As a lifelong watersports brand, we take safety on the water seriously. That's why we've focused on developing a wide range of comfortable, versatile, and reliable personal flotation devices (PFDs) for the entire family. Please reference this PFD buying guide to help ensure you purchase the life jacket best suited for your water activity.

We recommend you always use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved (USCGA) or Transport Canada-approved life jacket for your watersports activities. Both have government standards set by global safety certification company UL, whose mission is to deliver safety, quality, security, sustainability, and confidence to the life-jacket market.

Life jackets or life vests—commonly categorized as personal flotation devices—are available in a wide variety of styles, each specifically designed for different water activities, including boating, using personal watercraft, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, river rafting, and learning to swim. Whether your PFD requirement is for basic water safety, use as a learn-to-swim aid, or for high-performance watersports like wakeboarding or white-water rafting, the right PFD should provide life-saving flotation in case of an emergency.

Read on to learn how to buy a PFD that best fits your needs, activity, sport, and size.

 

 

CHOOSING THE PROPER LIFE VEST

First, ask the question: What will I be using my PFD for?

There are different PFDs that offer varying levels of flotation vs. flexibility for different activities. If you plan to use your PFD primarily as a regulated water-safety protocol for recreational boating activities, you won't buy the same PFD as your experienced wakeboarding buddy doing flips behind the boat.

Your wakeboard buddy might opt for a non-USCGA competition, or "comp", vest that offers maximum flexibility and comfort but with decreased flotation. On the other hand, all boating vessels are required to have U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vests on board.

 

U.S. COAST GUARD-APPROVED LIFE JACKETS

It's important to note the federal, state, and local laws of your region before purchasing the proper life vest.

In the United States, federal law states that while a vessel is underway all children under the age of 13 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin. USCGA life vests meet the minimum buoyancy and safety ratings set forth by the United States Coast Guard. In Canada, reference Transport Canada's life vest regulations.

NON-USCGA COMP VESTS

Non-USCGA comp vests are the preferred PFDs for competitive wakeboarders and water skiers, because they offer a more-flexible, form-fitting design that is lightweight and less bulky than traditional USCGA vests.

The trade-off for the increased performance is that these vests fall below the minimum buoyancy rating and, therefore, are not recommended for general water-safety use. Non-USCGA comp vests are for advanced and expert-level watersports participants only.

 

MATERIALS & CLOSURES

There are two types of materials commonly used in PFD construction: neoprene and nylon.

Neoprene vests are softer, more comfortable, and tend to flex slightly when wet. They typically come with both a front zipper and two front buckles for a customized, snug fit. Nylon life jackets do not have stretch properties and fit similarly both in and out of the water. They typically do not include a zipper and will have more than two buckles to help ensure a snug fit.

Whichever life jacket style you choose, it's important to make sure your PFD has a tight and snug fit before entering the water.

 

LIFE JACKET FIT & SIZING

Once you have determined the type of PFD you want, it's critical that you take the necessary steps to find the ideal fit.

When referencing the size charts and taking your own measurements, place a soft measuring tape under the arms to measure the fullest, widest part of your chest or belly while sitting down. A properly fitting life vest differs from your typical clothing size and should not be based on personal tight- or loose-fit preferences. The vest should have a snug fit.

Examine the PFD label to ensure the vest is the proper size for the wearer's measurements and weight. Try the vest on and make sure it's properly fastened to a snug fit with buckles and zippers secured. Hold your arms straight over your head and ask a friend to grab the top of the vest's arm openings and gently pull up; the life jacket should not ride up over the chin and face nor should it have excess room above the arm openings. The vest should fit like a second skin and should always remain flush to the body. We recommend putting the life jacket on and adjusting the fit while in shallow water under safe and supervised conditions.

A good-fitting vest should not move on your body while in the water. The shoulders of the vest should remain snug and not rise up to the ears. Body Glove uses premium materials and construction, and we fit test all our life jackets to ensure you are getting the best possible product on the market.

Please follow all the simple steps in this life vest guide to ensure a fun, safe time on the water for the whole family.