Kayak Life Vests & Jackets

(102 Products)

Stay safe with kayak life vests & jackets from top brands. You can filter by price range, size, gender, brand, or color to find your perfect kayak life vests, jackets, and PFDs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of life vest is best for kayaking?

USCG Approved Type III life jackets are a great choice for most kayakers. Type V rescue jackets are also a good choice for more advanced paddlers with the proper training.

Do you need a special life vest for kayaking?

Everyone using a personal watercraft must have a USGC approved life jacket. Kayak-specific PFDs are designed to mirror your movements while paddling, providing a more comfortable secure fit.

What is the difference between a kayak PFD and a regular life vest?

A PFD (Personal Flotation Device) is the technical name for a life jacket or life vest. The terms are used interchangeably. Kayak-specific PFDs are designed to mirror your movements while paddling, providing a more comfortable secure fit.

What does buoyancy mean?

The buoyancy rating a PFD has means it can float that amount of dense matter. However, humans are about 80% water and 15% fat. Those are going to have no weight, and will help float you if you fall overboard, so they can be ignored, leaving only a small amount of denseness to account for. For example, a 200-pound person only needs about 10 pounds of additional buoyancy to comfortably float.

What do the different types of PFD ratings mean?

The US Coast Guard determines PFD ratings. We primarily carry Type III and Type V lifejackets approved for use in the United States. A Type III PFD has a zippered or buckled front closure and provides a minimum of 15.5 lbs of flotation. They are intended for general use near shore by a conscious person. A Type V lifejacket is a catch-all category reserved for "special uses" such as rescue and most inflatable PFDs. There is also a newer Type 70 "harmonized" rating that is approved by both the US Coast Guard and Transport Canada. These PFDs are similar to the Type III US standard, and are suitable for us in both the United States and Canada.

Achieve the Perfect Balance of Safety & Comfort With Our Life Vests & Life Jacket PFDs!

Along with your paddling helmet, the proper kayak life vest or PFD is one of the most important pieces of kayak gear you’ll buy. That’s why you should do it right - by shopping for the safest, most comfortable kayak life vest on the market, right here at Outdoorplay!

You don’t have to compromise on your personal comfort or level of safety - at least, not when you choose us. We’ve curated the top products from the top brands in the industry, including Kokatat, Stohlquist, Astral, and NRS. And, we offer these at affordable prices so you don’t have to break the bank finding a quality kayak life vest.

Shop now and enjoy free shipping over $49 along with a risk-free money back guarantee - you’ve got nothing to lose!

How to Choose a Kayak Life Vest or PFD Life Jacket

The most important factor when choosing the right kayak life jacket, also known as a kayak PFD (personal floatation device), is fit and comfort!

Kayak life jackets are built specific to paddling and are designed to be low profile as to keep the bulk of the flotation away from the shoulders and upper chest. This gives you the fullest range of arm and upper body motion when wearing the kayak life vest while paddling.

Many kayak PFD life jackets also include convenient features like zipper pockets for gear storage, and pouches for hydration bladders that can be mounted on the back of the paddling PFD.

It's important to have the right safety gear when out on the water kayaking, and a good kayak life vest is the most important of these. Make sure you take the time to find the perfect kayak PFD for your next paddling adventure.

What are the Different Types of Paddling Life Jackets or PFDs?

Nylon is perhaps the most common kayak life jacket lifejacket shell material because it is a tough, lightweight synthetic polymer. Relatively inexpensive to purchase, nylon life jackets are extremely durable and easy to clean. Though long-lasting, a nylon paddling life jacket is not smooth to the touch and can cause chafing around the neck or arm area after extended wear times.

Neoprene is also a synthetic polymer used on some kayak life jackets, but it’s constructed to have a softer feel and fit more comfortably around the body. Contoured fit, breathability, and more flexibility rank high on the list of pros, but a neoprene lifejacket will often cost a little more as well.

BioLite material looks and feels soft like neoprene, but it’s lighter weight since it contains no rubber foam. During construction, there is no lamination process or Volatile Organic Compounds, making this breathable material more environmentally friendly to produce.

Why Buy a Kayak Life Jacket at Outdoorplay Over the Competition?

If you take your safety seriously, and you also want to be as comfortable and uninhibited as possible while rafting or kayaking, the only place worth shopping for a paddling lifejacket is here at Outdoorplay.

You already know we have the top products from the top brands, but what are the other things that set us apart from the competition?

You won’t find a more knowledgeable staff anywhere else. As lifelong kayakers ourselves, we are here to help you get the products you need and use them correctly - all so you can enjoy the water the same way we do.

And, we ship all orders over $49 free of charge - helping you stretch your budget just a bit further. Your order is even backed up by a 100% money-back guarantee - so you don’t have to stress about whether or not you’ll love your whitewater life jacket. You have nothing to lose!

Grab Other Important Kayak Supplies Along With Your Kayak PFD!

So, what are you waiting for? The perfect paddling PFD is here waiting for you, along with all the other important kayak accessories you need to safely and comfortably enjoy the water, including a huge selection of kayaks.

We mean it when we say we’re your one stop shop for all things paddling - so browse these other related collections while you’re here and grab all your gear at once!