Inflatable life jackets pack down small enough to be conveniently stowed away while boating without occupying much space. Because they aren’t made with significant buoyant padding, movement remains flexible and non-encumbered. For activities like sailing, fishing, paddle boarding, or kayaking, the mobility and comfort factor of inflatables makes them an ideal life vest choice over restraint-inducing foam options.
We have prepped this whole article to usher you into the task of finding one for yourself. We do this by way of reviewing the leading vests that may serve you well at this time and what they have to offer.
Top 10 Best Inflatable Life Vest
Here are our top 10 picks, or read our in-depth reviews down below.
- ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR Onyx A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket
- Onyx Unisex Belt Pack Manual Inflatable Life Jacket (PFD) -Gray
- Onyx Unisex Belt Pack Manual Inflatable Life Jacket (PFD)
- ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR Onyx M-24 Manual Inflatable Vest
- Absolute Outdoors AMRA-132000-500-004-15 Onyx Outdoors
- Mustang Survival MD518313 Elite Inflatable PFD – Black
- MUSTANG SURVIVAL – HIT Inflatable PFD
- Mustang Survival – M.I.T. 100 Auto Activated PFD
- Onyx 131000-812-004-15 M-24 Manual Inflatable Life Jacket
- Mustang Survival – Inflatable PFD with HIT (Auto-Hydrostatic)
Best Inflatable Life Vest Reviews
Mustang Survival – Inflatable PFD with HIT (Auto-Hydrostatic)
Intending to engage in water activities? This life vest will help you to stay safe there. That is due to its ability to maintain you afloat when submerged in water to a depth of 4 inches below the surface thereof. It also boasts of the ability to inflate and deflate automatically.
Considering its tougher and enduring fabric makeup, this item is able to stay safer for longer without necessarily demanding too many repairs and maintenance on your part. That it operates independently of your own input also goes a long way in facilitating your overall enjoyment of the same.
What we like
- Hydrostatic Inflator Technology (HIT)
- 38 pounds of buoyancy when inflated
- Two heavy-duty stainless steel D-rings
- Strobe light holder safety whistle
- SOLAS reflective tape on inflation cell
Onyx 131000-812-004-15 M-24 Manual Inflatable Life Jacket
Wanting to accrue some comfort in the course of the use of these life vests? Choose to work with this specific item. It is packed with loads of features that are all designed to maintain your body in an absolute state of perfection and maximum comfort.
These include the soft neoprene neckline and the water-resistant fabric. The mix of these two elegant traits allows for minimal strains and absolute peace of mind while in the water. Then again, the item in its entirety is reflective in such a way as to enable easier visibility when trapped in the waters.
What we like
- Back-up oral inflation feature
- Soft neoprene neckline for all-day comfort
- Minimum buoyancy of 22.5 pounds when inflated
- Reflective piping for greater visibility
- The durable fabric takes you further
Mustang Survival – M.I.T. 100 Auto Activated PFD
Are you an adult who is intent on securing himself well out of danger? You have this specific inflatable life vest for your consideration and subsequent usage. Its weight handling capacity stands at a whopping 26 pounds. Moreover, it also inflates in a paltry 10 seconds after being immersed in water!
Also coming along is the relative ease of wearing of the same. Hardly does it demand too many strains and input on your part. Crowning it all up is the included membrane inflatable technology that reduces the overall weight of the gadget to allow for a more flexible fit.
What we like
- Automatically inflates upon water immersion
- Exclusive membrane inflatable technology (M.I.T.)
- Provides 28 pounds /12 N of buoyancy
- 1.5x regular foam PFDs
- CO2 activated within 10 seconds
MUSTANG SURVIVAL – HIT Inflatable PFD
If you are an adult who loves sailing along, we straight away draw this life vest to your attention. Its makeup comprises a sailing harness that may be used by the adults. The harness exists to add some safety and appropriate support for the sailors at all times of use.
Its core features the auto hydrostatic and fluorescent inflation that inflates and deflates the gadget independently of your own input. In total, this vest is truly good for use in severe weather conditions. Being strong and highly enduring, it does not fray or tears apart too easily.
What we like
- Two heavy-duty stainless steel D-rings
- Strobe light holder safety whistle
- SOLAS reflective tape on inflation cell
- Sailing harness for adults
- Auto hydrostatic and fluorescent inflation cell
Mustang Survival MD518313 Elite Inflatable PFD – Black
Some performances and conditions demand similarly top-notch gadgets and apparatus like this one. It is constructed to perform well in the moments of severe weather and strenuous environmental conditions. Enabling this is the revolutionary 3D chassis that bears the bulk of the impacts. It is tougher and hence very enduring.
