Best Life Jackets for Sailing of 2024

The law and common sense agree: if you’re in a boat, you need a life jacket. Even if you’re a great swimmer, if things go wrong and you’re sharing the water with a mass of rigging or assisting another sailor in difficult conditions, you’ll want the added security of a good life jacket. It’s an essential piece of kit, and you need one that fits your body and your specific needs. We’ve made your choice easier by selecting five of the best life jackets for sailing, across a range of prices and styles.

Most manufacturers don’t make sailing-specific jackets, and many of the products on this list are also popular for sea kayaking, fishing, and other water sports that require a combination of safety and unrestricted movement. These jackets will allow you to focus on sailing without feeling burdened by your safety gear and without worrying about what will happen if you end up in the water!

For more of our top sailing gear recommendations, check out the Best Sailboat Anchors. 

Reviews - The Best Sailing Life Jackets

Astral V-Eight

View Women's Version

Specs

• Type: Conventional
• Floatation: 16 lbs.
• Gender: Men’s And Women’s Models
• Adjustment Mechanism: Side, Waist, Shoulder
• USCG Rating: Type III

Features

• Fully Breathable For Maximum Ventilation
• Contoured Foam For Snug Fit
• Multiple Adjustment Points
• 2 Large Expanding Pockets

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND USE

Astral is a small company that has earned a big reputation for innovative design, quality construction, and dedication to using environmentally friendly materials and processes. The V-Eight is one of their most versatile offerings, available in men’s and women’s versions and sporting a premium set of features, including an extraordinary range of adjustment. If you’ve ordered the right size, you should be able to fine-tune this jacket to a perfect fit.

Astral advertises the V-Eight as the world’s first breathable life jacket: it’s designed around a ventilation system that keeps you cool and comfortable without compromising on safety and storage.

View at REI

ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR Onyx A/M-24

Specs

• Type: Inflatable
• Floatation: 22.5 lbs.
• Gender: Unisex
• Adjustment Mechanism: Waist
• USCG Rating: Type V

Features

• Choose Between Automatic Or Manual Inflation
• Comfortable Low Profile Design
• Back-Up Oral Inflation Tube
• Durable Fabric Resists Punctures
• Side Pockets
• Soft Neoprene Neckline Prevents Chafing

BEST FOR: BIG-BOAT SAILING

The Onyx A/M-24 is one of the most popular inflatable life jackets on the market. When not inflated, it’s streamlined and comfortable enough that you’ll hardly know it’s there. In the water, it deploys over 22 lbs. of inflation either automatically on immersion or manually through a pull tab: the jacket can be set up for either manual or automatic inflation.

Once the jacket is inflated, the gas canister must be replaced and the jacket repacked, so this is one to use if immersion is rare and unexpected. Inflatables are ideal for crew on larger boats who need protection in case they go overboard but don’t want the bulk of a conventional life jacket.

View at Amazon

Onyx MoveVent

Specs

• Type: Conventional
• Floatation: Not Specified, Minimum 15.5 lbs. (For Type III Certification)
• Gender: Unisex
• Adjustment Mechanism: Side, Shoulder
• USCG Rating: Type III

Features

• Front And Back Ventilation
• Flexible Panel Design For Freedom Of Movement
• Integrated Whistle
• Expandable Pocket With Mesh Drainage

BEST FOR: SAFETY ON A BUDGET

This is a highly rated life jacket providing a competitive feature set at an accessible price point. Rather than using the contoured foam panels common in more expensive jackets, the MoveVent achieves a snug fit by mounting foam panels on a flexible mesh base, keeping the foam hugging your body and providing ventilation at the same time. An expandable zippered pocket, integrated whistle, and a solid range of adjustments round out an excellent entry-level life jacket.

If you’re looking for a comfortable, capable life jacket that will keep you afloat without sinking your budget, the MoveVent is a top candidate.

View at Amazon

Stohlquist Kahuna

Specs

• Type: Conventional
• Floatation: 18 lbs. for Small Size, 22 lbs. For M And L Sizes
• Gender: Unisex
• Adjustment Mechanism: Side, Waist, Shoulder
• USCG Rating: Type III

Features

• High Buoyancy
• Large Front Pockets
• Fleece-Lined Hand Warmer Pockets
• Low Profile Design For Easy Movement

BEST FOR: ROUGH WATER

What’s a white water vest doing in a list of sailing PFDs? It’s all about flotation. If you sail in choppy water or if you’re a lean, muscular person with low natural buoyancy, you’ll want a life jacket with the lift to keep your head above water when it counts. This vest packs extra foam and distributes that foam so effectively that you’ll hardly feel the added bulk.

Stohlquist is a premier life jacket manufacturer with a wide range of quality products, and the Kahuna reflects that heritage, offering comfort, practical design, and a host of useful features along with all that buoyancy!

