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When you’re riding the waves at full throttle, you want to know you’re protected in the event of a spill, and that your life vest will keep you afloat until you can either recover your jet ski, or help arrives, but you also don’t want to be too encumbered.
Part of the thrill of jet skiing is the easy, free movement you enjoy out of the water – a bulky, tightly-fitting life jacket could totally kill that buzz.
You also don’t want a life jacket that’s too loose, or rides forward too much – it could get in the way of your jet ski’s controls, putting you and your machine at risk.
Comfort and safety, however, need not be mutually exclusive. Our handy reviews can help you choose the best life vest, so you can head out to have safe, high-octane fun on the waves, with your only care being whether it’s a nice day or not.
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Runners and Riders
Just like any fast-moving, action-focused sports person, you as a jet ski rider don’t want to feel restricted by your equipment.
You may wonder what the point of life vests is – after all, you’re wearing a wetsuit: isn’t that enough?
Often, no. Many jet ski competitions and watersports parks require the wearing of life jackets, with a fine being enforced for non-compliance.
Also, a wetsuit doesn’t keep you afloat. It keeps you warm, which is vital, but it won’t stop you going under if help is a long time coming.
Frustrating as it may be, wearing a life vest on your jet ski is the sensible thing to do – and, if sensible isn’t your style, it’s the thing that will ensure you live to ride another day.
The Top Jet Ski Life Vests Compared
#5 – Onyx General Purpose
First up is this from Onyx offer a very cheap, very basic nylon life jacket which would suit the occasional jet-skier.
It isn’t Coast Guard approved, and is somewhat uncomfortable to wear.
However, it is cheap enough that you could purchase it as a just in case item for a vacation, and not feel too bad if it didn’t get used.
Pros
- Cheap
Cons
- Not Coast Guard approved
- Uncomfortable
Who Is It For?
This life jacket is definitely more a vacation purchase than anything else. It’s cheap enough that it doesn’t really matter if it is rarely used.
Value For Money?
While this life vest is cheap, there are better options, still within most peoples’ idea of affordable, available.
- Adjustable belts and chest strap to keep vest from riding up
- Lightweight durable flotation foam
- Large armholes for comfort
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#4 – Stearns Adult Classic Series
This is a unisex life jacket (although Stearns also do life jackets that are specifically designed for women) which is Coast Guard approved.
It comes in a choice of red or blue, both colors being bright and easily seen. It’s one size fits all, but the buckles and straps allow for easy adjustment to get the right fit.
However, if you are particularly large, or very slim, you may prefer to opt for a choice that is sized in the normal fashion, so you can assured of a comfortable and safe fit.
Pros
- Coast Guard Approved
- Easy to adjust for fit
Cons
- One size – not suitable for anyone markedly outside “average” size ranges
Who Is It For?
The Stearns Adult Classic would be a good beginner’s life vest for someone just getting in to jet skiing.
Value For Money?
This is a reasonably priced vest, and would be ideal for the average novice.
- US Coast Guard-approved adult life jacket
- Great for wakeboarding, water skiing, and tubing
- Soft and durable nylon shell and lightweight PE flotation foam
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#3 – Hardcore Watersports
Hardcore Watersports offer a range of sizes, from Youth to Adult 2XL, ensuring that most people will readily be able to find their best fit from the Hardcore range of life jackets.
This is a streamlined life vest which is Coast Guard approved, and made from quick dry material, so you’ll never be waiting on your safety gear when the waves are high and the sun’s shining!
The downsides to this life jacket are that it’s quite short, and does have a tendency to ride up, which isn’t great when you’re in the middle of a good run.
However, it redeems itself in that it’s not bulky at all, and is easy to wear even at the height of a competition.
Pros
- Streamlined
- Comfortable, not bulky
- Coast Guard Approved
Cons
- Quite short
- Does tend to ride up
Who Is It For?
While the riding up may be a real niggle for the professional jet-ski competitor, or the amateur frequent rider, this life jacket would be a good, affordable purchase for the enthusiastic beginner/improver.
Value For Money?
This is an affordable life vest that isn’t too bulky, and would make an ideal and practical accessory for the general purpose jet-skier.
A professional jet-ski competitor may want something that is less inclined to ride up, however.
- Designed to fit any person over 90lbs.
- Universal is Adjustable: 32" - 50" Chest Size
- USCG (U.S. Coast Guard) Approved Type III
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#2 – Bodyglove Life Vest
This life vest comes in sizes Small-4XL, and is designed for ease of movement, comfort, and functionality, with oversized arm holes and quick release buckles.
When you’re wearing the Bodyglove life jacket, nothing will get in the way of the fun and freedom you’re enjoying on your jet ski.
This vest is made from cotton, and can feel a little rough if you’re not wearing a wetsuit underneath.
It is also, obviously, not going to offer much in the way of heat retention.
Pros
- Ease of movement
Cons
- Not Coast Guard approved
- Cotton fabric
Who Is It For?
This life vest would probably best suit the occasional rider who is keeping close to shore in familiar waters.
It may also be suitable for those who are only using a jet ski to tow surfers out beyond the break line.
Value For Money?
There are cheaper life jackets that are Coast Guard approved. If you are a regular jet-skier, you would be better served purchasing one of those.
For competitive riders looking for freedom of movement, the O’Neil is a similar price, but much better value for money.
- Super duty nylon outer shell
- 100% PE foam flotation for maximum comfort
- Four heavy duty 1.5 " belts with quick release buckles
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#1 – O’Neil Men’s Superlite
O’Neil Men’s Superlite comes in sizes S-3XL, ensuring there really is something for everyone, although the sizes do fit very tight.
This is a competition standard life jacket, with front zip opening and minimal bulk.
There is absolutely no restriction of movement, and, while some people have commented that the nylon (rather than neoprene) material is uncomfortable next to bare skin, most jet-skiers wear their life vest over a wetsuit, which negates this issue.
This vest retains heat very well, making it ideal for the cooler evenings when you still want to get out on the water.
It is also Coast Guard approved.
Pros
- Competition standard and design – streamlined, ease of movement, comfortable
- Coast Guard approved
- Retains heat well
Cons
- Nylon, not neoprene
- Sizes run small
Who Is It For?
This is definitely an athlete’s investment, although it doesn’t come with the investment price tag.
Designed with the professional or pro-am jet-skier in mind, this life vest is affordable for anyone, at any standard.
If you don’t like the feeling of wearing a life jacket – buy the O’Neil life jacket.
Value For Money?
Absolutely. If what you like about a jet ski is the freedom it offers, you’ll love this life vest.
- USCG Approved Vest
- Closed cell PVC marine foam for optimal buoyancy while minimizing bulk
- Coated Polyester Shell
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Coast Guard Approved? Does It Really Matter?
The US Coast Guard know open water – it’s their job. They know exactly what kind of heat retention and buoyancy is required to give you the best chance of surviving long enough to be rescued, in the event of an emergency.
A Coast Guard approved life vest meets those requirements, and is all round the safest option, particularly for regular jet-skiers.
Competitive jet-skiers may be required to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket in their heats.
The Final Decision
When you’re riding a jet ski, you want everything to be as comfortable and unrestrictive as possible – it’s all about freedom.
With that in mind, the O’Neil Men’s Superlite definitely wins this round.