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Best Life Jackets for Fishing Reviews 2021
When gearing up for your next fishing trip, chances are most of the attention is paid to the rods, reels, and lures.
But anyone who plans to actually be in the water should also plan their fishing gear for safety.
A fairly safe and contact-free sport, fishing generally doesn’t put its participants in any sort of real danger.
However, anyone fishing from a boat or in rapid rapids should take heed to protect themself from drowning. While you certainly could get some fancy new gadget advertised to be a “lifesaver,” it’s probably a better idea to go with a reliable water safety device that’s been around for over 2 centuries: the personal flotation device or PFD.
To help you figure out which fishing life jacket is right for you, this list breaks down the 5 best life jackets for fishing, finding out what each one is best at and who that’s best for.
Last update on 2022-01-20 at 18:51 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Best Seller: Onyx Kayak Fishing Life Jacket
- Six adjustment straps to cinch vest up for a snug fit
- High foam back accommodates high back seats
- Pockets designed for your essential gear
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Anyone familiar with outdoor sports has likely heard of Onyx Outdoors which maintains contracts with not only numerous professional sportsmen but also the US Coast Guard.
As such, you can rely on the Onyx Life Jacket and its Type-III buoyancy rating to prevent you from drowning. In fact, many customers report that this fishing vest not only keeps you afloat but rights your face to the sky when doing so.
Of course, excellent floatation just covers the bare bones when it comes to a fishing life vest. Thankfully, the Onyx Life Jacket earns its position as the best seller with a wide range of features that covers most of the major considerations. For starters, this fishing vest turns out to be remarkably comfortable despite the high front and oodles of pockets that might otherwise make a fishing PFD bulky or restrict mobility.
A big part of this has to do with the neoprene shoulders which are strong enough to keep the fishing vest up when heavily laden but still stretchy and comfortable against your shoulders and neck. It also doesn’t hurt that this kayak fishing life vest comes with a high foam back, so you can comfortably sit in a paddle boat, with a mesh lower back to help keep you cool.
That said, comfort is not the only thing a fishing life jacket needs to do well, but the Onyx Life Jacket offers one of the wider array of different compartments. This ensures that no matter what type of fishing you do, this life vest has you covered. Aside from standard pockets, this PFD also employs a multitude of straps, loops, and rings, so you can hang whatever accessories you may need readily on hand.
Even better, this life jacket lasts for years thanks to the durable 400-Denier nylon outer shell and fits snug with 6 adjustable straps. When you combine the adjustable straps with a full front zip closure, you also get one of the more secure life vests whose snugness helps prevent mobility restriction. That said, this life jacket isn’t one of the more maneuverable– though it trades mobility for security.
Features:
- Fits snug with 6 adjustment straps
- High foam back for paddle boats
- Mesh lower back for breathability
- Neoprene shoulder pads for comfort
- Made of durable 400-Denier nylon
- Type III US Coast Guard certification
Pros:
- Has a wide variety of pockets
- Comfortable for all occasions
- Lasts for many seasons
Cons:
- Iffy zipper pulls
Verdict: The Onyx Kayak Fishing Life Jacket is the swiss army knife of fishing PFDs with a place or pocket for every conceivable piece of equipment you might carry. The plastic zipper pulls are the only part of this personal flotation device that aren’t made to the highest standards in terms of both materials and design.
Top Pick: NRS Chinook Fishing Kayak Lifejacket (PFD)
- Comfortable fishing lifejacket provided to make your fishing experience better, while keeping you safe out on the water
- Designed to be roomy in the front with a great fit in the back
- Soft, PlushFIT foam fits to your body type
Last update on 2022-01-20 at 18:51 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
The NRS Chinook Fishing Kayak Lifejacket takes many of the best features from its competitors to make a superior gestalt that maintains the most important qualities while also mitigating the flaws. In this way, the NRS Chinook is like a Goldilocks life jacket as well as a jack-of-all-trades in that it hits the sweet spot for most people, but it’s not ideal for particularly specialized needs.
To begin with, this life preserver might be one of the most comfortable options that doesn’t sacrifice a bit in security. This difference starts with NRS’ PlushFIT foam floats that conform to the shape of your body over time and eventually feel like nothing at all. That said, getting the size right is vital for maintaining these qualities, but they do tend to run a bit higher than you expect.
The NRS Chinook is also a great option for a kayak angler thanks to the high back that actually sits high enough to prevent a particularly high kayak seat from forcing the PFD to ride up. In traditional fashion, this fishing vest also utilizes a mesh lower back for added breathability and overall comfort. All combined- these features with the 6-point strap system and half zipper closure stay snug without limiting your cast.
Finally, though certainly by no means “least,” the NRS Chinook provides one of the most convenient systems of pockets and points of attachment out there. With pockets nestled within pockets, and multiples of every assortment of loop, ring, and strap imaginable, this fishing life preserver can store not only all of your common gear but do so in an organized fashion.
