I remember when the worst part of kayak fishing was how it felt wearing a PFD. Hot, heavy and bulky, life jackets were less than comfortable, and many anglers reluctantly admitted that those old life jackets spent more time stuffed in tank wells, where they did no good keeping someone afloat. Not anymore.
To meet the needs of kayak anglers, life jacket designers moved the back flotation higher and added a mesh panel to accommodate the high seat backs on a fishing kayak. Then, they added pockets and clips for tools and gear. Eventually, life jacket brands focused on downsizing—venting and molding the foam to fit more body sizes. Today’s fishing PFDs are so light, slim and cool, I often forget I’m wearing one.
After testing many models on the water, below you’ll find some my favorite picks for the best fishing PFDs.
Best Fishing PFDs: Our Picks
- Best life jacket for fishing overall: Astral: V-Eight 4.0
- Best fishing PFD for men or women: NRS Zander
- Best inflatable PFD for fishing: Mustang Elite 120
- Best PFD for cold weather fishing: Kokatat Leviathan
- Best belt pack: Onyx M-16 Venture
Dress For Immersion, Not Air Temperature
- Your body loses heat much faster when immersed in cold water than it does when dry.
- Avoid cotton clothing like t-shirts and jeans; they retain water and accelerate cooling when wet. Synthetic fabrics, or wool, are generally a better choice. If the water is very cold (60° fahrenheit or less), you should wear a wetsuit or drysuit.
Best Fishing PFD Overall
Astral V-Eight 4.0
MSRP: $155 USD
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BACKCOUNTRY BASS PRO AMAZON ASTRAL
Why I love it
My personal life vest for three-season fishing is the Astral V-Eight 4.0. In fact, I’ve had every version of the V-Eight, and I think Astral perfected the design with the 4.0. Adding larger mesh pockets with smaller internal pockets increases storage space without increasing weight or bulk.
The Astral V-Eight carries over the waffled and vented foam that improves air circulation to keep me cool. The foam is layered and contoured, and each size life jacket is uniquely designed to accommodate a unique body shape. To dial in a perfect fit, adjustment points keep the life jacket snug without impeding movement. My favorite feature is the included safety whistle that tucks into a small pocket near the shoulder strap.
Reasons to buy
- Ventilated foam
- PVC and neoprene-free
- Mesh pockets
Consider another if
- Fish in cold weather
- Need more storage space
Who should buy
I fish in dangerous places through the summer heat, so I need a foam life vest that won’t turn into an oven on a hot day. The Astral V-Eight 4.0 is my choice for fishing in river rapids and ocean surf because it keeps me cool with minimal bulk and weight. The mesh pockets are the perfect size for my smartphone on one side and my Garmin inReach Mini personal locator beacon in the other pocket. The Astral V-Eight 4.0 is for anglers who fish hard in tough conditions and need a reliable and functional life jacket up to the challenge.
Best Inflatable Life Vest For Fishing
Mustang Elite 120 PFD
MSRP: $299.99 USD
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Why I Love It
When I’m fishing in my motorized kayak, I wear a Mustang Elite 120 inflatable life vest. The Elite 120 offers both manual and automatic inflation. The automatic inflator uses a hydrostatic trigger that reduces accidental inflation from spray or rain. The Elite 120 weighs just under two pounds and provides 28 pounds of buoyancy.
Deflated, the low-profile vest and the back harness hold the vest in place without interfering with my kayak seat. The design also keeps the yoke from rubbing on my neck. When inflated, the contoured bladder improves movement and flotation.
Another big reason to choose the Elite 120 is reliability. The inflator is easy to inspect through a clear-plastic window with a red or green indicator and a clearly printed expiration date.
Reasons to buy
- Comfortable fit
- Easy to maintain
- 28 pounds buoyancy
Consider another if
- You’re on a budget
- Need an easy-to-rearm inflatable life vest
Who should buy it
I wear my PFD every time I go kayak fishing, so I need the most comfortable and reliable inflatable life vest. The Mustang Elite 120 has accompanied me on many adventures in my motorized kayak. Fishing miles from the launch, in rough seas, rain, and at night, the Elite 120 increases my confidence without affecting my comfort. The PFD is designed with support from professional anglers and rescue service members, so I know it will take any abuse I dish out. These pros always wear their PFDs, and they’ve built the Elite 120 to be comfortable for long days on the water.