One added advantage that comes with this 3D chassis is that it greatly minimizes drag at great speeds. In doing that, it lets your item cruise through at speeds that are way beyond the reach of the many alternatives that exist at the moment. What does that add to? Faster evacuations of course!
What we like
- Aerodynamic 3D chassis
- Wide shoulder system
- Lightweight fabric shell
- Wicking mesh liner
- Shaped for optimum mobility
Absolute Outdoors AMRA-132000-500-004-15 Onyx Outdoors
Just in case you cruise or fish on shallow canoes, the vest you pick has to be really quick acting to avoid the loss of time and the occasional damages that potentially come along. We ask you to attempt this as it is really well able to facilitate that end for you.
By its sheer quick-acting nature, the item inflates automatically as soon as it gets into contact with the water. That way, it saves a great deal of time and effort for you when attempting to stay safe at such times. Also, its materials and other components are optimized for the matters of added comfort for you.
What we like
- U.S. Coast Guard-approved inflatable life jacket
- A/M-24 manual/automatic Inflatable life jacket
- Heavy-duty nylon ripstop and nylon oxford protective cover
- Back-up oral inflation
- Personal flotation device (PFD)
ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR Onyx M-24 Manual Inflatable Vest
For your maximum convenience of engagements, you need an inflatable life vest that is really easy and convenient to man. None comes even close to this with regards to that requirement. It has the ability to change its operations from manual to automated and back.
Adding to these is the existence of a utility pocket that serves to stash your gears and paraphernalia. Examples of these are the waterproof camera, CO2 cylinder, and a host of other vital accessories. In total, the item does manage an elevated sense of utmost comfort for you indeed! Need we add that it also lasts longer?
What we like
- Convertible from automatic/manual to manual only
- 200 denier nylon ripstop and 200 denier nylon oxford fabric
- Packed with a utility pocket
- Comfortable, lightweight, low profile design
- Padded, fleece-lined pocket
Onyx Unisex Belt Pack Manual Inflatable Life Jacket (PFD)
Searching for an inflatable vest for your small child? Without too much ado, this could be the one to set your eyes on! It is smaller, more compact, and inflates easily by use of the mouth alone. Also, it adds some comfort, overall safety, and peace of mind in times of engagement.
Serving to add to your convenience further is the zippered pocket that you use to stash your gears and other vital possessions. Reflective piping also adorns the item. Its role is to boost the visibility of the gadget thereof and hence aid with the evacuation of any user whenever there is an emergency.
What we like
- 16-gram CO2 charge
- Provides 17 pounds of buoyancy
- Convenient, compact belt pack style
- Reflective piping for increased visibility
- Convenient reusable mesh storage/carry bag
Onyx Unisex Belt Pack Manual Inflatable Life Jacket (PFD)
Different inflatable vests are intended for different cadres of persons. This is mainly designed for a person who is aged over 16 years and is also weighty. That is due to the ability to accommodate well over 80 pounds. A number of factors converge to make this fact real.
These include the buckle closure, extremely low profile setting, 1-inch buckle, and body belt, a D-ring attachment, and the super-hard 200 denier nylon oxford protective cover. They all give off the strength and the support you need to have your item work hard to keep you safe when afloat.
What we like
- 1-inch buckle and body belt
- D-ring attachment for small accessories
- 200 denier nylon oxford protective cover
- Type V with Type III performance
- Provides additional buoyancy up to 26.5 pounds
ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR Onyx A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket
Taking the top spot of the inflatable vests we have around is this that is drawn from the Absolute Outdoor brand. All its parts and critical components are made of premium materials that are resistant to any form of damages that may be leveled against the same.
So tough and powerful is this life vest that it is capable of tackling kneeboarding, wakeboarding, swimming, tubing, waterskiing, boating, and many of the prevailing watersport activities. Moreover, it also adjusts to suit the needs of just about every other age or level of expertise. Count on it to facilitate your enjoyment of activities!
What we like
- Durable fabric resists tears and punctures
- Inflates with manual movement of T-cord
- Allows for automatic inflation upon immersion in water
- The lightweight, comfortable, slender design
- Full-throttle Onyx CO2 automatic flotation vest
CONCLUSION
There you have them! We now bring an end to our peek into the inflatable life vests there. With that kind of preparedness, we are now truly confident that you have the support you need to now get into the business of finding one for yourself.
While seeking a vest of this kind for yourself, we ask you to figure out the size of the wearer, the kinds of disasters you may want to mitigate, the total period of time you may want to use one for yourself, and the amount of money you may gladly set aside to acquire one.