ActiveWater SportsBest life jacket 2025: keep afloat and stay safe on the waterThe best life jackets will keep you safe, whether you’re SUPing along a sunny river or sailing off the south coastWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveWater SportsBest life jacket 2025: keep afloat and stay safe on the waterThe best life jackets will keep you safe, whether you’re SUPing along a sunny river or sailing off the south coastWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The best life jackets will keep you safe, whether you’re SUPing along a sunny river or sailing off the south coast
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Musto)
(Image credit: Musto)
Sourcing the best life jacket (or personal flotation device- PFD) for your aquatic adventures is essential if you’re thinking of getting into almost any form of watersport, from kayaking and canoeing to SUPing and sailing. While there’s a vast amount of fun to be had messing around in rivers or on the coast, it is vital to have the right protective equipment. One common denominator in water-based sports is the need for a flotation device of some kind – a lifejacket in short. Choosing the best life jacket is a decision that rests on where you plan to use it most of the time; paddling along a canal in the sunshine is a very different scenario to the North Sea in a gathering storm, and fortunately there are life jackets to suit both situations. This guide picks out the key areas to look out for when choosing the best life jackets for you and your chosen sport, as well as five top lifejacket picks on the market today.
While you’re figuring out your kit, you might also want to check out our guides to thebest paddle boards for beginners, thebest water shoes, and thebest dry bags, for your aquatic adventures.
(Image credit: Baltic)
(Image credit: Baltic)
Best life jacket: what to look for
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The cheapest lifejackets are packed with foam, making them bulky, but very low-tech with very little to go wrong. More premium options tend to be inflatable, usually via a co2 cylinder that inflates them in seconds, allowing them to be much less bulky and ideal for active use. There are also a range of inflation methods for gas life jackets, ranging from the entirely manual through to fully automatic, the latter including the Hydrostatic (Hammar) lifejackets style, which only operate when fully submerged - ideal for situations where spray might trigger a simpler system.
The best life jackets you can buy right now
(Image credit: decathlon)
(Image credit: decathlon)
Tribord Adult Inflatable Life Jacket LJ 150N AIRThe best life jacket for most peopleSpecificationsLifejacket rating:150NInflation method:UML salt bobbin automatic inflationWeight:lightweightExtras:300 cm² reflective stripToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit SiteReasons to buy+Low-profile and light+Excellent protectionReasons to avoid-Requires rearming after each use-Automatic trigger not suitable for wetter sports
Tribord Adult Inflatable Life Jacket LJ 150N AIR
1. Tribord Adult Inflatable Life Jacket LJ 150N AIR
The best life jacket for most people
SpecificationsLifejacket rating:150NInflation method:UML salt bobbin automatic inflationWeight:lightweightExtras:300 cm² reflective strip
Lifejacket rating:150NInflation method:UML salt bobbin automatic inflationWeight:lightweightExtras:300 cm² reflective strip
Lifejacket rating:150N
Inflation method:UML salt bobbin automatic inflation
Weight:lightweight
Extras:300 cm² reflective strip
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
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Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
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Reasons to buy+Low-profile and light+Excellent protection
+Low-profile and light+Excellent protection
Low-profile and light
Excellent protection
Reasons to avoid-Requires rearming after each use-Automatic trigger not suitable for wetter sports
-Requires rearming after each use-Automatic trigger not suitable for wetter sports
Requires rearming after each use
Automatic trigger not suitable for wetter sports
(Image credit: Musto)
(Image credit: Musto)
Musto Championship Buoyancy AidBest premium life jacket for sailingSpecificationsLifejacket rating:50NInflation method:FoamWeight:860gExtras:Reflective detailing, pocketToday’s Best DealsVisit SiteReasons to buy+Robust, idiot-proof lifejacket+Handy pocketReasons to avoid-Bulkier than inflatable versions-Premium pricing
Musto Championship Buoyancy Aid
2. Musto Championship Buoyancy Aid
Best premium life jacket for sailing
SpecificationsLifejacket rating:50NInflation method:FoamWeight:860gExtras:Reflective detailing, pocket
Lifejacket rating:50NInflation method:FoamWeight:860gExtras:Reflective detailing, pocket
Lifejacket rating:50N
Inflation method:Foam
Weight:860g
Extras:Reflective detailing, pocket
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Reasons to buy+Robust, idiot-proof lifejacket+Handy pocket
+Robust, idiot-proof lifejacket+Handy pocket
Robust, idiot-proof lifejacket
Handy pocket
Reasons to avoid-Bulkier than inflatable versions-Premium pricing
-Bulkier than inflatable versions-Premium pricing
Bulkier than inflatable versions
Premium pricing
As one might expect from a high-end sailing brand such as Musto, the Championship Buoyancy Aid is very much targeted at the practicalities of dinghy racing, and comes at a premium to boot. Although it’s made of foam, it’s still anatomically designed to reduce bulk, and that foam construction has plenty of pros too. Most notably there will be no faffing with Co2, and there’s no inflation difficulties here, making it ideal for the spray-filled fun of dinghy racing - and indeed most other inshore sailing. The downside is a relatively low 50N rating, but there are lots of handy details here too, such as the front pocket, and reflective details will prove handy in low-light levels. A hassle-free, specialist safety tool that won’t let you down when the involuntary gybe strikes.