View at Amazon

Astral BlueJacket

Specs

• Type: Conventional
• Floatation: 16.3 lbs.
• Gender: Unisex
• Adjustment Mechanism: Side, Waist, Torso
• USCG Rating: Type III

Features

• Two-Panel Fit System Eliminates Ride-Up
• Adjustable Torso Height For Custom Fit
• Back Pocket And Shoulder Ports For Hydration Bladder
• Huge Front Pocket With Internal Organizer Sections
• Additional Side Pockets
• Pocket With Antenna Port For VHF Radio

BEST FOR: WHEN YOU WANT THE BEST

Astral has a reputation for introducing cutting-edge design and construction features in their top of the line products, and the Blue Jacket lives up to that tradition. Multiple contoured foam panels shift independently as you move, maintaining comfort and flexibility while eliminating ride-up. There’s a huge clamshell front pocket with multiple zippered sub-pockets inside, along with side pockets. A rear pocket fits a hydration bladder (not included) that can feed over either shoulder, a big plus when your hands are busy and you need a drink. A huge range of adjustability assures a perfect fit.

The Blue Jacket isn’t cheap, but if you’re looking for a premium life jacket that combines impeccable fit, innovative design, and bombproof construction with environmentally sensitive materials and manufacturing, it’s worth the price.

View at REI

View at Amazon

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A LIFE JACKET FOR SAILING

COMFORT

If a life jacket isn’t comfortable, you’re likely to take it off, and it won’t help you if you’re not wearing it! Life jacket manufacturers pursue comfort by using different systems to keep foam matching body contours, multiple adjustments to let the user control fit, and soft fabrics to control chafing. Sailing is an active sport, so look for wide armholes and designs that don’t interfere with movement.

TYPE: CONVENTIONAL VS INFLATABLE

Conventional life jackets use high-density foam to provide flotation. They are inherently buoyant and require no activation. They can also be bulky and may be uncomfortably hot in warm weather.

Inflatable life jackets use a compressed gas canister to inflate automatically on immersion or manually using a pull tab. Many jackets can be set for automatic or manual-only inflation. They are very streamlined when not inflated and are comfortable and cool to wear. Once the jacket is inflated, you must replace the gas cartridge. Sailors on larger boats, who need a jacket only as an emergency measure if they fall overboard, often prefer inflatables for their superior comfort. You will need extra gas cylinders, and you should note that you may not be able to ship or carry compressed gas cylinders by air.

RIDE-UP?

Ride-up occurs when a life jacket moves up the wearer’s body instead of lifting the body. If the shoulder straps are high above your shoulders and the front of the jacket is up under your chin, the jacket is riding up, and it’s not floating you properly. Test for ride-up by pulling up on the shoulder straps. If you can lift them to your ears, tighten the side straps and the waist strap. If it still rides up, it’s probably too large. A waist strap that tightens below the ribs can control ride-up effectively, but only if it’s snug!

FEATURES

Life jackets offer numerous features, and you’ll have to decide what’s important to you. If you like gear on the outside of your jacket look for lash tabs and attachment points; if you’d rather stay streamlined, you’ll prefer a range of pockets. If you sail in hot weather, ventilation is key; if not, it’s a lower priority. Consider the type of sailing you do and the conditions you normally sail in and decide which features matter most to you.

POCKETS

Most life jackets have pockets, but the number, configuration, and accessibility may vary. Consider what you’re likely to keep in the pockets and how many you’ll need. Many boaters prefer to keep critical equipment like a knife or whistle in a dedicated pocket where they can’t get mixed up with other items.

LEARN MORE

REI offers a useful guide to choosing a life jacket, and the US Coast Guard has helpful advice on how to choose and how to use a life jacket.

FEATURES EXPLAINED

COAST GUARD CLASSIFICATIONS

The US Coast Guard classifies life jackets in five types.

• Type I and II jackets place most of their flotation in the front of the chest. This helps to turn an unconscious swimmer upright but leaves the jackets too bulky for most recreational use.
• Type III jackets are preferred by most sailors and water sports enthusiasts. They have a minimum of 15.5 lbs of flotation and allow a wide range of movement. They will not turn an unconscious user face-up.
• Type IV devices are throwable cushions or rings. In many states, boats over 16 feet are required to carry at least one type IV device.
• Type V devices are specialized life jackets designed for specific purposes and certified only for those purposes. The label will specify the approved use of the device.

Annapolis Performance Sailing offers this more detailed guide to the types of life jackets.

FLOATATION

Flotation or buoyancy is the force needed to keep the wearer’s head out of the water. Most adults need 7 to 12 pounds of flotation in calm water. This may vary with weight, body fat, lung size, and other factors, and you may need more flotation in rough water.

LASH TABS

Lash tabs are fixed points where you can attach a whistle, knife, strobe or other accessories that you might need in a hurry.

SIZES

Life jacket sizes are based on chest size, not height or weight. Measure your chest across the widest point, just below the armpits, and consult the manufacturer’s size recommendations.