It is worth noting that the NRS Chinook does not offer the most volume of space, so if you have especially large tools, you still might need a secondary vessel for your gear. Still, with external sheaths for common hand tools, a small blade, and even your rod, this personal floatation device more than makes up for it.
Features:
- PlushFIT foam offers additional comfort
- The compact pocket design is efficient
- The high back is perfect for paddle boats
- Has numerous types of pockets
- Made of strong 400-Denier ripstop nylon
- Type III US Coast Guard certification
Pros:
- Offers exceptional maneuverability
- More comfortable than most
- Carries more than most
Cons:
- Sizes run large
Verdict: The NRS Chinook Fighing Kayak Lifejacket has tough competition from the other two top 3 entries but takes the prize thanks to the various creature comforts that make wearing it so easy. While the size can run a bit large, the various adjustments fit most people while the high back, low mesh, and PlushFIT foam make this one of the most comfortable PFDs you’re liable to encounter.
Best Value: Airhead Angler Universal Paddle Vest
- Low profile foam placement
- Breathable lower back mesh
- Comfortable Neoprene shoulder pads
Last update on 2022-01-20 at 18:51 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
The Airhead Angler Universal Paddle Vest may not top the list with the absolute highest quality of features, but neither does it do anything particularly badly either. Instead, this life vest sits squarely in the fairly-priced realm of a great value, providing everything you need and then some at a slightly lower level of quality or sophistication compared to the top spots. Thus, making a good cheap life jacket for fishing.
However, the Airhead Angler does come as one of the cheap life jackets that still fits well as a kayak fishing PFD. That said, like some of the other models advertising such a feature, this fishing PFD’s back doesn’t sit quite high enough to prevent especially tall kayak seats from forcing it to ride up the wearer’s back.
Still, the lower back employs the oft-used mesh to aid in airflow and breathability to help keep you comfortable and cool whether in a paddle boat or out. To further increase comfort, this fishing personal flotation device opted for neoprene shoulders, so that the material would stretch a bit if heavily laden while also feeling comfortable if it brushes up against the skin.
Durability is a bit of a mixed bag for the Airhead Angler, though that’s only in comparison to more expensive models that use materials far more durable than is necessary.
Regardless, this fishing jacket uses 200-Denier ripstop nylon for the outer shell which means that it is more liable to tear than some of the other options reviewed. But unless you ride through brambles or rough brush, you should be fine.
For the various pockets and compartments, the Airhead Angler is once again adequate without being exceptional, offering plenty of space and variety for your average angler. However, more specialized fisherman or more versatile may find both the number and variety of pockets and attachments a bit underwhelming. Still, this flotation device comes with different sizes of both pockets and loops.
Features:
- Neoprene shoulders and low-profile foam
- Adjustable suspension system customizes the fit
- D-ring and numerous accessory loops
- A full-mesh back for breathability
- Has solid seams and zippers
- Type III US Coast Guard certification
Pros:
- Comfortable and maneuverable
- Numerous specialized pockets
- Adjustable to any size
Cons:
- Not the strongest shell
Verdict: The Airhead Angler Universal Paddle Vest offers most of the standard features you expect to find in a high-end fishing PFD at a fraction of the price. However, to accomplish this, the Airhead Angler uses a lower strength of fabric for the outer shell. Thankfully, most fishing personal flotation devices are more than durable enough, and the Airhead Angler is perfectly suitable.
Runner Up: Stohlquist Fisherman Fishing Kayak Life Jacket
- Graded Sizing creates a better, more appropriate fit for a wider range of users
- Higher mesh-back design offers increased clearance for tall seat backs
- EVA pockets act as fold-down work surfaces
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Stohlquist offers a wide range of different life jackets– including various models intended for fishermen. However, the Stohlquist Fisherman Fishing Kayak Life Jacket is oddly not the most ideal option for your average or general fisherman. On the contrary, this fishing life jacket works best for those who need flat surfaces but don’t have one handy.
This is because the Stohlquist Fisherman is one of the few fishing personal flotation devices encountered that comes with 2 large pockets that have a stiff front. Aside from the fact that this stiff front piece helps protect any potentially fragile contents inside, it also folds down to serve as a firm surface for baiting a hook or even tying a fly. It also doesn’t hurt that the pockets are large enough for a variety of small handtools.
That, however, is where the compartment and fastener benefits end as the Stohlquist simply doesn’t stack up terribly well compared to the competition for most people’s needs. In terms of a fly fishing life jacket, this might be your best bet, but most fly fishermen don’t have to worry about drowning. As such, they tend to get a fishing vest without flotation devices and making this model a tough nut to crack.
