is one safety requirement that can save your life in case things don’t go your way. But to get the best out of a life vest, you need to be donning the right one.
The jacket you choose will be determined by different things which we are going to break down for you.

Choosing A Life Jacket For Different Activities
The activity you are going to do in the water should influence the life jacket that you choose for the day. Whereas some vests can be multipurpose, you are safer picking one that is best suited for the activities you intend to engage in.
Personal Watercraft
When you are heading out for personal watercraft or water sports such as tubing, water skiing, or jet skiing, you need a life jacket that can withstand impact. A life jacket that is well fastened will hold even as you twist and turn. The vests for these activities also have wide-cut arms to ensure easy movement. The best life jackets for water tubing or water skiing are classified as type III personal floatation devices (PFDs).
Kayaking and Canoeing
Heading out to kayak or canoe? The best life jacket for you is one that allows you the freedom to paddle. These jackets will typically have wide cuts around the arms. The back of the vest is thinned out to provide comfort in a sitting position.
Fishing

When choosing a life jacket for fishing, pick one that allows easy paddling as well as a full range of motion of your arms as you cast and reel. Also, a good fishing jacket comes with loops for your fishing rod and pockets to stash the required accessories. These are mostly type III life jackets that are lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Whitewater Rafting
For whitewater rafting, you need a vest that can withstand the fast water currents. It should be well strapped to stay in place no matter the conditions. These jackets are generally heavier than the usual floatation devices because the weight helps to counter the water currents. The front is cut high so that you get room to lean forward. The exterior is made with a smooth texture to minimize drag and keep the user comfortable.
Stand Up Paddling
The life jacket worn by users of a stand-up paddle pad should allow maximum flexibility. Many users will opt for wide arm cuts and lightweight material, similar to the devices used for kayaking.
Others prefer the belt packs which are the lightest options that offer no form of resistance to your paddling motion.

How To Choose A Life Jacket That Fits Perfectly
A life jacket should fit perfectly for it to serve its purpose well. In a few simple steps, you can easily tell whether a lifejacket fits you well.
The manufacturer of the jackets normally specifies the ratings for the size and weight of the target users. However, you still need to try the jacket on. Put more emphasis on the size than the weight because you need a device that fits well.
Life Jacket Fitting Steps

• • First, loosen all the straps and zippers.

  • If you are using an inflatable vest, just wear it over your head or waist if it is a belt pack. Tighten all the straps starting from the waist, ensuring that the jacket fits snugly but comfortably.

  • To test for fit, raise your arms above your head and ask someone to pull the jacket up by holding the shoulder tops. If it slides up, try readjusting the straps. If it still moves up past your nose, then it is large and won’t provide the floatation desired.

  • Once you have the jacket on, the next thing is ensuring that you can move while in it. Depending on the water activities you will be doing, ensure that the jacket can allow you the freedom. For kayakers, try out the paddling movement and see if it’s comfortable.

When you are testing the life jacket, remember that you will be wearing different clothes across the different seasons. Choose a size that can be adjusted to fit even if you are heavily dressed.
Unisex life vests can be a good option for sporadic boaters but if you often go on the waters, you will be better off with a more specific life jacket. Vests that are specifically made for women have the matching contours to take care of the torso and bust.
Choosing Between Standard And Inflatable Life Jackets
Life jackets are either made in a standard form or with an inflatable mechanism. The standard life jackets are the majority on the market, though the use of inflatable jackets is also growing steadily.
Standard Life Jacket
The standard life jackets require low maintenance and can be used for different water activities.
Using the standard jackets is easier compared to their inflatable counterparts because they come ready to provide flotation and you don’t need to activate a buoyancy system. The downside of a standard jacket is that it can be bulky thereby restricting the activities you can do when you are wearing one.
Manual Inflatable Jackets

The manual inflation works by means of a trigger that is activated by the user making carbon dioxide to fill up the jacket. This jacket requires the user to be conscious to pull the trigger. They are light because you wear them when they are uninflated and they allow you a great range of motion. The manual inflating mechanism avoids false activation when the user is involved in activities that make them wet such as skiing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Automatic Inflatable Jackets
The automatic inflatable devices can either be water-activated or pressure-activated. The water-activated jacket will get inflated when it gets wet because the system uses a pellet that dissolves in water and releases a spring which triggers the carbon dioxide cartridge.
The pressure-activated jackets are similar to the water-activated jackets but the inflating mechanism is only activated when the jacket is immersed in water. The hydrostatic system is therefore an alternative to the manual inflating jackets because it can be used in activities that get the user soaked in water.
All the inflatable jackets require more maintenance compared to the foam jackets. You need to replace the C0₂ cartridge once it has been used and to keep checking the inflating system to ensure it is properly working.
Extra Features to Look Out For In a Life Jacket

A good life jacket is more than just the flotation mechanisms. These vests feature other accessories that are equally important in ensuring safety on the water.
One of the features to look out for is the colour of the jacket. Bright colours enhance visibility. Additionally, the life vest should have reflective tape for the user to be seen even in dim lighting.
Those who are in a hot environment will be more comfortable in a life jacket that allows the body heat to escape and keep you cool. If you are hunting or fishing, you need a jacket that can allow you to keep your accessories close to you. Find a device with the necessary tabs and hooks and enjoy your water activities.