Heading out on the water with a paddle board can be intimidating if you are inexperienced, just read about my adventure choosing a paddle board as a beginner! Further, if you are a seasoned SUP user, take care of you safety by wearing a good life jacket. Either way, having the best life jacket for paddle boarding will make your adventure that much safer. In this post we give you some of the most popular options for life jackets on the market.
1. ONYX MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Life Vest
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The Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports Life Vest is one of our favorites in the best life jacket for paddle boarding category. This life jacket is made from a durable and lightweight material. If you take care of this PFD, it can last you for many years to come. What makes this life jacket stand out is the outer shell is built from a heavy duty nylon. This prevents the jacket from getting ripped or scratched too much. The flotation foam is very light so you won’t be feeling the weight of the jacket on your body.
Features & Specs
Amazingly, the Onyx comes in at a weight of only 1 lb. A heavy, bulky life vest is not ideal when paddle boarding. Ideally, you don’t want to notice the life jacket on your body. You also want to have your hands and arms as free as possible. Finally, the Onyx MoveVent includes soft neoprene shoulder pads and adjustable side straps.
- Very lightweight
- Soft padding on shoulders
- Adjustable straps
- Coast Guard approved Type III
- May be tight for bustier women
2. Onyx M-16 Belt Pack Manual Inflatable Life Jacket for Stand Up Paddle Boarding
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For the more experienced paddle boarder, the Onyx M-16 is an amazing choice. This life vest (or should i say belt) is manually inflating. This means that you have to pull the draw string to inflate it if you end up in the water. Experienced paddle boarders who can swim should consider this life vest.
Super Low Profile Design
This PFD stands out because of its low profile. It literally just sits around your waist. Moreover, your arms and hands are completely free to move without any impediment from the life preserver. It comes with a couple of D-Rings for extra accessories as well. This choice comes in for the comfortable swimmer, whether you are new to paddle boarding or not. If you happen to be new to using SUP’s, then consider a different PFD since you may end up in the water more often. Have swimming experience if you are going to choose this life vest.
- Very low profile design
- Does not impede your arms, hands or upper body
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Must be 16 years of age or older and weight over 80 lbs
- Recommended for people with experience swimming
3. Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket
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The Stohlquist Edge Life Jacket is a premium option for paddle boarding enthusiast. This life vest is ideal for any level of paddler and can last a lifetime if cared for. Your search for the best life jacket for paddle boarding may end here with this product. The vest itself is designed with ergonomics in mind. Taking up only a small footprint will give you great fit on your body.
Functionality and Performance
First off, the Edge’s design is very low profile to keep you flexible and mobile. When you’re out on the water, you want to make sure that your arms have full mobility so you can paddle properly. The Edge is not only Coast Guard approved but Transport Canada approved as well. For those longer trips out on the water, they built in a few accessory pockets to keep your personal items safe. Moreover, reflectors are integrated into the PFD so you stay visible to others on the water.
- Low profile design
- Contoured shoulder straps for added comfort
- Mesh sides to keep you cool and ventilated
- Heavier than competition at 2.2 lbs
Considerations Before Purchasing The Best Life Jacket For Paddle Boarding
- Weight
More often than not, you will want to choose a lighter life jacket for paddle boarding. There are plenty of options out there, but weight could be a key factor in keeping your balance in check.
- Material & Design
Check what the life jacket is made from. Certain materials can promote keeping you cool on those hot summer days. A hot life jacket could become a nuisance when on a paddle board all day.
- Buoyancy
Always make sure the life jacket is meant for your body size and weight. Also, the buoyancy of the life jacket should be suitable for your comfort in the water. A PFD with more buoyancy will hel you if you are not a strong swimmer.
- Coast Guard Approved
Is your life vest Coast Guard approved? There are certain life vests that aren’t. This doesn’t mean that they are not good. Lastly, make sure you are comfortable with the type of life jacket you choose and if your swimming ability reflects that.
Conclusion about the Best Life Jacket For Paddle Boarding
Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced paddler, it is important to wear a life jacket. You never know what sort of water you will encounter. Being in total control of the situation is important, but not always possible. Furthermore, there are always people on the water that don’t respect other adventurers and can zoom by you leaving a large wake in their path. On a windy, wavy day this can knock you off your board. This is where a life vest comes in to give you the security and peace of mind that you will be safe on the water.
The best life jacket for paddle boarding isn’t always going to be the same choice for everyone. Determine your level of comfort on the water, your ability to swim and how experienced of a paddler you are. Once you know those things then you can go out and select the best life jacket for paddle boarding that suits your needs.