(Image credit: decathlon)
(Image credit: decathlon)
Decathlon Tribord Foam Life Jacket LJ 100NThe best budget lifejacketSpecificationsLifejacket rating:100Inflation Method:foamWeight:midweightExtras:whistle, reflective bandToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit SiteReasons to buy+Standards-compliant 100N rating+Very wallet-friendly+Low maintenanceReasons to avoid-Not suitable for offshore activities
Decathlon Tribord Foam Life Jacket LJ 100N
3. Decathlon Tribord Foam Life Jacket LJ 100N
The best budget lifejacket
SpecificationsLifejacket rating:100Inflation Method:foamWeight:midweightExtras:whistle, reflective band
Lifejacket rating:100Inflation Method:foamWeight:midweightExtras:whistle, reflective band
Lifejacket rating:100
Inflation Method:foam
Weight:midweight
Extras:whistle, reflective band
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Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
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Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
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Reasons to buy+Standards-compliant 100N rating+Very wallet-friendly+Low maintenance
+Standards-compliant 100N rating+Very wallet-friendly+Low maintenance
Standards-compliant 100N rating
Very wallet-friendly
Low maintenance
Reasons to avoid-Not suitable for offshore activities
-Not suitable for offshore activities
Not suitable for offshore activities
This Decathlon life jacket immediately looks like a pretty traditional ‘lifejacket’, and indeed it is. However, it packs in the specs and is extremely easy on the wallet to boot. Vitally, it’s ISO 12402-4 compliant, and offers 100N protection to boot, thanks to low-tech but robust foam flotation. The t-shirt shape and single buckle doesn’t restrict movement too much, and a crotch strap keeps you in it in the event of an emergency. A whistle and reflective band boost visibility and communication options, on top of the overall fluro-orange theme, which might not win design awards, but will do the job. Indeed, for such a low price this is an excellent choice, and while the rating isn’t suitable for activities beyond sheltered and calm waters, it’s much, much better than nothing.
(Image credit: Baltic)
(Image credit: Baltic)
Baltic Ifloat SUP LifejacketBest life jacket for paddle boardingSpecificationsLifejacket rating:50Inflation Method:ManualWeight:lightweightExtras:Strap, carrycaseToday’s Best DealsVisit SiteReasons to buy+Tiny, low bulk waist pack+Quality, reliable brandReasons to avoid-Won’t protect in anything but ideal conditions
Baltic Ifloat SUP Lifejacket
4. Baltic Ifloat SUP Lifejacket
Best life jacket for paddle boarding
SpecificationsLifejacket rating:50Inflation Method:ManualWeight:lightweightExtras:Strap, carrycase
Lifejacket rating:50Inflation Method:ManualWeight:lightweightExtras:Strap, carrycase
Lifejacket rating:50
Inflation Method:Manual
Weight:lightweight
Extras:Strap, carrycase
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Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+Tiny, low bulk waist pack+Quality, reliable brand
+Tiny, low bulk waist pack+Quality, reliable brand
Tiny, low bulk waist pack
Quality, reliable brand
Reasons to avoid-Won’t protect in anything but ideal conditions
-Won’t protect in anything but ideal conditions
Won’t protect in anything but ideal conditions
The Baltic Ifloat SUP lifejacket is specifically designed for keen SUP-ers, so keeps a very low profile indeed in a simple waist belt bag. It’s rated as 50N buoyancy, which is at the bottom of the scale, and is suitable for assisting a capable swimmer in calm inshore conditions – which to be fair covers the majority of SUP territory. With this in mind, it’s a manual inflation (which also means it won’t automatically fire if you tip in accidentally), and also needs to be unpacked and placed over the head, so won’t protect you if unconscious. However, as a ‘just in case’ safety item for SUP adventures that importantly won’t get in your way, it’s a winner.
(Image credit: RTM)
(Image credit: RTM)
RTM KORO life vestThe best life jacket for kayakingSpecificationsLifejacket rating:51/55/60NInflation method:foamWeight:N/AExtras:snack pocketToday’s Best DealsVisit SiteReasons to buy+Paddling-friendly cut+Solid build qualityReasons to avoid-Won’t protect in anything but ideal conditions
RTM KORO life vest
5. RTM KORO life vest
The best life jacket for kayaking
SpecificationsLifejacket rating:51/55/60NInflation method:foamWeight:N/AExtras:snack pocket
Lifejacket rating:51/55/60NInflation method:foamWeight:N/AExtras:snack pocket
Lifejacket rating:51/55/60N
Inflation method:foam
Weight:N/A
Extras:snack pocket
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Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
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Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
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Reasons to buy+Paddling-friendly cut+Solid build quality
+Paddling-friendly cut+Solid build quality
Paddling-friendly cut
Solid build quality
Reasons to avoid-Won’t protect in anything but ideal conditions
-Won’t protect in anything but ideal conditions
Won’t protect in anything but ideal conditions
The RTM KORO life vest’s big claim to fame is the distinctive cut, ergonomically suited to situations where there’s a lot of arm movement. That’s why this is our top pick as the best life jacket for kayaking… or indeed any watery activity that requires paddling. It’s a foam-based device, so suitably robust in situations where the odd knock or bump might occur, and requires very little maintenance bar a rinse after use. Rated as a 50N device, it’s ideal for general watersports use in calm conditions where you might need a little help to swim to safety. A simple zip-up front keeps donning and doffing as simple as possible, and a handy zipped pocket is ideal for snacks or selfie-ready smartphones alike. For a very reasonable price tag, this is a robust, no-nonsense lifejacket option for paddlers of all stripes.
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