Carry A Whistle (And A Light For Night Use)
- Every paddler should have a whistle attached to his/her life jacket.
- Carry a light at night. Consider carrying a distress signal device.
Best PFD For Cold Water Kayak Fishing
Kokatat Leviathan
MSRP: $195 USD
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Why I love it
I have been wearing the Kokatat Leviathan since the day it was released. The foam live vest has 14 pockets and multiple attachment points, but it’s the handwarmer pockets that take the cake.
I don’t fish with gloves in winter, so my hands are always cold and wet. Sticking them in the fleece-lined pockets brings my digits back to life. The other 12 pockets on the front of the life vest offer versatile options for storing tools and tackle. My smartphone fits in the large vertical pocket on the left side, and a personal locator beacon goes in the right side. I have space for clippers and pliers and an optional hydration bladder. The mesh back and low-profile foam don’t interfere with my seat and wrap around for a secure fit. The Kokatat Leviathan is a great all-around fishing life vest, but it’s my top choice when the temperature drops.
Reasons to buy
- Contoured foam
- Warm pockets
- Versatile storage options
Consider another if
- Prefer a low-profile fit
- Fish in hot climates
Who should buy it
The Kokatat Leviathan is a great choice for year-round fishing, but it really shines in cold weather. Anglers who fish in cold to cool weather will appreciate the warm pockets and insulating contoured foam. The Leviathan is a legendary fishing life vest for a reason, the same reason I’m still wearing the model after a decade on the water—it’s comfortable, versatile and durable.
Best Fishing PFD For Women Or Men
NRS Zander Fishing PFD
MSRP: $179.95
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Why I love it
To eliminate gender-specific designs, NRS uses layered, curved foam and a graded sizing system to fit a wide range of body sizes and shapes.
The unique fold-down pockets on the Zander allow full access to tools and gear secured in smaller interior pockets. A zippered front closure with a waist belt and silicone treatment on the waistband keeps the PFD in place and still allows full range of movement. I also like the stretchy fabric liner that is cool and comfortable without feeling clammy against my skin.
Reasons to buy
- Unisex design
- Secure fit
- Large, low-profile pockets
Consider another if
- Are on a budget
- Like flotation higher on the back
Who should buy it
People come in all shapes and sizes, so a PFD is not one-size-fits-all. Male and female anglers with unique body shapes will find a comfortable fit with the NRS Zander. The layered, curved foam molds to tall, short, wide and thin bodies. Moreover, the adjustment straps, zippered front, waist belt and silicone grip keep the life vest secure on a variety of forms. If you can’t find a life vest that fits comfortably, try on the NRS Zander.
Best Manual Inflatable PFD for Fishing
Onyx M16 Venture
MSRP: $136.56 USD
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Why I love it
Ten years in the making, the M16 Venture inflatable PFD will set the standard for the next decade and beyond.
Unlike other inflatables with air bladders on each shoulder and behind the neck, the M16 Venture places the air bladder on the chest where it doesn’t interfere with fishing, paddling and sitting in a high-back seat. The design is also more comfortable around the neck and arms. Unique to inflatable live vests, the Venture has a small pocket for your phone and personal locator beacon.
The Venture is a great choice for kayak anglers and a big improvement on belt pack inflatables popular with paddleboarders.
Reasons to buy
- Chest pack for air bladder
- Pocket for phone and PLB
- Manual inflation
Consider another if
- You don’t want to don the air bladder
- Fish in open water and rough conditions
Who Should Buy the Onyx M-16 Venture
Belt pack inflatable life vests are popular with anglers who need maximum freedom of movement. Inflatable vests are secured around the waist, so the arms, torso and neck are unencumbered. However, a belt pack requires the wearer to don the life vest after it inflates. The new Onyx M-16 Venture moves the belt pack to the chest where it is easier and quicker to position the air bladder around the neck. This feature makes the M-16 Venture comfortable and practical for kayak anglers who stand-up fish in shallow water.
