I remember when the worst part of fishing was wearing a PFD. Hot, heavy and bulky, life jackets were less than comfortable. The old life jackets spent more time stuffed in tank wells. Not anymore.
More than a decade ago, designers of life jackets first added a mesh back to accommodate the high seat back 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.
Life jacket, life vest or personal flotation device (PFD)—call it what you want, as long as you wear it. Anyone who plays on the water should wear a flotation device. Combining comfort, utility and safety, the best life vest makes kayak fishing more fun. After testing many models on the water, below you’ll find some my favorite picks for the best fishing PFDs.
Kokatat
Leviathan
With fleece-lined handwarmer pockets and soft foam and fabric, Kokatat’s Leviathan is my choice for a winter life vest. The Leviathan has 14 pockets in total. Some might say that’s too many, but I like having options to store my gear. Even with acres of storage, the Leviathan manages to stay low-profile and lightweight. Environmentally friendly GAIA foam curves to fit my body and maintain ventilation. Straight out of the box, this life jacket feels as comfortable as an old sweatshirt. $179 | kokatat.com
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Astral Designs
EV-Eight
Astral Designs’ EV-Eight is the pinnacle of a modern no-frills fishing life vest. After testing every life vest under the sun, the EV-Eight is my personal life vest for summer. First, the vest only has two low-profile pockets. I stick my smartphone in one pocket and leave the other pocket for my Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator. The foam is carved and curved to improve air circulation. The outside is covered with recycled material that is tougher and softer than classic reinforced nylon. At only 1.25 pounds, the EV-Eight is the lightest foam vest in this roundup. $140 | astraldesigns.com
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ASTRAL AMAZON BASS PRO SHOP CABELA’S
NRS
Chinook OS
How do you improve on a classic? NRS took one of the most iconic fishing life vests and modernized it. The Chinook is a great all-around life vest with the right combination of storage and fit. NRS kept the soft, moldable foam and ripstop nylon and reorganized the pockets for a lower profile fit. The large pocket remains on the left side, but the right side now features a smaller tackle pocket and a vertical pocket for a VHF radio or smartphone. The new Chinook OS is just as durable and comfortable, but now it’s a little more versatile and less bulky. $169 | nrs.com
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Stohlquist
Keeper
When the going gets rough, I appreciate the combination of form-fit foam and cross-cinch adjustment to secure the Stohlquist Keeper. Unlike the big chunk of foam high on the shoulders, the Keeper uses a thin layer of foam across the life vest’s back panel. The design spreads the foam out so the PFD doesn’t ride up in the water. On a highback seat, the foam provides an extra layer of padding. If the fishing plan includes a good chance I will end up in the water, I rely on the Keeper’s security and fit. $179 | stohlquist.com
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Mustang Survival
MIT 70 Inflatable
When I hit the water on my fishing SUP, I grab Mustang Survival’s MIT Inflatable life jacket. The low-profile vest doesn’t interfere with paddling and provides 15.7 pounds of buoyancy making it one of the smallest Coast Guard-approved life vests. I can manually inflate the vest with a convenient pull cord. The MIT 70 uses Mustang’s Membrane Inflatable Technology with light, flexible bladder material for maximum expansion. $149.99 | mustangsurvival.com
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Onyx
A/M 24 Deluxe
Inflatable life vests face two limitations: storage and comfort. Onyx developed the A/M 24 Deluxe to overcome both challenges. To prevent shifting and rising and keep the straps from cutting and rubbing, the premium inflatable life vest features a whole-body harness with padded air chambers and back pad. To increase storage space, the A/M 24 Deluxe includes two fleece-lined and zippered pockets to carry small items or keep my hands warm. These great features are in addition to manual or automatic inflation and 22.5 pounds of buoyancy. My favorite feature is the smallest; I love how the pull cord tucks out of the way into the inflation chamber. $229 | onyxoutdoor.com
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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.
How We Tested The Best Fishing PFDs
I’m sure my choices for the best fishing PFDs will cause arguments and that’s okay—there are many PFDs, and each angler has his or her favorite. To choose the best life jacket, I looked beyond standard features to the special qualities important to anglers. In addition to pockets and attachments for gear and gadgets, kayak fishing life jackets need to be built of tough materials and designed for maximum comfort.
I am confident the PFDs in this review are the best at what they are designed to do: keep anglers safe and comfortable while they catch fish.
Wear it and forget it. New fishing PFDs focus on convenience. | Feature photo: Courtesy Onyx Outdoor
