The best life jacket is the one people actually wear, and which one that is depends on what you plan to do on the water. A jacket built for staying aboard is the wrong choice for a day of tubing, and neither one fits the dog. After 27 years in the safety industry, and with two boats of our own, here are the three we use and when each one makes sense.
What to Look For in a Life Jacket
- Coast Guard approval. Check the label on the jacket itself, and check it on the exact size you buy. The label also lists the weight range and the uses the jacket is approved for.
- Fit. A loose jacket can ride up in the water. It should be snug without restricting your breathing or movement, and it should be adjusted for the person wearing it.
- Comfort. A jacket that’s hot, bulky, or irritating ends up in a locker. If it’s comfortable, people keep it on.
- Your actual use. Staying aboard, swimming, water sports, kids, and pets all call for different jackets.
- Inspection. Look over every jacket before the season. For inflatables, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for checking and re-arming the inflation system.
Quick Comparison
| Life Jacket | Price | Type | Best For | Coast Guard Approved? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onyx A/M-24 | ~$113 | Inflatable, auto/manual | Staying aboard, emergencies | Yes |
| O’Brien Men’s Flex V-Back | ~$71 | Life jacket | Time in the water, water sports, kids | Yes |
| Kuoser Dog Life Vest | ~$20 | Pet life jacket | Dogs on the boat | No (pet jackets aren’t approved) |
Onyx A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket: Best for Boating Where You Don’t Expect to Be in the Water
Price: ~$113
Type: Inflatable, automatic/manual inflation, Coast Guard approved
This is the one we reach for when the plan is to stay on the boat. It’s comfortable and easy to wear, which matters more than any spec, because the best PFD is the one people actually put on. An uncomfortable life jacket ends up in a locker, and a locker doesn’t help anyone in the water.
It inflates two ways. The automatic function inflates it when you go in the water, and the manual pull-tab lets you inflate it yourself.
Downside: We don’t have a real complaint about the jacket itself. The limitation is the use case: it’s built for emergencies, not for people who expect to be in the water. If you’ll be swimming, tubing, or doing water sports, this isn’t the right jacket for that.
Best for: Boaters who expect to stay aboard and want a PFD that’s comfortable enough to wear all day, such as cruising, sailing, or motoring.
O’Brien Men’s Flex V-Back Life Jacket: Best for Time in the Water and Water Sports
Price: ~$71
Type: Life jacket, Coast Guard approved
This is the counterpart to the Onyx. Where the Onyx is built for staying aboard, this is the jacket for people who expect to be in the water. It’s very comfortable, which matters for the same reason as before: a PFD only works if people keep it on. It’s also well suited to water sports.
The smaller sizes are a good option for families who require kids to wear a life jacket at all times while underway. A jacket that’s comfortable for an adult tends to be one kids will actually keep on. Check the label for the child’s weight range and the Coast Guard approval on the specific size you buy, since fit depends on the child.
Downside: No complaints when it’s used as intended.
Best for: Anyone planning to swim, tow tubes, ski, or otherwise spend time in the water, and families who want kids in a life jacket whenever the boat is moving.
Kuoser Dog Life Jacket, High Flotation Reflective Dog Life Vest: Best Budget Option for Boating with a Dog
Price: ~$20
Type: Pet life jacket (not Coast Guard approved)
Our golden doodle doesn’t mind wearing this one, which is the hardest part with a dog. A jacket the dog fights, or one you can’t get on quickly, defeats the purpose.
It has a handle on the back, which gives you something to grab to lift the dog out of the water or back onto the boat. It also has reflective pieces, which help you spot
The only life jacket that works is the one you wear.