BUYING GUIDE for Kayak Life Vests
From the quality of the material to the right fit for your body shape, there are several things to consider when looking for a kayak life vest. To ensure your purchase lasts you a long time, read on for determining what characteristics of the life jacket you should pay close attention to.
Certified Standards
Since safety is your primary concern when gliding through the water, you shouldn’t take it lightly when choosing the supporting gear. A life vest that is approved by the United States Coast Guard, International Standards, European Standards, or Commercial Standards is, therefore, a must.
Apart from these certifications, life vests are further divided into 5 categories, each of which serves different purposes. Depending on your intent of usage, not every type of a life jacket will be relevant to you.
Here is the classification:
- Offshore Life Vests (Type I):the most versatile equipment that is equally compatible with open sea, oceans, and every other body of water. They are not the most comfortable jackets to wear, but they do come in handy in the event of emergencies.
- Near-Shore Buoyancy Jackets (Type II):most commonly used in calm waters and during emergency situations. They are not as buoyant as offshore life vests, but they do a pretty good job of keeping you afloat in still lakes.
- Buoyancy Aids (Type III):the primary target audience for these life vests is fishermen and sailormen. They are comfortable enough to be worn all day long without restricting any of your movements.
- Throwable Flotation Devices (Type IV):this type of gear is suitable for skilled swimmers only (or those who are unconscious). It acts as a backup for a life vest that is usually thrown to those in need of a helping hand.
- Special-Use Devices (Type V):Personal Flotation Devices, or PFD in short, are the ones that belong in this category. They are designed for a variety of water sports including but not limited to kayaking, waterskiing, and windsurfing.
Kayak Life Vest Material
Kayak life vests are often crafted from strong materials with a high number of Denier (thickness) to ensure the best possible buoyancy. This typically includes fabrics like Nylon, Gaia, Kapok, and PVC.
While Nylon and PVC are the most common materials used for manufacturing life jackets, Gaia and Kapok are the most environmentally-friendly fabrics. The first two have already earned the reputation of being sun-, flames-, and chemicals-resistant, whereas the last two are still newbies that, despite the relatively new appearance, continue to gain momentum among those living an eco-conscious lifestyle.
Size
The comfort you will experience while kayaking or fishing largely depends on the size of the equipment you wear. Life vests are not an exception.
A lot of life jackets are known to have double sizes – small/medium, medium/large – which are harder to choose from if you are a rookie. These vests, however, can be adjusted to your chest for the ultimate comfort, even though the initial choice of the size can be tricky.
Those that are sized like other pieces of clothing, on the other hand, are the easiest to select. Measure the circumference of your chest, look up the size guide created by the vest’s brand, and you are cleared for making the purchase.
For additional confidence in your size choice, compare the size of the vest you chose with similar vests from other brands and their recommendations. Alternatively, read reviews from people who have already purchased that particular life vest.
Customization of Kayak Life Vests
Even if you choose the correct size for your life jacket, there is still the possibility of it not fitting as well as you would like it to. This is where customization, also called adjustability, comes into play.
Long days out and about require you to feel comfortable in your equipment, which is why you need to make sure your life vest is not too loose or too snug at any point of the trip.
The basic elements of the life jacket that have to be adjustable are the sides and the front part. The ability to customize these segments of your jacket will allow you to adjust its general fit.
The cherry on top would be the possibility to regulate the shoulder pads that are in charge of your mobility. This will ensure your movements are not restricted even after hours of kayaking while sitting in the same position.
Additional Features
Although the availability of additional features is not a must, it is always a nice bonus to have extra storage pockets and a reflective tape aside from the basic quick-release rescue belt and lash tab and attachment points.
A kayak life vest with multiple D-rings and rod holder loops for fishermen is what a paddleboard with extra bungee storage is to a paddler. It is a handy asset to have when taking a break from the activity and wanting to relax while snacking on something or browsing social media.
A reflective tape, in its turn, is the most useful for those kayaking in low light conditions when safety measures have to be significantly upped. It gives you the much-needed peace of mind that in case of an emergency, you will be found.
If you already have a kayak life vest or you just bought one, leave a comment in the comment section below and share your experience with it.