Granted, if you’re fly fishing in a stream with a stiff current that quickly feeds into deeper waters, the Stohlquist Fisherman is a solid option. To be fair, this fishing life jacket is generally well-made with a Cordura nylon shel that is more than tough enough to handle a few run-ins with brush. This PFD also does not use PVC floats which allows its floats to offer a bit more buoyancy than some of the competition.
While not the most comfortable, the Stohlquist Fisherman has most of the standard comfort features of reasonable quality. The high back is high enough for most paddle boat seats while the mesh lower back allows your skin to breathe. The dual side straps and the cross-chest cinch harness combine to keep this fishing jacket where it’s supposed to be without restricting movement.
Features:
- Pockets serve as work surfaces
- Can mount most suitable equipment
- Multiple sizing features for a good fit
- Has a low-profile back for paddle boat seats
- The mesh back helps keep you cool
- Type III US Coast Guard certification
Pros:
- Is extremely versatile
- Can adjust the size
- Offers excellent mobility
Cons:
- Not the most storage
Verdict: The Stohlquist Fisherman Fishing Kayak Life Jacket is the perfect option for a fly fisherman who doesn’t have the luxury of hard surfaces that a boat or shore offer. Granted, you don’t get quite as many pockets as with some of the competitors, but these pockets do things those ones can’t. For the right kayaking fisherman, this should be the first choice.
Also Consider: Stearns Comfort Series Collared Angler Vest
- US Coast Guard-approved life jacket
- Large armholes for easy casting and movement
- Large front zippered pockets to store gear and tackle-pockets also work as hand warmers
Last update on 2021-12-23 at 15:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
The Stearns Comfort Series Collared Angler Vest is about as basic as you can get without much reason for fanfare but not actually failing in any significant way either. This is another option that would fare much better if the brand didn’t try to lean so heavily on its name recognition and offered a simply adequate product at a better deal. Still, it’s more than sufficient for your lazy day fishing.
One thing that’s a bit different is that the Stearns Comfort Series uses PVC for the front floats and PE for the back floats. This has a couple of different effects but on the positive side, this makes the front floats far more durable– and if anything pokes you while fishing, it’s liable to come from the front. On the downside, PVC is heavier than PE and when combined with the gear already in your pockets makes this PFD float face-down.
It’s not a major difference that a conscious person can’t correct without thinking, but it’s worth considering if you’re on a larger craft where you could be knocked unconscious before falling overboard. It’s a shame that this fishing PFD didn’t care about the durability of the shell quite as much– though, the use of 200-Denier Oxford nylon means that it’s not likely to tear easily either.
Unlike most acceptable fishing life preservers, the Stearns Comfort Series is one of the few without a high back meaning it will not be comfortable to sit in a kayak or some other paddle boats while wearing it. Though, this angler PFD at least got the mesh right, albeit in a less desirable place. On the other hand, fishermen in warmer climates will likely appreciate exactly how breathable this fishing vest is.
Finally, you should feel mostly comfortable otherwise while wearing the Stearns Comfort Series, though this aspect too comes with caveats. This kayak life jacket comes with large arm holes to make casting easier, but this only helps with the overhand part of the casting motion. Side casters or those who appreciate a smooth, clean follow-through may not like how bulky the front floats can be. Still, the neoprene collar not only flexes when the pockets are full but is comfortable against the skin.
Features:
- Large arm holes of casting mobility
- Dual PVC and PE floats for buoyancy and durability
- Mesh shoulders and liner for breathability
- Comfortable neoprene collar to prevent chafing
- Outer shell made of 200-Denier Oxford nylon
- Type III US Coast Guard certification
Pros:
- Can store larger gear
- Is reasonably comfortable
- Extremely durable floats
Cons:
- Is a bit bulky
Verdict: The Stearns Comfort Series Collared Angler Vest is your standard fishing life vest that comes with all of the benefits and flaws that you would expect. While there’s plenty of mesh to help keep you cool, this is not the life vest for kayak fishing with its low back float. Still, it’s fairly comfortable and mostly offers plenty of mobility– depending on how you cast.
Conclusion
Ultimately, specialists may disagree, but you definitely have some clear-cut winner to choose from depending on what you’re looking for. The best selling Onyx Kayak Fishing Life Jacket certainly lives up to its billing with durability, comfort, and functionality pouring out of every stitch.
Not to be outdone, the NRS Chinook Fishing Kayak Lifejacket ups the comfort and functionality with a properly high back that wears comfortably even in a high kayak seat. The Airhead Angler Universal Paddle Vest is a great budget option or the perfect starter-vest for someone just getting into fishing off of land.
The Stohlquist Fisherman Fishing Kayak Life Jacket isn’t for everyone, but there are plenty of fly fisherman who will appreciate its stiff EVA pocket fronts. Finally, the Stearns Comfort Series Collared Angler Vest is comfortable to wear and has durable floats but is otherwise an average, if uninspiring, option. If you prefer an inflatable life vest, please check our inflatable PFD reviews.