I wear the M-16 Venture on scorching hot days when I’m sight fishing for redfish in the backwater marshes and flats. The inflatable chest pack adds essential protection with minimal intrusion so I stay cool, comfortable and safe.
Everything Else You Need To Know About Buying A Fishing PFD
Types of Kayak Fishing Life Jackets
You can separate the kayak fishing life vests in two categories: inflatable and foam. To provide flotation, an inflatable life jacket uses a CO2 canister to inflate an expandable bladder. On the other hand, foam life vests are filled with closed-cell foam. Foam vests provide inherent flotation for the highest level of safety. Foam life vests also offer more options for pockets and clips to hold fishing gear.
Foam vests feature different placement of the flotation. For example, a highback design will have no foam in the lower and middle back panels to accommodate a highback seat. A high-profile life jacket will have thicker foam to provide greater flotation than a low profile vest with thinner foam.
Inflatable flotation PFDs are available as in vest or belt-pack style. Regardles of style, pull a rip cord and the bladder inflates. The wearer pulls the inflated vest over his or her head and secures a waist belt. As a backup, every inflatable life jacket has a manual inflation tube. To repack the PFD, deflate the bladder, reset the trigger mechanism and replace the CO2 canister. Inflatable life jackets are also available in automatic and manual inflation varieties.
Automatic Inflatable PFDs
Automatic inflation activates when the life jacket hits the water. To prevent rain or spray from inflating the life jacket, the triggering mechanism, called a bobbin, must be submerged in water before it will release the CO2. You can still manually activate an automatic life vest by pulling a cord.
Self-inflating life jackets are ideal for anglers looking for extra assurance with instant flotation without the bulk and weight of a foam life vest. Automatic inflatables are more expensive and the trigger requires regular inspection and replacement, but they add a layer of confidence over manual inflatable PFDs that could be invaluable in an emergency, for example, if an angler fell into the water unconscious.
Manual Inflatable PFDs
Manual inflatable life jackets require the wearer to pull a cord to trigger the CO2 canister. Once the cord is pulled, the gas takes less than a second to escape the small canister and fill the bladder.
Manual inflatable life vests are sufficient for many anglers, however, they have limitations. Inflatable PFDs are recommended only for calm water within close range of shore. Inflatables are not appropriate for paddlers under 16 years old and non-swimmers, and if you are kayak fishing in open water and rough conditions, go with a foam life vest.
Both foam and inflatable life vests are available in a variety of styles and designs. There are even hybrid life jackets combining foam for 15 pounds of flotation with an inflatable bladder for extra buoyancy.
How To Fit Your Fishing PFD
Life jackets are available in sizes ranging from extra small to extra-extra large. Each manufacturer provides a fit guide based on chest measurements and weight. Youth, child and women’s life vests use their own sizing and design to match specific body shapes.
Even within the size range, shoulder and torso straps further adjust the life vest for a snug fit. A properly fitted life jacket should be tight to prevent slipping over the wearer’s head but permit movement without restricting breathing.
The best way to find a PFD that fits perfectly is to visit your local paddling or fishing shop, try on a few different models, and choose the one that feels best and suits the type of fishing you do.
Best Fishing PFD Brands
How We Tested the Best Fishing PFDs
I wear a life jacket 100-percent of the time on the water. A lifetime on the water has taught me to expect the unexpected. As a result, I have a PFD for every occasion. I have an inflatable PFD for my motorized kayak, a belt pack for paddleboarding, a foam vest for big water, a cold-weather PFD and a warm-weather PFD. I can suss out a poorly fitting and performing life vest before I even put it on. Boxy construction, cheap materials and poor design lead to an uncomfortable and unreliable life vest.
Of course, the most important test happens in the water. After decades of kayak fishing, I’ve ended up in the water a few times. A life vest’s faults quickly become evident if it rides up around my head, impeding movement and making it harder to reenter my kayak. Properly adjusting the fit encourages the life vest to work correctly in an emergency. Not only does the life vest keep me afloat and allow me to move in the moment, but it must perform flawlessly if I’m floating for hours. When it comes to personal flotation, there are no compromises. A life vest shouldn’t be an afterthought—choosing the best PFD for fishing is a matter of life and death.
Feature Image: Ric Burnley
