There are different type of life vests when you go shopping for the right life vest think about what activity you will be doing, boating, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing. Life vests are designed for a specific purpose. If I go shopping at the different outdoor stores then I will find basic life vests that you might find at your local canoe or kayaking rental center. When I was young and at camp for school or summer camp we had canoes at the lake at the camp. I always use a very basic orange life vest. When I was older I used a different life vest because I was boating with friends who owned sail boats and a small yacht. When I go fishing I alway use a different life vest used for fishing and handing fish things, for example hooks or a pocket knife.
What brands of life vests are there?
Obrien is a brand from Walmart for paddle boarding/kayaking.
- O’Brien
- Sailterk
- Eccoo
- Ubesgoo
- O’Neil
- RhinoMaster
- Kadell
- Stearns
- Bradley
- Camtoa
- Hardcore Neon
- Life Saving Pro
- Neoprene
- Ktaxon
- Onxy M-24
There are many more brands of life vests to name for now.
What is the best rated life vest?
Here is some information from outsidepursuits.com:
Best Water Sports Life Jackets
- ONYX MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports PFD
- Astral Buoyancy V-Eight Life Jacket
- MTI Adventurewear Solaris PFD Life Jacket
Best Fishing Life Jackets
- NRS Chinook Mesh Back Fishing PFD
- Stohlquist Fisherman Personal Floatation Device
- Flowt Mesh Fishing Adult Life Vest Type III PFD
- ONYX Kayak Fishing Life Jacket
Best Children’s Life Jackets
- Stohlquist Unisex Child Nemo Child Life Jacket
- Stearns Heads-Up Child Vest
- O’Brien Child Neoprene Life Vest
Best Dog Life Jacket
- Ruffwear – K-9 Float Coat for Dogs
Are all life vest one size fits all?
The well known bright orange life vest I know from my childhood is being sold at your local Brass Pro Shops, for $8.99. Here is some more information from Brass Pro Shops:
Type II Life Vest for Adult or Youth
Here is a list of life vest from Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas World Foremost Outfitters:
Cabela’s Cool Mesh Vest(83)
- Cool mesh ventilation
- USCG-approved Type-III PFD
- Rugged 200-denier nylon shell
Item: IK-023333 $29.99
Bass Pro Shops® Adult Universal Life Vest(1)
- All polyethylene foam with a soft polyester shell and liner
- Skived front panel foam
- Hinged foam back
- 3 adjustable belts and quick-release buckles
- Form-fitting sides and back panel
Item: IK-946848 $14.99
XPS® Segmented Neoprene Life Jacket(1)
- Segmented chest and back for enhanced comfort
- Full-zip front
- 2 heavy-duty 1.5″ belts with quick-release buckles
- PE foam ensures dependable floatation
- USCG-approved Type III
Item: IK-202611 $64.99
Bass Pro Shops® Basic Mesh Fishing Life Vest(1)
- Soft polyester shell and liner
- All polyethylene foam
- True Comfort fit
- Soft to the touch, highly durable and lightweight
- Mesh shoulder and back
Item: IK-202542 $29.99
XPS® Platinum Series Fishing Life Jacket(10)
- 200-denier nylon with 500-denier Cordura-nylon overlay
- 3-buckle zip front
- Side adjustment system
- Fleece-lined collar
- 6 large pockets including hand warmers and tool holder
Item: IK-946876 $69.99
XPS® Nylon Life Jacket(1)
- Ideal life jacket for comfort, style, and lifesaving power
- PVC front foam and PE back foam
- Superior floatation power
- Mesh drainage
- USCG-approved Type III
Item: IK-202621 $39.99
Bass Pro Shops® Infants’ Traditional Water Ski/Recreational Life JacketNot Yet Rated
- 200-denier nylon Oxford shell
- The best baby life jacket for safe, fun days on the water
- All-around performance, from safety to comfort to flexible design
- Cushion-like foam
- Matching design to adult recreational Bass Pro life jacket
Item: IK-946844 $16.99
Bass Pro Shops® Kids’ Traditional Water Ski/Recreational Life Jacket(2)
- All-around performance, from safety to comfort to flexible design
- Cushion-like foam
- Large armholes
- Matching design to adult recreational Bass Pro life jacket
- Rugged 200-denier nylon Oxford shell
Item: IK-946845 $16.99
XPS® Women’s Platinum Neoprene Life Vest
- Aquaflex neoprene shell
- Soft Aqualite PVC foam inside front and back
- Anatomically cut and skived panels for superior fit
- UTAK quick-drying liner and mesh quick-dry drain panels
- Full-zip front and heavy-duty quick-release buckles
Item: IK-202531 $74.99
If you want to order any of the above life vests please visit our Cabela affiliate ad link: ShopCabelasWorldForemostOutfitters
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